Editing Eric Clapton (section)

==Guitars==
[[File:Eric Clapton 1978.jpg|thumb|upright|Clapton with "[[Blackie (guitar)|Blackie]]" in 1978. He recorded hits such as "Cocaine", "I Shot the Sheriff", "Wonderful Tonight", "Further On Up the Road" and "Lay Down Sally" on Blackie.]]
Like [[Hank Marvin]], [[the Beatles]] and Jimi Hendrix, Clapton exerted a crucial and widespread influence in popularising particular models of electric guitar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendarytones.com/claptonearly1.html |title=Clapton – The early years |publisher=Legendarytones.com |date=31 July 1966 |access-date=22 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213035059/http://www.legendarytones.com/claptonearly1.html |archive-date=13 December 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> With the Yardbirds, Clapton played a Fender Telecaster, a [[Fender Jazzmaster]], a double-cutaway [[Gretsch 6120]], and a 1964 Cherry-Red Gibson ES-335. He became exclusively a Gibson player for a period beginning in mid-1965, when he purchased a used sunburst [[Gibson Les Paul]] guitar from a guitar store in London. Clapton commented on the slim profile of the neck, which would indicate it was a 1960 model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xs4all.nl/~slowhand/ecfaq/Le%20Paul.htm |title=Clapton's Bluesbreakers Guitar Was A 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard |publisher=Xs4all.nl |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716053139/http://www.xs4all.nl/~slowhand/ecfaq/Le%20Paul.htm |archive-date=16 July 2009 }}</ref>

Early during his stint in Cream, Clapton's first Les Paul Standard was stolen. He continued to play Les Pauls exclusively with Cream (one bought from [[Andy Summers]] was almost identical to the stolen guitar)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/andy-summers/apr-07/27240 |title=Andy Summers |publisher=Guitarplayer.com |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508121213/http://guitarplayer.com/article/andy-summers/apr-07/27240 |archive-date=8 May 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> until 1967, when he acquired his most famous guitar in this period, a 1964 [[Gibson SG]], dubbed "[[The Fool (guitar)|the Fool]]".<ref name=GIBS>Bob Gulla (2008) ''Guitar Gods: The 25 Players Who Made Rock History'' p.45. Retrieved 30 December 2010</ref> Clapton used both the Les Paul and the SG to create his self-described "woman tone".<ref name="Oxman">{{cite magazine
| last = Oxman
| first = J. Craig
| date = December 2011
| title = Clapton's Fool: History's Greatest Guitar?
| magazine = [[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]
| publisher = Alan Greenwood
| access-date = 8 May 2015
| url = http://www.vintageguitar.com/12684/claptons-fool/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150419065246/http://www.vintageguitar.com/12684/claptons-fool/
| archive-date = 19 April 2015
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> He explained in a 1967 interview, "I am playing more smoothly now. I'm developing what I call my 'woman tone.' It's a sweet sound, something like the solo on 'I Feel Free'."<ref name="Oxman"/> Writer Michael Dregni describes it as "thick yet piercing, overdriven yet smooth, distorted yet creamy".<ref name="Dregni">{{cite news|title=The Dallas Rangemaster|last=Dregni|first=Michael|date=September 2014|work=[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]|pages=46–49}}</ref> The tone is achieved by a combination of tone control settings on the guitars and Clapton's [[Marshall Amplifiers|Marshall]] JTM45 amplifier.<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Get Clapton's Classic 'Woman Tone'|first=Ted|last=Drozdowski|date=9 January 2009|work=Lifestyle|publisher=Gibson.com|access-date=6 August 2010|url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/Tone-Tips/how-to-get-claptons-classic/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202054456/http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/Tone-Tips/how-to-get-claptons-classic/|archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref>  ''[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]'' magazine identifies "the opening riff and solo of 'Sunshine of Your Love' are arguably the best illustrations of full-blown woman tone".<ref name="Oxman"/> Clapton's "Fool" acquired its name from its distinctive psychedelic paint job, created by the visual art collective also known as [[The Fool (design collective)|the Fool]] (just before Cream's first US appearance in 1967, [[Gibson SG#Unique SGs|Clapton's SG]], Bruce's [[Fender VI]], and Baker's drum head were all repainted in psychedelic designs).

[[File:Eric Clapton 1.jpg|thumb|left|Clapton playing an [[Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster|Eric Clapton Stratocaster]] at the Hard Rock Calling concert in Hyde Park, London, in 2008]]
In 1968, Clapton bought a [[Gibson Firebird]] and started using the 1964 Cherry-Red Gibson ES-335 again.<ref name=GIBS/> The aforementioned 1964 ES-335 had a storied career. Clapton used it at the last Cream show in November 1968 as well as with Blind Faith, played it sparingly for slide pieces in the 1970s, used it on "Hard Times" from ''[[Journeyman (album)|Journeyman]]'', the [[Live in Hyde Park (Eric Clapton album)|Hyde Park]] live concert of 1996, and the ''[[From the Cradle]]'' sessions and tour of 1994–95. It was sold for US$847,500 at a 2004 auction.<ref name="cdqimo">{{cite web |url=http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000180.html |title=Eric Clapton Guitar Auction, 24&nbsp;June&nbsp;2004: More Information and Images |publisher=Stratcollector.com |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219104222/http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000180.html |archive-date=19 February 2009 }}</ref> Gibson produced a limited run of 250 "Crossroads 335" replicas. The 335 was only the second electric guitar Clapton bought.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ochoa |first=Hugh |url=http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000257.html |title=2004 Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Auction: the Auction, the Burst Brothers, and Lee Dickson |publisher=Stratcollector.com |date=27 June 2004 |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215035939/http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000257.html |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref>

In July 1968 Clapton gave George Harrison a 1957 'goldtop' Gibson Les Paul that been refinished with a red colour, nicknamed [[Lucy (George Harrison guitar)|Lucy]]. The following September, Clapton played the guitar on the Beatles' recording of "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]". Lucy was stolen from Harrison, though later tracked down and returned to him – he lent it to Clapton for his 1973 comeback [[Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert|concert at the Rainbow]]. His SG "The Fool" found its way into the hands of George Harrison's friend [[Jackie Lomax]], who subsequently sold it to musician [[Todd Rundgren]] for US$500 in 1972. Rundgren restored the guitar and nicknamed it "Sunny", after "Sunshine of Your Love". He retained it until 2000, when he sold it at an auction for US$150,000.<ref name =GIBS/> At the 1969 Blind Faith concert in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], London Clapton played a [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] Custom [[Telecaster]], which was fitted with "[[Brownie (guitar)|Brownie]]"{{'}}s neck.

[[File:Hard Rock Cafe London Clapton's guitar Fender.JPG|thumb|right|Clapton's Lead II Fender, the first ever piece of memorabilia donated to the [[Hard Rock Cafe]], London, in 1979]]
In late 1969 Clapton made the switch to the [[Fender Stratocaster]]. "I had a lot of influences when I took up the Strat. First there was [[Buddy Holly]], and [[Buddy Guy]]. [[Hank Marvin]] was the first well known person over here in England who was using one, but that wasn't really my kind of music. [[Steve Winwood]] had so much credibility, and when he started playing one, I thought, oh, if he can do it, I can do it".<ref>{{cite book|first=Tom|last=Wheeler|title=The Stratocaster Chronicles: Celebrating 50 Years of the Fender Strat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=za1MQ9gITagC&pg=PA8|year=2004|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-0-634-05678-9|page=8|access-date=12 March 2016|archive-date=10 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810044803/https://books.google.com/books?id=za1MQ9gITagC&pg=PA8|url-status=live}}</ref> The first—used during the recording of ''[[Eric Clapton (album)|Eric Clapton]]''—was "Brownie", which in 1973 became the backup to the most famous of all Clapton's guitars, "[[Blackie (guitar)|Blackie]]". In November 1970 Eric bought six Fender Stratocasters from the Sho-bud guitar shop in [[Nashville, Tennessee]] while on tour with the Dominos. He gave one each to George Harrison, Steve Winwood, and Pete Townshend. His first Stratocaster, Brownie, was purchased on 7 May 1967<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.groundguitar.com/eric-clapton-gear/eric-claptons-1956-fender-stratocaster-brownie/|title=Eric Clapton's 1956 Fender Stratocaster "Brownie"|first=Dan|last=Kopilovic|date=16 July 2018|website=Ground Guitar}}</ref> and made its debut in 1970 on his first solo album, in concert with Derek and the Dominos as well on the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. 
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/the-guitar-gear-behind-derek-and-the-dominos-layla/|title=The Guitar Gear Behind Derek & the Dominos' 'Layla'|author1=Christopher Scapelliti|date=22 July 2020|website=Guitar Player}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book|author = Clapton, Eric|title = Clapton, The Autobiography|url = https://archive.org/details/claptonautobiogr00clap|url-access = registration|date = 2007|publisher = Broadway Books|page = [https://archive.org/details/claptonautobiogr00clap/page/544 544]|isbn = 9780385518512}}</ref>

Clapton assembled the best components of the remaining three to create "Blackie", which was his favourite stage guitar until its retirement in 1985. It was first played live {{nowrap|13 January}} 1973 at the [[Rainbow Concert]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Landers |first=Rick |url=http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000259.html |title=Strat Collector News Desk: An Interview with Eric Clapton Guitar Technician Lee Dickson |publisher=Stratcollector.com |date=28 June 2004 |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327094222/http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000259.html |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref> Clapton called the 1956/57 Strat a "mongrel".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xs4all.nl/~slowhand/ecfaq/guitars.html |title=The Eric Clapton FAQ – Guitars |publisher=Xs4all.nl |date=3 September 2001 |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823121845/http://www.xs4all.nl/~slowhand/ecfaq/guitars.html |archive-date=23 August 2009 }}</ref> On {{nowrap|24 June}} 2004, Clapton sold "Blackie" at [[Christie's]] Auction House, New York, for US$959,500 to raise funds for his [[Crossroads Centre]] for drug and alcohol addictions.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.christies.com/promos/jun04/claptonGuitars/overview.asp |title=Christie's – Eric Clapton Guitars |date=14 June 2004 |access-date=30 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614191019/http://www.christies.com/promos/jun04/claptonGuitars/overview.asp |archive-date=14 June 2004 }}</ref> "Brownie" is now on display at the [[Experience Music Project]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ericclapton/articles/story/8928554/rock_memorabilia_market_booms |title=Rock Memorabilia Market Booms: Eric Clapton |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715090305/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ericclapton/articles/story/8928554/rock_memorabilia_market_booms |archive-date=15 July 2009 }}</ref> The [[Fender Custom Shop]] has since produced a limited run of 275 'Blackie' replicas, correct in every detail right down to the 'Duck Brothers' flight case, and artificially aged using Fender's "[[Relic'ing|Relic]]" process to simulate years of hard wear. One was presented to Clapton upon the model's release and was used for three numbers during a concert at the Royal Albert Hall on {{nowrap|17 May}} 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gc.guitarcenter.com/clapton/detail.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023062709/http://gc.guitarcenter.com/clapton/detail.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2007 |title=Eric Clapton's Blackie – Guitar Center |publisher=Gc.guitarcenter.com |access-date=22 August 2010 }}</ref> In 1979, Clapton gave his signed Fender Lead II guitar to the [[Hard Rock Cafe]] in London to designate his favourite bar stool. Pete Townshend also donated his own Gibson Les Paul guitar, with a note attached: "Mine's as good as his! Love, Pete".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SDJitKagniUC&pg=PA164|title=Clapton's guitar: watching Wayne Henderson build the perfect instrument|isbn=9780743281980|last1=John|first1=Allen St|date=2005|publisher=Simon and Schuster |access-date=12 March 2016|archive-date=10 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810044804/https://books.google.com/books?id=SDJitKagniUC&pg=PA164|url-status=live}}</ref>

Signature guitars in Clapton's honour are made by Fender and [[C.F. Martin & Company]]. In 1988, Fender introduced his signature [[Eric Clapton Stratocaster]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Heritage Music and Entertainment Dallas Signature Auction Catalog #634|date=2006|publisher=Ivy Press Heritage Capital Corporation|page=181}}</ref> Several signature-model 000-sized acoustic guitars made by Martin. The first, of these, introduced in 1995, was a limited edition 000-42EC Eric Clapton signature model with a production run of 461. For the single "[[Change the World]]" (1996) and the album ''[[Pilgrim (Eric Clapton album)|Pilgrim]]'' (1998) he used a Martin 000-28 EC Eric Clapton signature model, which he subsequently gave to guitarist [[Paul Wassif]].<ref name="Bonhams Auction Clapton Guitar">{{cite web|url=https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19037/lot/269/|title=Bonhams Auction|publisher=Bonhams.com|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119042846/https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19037/lot/269/|archive-date=19 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> His 1939 000-42 Martin that he played on the ''Unplugged'' album sold for US$791,500 at auction.<ref name = "cdqimo"/> Clapton uses [[Ernie Ball]] Slinky and Super Slinky strings, gauge .10 to.46.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Ernie Ball – Artists 
 |publisher=Ernie Ball 
 |url=http://www.ernieball.com/artists.php 
 |access-date=21 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805040814/http://www.ernieball.com/artists.php 
 |archive-date=5 August 2008 |url-status=live
}}</ref> His guitar technician for over thirty years was Lee Dickson.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lee Dickson: Three Decades with Clapton|pages=44–48|last=Kelly|first=Will|newspaper=[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]}}</ref>