1970 was the year, Clapton's search for his muse had begun...​

 

At Sho-Bud guitar Store, Nashville, Clapton found a rack of vintage stratocasters of which he bought six at $100 each. Upon his return to England he presented three of the guitars to Pete Townshend, Steve Winwood & George Harrison.​

After playing the final three, he decided to combine his favourite parts of each to create his 'Ultimate instrument'. A '56 body finished in black nitrocellulose, a '57 1 piece maple neck with a hard V shaped profile and finally a second '57 from which the pickups were removed.

An instrument that became known as 'Blackie'.

 

It became his favourite, following him through his most creative and prolific periods from its first appearance at the Rainbow Concert on 13/01/1973 to the album 'Slowhand' to the 1983 ARMS benefit tour.

The guitar was eventually auctioned off for a staggering $959,000 with the Fender Custom shop also creating 275 exact replicas going within hours at $24,000 in 2006.

 

From the beautifully aged body and neck, to the famous Anvil flight case. From the ciggarette burns, to the custom reshaped hand worn '57 V profile neck only available on this guitar, we present our tribute, to you, Blackie...

 

 

Specs:

 

'56 contoured Black 3 piece selected heavy alder body roasted or unroasted

1 piece maple neck with skunk stripe roasted or unroasted

Custom Reshaped 1957 V neck profile

Heavily rolled fret board edges

21 Vintage Nickel frets

42mm (1.65") nut width

Vintage Single Acting truss rod, with adjustment at heel

7.25" fretboard radius

Pre CBS 12th dot location

Black fingerboard and side dots

1957 replicated hand wound 'Blackie' inspired Pickups as per the original composite creation

1 ply 8 hole white pickguard

Blocked Fender USA vintage nickel tremolo

Vintage 3-way switch

5 Fender/Gotoh vintage nickel tuning machines with 1 gold

Clapton's choice Fender 250R Nickel Plated Steel .010 - .046 strings

Vintage style tweed hardshell case, or optional Anvil flight case (we are working hard to sort out an exact custom replica Anvil Duck Brothers case as used by Clapton for blackie)

Blackie Case Candy

 

 

£4500