Eric Clapton is one of the world’s most famous guitarists. Born in Surrey, UK, Clapton received his first guitar for his 13th birthday and from this early age, took his musical influence from blues guitar artists such as Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King and Buddy Guy. Clapton is the only guitarist to be induced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, as a member of TheYardbirds and Cream and for his work as a solo artist.
Clapton Guitar History (only the good bits)
Recently, Eric Clapton put a large selection of his private guitars up for sale. All the money raised from the guitar sale was to help fund a rehab centre he set up in the Caribbean Island of Antigua, which Eric Clapton co-founded. This Clapton guitar Sale raised an astounding £1.5 Million.
While playing for the Yardbirds, Clapton played a Fender Telecaster, a Fender Jazzmaster, a double-cutaway Gretsch 6120 and a 1964 Cherry-Red Gibson ES-335.
Clapton became a sole Gibson player by mid-1965, when he purchased a used 60’s Gibson Les Paul Sunburst Standard. Clapton continued to play a Les Paul in the early days of Cream until 1967 when he made the switch to a 1964 Gibson SG.
In 1968 Clapton bought a Gibson Firebird and also began gigging with the 1964 Cherry-Red Gibson ES-335 once again.
In late 1969, taking his influences from Buddy Holly and Buddy Guy, Clapton made the switch to the Fender Stratocaster. In 1988, Fender honoured Clapton with the introduction of his signature Eric Clapton Stratocaster based on Clapton’s famous favourite stage guitar, ‘Blackie’.
Eric Clapton Guitar Amplifiers
