Editing Brownie (guitar)

{{Other uses|Brownie (disambiguation)}}
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'''Brownie''' was the affectionate name for a [[Fender Stratocaster]] that was used extensively by [[Eric Clapton]] during the early 1970s, most notably with [[Derek and the Dominos]] on their album ''[[Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs]]''.

The guitar has an alder body, two-tone sunburst finish, a maple neck, skunk-stripe routing and black dot inlays. It was manufactured in 1956 and the serial number is 12073. Clapton purchased the guitar at London's Sound City while touring with [[Cream (band)|Cream]] on 7 May 1967 for US$400 and used it for both concert and studio. The guitar appeared on his debut album ''[[Eric Clapton (album)|Eric Clapton]]'' where it can be seen on the cover. Its most noteworthy usage can be heard on the ''Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs album'' also recorded in 1970. But after 1971, Brownie served as back-up for Clapton's main Fender Stratocaster, [[Blackie (guitar)|Blackie]]. At the 1969 [[Blind Faith]] concert in [[Hyde Park, London]], Clapton played a Fender Custom Telecaster, which was fitted with Brownie's neck. Clapton preferred to buy a neck with a worn fretboard rather than a new one as he felt that a neck worn from playing had obviously been favoured by players, and was likely to play very well.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXNj35YL2t8</ref>

==Brownie for auction==
On 24 June 1999 Clapton sold the guitar through [[Christie's|Christie's Auction House]] in [[New York City]] to help raise funds for his alcohol and drug treatment center, [[Crossroads Centre]]. Brownie sold for US$497,500 becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold at the time only to be eclipsed by Clapton's other favourite guitar [[Blackie (guitar)|Blackie]] on 24 June 2004. Brownie can now be seen by the public at the [[Experience Music Project]] in [[Seattle, Washington]] under the ownership of [[Paul Allen]]. In 2006, another Stratocaster, signed by a large group of celebrities, including Clapton, was auctioned to benefit the victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Asian tsunami]], selling for US$2.6 million, shattering Brownie's record.

==Custom Shop Reproduction==
In February 2013, Fender announced a [[Fender Custom Shop|Custom Shop]] reproduction of Brownie available exclusively through [[Guitar Center]] on 21 March 2013.<ref>http://www.fender.com/custom-shop/features/brownie/</ref> The manufacturer's suggested retail price (USD) of the tribute guitar is valued at US$14,999.00.<ref>http://www.fender.com/custom-shop/features/brownie/eric-clapton-brownie-tribute-stratocaster/</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Guitar}}
*[[Blackie (guitar)|Blackie]]
*[[The Fool (guitar)|The Fool]]
*[[List of guitars]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* http://www.guitarplanet.eu/latest-news/date/2013/02/11/fender-custom-shop-eric-clapton-brownie-tribute-stratocaster.html

{{Eric Clapton}}
{{Fender Stratocaster}}

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[[Category:Eric Clapton's musical instruments]]
[[Category:Fender Stratocasters]]
[[Category:Individual guitars]]


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