Eric Clapton's 1939 C.F. Martin & Co. 000-42
Musician
Eric Clapton
(English, born 1945)
Maker
C.F. Martin & Company
(American, founded 1833)
Date1939
ClassificationsMusic
DescriptionEric Clapton's 1939 C.F. Martin & Co. Style 000-42 guitar, serial number 73234, in natural finish. The guitar features an Adirondack spruce top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Heavy play wear is present around the pickguard. In a hard case, with numerous labels including one in the hand of Clapton's guitar tech Lee Dickson reading, "Auction / Boo Hoo." The guitar is most famous as the main instrument that Clapton used during his MTV Unplugged appearance on January 16, 1992. The performance was later released as a best selling album on August 25, 1992, and this guitar is featured on the cover of that album. The guitar also appeared on stage at the first of the Blues only seasons at the Royal Albert Hall in February/March of 1993. This guitar remained Clapton's main stage acoustic through the 1997 Far Eastern Tour and the first leg of the US Pilgrim tour in 1998. Clapton commented on the guitar at the time of it's sale at his 2004 Crossroads auction saying, "This is an incredible guitar. I would never be able to part with it if I didn't have one as good which I've kept."
Clapton later requested that Martin base the construction of their first Eric Clapton signature Model 000-42EC on this guitar's pre-war 000-42 structure.
Eric Clapton (b. 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist often considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Clapton joined the Yardbirds in 1963, before moving on to John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1965.
In 1965, Clapton formed the supergroup Cream with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. With Cream, Clapton recorded four successful albums before disbanding in 1968. Clapton and Baker then formed the band Blind Faith, which also featured Steve Winwood, and recorded one album. Clapton made a short touring appearance with Delaney & Bonnie before striking out as a solo artist. He formed the band Derek & the Dominoes for one album, before resuming his solo career.
Clapton has won 18 Grammy Awards and is a three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a solo artist, and with the bands Cream and the Yardbirds.
3D Model
C.F. Martin & Company
2006
