Clapton’s Fender Stratocaster Is Sold

A Fender Stratocaster played by Eric Clapton at his final set of Albert Hall concerts sold for over twice the expected price over the weekend. Heritage Auctions and former Asleep at the Wheel guitarist Johnny Nicholas offered the Custom Shop Stratocaster for sale and it sold for $45,000

This Masterbuilt Strat was built by Todd Krause for Eric Clapton in 2014. It has been verified by as one of two Stratocasters used on 21 May 2015 during his 70th birthday concert as documented in the concert film Slowhand at 70-Live at the Royal Albert Hall. The guitar’s pickguard is signed by Eric Clapton in black Sharpie

Johnny Nicholas was a member of the Grammy winning Asleep at the Wheel before he and his wife Brenda settled down to raise a family in the Texas Hill Country. During his time with Asleep at the Wheel, Johnny became and remains close friends with Eric Clapton. So much so that when Brenda was diagnosed with Leukemia, Clapton offered one of his personally owned and played guitars to help raise money for Brenda’s courageous fight. Sadly, Brenda Nicholas recently lost her battle with the disease. However, it was Eric’s wish to see his guitar sold in an effort ease the Nicholas family’s medical expenses and to further alternative Leukemia treatment research.