What type of guitar does Eric Clapton play?

Eric Clapton is an iconic guitarist who plays many different styles of music. He is most associated with the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. He has played various custom Stratocasters for most of his career, including models such as the ‘Blackie’ and ‘Brownie’. Over the years he has also used a variety of other guitars from brands such as Gibson, Gretsch and Martin.

The Early Years: Clapton’s First Guitars and Influences

Eric Clapton, known today as one of the most iconic and influential guitar players in history, started his journey with a few different guitars early on. After receiving a Spanish acoustic from his grandparents at age 13, Clapton began to hone his skills by playing along to records from some of his biggest influences such as Muddy Waters, B.B King and others. A defining moment for him came shortly after when he received a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard that belonged to singer/songwriter Alexis Korner. This opened up many sonic possibilities that weren’t available before and the sound quickly became part of Eric’s signature tone.

In 1964 Clapton joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers where he began using Fender Stratocaster electric guitars exclusively; likely influenced by Jeff Beck who was also in the band at the time. The combination of this new instrument with an overdriven Marshall amp solidified Clapton’s place in rock and blues history forevermore. His famous “Beano” burst has become an aspirational guitar for millions of aspiring players since its release more than 50 years ago -a testament to its lasting impact even today.

Throughout the ’60s, Eric continued experimenting with other models including Gibson 335s and SGs, Telecasters and Jazzmasters but none had quite the same impact or legacy as the legendary ’58 Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster have had on generations of guitarists around the world. It is clear that these two instruments will continue to shape modern music for years come as they are just as relevant now as ever before.

Gibson or Fender? Exploring Clapton’s Guitar Choices in the 60s and 70s

During the 60s and 70s, Eric Clapton made a name for himself as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. But what type of guitars was he playing? Many guitarists often associate him with Gibson and Fender, two of the most popular instrument brands today.

In his early years, Clapton began playing mostly Fender Stratocasters; however, it wasn’t until 1968 that he became known for playing a Gibson Les Paul instead. He began using this model after purchasing a used sunburst Les Paul from George Harrison’s studio in 1968, an instrument that would later become known as “the fool.” After this point in time Clapton was almost exclusively seen performing with a Gibson Les Paul throughout the late 60’s and 70’s which had become synonymous with his sound by then.

The reason behind why Clapton shifted to Gibson can be attributed to several factors such as its heavier tone and sustain compared to those produced by Fender’s instruments. During this period both companies were producing great quality models that sounded unique which is likely why he opted for both types at various points in his career. Nevertheless, when it comes to classic solos like “Layla” or “Crossroads” there is no denying that only a Gibson could have delivered such iconic sounds.

The Stratocaster Era: Clapton’s Iconic “Blackie” Guitar

Throughout his lengthy career, Eric Clapton has been linked to one instrument above all others – the Fender Stratocaster. The blues-rock icon is renowned for his vast array of iconic guitars; most notably, “Blackie”, a customized hybrid Strat with various parts of several different vintage models that he used heavily throughout the 1970s and 80s.

Clapton first acquired a new 1957 model in 1966 as an 18 year old; however it was only in 1971 when a chance meeting with George Harrison at Abbey Road studios led to him being gifted 3 Strats from Harrison’s collection. It was these three guitars that Clapton combined to create Blackie and continued playing it until 1985 when wear and tear eventually forced him to retire it.

It is no exaggeration to say that Blackie became one of the most iconic guitars in history during its lifetime. After touring across Europe with “Old Black” for many years and performing on some of rock’s greatest records (Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs being a prime example) Clapton ended up auctioning off the guitar at Christie’s New York where it sold for an astonishing $959,500 in 2004 – proceeds going towards charity. Today, fans can still catch glimpses of this legendary guitar every once in awhile during special performances or events such as Crossroads Guitar Festival which often features unique replicas made by Fender themselves.

Acoustic Adventures: A Look at Clapton’s Acoustic Guitar Preferences

Eric Clapton is well known for his virtuosic electric guitar playing, but it may surprise some to know that the legendary guitarist is just as adept on acoustic guitars. From his early days in The Yardbirds and Cream, to his decades-long solo career, Clapton has never shied away from exploring the acoustic side of things. Let’s take a look at what types of acoustics have shaped Eric Clapton’s sound.

One of the first iconic acoustic guitars associated with Clapton was an old ‘30s Martin 000-42 he bought while living in London during the 1960s. This is probably most famously known as being used on Derek and The Dominos’ classic hit “Layla”. Another signature model that was often seen with him in concert and TV appearances is the Gibson Hummingbird Dreadnought, which featured a beautiful Spruce top and Rosewood back/sides combination. He also had two custom SG models made by Gibson (a 6 string variant and 12 string version). Both these had unique appointments such as small pickguards and tortoiseshell binding around their bodies.

These days, Eric tends to favor Martin Acoustic Guitars such as OM-28V’s, D-18 Authentic 1939 VTS models, D45S Custom Shop Signature Edition models, even going so far as ordering a custom 00-45SC John Mayer Signature Model. His preference for these particular Martins can be heard in his later work from albums like Reptile (2001) or Me & Mr Johnson (2004). In addition to these he also regularly uses Takamine acoustics like EAN15C 12 strings or EN20C NEX cutaways for touring purposes.

It seems clear that no matter what genre or style of music he might be playing at any given time – blues rock riffs on electric guitar or intricate finger picking on an acoustic – Eric Clapton will always find himself comfortable with only one instrument: His own mastery of the six strings.

From Vintage to Custom Shop: Clapton’s Modern-Day Guitar Collection

Eric Clapton is one of the most influential guitar players of all time, and his signature sound has become synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll. Clapton’s use of electric guitars over the decades has changed along with the times. His collection ranges from vintage instruments to modern-day custom shop models.

Clapton’s vintage collection consists of a wide array of classic Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters, as well as other iconic brands such as Gibson Les Pauls. Many were played on classic albums and concerts, such as his 1965 Stratocaster “Brownie” which was featured prominently in Cream’s 1967 album Disraeli Gears. His 1956 sunburst Stratocaster nicknamed “Lucy” was also used for seminal recordings like “Layla”.

These days, Eric mostly uses new models from several highly acclaimed custom guitar makers such as Tom Anderson and Don Grosh Retro Classics. He often takes advantage of unique custom features offered by these luthiers to give himself an individualized tone that sets him apart from the rest. Clapton even owns a few unusual creations, including the seven-string Carvin DC7X that he used while recording the track “Change The World”.


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