Brownie is the nickname for a
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, colloquially known as the Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed from 1952 into 1954 by Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuous ...
that was used extensively by
Eric Clapton during the early 1970s, most notably with
Derek and the Dominos
Derek and the Dominos was an English–American blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton, keyboardist and singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. All four members had previou ...
on their 1970 album ''
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs''.
Overview
The guitar has an alder body, two-tone sunburst finish, a maple neck, skunk-stripe on the back of the neck, 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
Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream, this process ...
on 7 May 1967 for US$400 and used it for both concert and studio. The guitar appeared on his debut 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. At the 1969
Blind Faith
Blind Faith were an English supergroup featuring Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech. They were eagerly anticipated by the music press following on the success of each of the member's former bands, including Clapton ...
concert in
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is a Grade I-listed major park in Westminster, Greater London, the largest of the four Royal Parks that form a chain from the entrance to Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, via Hyde Park Corner and Gre ...
, 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.
Brownie for auction
On 24 June 1999 Clapton sold the guitar through
Christie's Auction House in
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the U ...
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 on 24 June 2004. Brownie can now be seen by the public at the
Experience Music Project in
Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is a port, seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the county seat, seat of King County, Washington, King County, Washington (state), Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in bo ...
. In 2006, another Stratocaster, signed by a large group of celebrities, including Clapton, was auctioned to benefit the victims of the
2004 Asian tsunami
An earthquake and a tsunami, known as the Boxing Day Tsunami and, by the scientific community, the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake, occurred at 07:58:53 local time (UTC+7) on 26 December 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of northern Suma ...
, selling for US$2.6 million, shattering Brownie's record.
Custom Shop reproduction
In February 2013, Fender announced a
Custom Shop reproduction of Brownie available exclusively through
Guitar Center
Guitar Center is an American musical instrument retailer chain. It is the largest company of its kind in the United States, with 294 locations. Its headquarters is in Westlake Village, California.
Guitar Center oversees various subsidiaries in ...
on 21 March 2013. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (USD) of the tribute guitar is valued at US$14,999.00.
See also
*
Blackie
*
The Fool
*
List of guitars
This list of guitars details individual guitars which have become famous because of their use by famous musicians; their seminal status; their high value; and the like.
Guitars
0–9
* The 0001 Strat – David Gilmour is the owner of this ...
References
Eric Clapton's musical instruments
Fender Stratocasters
Individual guitars
{{Guitar-stub