Eric Clapton’s 1950s Fender Telecaster

This Telecaster was seen on a few photos taken during the 1974 tour, all of which seem to be from the same concert – at KB Hallen on June 20th, 1974 in Copenhagen, Denmark [Eric Clapton 1974 – Barrie Wentzell PhotographyBarrie Wentzell Photography].

Based on the wear on the neck, the guitar was, most likely, a vintage model from the 50s, but beyond that, the guitar is a mystery. It’s unknown whether it was even Eric’s, and whether it was ever used again.

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Rich Davis
Rich Davis
3 years ago

Was this the blackguard telecaster that he gave to keith Richards?

Peter
Peter
3 years ago
Reply to  Rich Davis

He used Teles frequently in the seventies.
Both to record and live. I have seen loads of photos with him playing Telecaster on different places. Japan, USA Europe. Maybe he used it on some songs per concert

Andrew
Andrew
1 year ago
Reply to  Peter

This guitar is No mystery at all. Its the 1952 Fender Telecaster which Eric Clapton as a gift from Bassplayer Carl Raddle. Used from 1970 to 1981 on every tour and every album for some songs. It was sold for charity at the price of 90 000 USD in 1999.
The guitar was heavily used by Eric Clapton. Except for a tour in Japan 1975 and a tour of USA 1976 Where he actually played the Telecaster as his main guitar. In Japan it was a blond Fender Telecaster in USA it was this 1952 Telecaster acting as his Main guitar. So he used it probably on almost every gig for 11 years. I See No mystery at all.

Andrew
Andrew
1 year ago
Reply to  Peter

Yes he did not really start properly with Stratocasters untill 1974. Even Then he used a lot of Telecasters, Gibson Explorers and Gibson Les Pauls. The Fender Telecaster he used on every tour in the seventiees and the eightees. The Telecaster was the guitar he played his first 3 professional years on and was reviewed 1969. The Fender Telecaster has been on every Eric Clapton album he has recorded. In an interview for the Book about the Fender Telecaster, he Said it was in his DNA and he buys and plays Telecasters all the time. The book was from 1995. As he he also Said: The Telecaster has been a staple for Me in my whole career. The question he answered on first was : We dont See you very Often with a Telecaster these days. Then he asnswers that he buys and plays Telecasters all the time. The book about Fender Telecasters was really Good.Clapton had 3 pages in it with a big picture of his 1967 Fender Telecaster that has a Humbucker.