Collection Gift Guide: Back in Black
December 1, 2006
In 1970, legendary blues/rock guitarist Eric Clapton visited the Sho-Bud
guitar shop in Nashville, Tenn., in search of some 1950s Fender Stratocasters for his
growing guitar collection. He eagerly bought six of the iconic instruments for about $100
each and gave three to his fellow musician friends, George Harrison, Pete Townshend,
and Steve Winwood.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
The remaining three guitars, built in 1956 and 1957, which he kept for
himself, were evaluated for their best parts: the best-playing neck, the best-sounding
pickups, even the best body paint. Their outstanding qualities were then combined to create one
amazing instrument. This amalgam of the best components resulted in the most famous,
and most valued, electric guitar ever: Clapton’s superlative “Blackie,” so named for
its black finish. (Click image to enlarge)
Clapton toured the world many times over with Blackie as his main stage
instrument throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Blackie’s distinctive sound permeates 461 Ocean
Boulevard, Slowhand, No Reason to Cry, and many other albums recorded in that
period.
Repairs and maintenance took their toll on the well-played guitar, and in
1985, after years of hard use on the road, Blackie was retired from service as Clapton’s main
ax. In 2004, Clapton decided to sell some of his personal instruments at auction,
including Blackie, with the proceeds going to the charity he created, Crossroads Centre, Antigua.
California-based Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument
retailer, purchased Blackie at the 2004 Christie’s auction for an unprecedented $959,500, at that
time the highest auction price ever paid for a guitar. Guitar Center, with Clapton’s
approval, then commissioned the Fender Custom Shop to replicate Blackie for a limited
release of 185 guitars in the United States and 90 for sale internationally.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
“Everyone in the Guitar Center organization wants to share the world’s most
iconic guitar with collectors and fans,” says Guitar Center’s Keith Brawley. “By working
with Eric Clapton and Fender, we are able to offer some of our best customers the thrill we
felt when we spent nearly a million dollars.” (Click image to enlarge)
The replication of Blackie goes far beyond the ordinary relic jobs done at
Fender, mimicking the original down to the tiniest detail. Every scratch, each area of wear on
the wood, and all the electrical components are reproduced with stunning accuracy.
Countless hours of hand labor go into each instrument. And unlike the original road-weary Blackie,
each replica is playable.
Fender brings a wealth of experience to the job, having released other
limited-edition Artist Tribute models such as a Jeff Beck ’54 Esquire, a Rory Gallagher ’61
Stratocaster, and a Stevie Ray Vaughan “Number One” ’62 Stratocaster, named for its place
in Stevie’s guitar lineup.
The Blackie reissues will only be available through Guitar Center locations
with a suggested retail price of $24,000; however, the guitars are expected to sell out within
the first few hours of their release to the public on “Black Friday,” November 24, 2006. A
portion of the proceeds will go to the Crossroads Centre, Antigua.
Guitar Center, www.guitarcenter.com
Fender Musical Instruments, 480.596.9690, www.fenderusa.com
Crossroads Centre, Antigua,
www.crossroadsantigua.org
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