Gibson Guitar Announces "Gibson Eric Clapton Crossroads 335" Model

Press release
Source: Gibson Guitar

Gibson Guitar announces the production of 250 replicas of the Eric Clapton Crossroads 335 model, from which a significant portion of the proceeds will benefit the artist's "Crossroads Centre" in Antigua. "Crossroads Centre" is an internationally recognized treatment center for addiction, founded by the artist.

The ultimate blues and rock musician, 16 time Grammy winner, and the only artist to ever be inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame three times, Clapton originally purchased the now famous Gibson ES 335 guitar in 1964 and used it throughout his illustrious career for the ensuing 40 years. The Clapton 335 has gone on to become one of most famous guitars in rock music history, and was purchased by Guitar Center at a charity auction in June of 2004 for a record price of $847,500.

Guitar Center subsequently loaned the original instrument to Gibson Custom so that it could be meticulously measured and recreated by Gibson's expert luthiers in preparation for the limited edition "Crossroads" model, which has been approved by Clapton himself. The processes used to faithfully reproduce the guitar include digitizing the neck with a laser beam to ensure dimensional accuracy, aging the finish to simulate 40 years of loving use, replicating the Hare Krishna sticker given to Eric by George Harrison, and stenciling the "distressed" case with the "CREAM" logo - as per the original. All of the guitars will be signed by Clapton.

Guitar Center has purchased the first 175 of the 250 replicas now in production at Gibson Custom in Nashville, Tennessee, the balance of 75 replicas are destined for export markets.

"We are honored to be involved with Eric Clapton and Gibson in the recreation of this legendary guitar, and anticipate that the first guitars will be offered for sale directly from Guitar Center stores in late July 2005," said Keith Brawley, Vice President of Guitar and Amplifier Merchandising, Guitar Center.

"It is the extraordinary history and music of this amazing musician that led us to want to create the Eric Clapton Crossroads 335 Gibson Custom guitar," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO Gibson Guitar. "We are pleased that Guitar Center recognizes Clapton's contributions to the world over his brilliant career. We know the attention we have spent on each and every model will stand the test of time with anyone who adds this magnificent guitar to their collection."

ABOUT GUITAR CENTER
Guitar Center is the nation's leading retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. They presently operate 150 Guitar Center stores, with 120 stores in 48 major markets and 30 stores in secondary markets across the U.S.

ABOUT GIBSON GUITAR
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson's digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Mich., and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton and Wurlitzer. For more information on Gibson Guitar, go to www.gibson.com.

CONTACTS:
Caroline Galloway: GIBSON 440-338-3469 caroline.galloway@gibson.com
Michael Doyle: GUITAR CENTER 818-735-8800 MDoyle@guitarcenter.com
Jason Padgitt: ROGERS & COWAN 310-854-8140 jpadgitt@rogersandcowan.com