sneakypete-sensei,
Thank you sooo much for the super-helpful reply!
O sewa ni narimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
My heart 'bout stopped when I read about it possibly being a low-end model that I paid too much for. However, things are looking up, as it does have a battery cavity in the back (and now I need to learn about active pickups...).
Could my troubles be caused by a dead battery? Please see the pics posted with this reply for much better views of the guitar (battery cover removed for these pics, but I have it).
I read about the EC model on wiki-P (
Eric Clapton Stratocaster - Wikipedia), but mine has 21 frets and the article says 22 for the ST54-LS (last paragraph under Features).
I came across a guy selling something that looks very similar to what I have here:
TommyGuitars.com - Fender Japan ERIC CLAPTON Blackie in Pewter 11-16-92 MIJ. I don't see anything on the guitar itself to identify if it has the circuitry specified for the one this guy is selling (and I know nothing about Tommy Guitars). The one he's selling and mine sure do look alike, though. Like I said, I don't see any ID/ custom markings other than MADE IN JAPAN, serial number Jxxxxxx on the back of the neck. I have not gotten inside the guitar at all or removed the strings from the shop.
I bought the guitar at a local branch of Appollon music (
Apollon ). As you know yen, I paid 49,800, which included a soft-carry case and setup for the 10 strings.
I would really appreciate any further help you can give and your thoughts on keeping or exchange, in light of the new information I have posted. Really, what I want is the best Strat I can get for $500 or less that I can learn on now and hit the stage with later. I'm the kind of person that will keep things a long time and take very good care of them. Short of equipment problems, it will be a number of years before I look at having more than one electric.
Again, thank you VERY much for your help and I eagerly await your next reply.
All the best,
Chordial
