Possible blog post:
What Legendary Guitar Brand Inspired Eric Clapton’s “Blackie”?
If you’re a fan of Eric Clapton, you may have heard of his famous guitar named “Blackie”. This iconic instrument, which Clapton played on many classic recordings and tours from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, became almost as legendary as the man himself. But do you know where Blackie came from and why it was so special to Clapton? In this blog post, we’ll delve into the history and influence of the guitar brand that inspired Blackie and shaped Clapton’s sound and style.
H2: The Rise of Fender and Stratocaster
Before we get to Blackie, let’s start with the birth of a guitar company that would change the course of popular music: Fender. Founded by Leo Fender in Fullerton, California, in 1946, Fender initially focused on making amplifiers for public address systems and Hawaiian lap steel guitars. In 1950, however, Fender introduced its first solid-body electric guitar, the Telecaster, which featured a single-cutaway ash body, bolt-on maple neck, and two single-coil pickups. The Telecaster was a hit among country, blues, and rockabilly players who appreciated its bright, twangy sound and sturdy construction.
In 1954, Fender released another revolutionary guitar, the Stratocaster. The Stratocaster differed from the Telecaster in several ways: it had a contoured double-cutaway body made of ash or alder, a bolt-on maple neck with a curved fingerboard, three single-coil pickups, a vibrato (or tremolo) bridge, and a modern look that appealed to younger guitarists. The Stratocaster also had a wider range of tones than the Telecaster, thanks to its extra pickup and 5-way selector switch, which allowed for both humbucking and single-coil sounds.
The Stratocaster became an instant classic and remains one of the most popular and versatile guitars in history. Its sleek shape, comfortable feel, and rich tone attracted players from many genres, such as Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Dick Dale, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and of course, Eric Clapton.
H2: Clapton’s Early Influences and Guitars
Clapton, born in Surrey, England, in 1945, grew up listening to blues and jazz records by artists like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, and B.B. King. He started playing guitar seriously at the age of 13, and soon joined several bands, including The Roosters, Casey Jones and the Engineers, and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Clapton’s style was heavily influenced by American bluesmen who played the Gibson Les Paul, a rival to Fender’s guitars.
In the mid-1960s, Clapton joined the British band The Yardbirds, which gave him more exposure and opportunities to experiment with different sounds and techniques. He first played a Fender Stratocaster in 1964, when he was asked to fill in for the band’s regular guitarist, who had broken his arm. Clapton liked the Stratocaster’s tone and sustain, and began to incorporate it into his own style.
H2: Clapton’s Gear Quest and Blackie’s Origins
Despite his success with The Yardbirds and the subsequent bands Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton wasn’t completely satisfied with his guitar sound and tone. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Clapton went through a period of addiction and depression, which affected his music and life. He also lost several of his beloved guitars due to theft, damage, or sale. In 1970, Clapton commissioned a custom-made Stratocaster from a luthier named Phil Taylor, who combined parts from different models to create a hybrid that resembled Clapton’s ideal guitar. This guitar, known as “The Fool”, had a psychedelic paint job and an unconventional wiring scheme that added a boost to the midrange frequencies.
However, The Fool was not durable enough for Clapton’s heavy use, and he began to search for a more reliable and responsive instrument. In 1973, Clapton visited a guitar shop in Nashville, Tennessee, where he found several used Fender Stratocasters that had similar features to his liking. He bought six of them, all made between 1956 and 1964, and combined the best parts from each to create what would become Blackie.
Blackie had a black body, a maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets, a vintage-style vibrato bridge with six screws, and three vintage single-coil pickups, which Clapton rewired to his preferences. Blackie also had a worn-in look, as Clapton had sanded off the original finish to reveal the wood grain and added new wear marks to simulate years of use. The result was a guitar that felt and sounded like a classic but had a personal touch and a unique voice.
H2: Blackie’s Impact and Legacy
Blackie quickly became Clapton’s main guitar for the next decade, and was featured on such albums as 461 Ocean Boulevard, Slowhand, and Backless. Blackie was also the guitar Clapton played at several benefit concerts, most notably the 1979 “Concerts for the People of Kampuchea”, where he shared the stage with Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, and other rock stars. Blackie’s tone, which was warm, clear, and expressive, became synonymous with Clapton’s style and helped define the sound of classic rock.
After retiring Blackie in 1985, Clapton sold it at a charity auction for $959,500, making it the most expensive guitar ever sold at the time. The proceeds went to his substance abuse treatment center in Antigua, which Clapton had founded in 1998. Blackie’s value and fame also inspired many guitarists to seek out vintage Stratocasters and customize them to their own taste. Blackie thus became a symbol of both Fender’s craftsmanship and Clapton’s artistry.
H2: Conclusion
In conclusion, Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” was a tribute to Fender’s legendary guitar brand and its iconic Stratocaster. Blackie’s origins lie in Clapton’s quest for the perfect guitar sound and his appreciation of the Stratocaster’s qualities. Blackie’s impact and legacy continue to inspire guitarists and music lovers around the world. By exploring the history and influence of Fender and Stratocaster, we can understand better the cultural significance of Clapton’s music and his connection to guitar culture. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you can learn from Clapton’s example of creativity, perseverance, and passion. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your own Blackie someday.
Image Credit: Pexels