Gibson Announces New “Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird I”
Eric Clapton, pictured with his 1964 Firebird I in 1969.
Photograph by Gered Mankowitz © Bowstir Ltd 2019/Mankowitz.com
NASHVILLE, TN - August 20, 2019 – By acknowledging its iconic past and leaning into the innovative future, Gibson , the legitimate leader in professional instruments proudly presents the Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird I . A pre-sale will officially begin on August 20 , all Gibson Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird I guitars will be sold through Guitar Center and on GuitarCenter.com in the United States as well as through select International Gibson dealers.
In the 1960’s and 70’s , Eric Clapton’s use of a Gibson Firebird represented some of the most inspired, fiery and influential playing of his legendary career. Although Eric had previously played a Les Paul ES-335 and an SG , it’s always been the 1964 Firebird I that Clapton remembers as being a truly outstanding guitar. “I remember one night in particular with the Firebird,” explains Eric Clapton . “It was a Cream show in Philadelphia, and it was one of the greatest gigs I ever played.”
Gibson Custom Shop is proud to present this limited-edition reissue of Clapton’s famous Firebird , made using authentic construction methods and precise dimensions scanned from vintage 1964 Firebird models. Every Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird I guitar is outfitted with a newly-developed Alnico V Firebird pickup to recapture the scorching output and searing tones of the original. Each 1964 Firebird I will also feature an Eric Clapton signed backplate, a replica of the strap he used, a reproduction of the guitar's original case, a Certificate of Authenticity booklet and more. A limited quantity of Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird I guitars will be sold through Guitar Center in the United States as well as select International Gibson dealers .
“I remember one night, in particular with the Firebird, It was a Cream show in Philadelphia, and it was one of the greatest gigs I ever played.”
The release of the Gibson Eric Clapton Firebird I will launch simultaneously with the 2019 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, TX, taking place Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21. At the festival, the limited-edition guitar will be displayed in the Guitar Center Village alongside the Gibson ES-335 guitar used by Eric Clapton on numerous landmark recordings, including the enduring Cream hit and festival namesake “Crossroads.”