Eric Clapton Guitars Slated For NYC Auction

NEW YORK — Eric Clapton is parting with dozens of guitars and amps at a New York City auction to benefit an alcohol and drug treatment center he founded in Antigua.

New York-Bonhams will offer the 70 guitars and 70 amps next Wednesday.

Among the highlights is a custom-made black Fender 'Eric Clapton' signature Stratocaster, estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. It was used during the "Cream Reunion Shows" in New York and London in 2005.

A pair of 1970 Marshall vintage basket weave speaker cabinets are expected to fetch $8,000-$10,000.

The 65-year-old rock Hall of Famer is a recovered addict who established the non-profit Crossroads Centre in West Indies in 1998.

The British artist's famous love song "Layla" was released in 1970 when he appeared with blues-rock band Derek and The Dominos.

• • • • • • • • A selection of guitars and amps are seen during a press preview March 4, 2011 at Bonhams New York for the auction to sell some of Eric Clapton's guitars and amps in aid of the Crossroads Center, Antigua. The sale will feature over 70 guitars and 70 amps which have helped create Clapton's legendary sound. The auction will take place on March 9, 2011. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Comments

[slowuncle]

03:03 PM on 03/11/2011

Eric: please save me the rosewood Telecaster which George Harrison gave you in 1969. I'll get down there just as fast as I can!!

[anothervoter]

09:42 AM on 03/11/2011

I was there. Nothing really spectacular.

But at least the money goes to a good cause.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/science/09guitar.html?scp=3&sq=clapton&st=cse

Results:

http://www.bonhams.com/usa/auction/19226/

[Mark Diederichsen]

10:07 PM on 03/07/2011

After looking through the catalog, most of the guitars are later models, but Lot 74 is an exceptional 1948 L5 that that will likely fetch the highest price.

[gakeith]

06:55 AM on 03/08/2011

not as high as the psychedelic gibson sg that sold at sotheby's a few years back. todd rundgren was one of the prior owners of it.

[Nelson Montana]

08:58 AM on 03/09/2011

He never sounded better than he did with that guitar.

[Mark Diederichsen]

11:59 PM on 03/28/2011

I remember him playing that guitar. How much did it fetch? This L5 went for $82,960 and was the top lot, as predicted, in this sale.

[merryjee]

11:37 AM on 03/07/2011

Eric Clapton is parting with dozens of guitars and amps at a New York City auction to benefit an alcohol and drug treatment center he founded in Antigua.

http://www.biographystuff.com/geneva-motor-show-ever-scene-before

[blurredmolly]

05:55 PM on 03/06/2011

That is going to bring a lot of money.

[G52]

04:23 AM on 03/06/2011

The man is a well deserved living legend..............

Eric has been trying for years to give back for the help he received for his past alcohol problem including the last few guitar concerts and blues festivals.

I would like to own one of his guitars but I have the same problem as he does. Already have more than I can play at any one time. LOL!

[keep it solid]

11:47 PM on 03/05/2011

Noble gesture , bravo Eric

found this link about the items to be auctioned
http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/WService=wslive_pub/pubweb/publicSite.r

[keep it solid]

11:55 PM on 03/05/2011

update- the above link will not work for some reason if clicked :(

better to start from bonhams home page http://www.bonhams.com/

[Mark Diederichsen]

09:56 PM on 03/07/2011

Here's the direct link to the catalog contents.
http://www.bonhams.com/usa/auction/19226/

[Gronkie]

09:49 PM on 03/05/2011

I'd take any of 'em.

[RedDogBear]

01:14 PM on 03/05/2011

I was just listening to the special re-issue of Layla on CD's with lots of extra cuts. A lot of people don't like the way they reworked the sound but I think its great. Of all Clapton's work Layla is my all time favorite, the combination of Clapton and Duane Allman is just amazing.

[Carmen Madonna Campos]

01:28 PM on 03/05/2011

i have heard that and it is awesome!!!!

[Jay Rosenstein productio]

11:16 PM on 03/07/2011

There are quite a few things that were remixed that I like, but the radical remix during the closing section of the song "Layla" is total sacrilege. Some horrible decisions.

[idyllick]

12:02 PM on 03/05/2011

Can one ever have too many guitars?

Yes.

[signgrrl]

12:15 PM on 03/05/2011

apparently so.

[Sunflo]

02:49 PM on 03/05/2011

Children? Yes. Cats and shoes? Yes.
Guitars? No.

[filo]

11:38 AM on 03/05/2011

Eric has auctioned his guitars for the Crossroads center before. The last time Eric decided he wanted to keep one of them and started bidding on it. He was outbid by Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone magazine. Jann immediately gave the guitar back to Eric.

[InfinteShibumi]

12:50 AM on 03/07/2011

GREAT story. Thank you.

[JazzArtLove]

12:27 AM on 03/05/2011

he should just donate the instruments to poor NYC musicians like myself...

[rikster]

03:54 PM on 03/04/2011

wish I could bid on them....

[Max19th]

03:28 PM on 03/04/2011

Clapton is said to be auctioning off all of his guitars because he discovered the new apps for his iphone that let him play guitar on it.

[Max Shaw]

02:22 PM on 03/04/2011

I wish I could afford the CHEAPEST of his guitars..