Eric Clapton's Guitars Auction in New York

On June 24th, 1999, Eric Clapton's guitar auction had held at Manhattan, New York.
The profit from the auction donated to the Crossroads Centre, a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facility. So, I think I did a good thing for this world since I bought an auction catalog for $40.

Well, although I have a full list of the auction items and its results, I'll introduce ONLY telecasters here.
So, here are the ALL teles at the auction.

(BTW, were those guitars ditched by Clapton?  Hmmm.... makes me think.)

/arrow/bbs/p68.JPG (24928 bytes) 1997 Fender Broadcaster Relic  

Serial NO. 0050

J.Black Custom Shop

original estimate ($5000 - $7000)

final bid price: $19,000

E.C "..liked this guitar"

(Then don't sell it!)


p95.JPG (22076 bytes) 1990 James Trussart Steel Deville

Custom NO.11

chrome finish
metal body
Bird's-eye maple neck
24 frets
ebony fingerboard
Lace Sensor PU

cover plate engraved
"Eric Clapton Custom Made by James Trussart"


original estimate  ($3000 - $5000)

final bid price: $35,000

Clapton was given this guitar by James Trussart in Paris

(It's definitely out of Clapton's preference I think)

p98.JPG (25351 bytes)
1992 Fender Telecaster40th Anniversary model

Serial# : 000 OF 300

simulated ivory pattern pickguard

This guitar was made specially for him

E.C "I have played it from time to time"

(tell us when and where! that's very important!)




original estimate  ($5000 - $7000)

final bid price: $62,000
p98-2.JPG (28217 bytes)
p137.JPG (26931 bytes) 1975

Serial# : 635063

This guitar was originally bought for him by a friend for rehearsals in the Bahamas just before the Japan tour(Oct/1975)

(..but the picture in a Japanese Music Life Magazine looks the 
pickguard of this guitar was one-ply. Also, there was no burn 
at that point. )
 
E.C "used on 'From The Cradle' "


original estimate  ($6000 - $8000)

final bid price: $42,000

(Many of his guitars have this "burn". The question is; are they genuine mark? (*1)   If all burns are real, it means he is a person who never learn. Also a man with such personality would burn his house or studio many times!)
 


(*1) definition of a "genuine" burn:

genuine:
holding a tobacco on the head. Then accidentally burned the head during play, compose, arrange, or any other musical activities.

fake:
trying to pretend a cool blues-man. Put a tobacco and intentionally forget about it. Although this is just a cosmetic, it is very difficult to identify if it is real or fake.
p150.JPG (29424 bytes) 1952

Serial# : 2921

neck date and initials TG 3-25-52 in pencil

(TG is the initials for Tadeo Gomez  who shaped the neck)

He was given this from Carl Radle of Derek and the Domins

E.C "used this guitar throughout the Dominos period"


(A natural finish 1952? The shape of its neck-pocket seems correct as a true vintage body. I think this guitar is refinished.


original estimate ($15000 - $20000)

final bid price: $90000

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