Very nice. It looks newer, but very similar overall. How does it sound?
Yes...not exact, but very close. But as Hugh says the level of the Artisan that did it is very high. If you look closely and examine the brush strokes, the same technique has been used as was in the original.
I can vouch for the tone on this guitar. Hugh has been kind enough to let me play this at two gigs so far. I LOVE IT !!!!! The sound is very vintagey in the sense that it has a roundness and warmth that older guitars seem to acquire. Compared to my new Historic SG/LP, it is much smoother in tone and less congested. The pickups are lowish in output so they don't drive the amp particularly hard. But, the sound is very large, fat and wide. Perfect for slide and great for anything really (except maybe thin, scratchy funky nothings). The playability of this guitar second to none. Low, perfectly set up action. But even with the closeness of the strings to the board, I can still play slide with no fretting out at all.
The effect of the aesthetic of this guitar on people goes without saying. Even if they are unaware of it's historical connection. This past Thursday I played it at The Beaches Jazz Festival. When I strapped it on, after playing a Frankenstrat for some of the set, I could see people looking at the guitar for the whole remainder of the night. Then I fielded many questions about it afterward. No one even mentioned Clapton, Cream or Sunshine Of Your Love.
Maybe Hugh will just forget he has lent this to me and never ask for it back.

That would make me VERY happy. :banana:
Cheers
Pete