Guitar Center Announces the New 2019 Crossroads Guitar Collection with Guitars from Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Carlos Santana

Get ready guitar nerds. Guitar Center is announcing today a new collection of five guitars for the 2019 Crossroads Guitar Collection. These guitars are recreated and signature models of guitars from three legendary guitarists: Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Carlos Santana.

The collection features a mix of electric and acoustic guitars and a variety of brands and will launch during the 2019 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, TX that runs September 20-21. One final note before gawking at the guitars, it should be noted that “a significant portion of the proceeds” will be donated to Crossroads Centre Antigua, Eric Clapton’s charity for helping chemically dependent persons. Without further ado, here are the beautiful guitars:

Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Blind Faith Telecaster by Todd Krause - $11,999 MSRP

“In February 5 and 6, 1968, Clapton appeared with Cream in the Danish movie “Det var en lørdag aften” performing with a Fender Telecaster, a 1962 Fender Telecaster Custom (bound) in 3 Tone Sunburst, but fitted with a Stratocaster neck with rosewood fingerboard. This guitar, with modifications, would go on to be associated with his tenure in Blind Faith. Observant guitar aficionados have noticed something peculiar about this guitar during the Blind Faith era – its neck had changed to the very same maple fingerboard Stratocaster neck as Clapton’s classic “Brownie” 1956 Fender Stratocaster, played by Eric a few years later during the Derek & The Dominos era. This neck was grafted on to the Telecaster by either Clapton himself or a guitar technician; either way, it suited Clapton’s playing style well and is among his most iconic instruments. For the first time ever, the Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Blind Faith Telecaster by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Todd Krause offers a Tele body with a “Brownie” style Strat neck – a historic first that marks this guitar as a true rarity. This guitar will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Clapton himself and a replica of the strap he used in 1969.”

Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird 1 - $11,762 MSRP

“A legendary instrument associated with both Cream and Blind Faith is Clapton’s 1964 Gibson single-pickup Firebird I with reverse headstock. Clapton purchased this instrument in 1968 in Philadelphia. This guitar subsequently appeared on the Cream farewell tour in late 1968 and served as a direct replacement of Clapton’s Gibson SG “The Fool” – which by that time lost a good amount of its custom paint job due to extensive use. The reverse-headstock Firebird I was used as one of Clapton’s instruments on the Blind Faith tour in 1969. The guitar obviously had no pickup switch, and therefore only two knobs (volume and tone) and was equipped with a wraparound tailpiece. This was also the first Gibson solid-body to feature a neck-through-body construction, with the neck itself being made up of five pieces of mahogany with four narrow strips of walnut mingled between them for more strength. The Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird I re-creates this unique and iconic instrument 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 reproduction of the guitar’s original case, a Certificate of Authenticity booklet and more.”

Martin 00042EC-Z Eric Clapton Crossroads Ziricote -$12,999 MSRP

“Martin’s Eric Clapton signature acoustics have been popular for years. The Martin 00042EC-Z Eric Clapton Crossroads Ziricote, exclusive to the 2019 Crossroads Collection, makes several unique enhancements to the regular Crossroads 000-42. The guitar features a 000-14 fret body, Sitka Spruce “VTS” top and Ziricote back and sides. Martin’s proprietary VTS (vintage tone system) process is a torrification / aging regimen, resulting in a particularly beautiful tone, and also includes a titanium truss-rod which combines the light weight of a 1930’s instrument with the adjustability of modern technology. This guitar will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Clapton himself, and Chris Martin.”

Martin 0042JM-C John Mayer Crossroads Cocobolo - $9,999 MSRP

“Martin’s top-selling John Mayer signature model is the 00-42 “Stage Coach,” featuring a slightly smaller body style. The Martin 00-42SC John Mayer Crossroads, exclusive to the 2019 Crossroads Collection, makes several enhancements to the standard Stage Coach, with upgraded sunburst finish and cocobolo back and sides, offering enhanced tone and exotic good looks. This guitar also comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by John Mayer himself and Chris Martin.”

PRS Private Stock Carlos Santana Crossroads - $11,999 MSRP

“PRS Private Stock Carlos Santana Crossroads Paul Reed Smith guitars have been associated closely with Carlos Santana for several decades. In fact, before PRS achieved worldwide acclaim as a top guitar manufacturer, its founder and namesake was hand-building gorgeous instruments that would serve as the prototypes for his prestigious brand. One of these guitars was personally commissioned by Carlos Santana pre-1985, an instrument still owned and cherished by Santana. The PRS Private Stock Carlos Santana Crossroads is a tribute to this guitar, featuring original specifications combined with PRS’s most current design elements to give serious players and collectors the best of both worlds. Specifications include a pre-’85 body shape and headstock (with eagle inlay), 24 1/4” scale, 24-fret Brazilian Rosewood fretboard, bird inlays, HFS and Santana humbuckers, and twin mini-switches for coil tapping. Only six of these instruments will be made and each will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Carlos Santana. As with all PRS Private Stock guitars, a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Paul Reed Smith and PRS Director of Private Stock, Paul Miles, will also be included.”