Eric Clapton's "Blackie"

In 1970 Clapton bought six 1950s Stratocasters at the Sho-Bud guitar shop in Nashville, gave three to George Harrison, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood, and had the best parts of the other three (built around 1956–57) assembled into one guitar, named for its black finish. He played it almost exclusively from 1974 to 1985, on songs including 'Cocaine', 'I Shot the Sheriff' and 'Wonderful Tonight', before retiring it with neck problems. In 2004 it sold at Christie's for $959,500 to Guitar Center, with the proceeds going to the Crossroads Centre, Clapton's addiction-treatment centre; it was then the most expensive guitar sold.

1. 1970

   Assembled from three 1950s StratocastersA

   By Nashville luthier Ted Newman Jones.

2. 1974–1985

   Clapton's main stage and studio guitarA

3. 2004

   Sold at Christie's to Guitar Center for $959,500A

   Proceeds to the Crossroads Centre.

Owned by · 1970–2004

Eric ClaptonA

Made by · 1956–57

Fender Musical Instruments CorporationAmedium confidence

Owned by · from 2004

Guitar CenterAmedium confidence

Associated with · 2004

Christie'sAmedium confidence

1. A

   Wikipedia, 'Blackie (guitar)'

   ↗ View original record