Brownie (guitar)
Encyclopedia
Brownie was the affectionate name to a Fender Stratocaster
that was used extensively by Eric Clapton
during the early 70's, most notably with Derek and the Dominos
on their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
.
The guitar has an alder body, tobacco sunburst finish, maple neck, skunk-stripe routing and black dot inlays. It was manufactured in 1956 and the serial number is 12073. Clapton purchased the guitar at London's Sound City while touring with Cream
on May 7, 1967 for $400 and used it for both concert and studio. The guitar appeared on his debut album Eric Clapton
where it can be seen on the cover. Its most noteworthy usage can be heard on the Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs also recorded in 1970. But after 1971 Brownie served as the back-up for Eric's main Fender Stratocaster, Blackie. At the 1969 Blind Faith concert in Hyde Park, London
Clapton played a Fender Custom Telecaster, which was fitted with Brownie's neck.
in New York City to help raise funds for his alcohol and drug treatment center, Crossroads Centre
. Brownie sold for $450,000 becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold at the time only to be eclipsed by Clapton's other favorite guitar Blackie on June 24, 2004. Brownie can now be seen by the public at the Experience Music Project
in Seattle, Washington
under the ownership of Paul Allen
. In 2006, another Stratocaster, signed by a large group of celebrities, including Clapton, was auctioned to benefit the victims of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, selling for $2.6 million, shattering "Brownie"'s record.
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
that was used extensively by Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
during the early 70's, most notably with Derek and the Dominos
Derek and the Dominos
Derek and the Dominos were a blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton with keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon, who had all played with Clapton in Delaney, Bonnie & Friends...
on their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is a blues-rock album by Derek and the Dominos, released in November 1970, best known for its eponymous title track, "Layla"...
.
The guitar has an alder body, tobacco sunburst finish, maple neck, skunk-stripe routing and black dot inlays. It was manufactured in 1956 and the serial number is 12073. Clapton purchased the guitar at London's Sound City while touring with Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
on May 7, 1967 for $400 and used it for both concert and studio. The guitar appeared on his debut album Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton (album)
Eric Clapton is the eponymous debut solo album from Eric Clapton, released in August of 1970.-Track listing - original 1970 release:All selections written by Delaney Bramlett, Bonnie Bramlett and Eric Clapton, except as indicated.-Side one:...
where it can be seen on the cover. Its most noteworthy usage can be heard on the Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs also recorded in 1970. But after 1971 Brownie served as the back-up for Eric's main Fender Stratocaster, Blackie. At the 1969 Blind Faith concert in Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
Clapton played a Fender Custom Telecaster, which was fitted with Brownie's neck.
Brownie for auction
On June 24, 1999 Clapton sold the guitar through Christie's Auction HouseChristie's
Christie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
in New York City to help raise funds for his alcohol and drug treatment center, Crossroads Centre
Crossroads Centre
The Crossroads Centre is a drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation centre located on the Caribbean island of Antigua. The centre was founded by guitarist Eric Clapton & Richard Conte, CEO of The Priory Hospitals Group and Transitional Hospitals Corporation . All development of the facility was...
. Brownie sold for $450,000 becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold at the time only to be eclipsed by Clapton's other favorite guitar Blackie on June 24, 2004. Brownie can now be seen by the public at the Experience Music Project
Experience Music Project
The EMP Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction located in Seattle, Washington...
in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
under the ownership of Paul Allen
Paul Allen
Paul Gardner Allen is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates...
. In 2006, another Stratocaster, signed by a large group of celebrities, including Clapton, was auctioned to benefit the victims of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, selling for $2.6 million, shattering "Brownie"'s record.
See also
- Blackie