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Eric Clapton Risked His Life

How much do you treasure your favorite guitar?

You don’t know until somebody offers you a lot of money

or you have to make a decision on a repair that may be a little pricey. You may even find yourself making a dire decision in a fleeting moment.

Let’s get some context here. A cheap acoustic will probably last about 10 years, A cheap electric guitar will last about 20 or 30 years. High end, well-made instruments will last beyond a lifetime. There is a baseline value to every guitar.

Guitars can be great investments. Even old, cheap guitars are worth multiples of what was paid when a good shop makes them playable. Sometimes the sound is unique and famous players put that to use. Sears sold Silvertones in the 1950s. Jimi Hendrix had one he named Betty Jean.

…but would you risk your life to save your favorite?

In 1996, Eric Clapton came home to a house fire.

He ran into the burning building to save his guitars.

The entire upper story was destroyed.

There was one guitar in particular that moved him to brave the smoke and flames. He said, “It is not a very expensive guitar but I would pay a reasonable price for it as I really want to hold on to it. It is a guitar that’s been around my house for years and I’ve picked it up in times of great stress, like a comfort blanket.”

It was a 1956 Fender Stratocaster he named Brownie. We all heard Brownie in 1971 on his hit, “Layla,”

We held a very similar 1957 Stratocaster.

Personally, I would just insure it and skip the flaming rescue.


1957 Fender Stratocaster
1957 Fender Stratocaster


 
 
 

1957 Fender Stratocaster



A lot of smart people think The 1957 Stratocaster is the GOAT.

(Greatest Of All Time for those who don’t speak the language of sports)

The elite collectors actually have the arguments about which of three years of Strats is the Holy Grail, 1954, 1957, 1962.


1954 is obvious. The first Strat came out in the spring of 1954.

You could get a tremelo version or not.

Since the 1954 is an obvious collector’s choice because it is  the birth of the Stratocaster, you have to ask, “Who own the first one made?” Relax, it is in the good hands of David Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame.


Is there a physical reason for the ’54-’55 attraction? Yes. Many prefer the ash body and they had a heavier, thicker neck. That adds some sustain. The neck had more of a U shape in those years. That is a comfort feature for some.

They sold for about $250.


Next, comes the much sought after ’57 Strat. It switched from Ash to Alder body. The big change was the large C shape neck of the ’54 became a slightly larger V shape. This is the year that had the most pronounced V in the neck that players like Eric Clapton preferred. Some of the collectibility is cosmetic. A true Strat lover will likely say the 1957 had the most classic sunburst finish. (Click the video link below and you will see an honest reference to a ’57 Chevy while talking about a guitar) FYI: The cost then was still about $250.


The 1962 Strat’s biggest change was probably the thinner Slim C neck. All Strats made 1965 or before are called pre-CBS. CBS Broadcasting bought Fender in 1965. A lot was going on with Fender then. If you have a Strat from 1962 with a “penciled” in neck date is was early. After March, 1962, Fender switched to rubber stamp dating. That seems like small details, but it is just an example of little changes that help collectors identify what they have. In 1962, you probably paid about $300 for one.


1954 Strat players: David Gilmour, Eric Johnson, Buddy Holly, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, Ike Turner, Ronnie Wood


1957 Strat Players: Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Pete Townsend, Billy Gibbons, Jimmy Page


1962 Strat players: Jeff Beck (yellow favorite), Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)


Even without a big star holding it, a guitar from these three years will likely be 10s of thousands of dollars.


1957 Pre-CBS Fender Strat
1957 Pre-CBS Fender Strat


We got to hold a very nice 1957 Strat




 
 
 

All Rights Reserved Every Guitar Has A Story 2026 - Mark Valentine 816-520-8430

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