“Blackie” is probably the most famous guitar in the world. She was put together by Eric Clapton from three different Stratocasters.
In 1970, Eric bought six Strats for $100 each at the Sho-Bud guitar shop in Nashville, Tennessee. He took them back to England and gave one to George Harrison, one to Steve Winwood and one to Pete Townshend. From the remaining three, Eric took the best components and assembled Blackie. Over the years, Eric has called Blackie a “remarkable guitar” and “a part of me.”
Blackie was Eric’s primary stage and studio guitar between 1970 and 1985. She made her first public appearance at the Rainbow Concert on 13 January 1973 (the early show - Eric played a Les Paul he borrowed from George Harrison at the second late show). Blackie was retired in 1985 after years of service. Not only had she been in the studio for every album recorded during that time, she was used at such famous events as the ARMS benefit tour in 1983 and Live Aid. She was also used in Eric’s first music video, “Forever Man” filmed to support his album “Behind The Sun.”
Blackie ventured out of retirement on two occasions while still in Eric’s ownership. The first was for a television commercial for Honda Cars Japan in 1990 at the company’s request. Eric was filmed over-dubbing some new licks onto his track, “Bad Love” (from the 1989 album, “Journeyman”). The second instance was for one number at the Royal Albert Hall in 1991.
In 2001, Lee Dickson, Eric’s guitar technician of more than 25 years said, “Blackie is still around and 100% playable, contrary to all rumors otherwise. It’s the nature of those old Fenders that the neck can eventually loosen in the neck pocket, even with the bolts tightened. It had been refretted a couple of times and there was a lot of wear on the edge of the neck, which made it difficult to get E string vibrato easily. We tossed around the idea to have a new neck made for it, but eventually the decision was made to just retire Blackie.”
In addition to being heard on numerous recordings, Blackie graced several album covers including “Slowhand,” “Just One Night”, and “The Cream of Eric Clapton”. She was also featured on a t-shirt sold during Eric’s 2004 World Tour.
Eric sold Blackie on 24 June 2004 at Christie’s Auction House, New York to raise funds for Crossroads Centre Antigua (an alcohol and drug treatment centre) he founded. Blackie sold for $959,500 and holds the record for world’s most expensive guitar. Blackie was purchased by the Guitar Center.
Also in 2004, Blackie was named as one of the top ten Stratocasters “to die for” by Fender G.B. Ireland. Read the full article at Ten Stratocasters Guitars To Die For.
In 2006, the Guitar Center, with Eric’s permission, announced it would issue a limited edition of Blackie replicas in connection with Fender Guitars a part of their master-built Tribute Series. A portion of each sale benefits the Crossroads Centre. On 17 May, 2006 Eric played the first Blackie Prototype on three songs during his concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. On 24 November 2006 (the day after Thanksgiving in America and known as “Black Friday” as it is the busiest shopping day of the year with many sales in shops), 275 Blackie replicas will be available. One hundred eighty five will be sold in the United States through the Guitar Center. The remainder will be sold internationally.
Fender Blackie Tribute Series Website
Guitar Center Blackie Tribute Series Information
