What Kind Of Guitar Did Eric Clapton Play? The Answer Might Surprise You!

Eric Clapton’s Early Years

SECTION: 1. Eric Clapton’s Early Years

Eric Clapton was born on March 30th, 1945 in Ripley, Surrey, England. His mother, Patricia Molly Clapton (1916-1987), was a 16-year-old unmarried girl who became pregnant with Clapton’s father, Edward Fryer (1918-1985), a Canadian soldier stationed in the UK. Clapton was raised by his grandparents, Rose and Jack Clapp, after his mother returned to Canada when he was just a baby and his father was reported as “missing in action” during World War II.

Clapton’s early years were filled with tragedy and heartbreak. His mother left him when he was just a baby, and his father was reported as “missing in action” during WWII. Despite this, Clapton found solace in music. He began playing the guitar at the age of 15 and quickly rose to fame as a guitar player. He has gone on to have a hugely successful career, and is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Clapton’s first guitar was a Hoyer acoustic.

SECTION: 2. Eric Clapton’s Career

Clapton’s first guitar was a Hoyer acoustic. He later received a 175 Stratocaster from his grandmother. These guitars would go on to be his main instruments throughout his career. He has been nicknamed “Slowhand” due to his bluesy, soulful playing style.

Clapton’s career has spanned over 50 years, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He has released over 20 studio albums, and has won 18 Grammy Awards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Clapton is a true legend of the guitar, and has inspired generations of guitarists.

Clapton’s first band was The Roosters, which he joined in 1961. He later joined The Yardbirds, and then John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In 1965, he left The Yardbirds to form the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce. Cream was hugely successful, and is considered one of the first supergroups. They released four studio albums before disbanding in 1968.

After Cream, Clapton embarked on a solo career. He released his self-titled debut album in 1970, which featured the hit single “After Midnight”. Clapton’s second album, “461 Ocean Boulevard”, was released in 1974 and featured the hit single “I Shot the Sheriff”. Clapton’s career went from strength to strength in the 1970s and 1980s, with hit albums such as “Slowhand” (1977) and “Behind the Sun” (1985).

Clapton has continued to release new music in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. He has also released several live albums and compilations. Clapton is a true legend of the guitar, and his career has been hugely successful.

He is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with sales of over 100 million records. He has won 18 Grammy Awards, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame.

Clapton’s career has spanned over 50 years, and he has released over 20 studio albums. He is still active today, and shows no signs of slowing down. His most recent album, “Old Sock”, was released in 2013. He continues to tour and perform to sold-out crowds all

The Birth of Cream

In 1966, Eric Clapton joined Cream, one of the first ever rock supergroups. Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker quickly rose to prominence with their debut album, Fresh Cream.

Cream was known for their heavy, blues-influenced sound, and they pioneered the use of extended improvisation in their live performances. They were also one of the first groups to make use of feedback and distortion. Clapton’s guitar playing was a major driving force behind these sonic innovations.

Clapton went on to have a hugely successful solo career, but he has always looked back on his time with Cream fondly. In 2005, he reunited with Bruce and Baker for a series of sold-out concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Cream was only active for two years, but they left a lasting impression on the world of rock music. Thanks to Eric Clapton’s virtuosic guitar playing, they helped to pioneer a new sound that would go on to influence hard rock and heavy metal for generations to come.

Clapton’s work with Cream was hugely influential, not just on hard rock and heavy metal, but on rock music as a whole. They were one of the first groups to make use of extended improvisation and feedback, and their live performances were the stuff of legend. If you’re a fan of rock music, then you owe a debt of gratitude to Eric Clapton and Cream.

So why did this groundbreaking group only last for two short years? According to Clapton, it was due to creative and personal tensions between the members. Whatever the reason, we’re grateful that they left us with such a rich legacy.

Clapton’s Gibson Les Paul Standard

Do you remember the first time you saw a Gibson Les Paul Standard? I do. I was visiting the Hard Rock Cafe in London and there it was, on display in all its glory. The 1958 Sunburst model, with the “Clapton is God” graffiti. I was mesmerized.

This guitar was used by Eric Clapton during the recording of “Layla” and it’s currently on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. In 1968, Clapton began playing a Gibson Les Paul Standard, which he nicknamed “Lucy.” He had seen one in a shop window and asked George Harrison to buy it for him.

Clapton played this guitar on many of his greatest hits, including “Layla.” In 1999, Clapton sold “Lucy” at auction for $497,500. Seeing this guitar in person is an experience I will never forget. If you ever have the chance to see it, I highly recommend it.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard is truly a work of art. The craftsmanship that goes into making these guitars is incredible. If you’re a fan of Clapton or simply a fan of great guitars, then seeing this guitar is a must.

The Fender Stratocaster

The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most iconic electric guitars in history. First introduced in 1954, the Stratocaster has been used by some of the most famous guitarists of all time, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Stratocaster is known for its unique design, which includes a double-cutaway body shape, three pickups, and a tremolo bridge.

The Stratocaster was first introduced in 1954, and it quickly became one of the most popular electric guitars on the market. The Stratocaster’s unique design and sound made it a favorite among many famous guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Stratocaster is a versatile guitar that can be used for many different genres of music. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out, or a seasoned pro, the Stratocaster is a great choice for any guitarist.

The Stratocaster has been used by some of the most famous guitarists of all time, and it is considered by many to be the best electric guitar ever made. If you’re looking for an electric guitar that is versatile and sounds great, then the Stratocaster is the perfect choice for you.

The “Blackie” Stratocaster

In 1970, Eric Clapton bought six used Stratocasters for $100 each. He took three of them to his friend George Harrison’s house, where they were modified by Harrison’s guitar technician, Willy Weeks. Clapton nicknamed the guitars “Blackie,” “Brownie,” and “Red,” based on their colors.

He played “Blackie” the most, and it became his primary guitar. Clapton used “Blackie” on many of his most famous recordings, including “Layla” and “Crossroads.” In 2004, Clapton auctioned off “Blackie” for $959,000.

“Blackie” was made from parts of all three of the Stratocasters that Clapton bought. The body came from a 1954 Stratocaster, the neck came from a 1956 Stratocaster, and the pickups came from a 1957 Stratocaster. Clapton named the guitar “Blackie” because it was painted black.

This guitar was Clapton’s main instrument for the next 20 years. “Blackie” is a legendary guitar, and it’s amazing that Clapton was able to create it from six used Stratocasters.

Clapton isn’t the only one who has created a legendary guitar from used parts. In 1970, he gave three of the Stratocasters that he bought to his friends Pete Townshend, George Harrison, and Steve Winwood. Townshend used his Stratocaster, nicknamed “the Whopper,” on many of the Who’s classic recordings. Harrison’s Stratocaster, nicknamed “the Beatle,” was his main guitar during the Beatles’ later years. And Winwood used his Stratocaster, nicknamed “the Funk Machine,” on many of Traffic’s biggest hits.

All three of these guitars are now legendary, and they were all created from parts of used Stratocasters. It just goes to show that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a great guitar. With a little creativity, you can make your own legendary guitar.

The “Reptile” Stratocaster

In 2001, Fender created a limited edition guitar for Eric Clapton – the “Reptile” Stratocaster. Based on the 1954 Stratocaster model, this guitar featured a unique green finish with black coil pickups. Clapton used this guitar extensively during his 2001 “Reptile” tour.

The guitar was made to look like a snake, with a greenish-brown finish and green inlays. It had a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. The guitar was equipped with three Lace Sensor pickups, a five-way pickup selector, and a push-pull tone knob that activated a neck pickup.

The “Reptile” Stratocaster was a custom-made guitar built specifically for Clapton. It was a limited edition guitar, with only a few hundred made. If you’re lucky enough to find one for sale today, it would likely cost you around $20,000.

This guitar was Clapton’s main guitar from 2001-2003 and was featured on many of his songs during that time. It’s a truly unique and collectible guitar – and one that any Clapton fan would love to own.

The “Reptile” Stratocaster is just one of the many unique and collectible guitars that Clapton has used throughout his career. Others include his “Blackie” Stratocaster, which was his main guitar from 1973-1985, and his “Brownie” Stratocaster, which he used during his time with Derek and the Dominos. Each of these guitars has its own unique story and is highly sought-after by collectors.

If you’re a fan of Eric Clapton, then owning one of his guitars – even if it’s just a replica – is a dream come true. While the “Reptile” Stratocaster is a truly unique and collectible guitar, it’s also one that any Clapton fan would love to own.

The “Brownie” Stratocaster

Eric Clapton’s “Brownie” Stratocaster is one of the most iconic guitars in rock history. Clapton used this guitar on some of his most famous recordings, including “Layla”, “Wonderful Tonight”, and “Crossroads”.

The guitar was originally a sunburst 1957 Stratocaster that was refinished by Clapton’s guitar tech, Roger Giffin, in 1970.

The “Brownie” Stratocaster was Clapton’s main guitar from 1970-1985. He used it on some of his most famous recordings, including “Layla”, “Crossroads”, and “Cocaine”.

Clapton bought the guitar from George Harrison in 1970 for 300. The guitar was nicknamed “Brownie” because of its brown color.

In 2004, the guitar was sold at auction for $497,500, making it the most expensive Stratocaster ever sold. It was a 1957 Fender Stratocaster that was originally sunburst, but was painted brown by its previous owner. The guitar was stolen in 1999, but was later recovered and is now on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in London.

The “Beano” Stratocaster

In 1960, Eric Clapton purchased his first Stratocaster, which was nicknamed the “Beano” Stratocaster. The “Beano” Stratocaster was used on the album John Mayall’s Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton. The guitar was also used on Cream’s debut album, Fresh Cream. The “Beano” Stratocaster was sold at auction in 2004 for $959,000.

The Beano Stratocaster is the guitar that Eric Clapton played on the album “Beano”. The guitar was a 1960 Stratocaster that was originally sunburst. Clapton had it painted black. The guitar was given to Clapton by George Harrison. Clapton played the guitar on some of his most famous songs, including “Crossroads”, “Layla”, and “White Room”.

The “Beano” Stratocaster is one of the most iconic guitars in history. It’s amazing to think that this guitar was used on some of Clapton’s most famous songs. It’s no wonder that the guitar sold for such a high price at auction.

The “Beano” Stratocaster is a truly iconic guitar. It was used on some of the most famous songs of all time, and it has a rich history. If you’re a fan of Eric Clapton, then this is a guitar that you need to know about.

The “Sunburst” Stratocaster

Few guitars are as iconic as Eric Clapton’s “Sunburst” Stratocaster. This guitar was Clapton’s main instrument during his most successful years, and it was used on some of his most famous recordings, including “Layla” and “Crossroads.”

The “Sunburst” Stratocaster is a 1960 Fender Stratocaster that was refinished in a sunburst finish by the guitar shop where Clapton bought it. The guitar was originally intended for George Harrison, but Harrison ended up buying a different Stratocaster. When Clapton played the “Sunburst” Stratocaster, it had a distinctive sound that became known as “Clapton’s sound.” The guitar was eventually sold at auction for $1 million.

Today, the “Sunburst” Stratocaster is considered one of the most valuable guitars in the world. It’s a true icon of rock ‘n’ roll, and it’s one of the most famous guitars in the world.

If you’re a fan of Clapton or of rock ‘n’ roll, then the “Sunburst” Stratocaster is a must-see. It’s a true piece of rock history, and it’s one of the most valuable guitars in the world. Don’t miss your chance to see this iconic guitar up close and personal.

The “Eric Clapton” Stratocaster

In 1988, Fender released the “Eric Clapton” Stratocaster, a special edition guitar that was modeled after the one Clapton used during his time with Cream.

The “Eric Clapton” Stratocaster is one of the most popular and sought-after models of Stratocaster guitar. It is known for its unique sound and its association with one of the greatest guitarists of all time. If you’re a fan of Eric Clapton or just a fan of great guitar tone, then this is the guitar for you.

The “Eric Clapton” Stratocaster is a great choice for any guitarist, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. If you’re looking for a guitar that has a great sound and a great look, then this is the one for you.

The “Eric Clapton” Stratocaster is a special edition guitar that was released by Fender in 1988. It was modeled after the Stratocaster that Eric Clapton used during his time with Cream. The guitar features a black finish with a white pickguard, and it has a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The guitar also has three single-coil pickups and a five-way pickup selector.

The “Crossroads” Stratocaster

When it comes to Stratocasters, there is perhaps no guitar more iconic or revered than Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads” Strat. This guitar, based on Clapton’s famous “Blackie” Strat, was first released in 2004 and has been in production ever since.

The “Crossroads” Stratocaster features a black finish, a maple neck, and three single-coil pickups. It’s this unique combination of features that has made the guitar so popular with both Clapton fans and Stratocaster aficionados alike.

Clapton used this guitar on his 2004 album “Me and Mr. Johnson” and during his Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2007. Since then, it has become one of the most sought-after Stratocasters on the market.

So what makes the “Crossroads” Strat so special? Let’s take a closer look at this iconic guitar.

The “Crossroads” Stratocaster features alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. It has three single-coil pickups, five-way pickup selector, and two-point tremolo bridge. The guitar is available in two different finishes: Sunburst and Black.

This guitar is often referred to as the “Holy Grail” of Stratocasters due to its unique design and connection to Eric Clapton. If you’re looking for a guitar that combines the best of both worlds – classic Stratocaster style with modern amenities – then the “Crossroads” Strat is the perfect choice for you.