BY: DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF

 

The Gibson guitar company announced on Thursday a partnership with guitarist Eric Clapton for the production of the Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom Ebony. The instrument will be available to a select number of fans who happen to have 20-grand lying around to drop on a new guitar.

 

Featuring a one-piece, ultra-lightweight mahogany body with mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, and Les Paul Custom inlays, the Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom Ebony will see a limited production run of just 150 guitars.

 

 

Aged by Murphy Labs to replicate Clapton’s original model, the custom instrument will include gold hardware, three Custombucker pickups, and Duck Brothers-inspired case featuring a collection of case candy. This will include a second pickguard signed by Albert Lee and by Eric Clapton himself.

 

“We’re proud to partner with Eric Clapton, a legendary icon of the guitar world, to bring a piece of music history to life,” said Gibson in an announcement on Thursday. “Here is your opportunity to own a piece of music history that is directly tied to two of the world’s foremost guitarists.”

 

A multi-time Grammy award winner and the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Eric Clapton is known for his work with a number of bands including Cream and Blind Faith, as well as for his work as a solo artist and for his widespread influence as a guitarist.

 

The history of Clapton’s original 1958 Les Paul dates back to his very first tour with legendary blues-rock trio, Cream. The instrument was used on the band’s Disraeli Gears album and would see continued use by the guitarist throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

 

Clapton would eventually gift the instrument to guitarist Albert Lee in 1979. Lee is said to have continued using the guitar even up to the present day.

 

Players hoping to learn more about the Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom Ebony, including details on features, specifications, pricing, and shipping, may do so at the Gibson Guitars website.

 

Photo: Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom Ebony – Gibson Guitars