Yup, price was too high. Gilmour’s ‘Black strat’ (which fetched $4 million), had a lower reserve, and it was MUCH more iconic. Even Gilmour’s serial number 0001 (itself a fabled piece of strat history) only went for around $1.5 million. There was no way a much less famous guitar from Clapton should START at $1 million.
It's a hardtail he only played slide on and isn't particularly 'special'. Comparing it to Gilmour's strat is ridiculous. If the Beano guitar surfaced? Records would be shattered.
Being that this was a resell for a guy that bought it from one of the Christie’s auctions probably didn’t help either. I think it sold for less than 200k originally.
Yea, even with paintings that fetch so very much more than a famous musicians guitar, they start the bidding low..if it doesn't reach the reserve then it lives to fight another day. You dont start the bidding for an Eric Clapton guitar at $1 million.
It's not "Brownie", it's not "Blackie", it's not "The Fool", It's not his 335, it's not even the telecaster from Blind Faith. It's at least 6th in line. The people that would pay that money know who Clapton is and how awesome he is.
I mean for that price people can get a couple of holy grails. A ‘59 Les Paul, a ‘54 Strat, a ‘50s 335 and still have money leftover for a Rolls Royce and a solid gold watch. Also we really don’t know whether the younger generations will ever be willing to pay over a million for a Clapton guitar. They’re more likely to shell out that money for one of Mayer’s #1s.
@@shawnmcvey7789 Though, I agree with your statement, you've missed the point. This is memorabilia, history. Owning this is owning a part of history. The reason why the price is high. But, starting at a MIL, thats a bit rich, for anything. Van Halen, SRV, my 2 guitar heroes. If I were a wealthy person, I STILL wouldn't pay a MIL for any item up for auction owned by either is these 2 giants. If you suggest something is worth that, it is subjective, keep that in mind.
@@CarlosInFlorida Couldn't you tell I was being cutesy my angel emoji? I am too cute for my own good sometimes. That being said if I had the money I'd get an armada of tasty amps & cabs. I totally get your point, I'm just too cutesy🤭
It's a weird world because I would hazard a guess that someone's practice guutar would be the closest to that person for the longest amount of time yet its not considered valuable while on the other hand the guutar this video is about was devalued because someone else had touched it lol wota load crap if I had million quid I thi K I would buy a lot of nice guitars and some other stuff lol
He doesn’t go super speedy all the time even though he has the ability to but he has some of the best phasing there is. Listening to him taught me how to “play pretty” and above all, show restraint when it comes to soloing. The best solos are about building up tension and release in my opinion and Clapton has this art form MASTERED!!
This is a collectors piece . Eric has donated a lot of guitars and money to his Drug prevention programs down in the Caribbean islands . He's one of the greatest players for sure , respected by his peers .
Clapton was a freaky guitar player . In 1966 he played like no one before. With cream he was an absolute monster . He changed the sound of guitar for ever.
And then he invited a stranger to jam onstage with Cream and was humbled. That stranger was Jimi Hendrix. Clapton's intro on "Reconsider Baby" is enough to cause anyone to reconsider their decision to learn guitar in the first place! Eric was on top with Bluesbreakers then along came Peter Green... no rest for the wicked...Green's tone and phrasing was contrary to the art form of the day. And did he see into the future when he chose the name "Fleetwood Mac" or was it just a ruse to lure those two into joining him? A million bucks for Eric's Strat? Hell yeah! It is historical but what do idiots know or care about history?! What is my grandfather's 59 ES-175 that purchased new worth today (in very good shape w/OHSC)? Does the fact that Rick Danko played it when he was at my house add to its value? It does to me. Who cares what these two old hens cackle about? Not me but they think they are a comedy team when really they are just a pair of jokers in the youtube game.
@@johnmarshall3903Eric Clapton can buy and play any guitar he wants. You can easily go out and buy a Gibson guitar and Marshall amp today. I always tough it was the guitarist's brain and fingers that were the important part, specially when it comes to tone and vibrato. We also like Hendrix, Guess you don't like his tone either.
@@johnmarshall3903 on one side you have professional musician in a consert hall. On the other side you have less professional hiding behind distortion playing beer hall, or worse, garage band musician.
The Boomers generation are the ones that brought collectors guitar prices up too high. They're getting old, and the generations below them don't have as much money.
What he did in Cream made him a legend, what he did with Layla made him a god. That record is such a pure artistic expression, a strait masterpiece. I never got the Clapton thing until I dug into Cream in my mid-20s. I was born in 90, so my memories of Clapton was his acoustic comeback. I just didn't have him on the level of Hendrix, Gilmour, Page, Blackmoore when I thought about him. I was completely wrong, he is the OG for a lot of what we consider rock. He was the guy that made it cool to pull pickup covers off, truly overdrive tube amps, use a LP into a marshall, use a 335 for higher gain stuff, and soo much more. I'm sure there were others doing similar stuff around the same time, but he's the one that made it iconic. His playing is what inspired Hendrix to become what he became. If anyone doubts Claptons status, they need to go through Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos. That stuff is must listen.
@@runreilly I see where you're coming from, I mean literally the clapton is god thing started then. I just think his melodic choices and songwriting hit the god level around blind faith/dominos time. Fair enough tho, beano is amazing.
He has a home on Quadra Island 🏝️, which is near me. I don't think he wants to interact with fans. Were all a bit crazy so I don't blame him. He'd rather be on stage, you can learn from there. It was sad news for me that it didn't sell, I'm a huge fan of Clapton.
I'm sorta with you on wanting Clapton to come play for me regularly if I spent a million bucks just to buy a guitar he once played. For a million dollars I could buy a lot of really excellent guitars. I wouldn't want to own something just because some famous person happened to have some association with it.... And then there's Clapton.... there is absolutely no argument about the quality of his playing. But he's also said and done some questionable things (we all have). His pandemic behavior and occasional racist rants have soured me on Clapton's personal beliefs. But then he probably wouldn't approve of all my life's choices either. One should never meet their heros in real life. They rarely are who we want to believe that they are in person.
Clapton "original" fans are older now. Fewer fan base. I loved that you feel it important to encourage younger guitarists to explore Clapton's playing. He truly is a Master.
Clapton plays what my ears love to hear. My favorite of all time. My introduction to EC was when Disraeli Gears came out. I had never heard anything like that before. The best vibrato and phrasing of all time. Plus he's a tremendous singer.
Per the music is Win channel this guitar was barely used by Clapton and does not appear to be well documented Historically and is not one of his instruments that is famous. Yes the guitar has actual documentation from Clapton but are there any pictures of him using it to add to the perceived "value" of the instrument? The photos of Clapton in video were not the guitar in question. I don't see the "collector value" as a Clapton Guitar. Yes it has the 1954 hard tail value but it is just a guitar that belonged to Clapton, not a Clapton Strat.
Yes, we thought that was hilarious when they showed Clapton playing another guitar in a ton of the photos....what was the thought process there. Great points and thank you for sharing!
I discovered Eric Clapton at 19 when I first got into guitar (21 now), he has become my guitar hero and I have learned most of his catalogue. Had a I had the cash I’d have that guitar rn
Unfortunately, too many are only exposed to Clapton by what they've heard on the radio. All his best work was NEVER played on radio - dig into the depths of Clapton and be blown away!!
Eric Clapton is an inspiration, nevermind the music. When it was time to quit drinking or die his survival allowed me to believe it was possible for me. Thank you Mr. Clapton
My sympathies are with him for his loss, however that does NOT excuse the fact that we, the listening public, were clubbed over the head with that overplayed, maudlin song for years. 😑
For one, Clapton is still alive, which is a factor. Secondly, Eric is probably a victim of his own success. He sort of became the household name of guitarists. To a certain degree, Carlos Santana suffers the same fate. Imagine if Jimi Hendrix had lived, and over the years, he played with the Back Street Boys or every gig that thought they needed a "big name" player. Would he have been as big of an icon as he became. To a certain degree, Eddie Van Halen never topped his playing on the first couple of albums. Jeff Beck, on the other hand, became even better with time. All of these guys were milestones in what the guitar had become. But what made them unique often came early in their career.
For me, I love Clapton but I have some reservations about him. So many people label him a god of rock when they don’t pay homage to Robert Johnson first. A lot of people don’t even know who that is. So for me I love Clapton but there is no Clapton without Robert Johnson. I mean this in the best possible way but as a black person it would be nice to see black people get more credit for the music we created. Not to take away from Clapton’s abilities. Those are just my thoughts
Clapton’s tone and playing is phenomenal! Just listen to his version of little wing… it’s always easier to shred on the guitar with a ton of distortion than to play slower with less gain. Can’t hide mistakes when playing like that.
EC is just about my favorite guitarist. His restraint in playing is how he got the name Slowhand. His foundation in early blues artists gave him the knowledge to create and expand his own style. I’ve seen him in concert 15 times. One of my favorites started with just him and his guitar for several songs. Then he brought out his drummer and bass player for a few more. Then his his full band-it was an education in rock and roll-just incredible. He’s way past his prime, but we have all those great recordings. Clapton is God for those who believe. 🎸😎👍🏼
He took a long time to change broken strings apparently. His chops are undeniable. Clapton is alive, that’s why he gets crap from idiots. If he passed away during his prime people would have more reverence for him. He’s quit more amazing bands than most people have seen concerts. I love Martin guitars, thanks for saving them EC. Check out the George Harrison tribute concert, EC blows everyone off that stage. Absolute beast.
Mike, the story I always heard was that he would change a broken string regularly during the early club years and the audience would do a “Slow Hand” Clap while they waited. I thought the original nickname was a little longer, but then shortened to slow-hand 🤷♂️
Friends, I’d pop in from time to time to watch a video, but I have to admit that I’ve been sleeping on your channel for too long. The past few weeks I’ve watched every video and you’ve uploaded and you’re putting out really calming and enjoyable content. Keep it up, thanks for the entertainment and education. Cheers!
I feel as though when it comes to interpreting the blues via a guitar, no one has done it better than Clapton and that includes the masters he learned from.
@@ronaldmackee3401 I was around back then. Strings were very thick back then, guys had a hard time bending them so we used to slide up the neck. Clapton was in the first generation of guitar gods. He learned from guys who started that trend. Bending did happen but rarely.
@@tonyhaines1192 George Harrison was doing it on record before Clapton. Listen to the Tony Sheridan stuff and the first Beatles albums. It's not like Eric Clapton was pulling some Zakk Wylde shit during the early 60s.
There was a super wealthy investor guy in Charlotte that died and he had one of SRVs strats and it auctioned for around $60k. $1M is a tall order for a guitar. (For a starting bid at least)
beyond that, it's downright criminal. I mean, it's eric clapton, his work past the early 70s is less than desirable. He's lost his popularity over the years. David Gilmour can pull this off because hello, it's Pink Floyd. Eric should've stayed with Cream, career suicide leaving the band on their hayday.
@@randy0210 his popularity fell drastically because the older he got the more he talked... the more he talked the more people realized how much of a pretentious asshole he was....
The solos in the live My Father's Eyes electric version on his channel. I think the DVD was called "One More Car" but either way, it's pretty great. The tone is great, there's a thick midrange that sounds like the premium version of what any strat with a tube screamer sounds like through a Deluxe.
@@nateellis5939 Ever since I heard Clapton with a 335 and saw what they looked like I knew I wanted one. After playing some winners and real duds, a few other Gibsons, and years of telling myself no; I bought one 2 years ago. It's my main guitar now.
Clapton was why I picked up guitar. Sunshine of Your Love blew my mind, when I heard it on rock radio back in the day. It wasn't the first song my guitar teacher taught me--that was You Really Got Me--but it was the second song I learned.
I saw Eric Clapton give one of the most obvious phone it in now give me the money performances I have ever seen. By some bizarre circumstance, a week later I found myself at a Barry Manilow concert. BARRY MANILOW! One of the most genuine I know I'm lame but I love doing this upbeat concerts ever. Given the choice I'd go see Manilow. Think about that statement. Let it sink in.
So sad that the guitar didn't sell for a million dollars in a pandemic where everybody's being laid off and everything shutting down and nobody can go anywhere and for a million dollars let me buy a house and a car
@Toby Baker your statement says it all " hundreds" most... if not all of them he's never touched let alone played which devalues their worth and collectability, Gilmours guitars were one off musician owned stage and studio used iconic guitars with a history thats why they sold for so much.
@@hemmingway11833 Not all of the instruments that Gilmour auctioned off were iconic. When was the last time you saw him play that vintage Fender electric mandolin from the 50s that sold for $50,000? The two really big Clapton auctions where the significant guitars were sold took place years ago. Had those auctions been more recently “Blackie”, “Brownie”, and the 335 would have all been closer to the price of Gilmour’s Black Strat.
@@charlesbolton8471 Hi Charles, If you mean the 1957 FENDER , FULLERTON, SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC MANDOLIN That sold for $32500, it like all the other instruments that were auctioned had a known history and had been used in studio recordings on various floyd songs. Yes timing played a part in auction prices but so did having a billionaire fan bidding on some of the more famous guitars, The fact is and the original point of this is topic it raised a lot of money for charity
I kinda think Clapton's legacy isn't the same as some of the other "rock gods" is because he kinda went the same route as post-Police Sting and planted himself firmly in the Adult Contemporary genre. Everything he's done since around 1980 is right up there with Kenny G.
I see people say things like “Clapton is overrated”, “he just plays basic blues stuff” etc. From shred snobs typically. What Clapton really suffers from is that he is so influential that everyone who has come after him has copied everything he ever did, to the point where it doesn’t sound unique anymore. He’s the original rock guitar hero. He was there before Hendrix. He set the mold, especially with Cream. It’s kind of like listening to The Rolling Stones after everybody has regurgitated them forever. But what he did in Cream was the origin of all heavy music that came after. Before Hendrix, before Zeppelin. Clapton is responsible for metal? Yes. He did drift away from harder rock and towards easy listening territory and then pure blues. So it’s understandable. But he is the guy who set the mold for all lead guitar players who followed ever since.
Coupled with the starting bid being too high, the uncertainty of what’s happening in the world right now I think also plays a part. People just may not be willing to pull that trigger right now.
I dug back and was listening to Cream because I was actually working on Van Halen stuff and Edward always said Clapton was his guy. I feel like Blues Breakers and Cream are text book blues-rock playing, a MasterClass. Anyone who might dismiss EC soling, please listen to and learn these solos. Much harder then you might think.
I wonder if this is one of the sassafras ones. Looking at the grain pattern of the wood it seems like it could be. That’s one thing Eric Johnson calls out about his 54 that made it very special
If that blues breakers Les Paul ever goes up for auction it better have a starting bid of 2 million. But Clapton's lesser used 54 strat? Yeah, I think 1 million was too much of a starting bid
Eric Clapton is great !! Long career many flavors of cool tones. He Influenced YOU and your heroes. And credits his influences. Nothing but love for EC
At 32 years of age, Clapton is my #1 Guitar influence. My choice of guitars and how I play (them) is directly influenced from him and his playing style. All of my strats are "Claptonized (modded with the Fender EC midboost kit)" to give me his boosted sound (as I am not big on the sound of normal strats). The fact that he influenced so many of his heroes and future guitar legends (SRV, Bonamassa, EVH, Gary Clark Jr, etc) speaks volumes to his staying power as a musical icon. Right now I have the new 2020 Epiphone ES-335 (mine is the Figured Top model in Blueberry Burst) and am running through BB King and EC songs to run this thing through its paces to assess its tone and playability.
It was his slide guitar from what I could tell. But damn it was a real nice guitar it's pretty immaculate example of a 54 strat not to mention belonged to eric.
Last year the ‘57 Goldtop that Duane Allman used on the first two Allman Brothers albums and Derek and the Dominos Layla album sold for $1.2M at auction!
My Theory about Clapton,is that Clapton is only(or one of) that played hardcore blues/rock but also managed to go in pop waters and is widely popular outside of guitar community. This, to hardcore geeks, I guess, appeals as sellout?
@@216trixie Ashamed to say that I didn't know the extent of it. I knew he said some things at a concert but when I heard it, whew! That and the fact that he continually doubled down. Then this anti lockdown stuff.
My first guitar was a 1954 Stratocaster my dad gave me -- sacrificially I might add -- which went out the window of my brother's 1961 Ford station wagon July 25, 1965. I'd love to have this one!
Poor Tyler, who will forever be known as the guy who made Eric Clapton’s guitar worthless. 😂 JK. The opening price was way too high for a guitar Eric wasn’t really known for playing . Look up what some of George Harrison’s guitars sold for recently at that big auction. One sold for less than $200,000.
Clapton has auctioned many guitars in the past, and a starting bid of 1 million, rather than letting people start lower and get more invested takes away from the event.
There is a group of people that don't think Clapton is the goat. I believe those people don't have the full context of what he did early on and the impact he had. Look back at the Beano record and compare his sound and playing to other guitarists of that time. He really was the first guitar God.
When I say the bottom is going to fall out of the guitar market it’s an understatement it’s actually over low priced guitars will take over It’s been a fun road
I love the tone of the 90's Clapton signature strats with the gold lace pickups but i never understood why he is considered a guitar god. His playing doesn't speak to me i guess.
His being called god came with the Beano album in 1963. That sound revolutionized music. Everyone wanted to copy it. It's the basis of much of todays playing
I know it may not seem like much. But you gotta understand what music what like when he started. Compared to now maybe it isn’t as insanely good. But for the time he. He was a god
It really is a matter of personal taste. I have been a fan for almost 40 years and still prefer him to everyone to come before or since. His playing is like perfectly seasoned food to me. I like all eras of his career. There are faster, more technical players, but I hear less of a connection to the blues tradition in most current players which is why I prefer Clapton to all I have heard. He got it right' to me, and anything "extra" is not necessary to my ears and those of MANY others. Even those who don't prefer his playing are into players who were/are influenced by him in the vast majority of instances.
@@jonathanhines2441 I'm in the same court. I didn't hear the Beano album until later. My start was with Cream and Crossroads on Wheels Of Fire. More Cream, Blind Faith, then Mayall. But, for me, everything stops for Layla. My ex knew to let Layla finish before interrupting.
I've seen him live twice he sounded and played incredible. He's not artsy or weird enough for today's sophisticated RUclipsrs! Lol. Ohh, and I like when they say he got too commercial. Well that's what most normal adults would do if they want to have success.
The Guitar Crossroads Concert that you refer to was in Texas in the middle of summer. Of course, everyone would wear shorts. If I could afford it, I would have bid on it. I can't afford the Clapton Stratocaster Models. Second note, Santana stated that all guitar players have come through Clapton, as he developed the style
They are always in the middle of the summer. Sorry Charlie. You never ever ever would see old blues guys in shorts. I don’t care how hot it is. You don’t know anything. It’s not blues attire at all. If you think being hot would make artists wear shorts they would always wear shorts. A bar gig is as hot as anywhere. The lights. I’ve seen country stars play outside gigs. It’s an odd thing for artists to be dressed like tennis pros so you are stupid for trying to act like you know better.
I was able to get the cardinal red Gibson Firebird when he sold 29 guitars through Gruhn’s in Nashville. It’s not for sale. I, like you, am a Clapton fan.
Eric Clapton is one of the best-ever guitar players. If you wanna hear speed, listen to Eric with John Mayal playing the blues. I learned how to play guitar by listening to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix (my two favorite guitar players). In the 60s they were the best there was.
When you listen to all of Clapton's music, from the Bluesbreakers to Cream, to Derek and the Dominoes, solo albums, Unplugged, From the Cradle, late 90s albums, Me and Mr Johnson, and up until his latest releases, you understand that Clapton has had many "phases" if you will, In his music, but has always sounded like Clapton. That's what makes him great. From the Cradle and his "One More Car, One More Rider" live album have always been my favorites. Listen to those, and you will understand how great Clapton really is with any type of guitar.
He wasn't a guitar hero of mine until much later in life. I started off with Hendrix, Page and Gilmour. It was far later that I discovered what a genius Clapton was. I finally got to see him in his first round of "last shows" at MSG. If I had a spare million I'd buy his strat, but it's out of my price range.
As a young kid I heard him on the radio, as a teenager I was given “The Cream of Clapton” on cd and wore it out. Picked up a guitar and have been playing along with his music for 20 years. Let the haters hate, I’m gonna listen to Eric Clapton!
On Clapton. I learned to play guitar in the '70s. By then he seemed outdated. I know how influential he was in the '60s, but after that I don't quite get it.
Do you have 750,000? If you don’t have that kind of money don’t act like you know what you would do with it. If you do then they will take your 750,000
@@WellseeTheend either way that kind of money would be better spent on lots of things other than a mere guitar, no matter who once owned it. I’d think that Clapton’s Crossroads centre would be a very worthwhile charity.
I think he is a great guitar player. However it depends on the style of music that moves you, inspires you. For me it was KK Downing from Judas Priest and Angus and Malcolm Young.
Phoebe Bridgers revived the (very justified) anger at him for him racist and xenophobic anti-immigrant comments from the past. That plus that SUPER tone deaf song with Van Morrison have taken away his luster
I played since the 60,s, Glen Campbell , the British invasion, all the top 20 stuff including Motown. All I cared for was the lead guitar. Clapton became my favorite, I emulated his persona, didn't play exactly like him but being self taught ,I had his style a little, to this day he inspires me at my age 71, I'm still playing ( not regular but step out now and then.) People say they like my phrasing, I got that from Eric. I'm not great but I play better under pressure. If I'm up and in the groove I can play pretty good. I never worry about who's better ,after 60 years I got my own style influenced by many but Clapton more than anyone. I hear what your saying. The comments by people really disgust me. They just don't know. I told all these young players around my area, just get up a guitar contest , aguitar megeddon ,I enter it and probably win it. I get tired of their crap. Great video. Appreciate it. I'm currently playing a Epiphone Sheraton 2 pro , also have a fender classic vibe 60,s thinline. I trade a lot. I'm looking to get a John mayer silver sky when I can get the cash. Played one and it fit me. Awesome guitar . Thanks subscribed.😊
This guitar, and Clapton are awesome. I think the problem is it's from his 70's post Cream phase when he went from balls out heavier music to blander singer songwriter music that some fans didn't like. Of course even then he still had some great strat tunes with great solos.
Since I was a kid, maybe 12 years old, until now (42), I can honestly say that Eric Clapton has always been one of my top 3 favorite, if not #1 favorite guitar players. I fell in love with his work on the Rush soundtrack and the unplugged/ From the Cradle work and it was all over after that. And yet, in all that time, I don't think there's ever been a time when Eric Clapton was considered "cool" by any of my peers. They know him, obviously, but it's, as you said, "Dad rock". not to mention that his politics are *at best* problematic. Not sure that explains the lack of interest in his guitar, but it is what it is.
When they auctioned off Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd's guitars they had Jason Isbell demo the guitars. That did not seem to affect the cost of these guitars. Many of them were late 50 early 60s bursts. Do you think having a more noted guitarist demo them will be the way they do these demos in the future?
Ed King’s guitars weren’t auctioned. They sold through a highly reputable guitar dealer (Carter Vintage Guitars) at prices that were typical for the specific guitars (and amps) being sold. There was an original Burst from each of the three years of production 58, 59, and 60, but there were also quite a few other guitars and amps that were much more affordable. It fact I would have bought his 50s Duo-Sonic and his 63 Vibroverb Reissue if someone hadn’t beat me to it. There was very little (if any) “celebrity owned” markup in the prices with the exception of the “Sweet Home Alabama” Strat which is the only one of Ed King’s guitars or amps that Carter Vintage had that hasn’t sold yet. Like the Clapton guitar in this video the price is too high.
@@charlesbolton8471 Thanks for clarifying you are correct on all points. Especially, the "Sweet Home Alabama" strat which Ed didn't particularly like to play. He preferred his 1959 black (previously sunburst) parts caster Strat. Which I'm sure sold because it played really nice. I was just trying to make a point about having other noted artist demo a guitar prior to auction.
If you're looking for that "fake news" reason for people not buying this guitar- that ISN'T actually fake news- you should read up on his racist and xenophobic tirade in Birmingham '76. Raises some questions: SHOULD we continue to teach youngsters to praise Clapton as a master/master of the blues if he sees people of color, whose art he profits off of with every lick he plays, as less than? Additionally, IS HE EVEN A MASTER? There's plenty of other guitarists that came before him, HIS influences (Hooker, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt), and during his hay day (Gilmour, Garcia, Hendrix) that were far more influential in pushing the blues, and guitar, into new places. These other guitarists weren't just ripping off older blues musicians with a fuzzier or faster flare; it also helps that the white ones I listed never made public, racially driven rants that discredited any sort of reverence for the black music that made them rich. To wrap up, I think it's a shame that Clapton is the first name that comes up when you search "Blues Guitarist". He only popularized the blues to the white airwaves, and to hail him as a God only feeds his power trip. Also, I'm a Clapton fan. That guitar was way too expensive.
I've been a fan of Clapton's for decades, and I've seen him play live twice. He's an absolute legend and it confuses me that anyone could disregard him as a player in terms of skill, longevity and influence on others.
I think most of the educated criticism of Clapton centers on the fact that his music was heavily influenced by or, in less flattering terms, stolen from black musicians who were still faced with massive barriers to success in the industry. He retold the joke louder and got all the laughs, but it wasn't his joke to begin with, ya feel?
I can still play the Beano album note for note, the from the cradle album note for note, and of course crossroads amongst other fantastic Clapton work. Some of his acoustic stuff especially while singing is incredible.
Never got the whole " owned by " thing. A million dollars starting bid? One could buy a 59 les paul , a 62 strat, a 61 es-335, a 50's broadcaster tele, A Martin, a gold top p-90's................
Piece of history, memorabilia. People aren't buying it to play it, why would they accidentally break a string on a $1mil guitar, it's probably meant for a display case with some show lights and other Eric Clapton gear.
Clapton will forever be a legend. Not only do his music and playing stand for themselves, but he is a huge influence on so many other guitarists that have come after him. His playing on the song "River of Tears" on the "One More Car, One More Rider" album absolutely blew me away! One of countless examples. But, if I were to pay $1M plus for his one of his guitars, it would have been Blackie or Brownie. Those are the two he is most identified with.
In my opinion it was the auction house used...Gilmour had a big marketing campaign through Christies...Clapton's guitar (as far as I saw) was through a lesser known auction house.
It was a minor guitar in Clapton's history. It wasn't Brownie or Blackie. Overpriced.
It’s a rare hardtail strat though. Maybe the price is just too high
Price way too high.
At a $100k opening price, I bet it gets bids.
correct. start at $50k and i bet Bonamassa buys it for $200k or more.
Yup, price was too high. Gilmour’s ‘Black strat’ (which fetched $4 million), had a lower reserve, and it was MUCH more iconic. Even Gilmour’s serial number 0001 (itself a fabled piece of strat history) only went for around $1.5 million.
There was no way a much less famous guitar from Clapton should START at $1 million.
Hardtail strats aren’t a bad thing. My tech blocked the trem on my Brownie
Clapton has sold lots of guitars.. I think that played a major part in the lack of interest.
Good point.
It's a hardtail he only played slide on and isn't particularly 'special'. Comparing it to Gilmour's strat is ridiculous.
If the Beano guitar surfaced? Records would be shattered.
i agree
Gilmore probably sold more.
Being that this was a resell for a guy that bought it from one of the Christie’s auctions probably didn’t help either. I think it sold for less than 200k originally.
They started the bidding too high. A lower reserve could have brought a million plus bid war.
I think this is probably spot on.
I’m sure you know
The reserve seems as if they really didn't want to sell it.
Yea, even with paintings that fetch so very much more than a famous musicians guitar, they start the bidding low..if it doesn't reach the reserve then it lives to fight another day. You dont start the bidding for an Eric Clapton guitar at $1 million.
@@WellseeTheend ....he's right !....if you understood how bidding works...
It's not "Brownie", it's not "Blackie", it's not "The Fool", It's not his 335, it's not even the telecaster from Blind Faith. It's at least 6th in line. The people that would pay that money know who Clapton is and how awesome he is.
Agreed not one of the top ones. The only one that might fetch close to 1m is the acoustic from MTV Unplugged
Agree. Until this auction came up, I wasn't even aware of this guitar in his collection. It's a cool guitar, but not 1 million cool.
Don't forget his Firebird from cover of Live Cream Vol-1
I mean for that price people can get a couple of holy grails. A ‘59 Les Paul, a ‘54 Strat, a ‘50s 335 and still have money leftover for a Rolls Royce and a solid gold watch.
Also we really don’t know whether the younger generations will ever be willing to pay over a million for a Clapton guitar. They’re more likely to shell out that money for one of Mayer’s #1s.
@@lecorsaire2283 not even Mayer's... Kids aren't really into guitar music as much.
I could get myself a lot of Telecasters for a million dollars, for me the greatness is in the man not the Guitar he plays.
Ok so if Eric Clapton put himself up for auction, how much you think he could make?
That’s a fact 👍 it’s in the fingers !👌
I'd rather have the amp he used on the Beano album😇
@@shawnmcvey7789 Though, I agree with your statement, you've missed the point. This is memorabilia, history. Owning this is owning a part of history. The reason why the price is high. But, starting at a MIL, thats a bit rich, for anything. Van Halen, SRV, my 2 guitar heroes. If I were a wealthy person, I STILL wouldn't pay a MIL for any item up for auction owned by either is these 2 giants. If you suggest something is worth that, it is subjective, keep that in mind.
@@CarlosInFlorida Couldn't you tell I was being cutesy my angel emoji?
I am too cute for my own good sometimes. That being said if I had the money I'd get an armada of tasty amps & cabs.
I totally get your point, I'm just too cutesy🤭
the same people also thought that Jimmy Page's acoustic YAMAHA, that was his PRACTICE guitar, would sell for $90,000 😆🤣🎸
Ah, the famed "Can't go to Sleep Blues" guitar
If I recalled correctly I think it was for a charity fund or something.
PRACTICE! WE TALKIN' 'BOUT PRACTICE!
It's a weird world because I would hazard a guess that someone's practice guutar would be the closest to that person for the longest amount of time yet its not considered valuable while on the other hand the guutar this video is about was devalued because someone else had touched it lol wota load crap if I had million quid I thi K I would buy a lot of nice guitars and some other stuff lol
JP practiced?
"Put on some pants!", says the man with birds nesting in his hair
Damn that’s a good one actually:) props to that and cheers on the good humor!
that's his aesthectics, let him be.
though, is it after Robert Smith?
I don`t care if these players were in their underpants.
@@CasinoGuitars I don’t know, man. The hair jokes are getting old. You guys are good sports, but hair jokes are just lazy.
😆😆😆😆
He doesn’t go super speedy all the time even though he has the ability to but he has some of the best phasing there is. Listening to him taught me how to “play pretty” and above all, show restraint when it comes to soloing. The best solos are about building up tension and release in my opinion and Clapton has this art form MASTERED!!
This is a collectors piece . Eric has donated a lot of guitars and money to his Drug prevention programs down in the Caribbean islands . He's one of the greatest players for sure , respected by his peers .
Clapton was a freaky guitar player . In 1966 he played like no one before. With cream he was an absolute monster . He changed the sound of guitar for ever.
And then he invited a stranger to jam onstage with Cream and was humbled. That stranger was Jimi Hendrix.
Clapton's intro on "Reconsider Baby" is enough to cause anyone to reconsider their decision to learn guitar in the first place!
Eric was on top with Bluesbreakers then along came Peter Green... no rest for the wicked...Green's tone and phrasing was contrary to the art form of the day. And did he see into the future when he chose the name "Fleetwood Mac" or was it just a ruse to lure those two into joining him? A million bucks for Eric's Strat? Hell yeah! It is historical but what do idiots know or care about history?!
What is my grandfather's 59 ES-175 that purchased new worth today (in very good shape w/OHSC)? Does the fact that Rick Danko played it when he was at my house add to its value? It does to me. Who cares what these two old hens cackle about? Not me but they think they are a comedy team when really they are just a pair of jokers in the youtube game.
And then did a Cream reunion with a strat and tweed Fender amps and totally sucked tone wise.
@@johnmarshall3903Eric Clapton can buy and play any guitar he wants.
You can easily go out and buy a Gibson guitar and Marshall amp today.
I always tough it was the guitarist's brain and fingers that were the important part, specially when it comes to tone and vibrato.
We also like Hendrix, Guess you don't like his tone either.
@@drmidnight680-kz2le Love Hendrix, he started with Marshalls and never wussed out.
@@johnmarshall3903 on one side you have professional musician in a consert hall.
On the other side you have less professional hiding behind distortion playing beer hall, or worse, garage band musician.
The Boomers generation are the ones that brought collectors guitar prices up too high. They're getting old, and the generations below them don't have as much money.
Yeah guitar r way way over priced for no reason.
snooze
Exactly
The boomer generation worked hard and saved money. They can afford nice things now.
@@slipknot73745 A fool's snooze, to be sure.
I think it was priced way way too high for a backup to a backup
I think the would have gotten near a million,but starting at a million was a real jump
What do you know
@@WellseeTheend hes right
Guitar Center doesn't have the money.
🤣 goteem
Guitar center is going to be gone bankrupt very very soon
Online stores with creditibilty have kind been the big winners here.
What he did in Cream made him a legend, what he did with Layla made him a god. That record is such a pure artistic expression, a strait masterpiece. I never got the Clapton thing until I dug into Cream in my mid-20s. I was born in 90, so my memories of Clapton was his acoustic comeback. I just didn't have him on the level of Hendrix, Gilmour, Page, Blackmoore when I thought about him.
I was completely wrong, he is the OG for a lot of what we consider rock. He was the guy that made it cool to pull pickup covers off, truly overdrive tube amps, use a LP into a marshall, use a 335 for higher gain stuff, and soo much more. I'm sure there were others doing similar stuff around the same time, but he's the one that made it iconic. His playing is what inspired Hendrix to become what he became. If anyone doubts Claptons status, they need to go through Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos. That stuff is must listen.
Respectfully disagree. His best playing is on the Beano album and that's where he reached "God" status.
@@runreilly I see where you're coming from, I mean literally the clapton is god thing started then. I just think his melodic choices and songwriting hit the god level around blind faith/dominos time. Fair enough tho, beano is amazing.
For a million bucks I want Eric to come to my house every weekend and play it.
For real! I would at least ask that he came once and played an entire concert with it just for me and I could invite 2 or 3 close friends to watch!
He has a home on Quadra Island 🏝️, which is near me. I don't think he wants to interact with fans. Were all a bit crazy so I don't blame him. He'd rather be on stage, you can learn from there. It was sad news for me that it didn't sell, I'm a huge fan of Clapton.
??? Why?
@johnd959what funny bro?
I'm sorta with you on wanting Clapton to come play for me regularly if I spent a million bucks just to buy a guitar he once played.
For a million dollars I could buy a lot of really excellent guitars. I wouldn't want to own something just because some famous person happened to have some association with it.... And then there's Clapton.... there is absolutely no argument about the quality of his playing. But he's also said and done some questionable things (we all have). His pandemic behavior and occasional racist rants have soured me on Clapton's personal beliefs. But then he probably wouldn't approve of all my life's choices either. One should never meet their heros in real life. They rarely are who we want to believe that they are in person.
Clapton "original" fans are older now. Fewer fan base. I loved that you feel it important to encourage younger guitarists to explore Clapton's playing. He truly is a Master.
Ive benn a Clapton Fan since 1965
I grew disinterested in Clapton when he entered his Fender period. The Gibson/Marshall sound was majestic.I learned to play off the Beano album
Absolutely. His sound during that time period was so awesome.
AGREE except Layla album was great (even though it was a Strat) but if he played a Gibson on that, WOW.
Completely agree, ive never liked anything from his fender years (except I shot the sherif cover)
Yes Cream was clapton best era & i am a strat player but i also own 2 les Paul's
That’s unfortunate. You’re missing out.
Clapton plays what my ears love to hear. My favorite of all time. My introduction to EC was when Disraeli Gears came out. I had never heard anything like that before. The best vibrato and phrasing of all time. Plus he's a tremendous singer.
Exactly. Disraeli Gears. A masterpiece on the top shelf with Axis Bold As Love and Are You Experienced.
Per the music is Win channel this guitar was barely used by Clapton and does not appear to be well documented Historically and is not one of his instruments that is famous. Yes the guitar has actual documentation from Clapton but are there any pictures of him using it to add to the perceived "value" of the instrument? The photos of Clapton in video were not the guitar in question. I don't see the "collector value" as a Clapton Guitar. Yes it has the 1954 hard tail value but it is just a guitar that belonged to Clapton, not a Clapton Strat.
Yes, we thought that was hilarious when they showed Clapton playing another guitar in a ton of the photos....what was the thought process there. Great points and thank you for sharing!
So true. Documented provenance is so key in high-end sales like this.
I think the more accurate statement is nobody wants to pay a million for the guitar. Im sure there are people that want it.
I discovered Eric Clapton at 19 when I first got into guitar (21 now), he has become my guitar hero and I have learned most of his catalogue. Had a I had the cash I’d have that guitar rn
Unfortunately, too many are only exposed to Clapton by what they've heard on the radio. All his best work was NEVER played on radio - dig into the depths of Clapton and be blown away!!
Me and about 20,000 other folks were at this concert. We had floor seats but never sat down. Best concert I've ever attended!
Eric Clapton is an inspiration, nevermind the music. When it was time to quit drinking or die his survival allowed me to believe it was possible for me.
Thank you Mr. Clapton
his son was an inspiration for a crappy song
My sympathies are with him for his loss, however that does NOT excuse the fact that we, the listening public, were clubbed over the head with that overplayed, maudlin song for years. 😑
For one, Clapton is still alive, which is a factor. Secondly, Eric is probably a victim of his own success. He sort of became the household name of guitarists. To a certain degree, Carlos Santana suffers the same fate. Imagine if Jimi Hendrix had lived, and over the years, he played with the Back Street Boys or every gig that thought they needed a "big name" player. Would he have been as big of an icon as he became. To a certain degree, Eddie Van Halen never topped his playing on the first couple of albums. Jeff Beck, on the other hand, became even better with time. All of these guys were milestones in what the guitar had become. But what made them unique often came early in their career.
For me, I love Clapton but I have some reservations about him. So many people label him a god of rock when they don’t pay homage to Robert Johnson first. A lot of people don’t even know who that is. So for me I love Clapton but there is no Clapton without Robert Johnson. I mean this in the best possible way but as a black person it would be nice to see black people get more credit for the music we created. Not to take away from Clapton’s abilities. Those are just my thoughts
If somebody had Robert Johnson’s acoustic guitar, and could prove it was the one he played, I bet it would go for more than $1M.
100% agree with that!
...Clapton would tell you he does it better..the guy has no humility about him..but you know what they say about hubris
@@kwkoch1966 true lol
@@Jay-st6sl you’re not wrong
Clapton’s tone and playing is phenomenal! Just listen to his version of little wing… it’s always easier to shred on the guitar with a ton of distortion than to play slower with less gain. Can’t hide mistakes when playing like that.
I'm pretty sure you mean Stevie Ray Vaughan's version.
@@catchewayroulette6571 TIL ruclips.net/video/xUs6jz2J59g/видео.html
@@catchewayroulette6571no he means Eric Clapton's version of Little Wing, it's more difficult to play it real slow like Clapton.
Many of today’s guitar greats are huge Eric Clapton fans. And many guitar legends now deceased were also Clapton fans. For example: SRV and EVH.
Hendrix was also a Clapton fan. Dude's been inspiring guitar legends since the 60s.
EVH liked Cream not Clapton.
@@brianmckenna8239 and why do you suppose EVH liked Cream?
EC is just about my favorite guitarist. His restraint in playing is how he got the name Slowhand. His foundation in early blues artists gave him the knowledge to create and expand his own style. I’ve seen him in concert 15 times. One of my favorites started with just him and his guitar for several songs. Then he brought out his drummer and bass player for a few more. Then his his full band-it was an education in rock and roll-just incredible. He’s way past his prime, but we have all those great recordings. Clapton is God for those who believe. 🎸😎👍🏼
That isn’t why he’s nicknamed slowhand
He took a long time to change broken strings apparently. His chops are undeniable. Clapton is alive, that’s why he gets crap from idiots. If he passed away during his prime people would have more reverence for him. He’s quit more amazing bands than most people have seen concerts. I love Martin guitars, thanks for saving them EC. Check out the George Harrison tribute concert, EC blows everyone off that stage. Absolute beast.
Mike, the story I always heard was that he would change a broken string regularly during the early club years and the audience would do a “Slow Hand” Clap while they waited. I thought the original nickname was a little longer, but then shortened to slow-hand 🤷♂️
Friends,
I’d pop in from time to time to watch a video, but I have to admit that I’ve been sleeping on your channel for too long. The past few weeks I’ve watched every video and you’ve uploaded and you’re putting out really calming and enjoyable content. Keep it up, thanks for the entertainment and education.
Cheers!
I feel as though when it comes to interpreting the blues via a guitar, no one has done it better than Clapton and that includes the masters he learned from.
Guitar Centre are usually the ones buying these astronomically over-priced guitars and they are in bankruptcy court...
Eric Clapton brought me to guitar playing 35 years ago... Thank you, Eric! :-)
19 year old player here, been listening to Clapton for years, huge influence, always in my top 5!
Times have changed. I'm 32 and growing up Clapton still had hits on the radio🤣
Clapton's tasteful leads are his trademark. Plus, when he began his career bending strings (in popular music) was brand new. He's a pioneer.
Pioneer in bending strings? Are you kidding me?
@@ronaldmackee3401 I was around back then. Strings were very thick back then, guys had a hard time bending them so we used to slide up the neck. Clapton was in the first generation of guitar gods. He learned from guys who started that trend. Bending did happen but rarely.
@@tonyhaines1192 George Harrison was doing it on record before Clapton. Listen to the Tony Sheridan stuff and the first Beatles albums. It's not like Eric Clapton was pulling some Zakk Wylde shit during the early 60s.
There was a super wealthy investor guy in Charlotte that died and he had one of SRVs strats and it auctioned for around $60k. $1M is a tall order for a guitar. (For a starting bid at least)
beyond that, it's downright criminal. I mean, it's eric clapton, his work past the early 70s is less than desirable. He's lost his popularity over the years. David Gilmour can pull this off because hello, it's Pink Floyd. Eric should've stayed with Cream, career suicide leaving the band on their hayday.
Agreed and wow...SRV Strat in Charlotte...I like it:)
Charlotte NC?
60 k sounds fair for a s.r.v
@@randy0210 his popularity fell drastically because the older he got the more he talked... the more he talked the more people realized how much of a pretentious asshole he was....
The solo on bellbottom blues -- need I say more?
The solos in the live My Father's Eyes electric version on his channel.
I think the DVD was called "One More Car" but either way, it's pretty great.
The tone is great, there's a thick midrange that sounds like the premium version of what any strat with a tube screamer sounds like through a Deluxe.
...think that was played on a Squire ..
One of his best ever songs IMO
SG clapton is Wayyy better than Strat Clapton change my mind..
Listen to have you ever loved a women from Derek and the dominoes album. But early Clapton is the best. The Beano album man
I’m here for 335 Clapton 👀
@@nateellis5939 that i can agree on! Let's say Gibson era' Clapton hehe
@@darrenc8776 I'll check it out!
@@nateellis5939 Ever since I heard Clapton with a 335 and saw what they looked like I knew I wanted one.
After playing some winners and real duds, a few other Gibsons, and years of telling myself no; I bought one 2 years ago.
It's my main guitar now.
Clapton was why I picked up guitar. Sunshine of Your Love blew my mind, when I heard it on rock radio back in the day. It wasn't the first song my guitar teacher taught me--that was You Really Got Me--but it was the second song I learned.
"Clapton was a guitarist... But Jimi was a force of nature..."
I own a 1990 Eric Clapton stratocaster bought in 92 so yes I'm a big fan. I'm 70 years old and that's probably why
Probably why what?
@@fernandoreynaaguilar1438 Igrew up a Clapton fan
@@kevinclose5840 oh! Sure 😉🆗
Clapton was one of my first guitar heroes. It was Crossroads that completely blew me away.
The guitar mags and the community has always lifted Clapton. I respect him but he opted for songs and songwriting decades ago. Ya gotta dig deep.
..agreed
Funny: I also prefer songs and songwriting instead of mindless shred
Loved his solo on White Room on the Eric Clapton and friends version (with Phil Collins). That was pretty blazing!
It was brilliant wasn't it.
👏👏
I saw Eric Clapton give one of the most obvious phone it in now give me the money performances I have ever seen. By some bizarre circumstance, a week later I found myself at a Barry Manilow concert. BARRY MANILOW! One of the most genuine I know I'm lame but I love doing this upbeat concerts ever. Given the choice I'd go see Manilow. Think about that statement. Let it sink in.
So sad that the guitar didn't sell for a million dollars in a pandemic where everybody's being laid off and everything shutting down and nobody can go anywhere and for a million dollars let me buy a house and a car
The difference is David gilmours guitars were sold for charity and he did a shit load of better songs
@Toby Baker your statement says it all " hundreds" most... if not all of them he's never touched let alone played which devalues their worth and collectability, Gilmours guitars were one off musician owned stage and studio used iconic guitars with a history thats why they sold for so much.
@@hemmingway11833
Not all of the instruments that Gilmour auctioned off were iconic. When was the last time you saw him play that vintage Fender electric mandolin from the 50s that sold for $50,000?
The two really big Clapton auctions where the significant guitars were sold took place years ago. Had those auctions been more recently “Blackie”, “Brownie”, and the 335 would have all been closer to the price of Gilmour’s Black Strat.
@@charlesbolton8471 Hi Charles, If you mean the 1957 FENDER , FULLERTON, SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC MANDOLIN That sold for $32500, it like all the other instruments that were auctioned had a known history and had been used in studio recordings on various floyd songs. Yes timing played a part in auction prices but so did having a billionaire fan bidding on some of the more famous guitars, The fact is and the original point of this is topic it raised a lot of money for charity
I kinda think Clapton's legacy isn't the same as some of the other "rock gods" is because he kinda went the same route as post-Police Sting and planted himself firmly in the Adult Contemporary genre. Everything he's done since around 1980 is right up there with Kenny G.
In terms of Adult Contemporary music Clapton makes Kenny G look like...Kenny G?
Sting's post-Police IS amazing up to the 2000...but i am an adult so...
Get outta here with that Pal!!
I saw Clapton in 1987 (from the 3rd row) with Phil Collins on drums. Back then he was melting faces 🫠
Fair point but his playing, singing and writing has always been top notch. It’s a shame the self destruction had a big role to play.
I see people say things like “Clapton is overrated”, “he just plays basic blues stuff” etc. From shred snobs typically. What Clapton really suffers from is that he is so influential that everyone who has come after him has copied everything he ever did, to the point where it doesn’t sound unique anymore. He’s the original rock guitar hero. He was there before Hendrix. He set the mold, especially with Cream. It’s kind of like listening to The Rolling Stones after everybody has regurgitated them forever. But what he did in Cream was the origin of all heavy music that came after. Before Hendrix, before Zeppelin. Clapton is responsible for metal? Yes. He did drift away from harder rock and towards easy listening territory and then pure blues. So it’s understandable. But he is the guy who set the mold for all lead guitar players who followed ever since.
Coupled with the starting bid being too high, the uncertainty of what’s happening in the world right now I think also plays a part. People just may not be willing to pull that trigger right now.
yeah, even a multi-millionaire would hesitate to spend a million on a guitar right now, bigger things to worry about
And still...this is not what happened with Gilmour's black Strat...
I dug back and was listening to Cream because I was actually working on Van Halen stuff and Edward always said Clapton was his guy. I feel like Blues Breakers and Cream are text book blues-rock playing, a MasterClass. Anyone who might dismiss EC soling, please listen to and learn these solos. Much harder then you might think.
I wonder if this is one of the sassafras ones. Looking at the grain pattern of the wood it seems like it could be. That’s one thing Eric Johnson calls out about his 54 that made it very special
Clapton is badass and so smooth when he plays.
If that blues breakers Les Paul ever goes up for auction it better have a starting bid of 2 million.
But Clapton's lesser used 54 strat? Yeah, I think 1 million was too much of a starting bid
I am shocked that nobody bought it, I really want that guitar, I will buy that guitar in future.......
I agree, Journeyman tour was amazing. One of the best shows I`ve ever seen.
how did yall mention Kurt Cobain's busted up Strat for $100.000 but not his Unplugged Martin that sold for $6M?
Eric Clapton is great !! Long career many flavors of cool tones. He Influenced YOU and your heroes. And credits his influences. Nothing but love for EC
At 32 years of age, Clapton is my #1 Guitar influence. My choice of guitars and how I play (them) is directly influenced from him and his playing style. All of my strats are "Claptonized (modded with the Fender EC midboost kit)" to give me his boosted sound (as I am not big on the sound of normal strats). The fact that he influenced so many of his heroes and future guitar legends (SRV, Bonamassa, EVH, Gary Clark Jr, etc) speaks volumes to his staying power as a musical icon.
Right now I have the new 2020 Epiphone ES-335 (mine is the Figured Top model in Blueberry Burst) and am running through BB King and EC songs to run this thing through its paces to assess its tone and playability.
It was his slide guitar from what I could tell. But damn it was a real nice guitar it's pretty immaculate example of a 54 strat not to mention belonged to eric.
it aint blackie and it aint brownie nuff said
I knew someone would hit the nail on the head 👆
@@mtbass3413 Yeah, I knew that too, at 6:03.
Last year the ‘57 Goldtop that Duane Allman used on the first two Allman Brothers albums and Derek and the Dominos Layla album sold for $1.2M at auction!
My Theory about Clapton,is that Clapton is only(or one of) that played hardcore blues/rock but also managed to go in pop waters and is widely popular outside of guitar community. This, to hardcore geeks, I guess, appeals as sellout?
Casino what do you make of Clapton:'s famous racist rants in the 70s? It may be worth an art vs artist video.
Might be a reason why his stock has fallen.
@@216trixie Ashamed to say that I didn't know the extent of it. I knew he said some things at a concert but when I heard it, whew! That and the fact that he continually doubled down. Then this anti lockdown stuff.
Puts some perspective on the names "blackie and "brownie"
@@ccombs2666 End the lockdowns.
@@ccombs2666 because racist remarks and disagreeing with mandatory lockdowns are totally on the same level... 👍🏼
My first guitar was a 1954 Stratocaster my dad gave me -- sacrificially I might add -- which went out the window of my brother's 1961 Ford station wagon July 25, 1965. I'd love to have this one!
Poor Tyler, who will forever be known as the guy who made Eric Clapton’s guitar worthless. 😂 JK. The opening price was way too high for a guitar Eric wasn’t really known for playing . Look up what some of George Harrison’s guitars sold for recently at that big auction. One sold for less than $200,000.
Agreed and great point...1mil is a pretty steep start. The greed machine bit too hard there!
Tyler.. or Robert Baker touching a Clapton strat? I mean ewww... If Phil McKnight had it for a weekend that would be cool
Clapton has auctioned many guitars in the past, and a starting bid of 1 million, rather than letting people start lower and get more invested takes away from the event.
Its still Eric's guitar , when Eric passes on ( Heaven Forbid ) this guitar will sell for millions. ✨🎸☮️🎬🥇
There is a group of people that don't think Clapton is the goat. I believe those people don't have the full context of what he did early on and the impact he had.
Look back at the Beano record and compare his sound and playing to other guitarists of that time.
He really was the first guitar God.
When I say the bottom is going to fall out of the guitar market it’s an understatement it’s actually over low priced guitars will take over It’s been a fun road
Harley Benton and others
@@g4joeI agree. Poor Joe he might be forced to sell some of his collection at a fraction of his purchase price!
Clapton‘s importance diminishes daily.
I love the tone of the 90's Clapton signature strats with the gold lace pickups but i never understood why he is considered a guitar god. His playing doesn't speak to me i guess.
His being called god came with the Beano album in 1963. That sound revolutionized music. Everyone wanted to copy it. It's the basis of much of todays playing
I know it may not seem like much. But you gotta understand what music what like when he started. Compared to now maybe it isn’t as insanely good. But for the time he. He was a god
It really is a matter of personal taste. I have been a fan for almost 40 years and still prefer him to everyone to come before or since. His playing is like perfectly seasoned food to me. I like all eras of his career. There are faster, more technical players, but I hear less of a connection to the blues tradition in most current players which is why I prefer Clapton to all I have heard. He got it right' to me, and anything "extra" is not necessary to my ears and those of MANY others. Even those who don't prefer his playing are into players who were/are influenced by him in the vast majority of instances.
@@jonathanhines2441 I'm in the same court. I didn't hear the Beano album until later. My start was with Cream and Crossroads on Wheels Of Fire. More Cream, Blind Faith, then Mayall. But, for me, everything stops for Layla. My ex knew to let Layla finish before interrupting.
I've seen him live twice he sounded and played incredible. He's not artsy or weird enough for today's sophisticated RUclipsrs! Lol. Ohh, and I like when they say he got too commercial. Well that's what most normal adults would do if they want to have success.
The Guitar Crossroads Concert that you refer to was in Texas in the middle of summer. Of course, everyone would wear shorts. If I could afford it, I would have bid on it. I can't afford the Clapton Stratocaster Models. Second note, Santana stated that all guitar players have come through Clapton, as he developed the style
They are always in the middle of the summer. Sorry Charlie. You never ever ever would see old blues guys in shorts. I don’t care how hot it is. You don’t know anything. It’s not blues attire at all. If you think being hot would make artists wear shorts they would always wear shorts. A bar gig is as hot as anywhere. The lights. I’ve seen country stars play outside gigs. It’s an odd thing for artists to be dressed like tennis pros so you are stupid for trying to act like you know better.
Paul Allen passed away. He would have been the only one that would have bought it at that price. It's not a million dollar guitar. It's a hardtail.
The world should have forgotten about Clapton the day Hendrix came out. goes to show how good Clapton's managers are.
This shows how ignorant of guitar music you are.
I was able to get the cardinal red Gibson Firebird when he sold 29 guitars through Gruhn’s in Nashville. It’s not for sale. I, like you, am a Clapton fan.
Thats very cool we would love to see a photo of it! shop@casinoguitars.com
I’ll have it, send it my way, I’ll knock out “Smoke on the water”.
You need a whammy bar to play Blackmore on a Stratocaster.
Eric Clapton is one of the best-ever guitar players. If you wanna hear speed, listen to Eric with John Mayal playing the blues. I learned how to play guitar by listening to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix (my two favorite guitar players). In the 60s they were the best there was.
I think a lot of the millionaires that want a clapton guitar already have one at this point
When you listen to all of Clapton's music, from the Bluesbreakers to Cream, to Derek and the Dominoes, solo albums, Unplugged, From the Cradle, late 90s albums, Me and Mr Johnson, and up until his latest releases, you understand that Clapton has had many "phases" if you will, In his music, but has always sounded like Clapton. That's what makes him great. From the Cradle and his "One More Car, One More Rider" live album have always been my favorites. Listen to those, and you will understand how great Clapton really is with any type of guitar.
Also can't forget Journeyman, great album.
Maybe it's his history with the National Front...
He wasn't a guitar hero of mine until much later in life. I started off with Hendrix, Page and Gilmour. It was far later that I discovered what a genius Clapton was. I finally got to see him in his first round of "last shows" at MSG. If I had a spare million I'd buy his strat, but it's out of my price range.
Yeah, it's a bit much for being one of his lesser-known guitars. Makes me think he didn't want to sell that one.
No Jeff Beck?
At the age of twelve, I heard Clapton for the first time. It changed my life and musical direction forever.
Same here (baxter speaking)! His box set, the crossroads one was my go to CD collection for years...that and the Zepp one...:)
As a young kid I heard him on the radio, as a teenager I was given “The Cream of Clapton” on cd and wore it out. Picked up a guitar and have been playing along with his music for 20 years. Let the haters hate, I’m gonna listen to Eric Clapton!
@@Southern.child86 same her Ed. Cream of Clapton. First track every morning, first thing. I Feel Free. Nothing starts a day like that!
On Clapton. I learned to play guitar in the '70s. By then he seemed outdated. I know how influential he was in the '60s, but after that I don't quite get it.
I don’t, either.
As much as I love Clapton, I’m not dropping a million on a hard tail. $750K tops.
Do you have 750,000? If you don’t have that kind of money don’t act like you know what you would do with it. If you do then they will take your 750,000
@@WellseeTheend
Im guessing irony isn't your forté. 😉
@@emptypromises2962 neither is subtlety.
@@WellseeTheend either way that kind of money would be better spent on lots of things other than a mere guitar, no matter who once owned it. I’d think that Clapton’s Crossroads centre would be a very worthwhile charity.
I think he is a great guitar player. However it depends on the style of music that moves you, inspires you. For me it was KK Downing from Judas Priest and Angus and Malcolm Young.
Phoebe Bridgers revived the (very justified) anger at him for him racist and xenophobic anti-immigrant comments from the past. That plus that SUPER tone deaf song with Van Morrison have taken away his luster
I played since the 60,s, Glen Campbell , the British invasion, all the top 20 stuff including Motown. All I cared for was the lead guitar. Clapton became my favorite, I emulated his persona, didn't play exactly like him but being self taught ,I had his style a little, to this day he inspires me at my age 71, I'm still playing ( not regular but step out now and then.) People say they like my phrasing, I got that from Eric. I'm not great but I play better under pressure. If I'm up and in the groove I can play pretty good. I never worry about who's better ,after 60 years I got my own style influenced by many but Clapton more than anyone. I hear what your saying. The comments by people really disgust me. They just don't know. I told all these young players around my area, just get up a guitar contest , aguitar megeddon ,I enter it and probably win it. I get tired of their crap. Great video. Appreciate it. I'm currently playing a Epiphone Sheraton 2 pro , also have a fender classic vibe 60,s thinline. I trade a lot. I'm looking to get a John mayer silver sky when I can get the cash. Played one and it fit me. Awesome guitar . Thanks subscribed.😊
E.C. is.......a) still alive b) overexposed c) not a “famous” instrument. d) all ready been done by him too many times.
Peace
This guitar, and Clapton are awesome. I think the problem is it's from his 70's post Cream phase when he went from balls out heavier music to blander singer songwriter music that some fans didn't like. Of course even then he still had some great strat tunes with great solos.
Since I was a kid, maybe 12 years old, until now (42), I can honestly say that Eric Clapton has always been one of my top 3 favorite, if not #1 favorite guitar players. I fell in love with his work on the Rush soundtrack and the unplugged/ From the Cradle work and it was all over after that. And yet, in all that time, I don't think there's ever been a time when Eric Clapton was considered "cool" by any of my peers. They know him, obviously, but it's, as you said, "Dad rock". not to mention that his politics are *at best* problematic. Not sure that explains the lack of interest in his guitar, but it is what it is.
Who cares about his politics,it’s his playing that counts at the end of the day
@@Man_fay_the_Bru I care about his politics. I'm allowed to care about all of the shit people are putting out into the world, not just their music.
When they auctioned off Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd's guitars they had Jason Isbell demo the guitars. That did not seem to affect the cost of these guitars. Many of them were late 50 early 60s bursts. Do you think having a more noted guitarist demo them will be the way they do these demos in the future?
Ed King’s guitars weren’t auctioned. They sold through a highly reputable guitar dealer (Carter Vintage Guitars) at prices that were typical for the specific guitars (and amps) being sold. There was an original Burst from each of the three years of production 58, 59, and 60, but there were also quite a few other guitars and amps that were much more affordable. It fact I would have bought his 50s Duo-Sonic and his 63 Vibroverb Reissue if someone hadn’t beat me to it.
There was very little (if any) “celebrity owned” markup in the prices with the exception of the “Sweet Home Alabama” Strat which is the only one of Ed King’s guitars or amps that Carter Vintage had that hasn’t sold yet. Like the Clapton guitar in this video the price is too high.
@@charlesbolton8471 Thanks for clarifying you are correct on all points. Especially, the "Sweet Home Alabama" strat which Ed didn't particularly like to play. He preferred his 1959 black (previously sunburst) parts caster Strat. Which I'm sure sold because it played really nice. I was just trying to make a point about having other noted artist demo a guitar prior to auction.
If you're looking for that "fake news" reason for people not buying this guitar- that ISN'T actually fake news- you should read up on his racist and xenophobic tirade in Birmingham '76. Raises some questions: SHOULD we continue to teach youngsters to praise Clapton as a master/master of the blues if he sees people of color, whose art he profits off of with every lick he plays, as less than? Additionally, IS HE EVEN A MASTER? There's plenty of other guitarists that came before him, HIS influences (Hooker, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt), and during his hay day (Gilmour, Garcia, Hendrix) that were far more influential in pushing the blues, and guitar, into new places. These other guitarists weren't just ripping off older blues musicians with a fuzzier or faster flare; it also helps that the white ones I listed never made public, racially driven rants that discredited any sort of reverence for the black music that made them rich. To wrap up, I think it's a shame that Clapton is the first name that comes up when you search "Blues Guitarist". He only popularized the blues to the white airwaves, and to hail him as a God only feeds his power trip. Also, I'm a Clapton fan. That guitar was way too expensive.
I stole a candy from Alpha Beta in 1983 according to this comment I’m a thief until I die.....
I've been a fan of Clapton's for decades, and I've seen him play live twice. He's an absolute legend and it confuses me that anyone could disregard him as a player in terms of skill, longevity and influence on others.
I think Clapton's derivative and soulless. For me, the Beano album is the only Clapton I need.
I think most of the educated criticism of Clapton centers on the fact that his music was heavily influenced by or, in less flattering terms, stolen from black musicians who were still faced with massive barriers to success in the industry. He retold the joke louder and got all the laughs, but it wasn't his joke to begin with, ya feel?
I can still play the Beano album note for note, the from the cradle album note for note, and of course crossroads amongst other fantastic Clapton work. Some of his acoustic stuff especially while singing is incredible.
Yes Yes and Yessssss! Thank you for sharing that Clapton love as we all feel it here!
I can play all the right notes, not necessarily in the right order...
@@tallthinkev I can play all the notes, not necessarily the right ones...
When I saw Tyler playing it and heard the history their 1.5 Mil estimate at the time seemed insane to me. Cheers!!
Never got the whole " owned by " thing. A million dollars starting bid? One could buy a 59 les paul , a 62 strat, a 61 es-335, a 50's broadcaster tele, A Martin, a gold top p-90's................
Piece of history, memorabilia. People aren't buying it to play it, why would they accidentally break a string on a $1mil guitar, it's probably meant for a display case with some show lights and other Eric Clapton gear.
BB King : Jeff , how's our boy Clapton ? " ....Jeff Beck : " he's probably somewhere trying on a suit "
Clapton will forever be a legend. Not only do his music and playing stand for themselves, but he is a huge influence on so many other guitarists that have come after him. His playing on the song "River of Tears" on the "One More Car, One More Rider" album absolutely blew me away! One of countless examples. But, if I were to pay $1M plus for his one of his guitars, it would have been Blackie or Brownie. Those are the two he is most identified with.
In my opinion it was the auction house used...Gilmour had a big marketing campaign through Christies...Clapton's guitar (as far as I saw) was through a lesser known auction house.
A very true point indeed! The ol marketing certainly did win the day on this one!