Fender Creates Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocasters and Amps

Press release
Source: FMIC

To honor and support the philanthropic efforts of legendary guitarist Eric Clapton, Fender® is collaborating with Clapton to create a very special limited edition guitar and amp package featuring the new Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster® guitar and Crossroads ’57 Twin-Amp™.

The Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster guitar, or “Sun Strat®” will be produced in a limited run of 100 instruments globally; the Crossroads ’57 Twin-Amps will number only 50. All profits from the project will benefit the Crossroads Centre, Antigua, the drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation facility founded by Clapton on the small, idyllic Caribbean island in 1998.

Fifty of the guitars will be paired with the amps in exclusive Crossroads platinum packages for $30,000 each. The other 50 Crossroads guitars will be offered in packages for $20,000 each. The on-sale date is July 20, 2007 exclusively at www.fender.com—only eight days before Clapton’s monumental Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 in Chicago on July 28.

While Fender has a long tradition of producing world-class signature series instruments with top musicians, this latest venture represents an extraordinary collaboration. Fender Custom Shop Master Builders have dedicated meticulous effort to reflect the spirit of Clapton’s artistry and philanthropy. Each guitar will be crafted to Clapton’s specification and bear a unique “Crossroads Antigua” graphic designed and originally hand-drawn by Clapton himself.

The commemorative Crossroads ’57 Twin-Amps are modeled after the original ’57 Twin—one of the most collectable amps of all time—with the classic Fender sound and design that made them so desirable. This limited-edition amplifier features a custom engraved commemorative “Crossroads 2007” badge autographed by Eric and his “Crossroads Antigua” graphic is artistically embedded on the grill cloth.

“We are extremely honored to work with Eric on these limited edition Crossroads guitars and amps,” said Mike Eldred, Fender Custom Shop director. “At its essence, this is a passion project that allows Fender to support the Crossroads Centre, Antigua and to show our great love and appreciation for Eric.”

The Eric Clapton Crossroads guitar is, of course a Stratocaster; an instrument indelibly linked with Clapton. It’s an elegantly enduring design classic that was so right the first time out in 1954 that it has existed unchanged ever since, along the way becoming a worldwide cultural icon in singing, howling, lilting and even screaming ways its creators couldn’t possibly have imagined.

Master-Built in Fender’s Corona, Calif., Custom Shop, the Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster guitar was created with Clapton’s own guidance and supervision by the very same artisans who handcraft Eric’s personal instruments. The arm-contour upper body flank features a smiling sun “Crossroads Antigua” graphic hand-drawn by Clapton himself. The guitar comes in a custom Anvil® flight case and includes a certificate signed by Eric.

The Crossroads platinum package is highlighted by the Crossroads Edition ’57 Twin-Amp—the perfect sonic companion to the Crossroads guitar. The Fender ’57 Twin-Amp is Eric Clapton’s personal amp of choice for studio and stage use. This unique Crossroads premium package will also include a guitar certificate signed by Clapton; an official Crossroads tour laminate, set list and program book; Clapton guitar picks; a commemorative Crossroads guitar strap and a framed, limited edition art print of the Crossroads instrument package.

Fender has been known worldwide for half a century as a company with a spirit and tradition of pioneering innovation. That spirit and tradition is newly revitalized in this project, bringing together an incredible collaboration of passionate guitar players to create products to satisfy one of the ultimate guitar players of all time—Eric Clapton, an artist with his own tradition of pioneering innovation and social consciousness.

About Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007:
Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 takes place July 28 at Chicago’s Toyota Park, with a stellar lineup of blues and rock performers including Clapton, Jeff Beck, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Steve Winwood and many others. The 28,000-capacity event sold out in only 15 minutes. As with the first Crossroads Guitar Festival, held in June 2004 in Dallas, proceeds from the concert benefit the Crossroads Centre, Antigua.

About Crossroads Centre, Antigua:
Founded in 1998, Crossroads Centre, Antigua was created to provide treatment and education to chemically dependent persons, those with other compulsive addictive behaviors, their families and their significant others. Treatment is provided through residential care, family and aftercare programs. The pathway to recovery is founded on the movement toward a change in lifestyle. Crossroads Centre, Antigua also operates a 16-bed halfway house in Antigua called the Bevon House (exclusively for Antigua residents) and facilitates a school-based education series, Breaking the Cycle, in all Antiguan schools. The Crossroads Centre has recently expanded its program to offer transitional living for men, in line with the Crossroads Centre’s philosophy on recovery, at The Sanctuary in Delray Beach, Florida, for those who have completed a residential treatment program. For more information, visit: www.crossroadsantigua.org.

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation:
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is the world’s foremost manufacturer of guitars, amplifiers and related equipment since 1946, and its name has become synonymous with all things rock ‘n’ roll. Iconic Fender® instruments such as the Telecaster®, Stratocaster®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® guitars are known worldwide as the instruments that started the rock revolution, and they continue to be highly prized by today’s guitarists and collectors. FMIC brands include Fender®, Squier®, Guild®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, SWR®, EVH®, Tacoma®, Olympia® and Brand X®.

For more information, visit: www.fender.com.

Fender Crossroads Specialty Site: www.fender.com/crossroads.

The Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster Platinum Package. Photo by Steve Pitkin.

Closeup: The Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster Platinum Package. Photo by Steve Pitkin.

Closeup: The Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster Neckplate. Photo by Steve Pitkin.

Related Links
Review: Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Concert
Eric Clapton and Guitar Friends Raise Money for Crossroads Centre (concert photos)
Aaron Loesch Ready for Eric Clapton Crossroads Concert
Bill Murray, Robbie Robertson, and Johnny Winter Added to Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival Concert
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival Announces Festival Village
2007 Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Website
MSN Music Crossroads Concert Webcast
Eric Clapton Announces 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival to Be Held in Chicago
John Mayer and Eric Clapton Introduce the Sun Strat Guitar
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Guitar Center King of the Blues Website