Re: Fender Eric Clapton Signature or '52 Hot Rod Telecaster
Yep, go with that tele and leave it stock for a bit. That's just a great, comfortable guitar. One of Fender's better pieces of the past few years.
Those Clapton's will be around, so check for used ones every now and again and I'm sure you'll be able to find one and save a good chunk of dough.