Guitar Hero (4): Eric "Slowhand" Clapton (1939 Martin 000-42)

Eric Clapton's storied career as a guitarist and singer-songwriter goes back 50 years. Raised by his grandparents in England, and starting on guitar in his teens, he is the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having been honored as a band member of the Yardbirds and Cream, and as a solo artist.

Best known for his bluesy-rock electric guitar work, his artistry on acoustic guitar erupted to world-wide acclaim in 1992 with his live MTV Unplugged appearance and corresponding album, which won six Grammy Awards and has since sold over 10 million copies in the United States alone. The album features acoustic versions of earlier hits such as Layla, as well as new compositions like the heartbreaking Tears in Heaven written following the death of his four-year-old son Conor who fell out the window of a New York City apartment building in 1991.

1939 Martin 000-42

Clapton is no stranger to tragedy, having struggled with addiction in the 1970s and 80s and lost close friends and collaborators to substance abuse. In 1997, he founded the Crossroads Center in Antigua, a treatment center for addictive disorders.  Clapton has raised millions of dollars for the Crossroads Center by auctioning off some of his prized guitars from his extensive collection. These auctions have shattered records for guitar sales prices raising over $5M in 1999, $7M in 2004, and $2M in 2011.

His 1939 Martin 000-42, which featured prominently in his MTV Unplugged concert and on the album cover picture above, remains the most expensive acoustic guitar ever sold. This pre-war Martin features Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, which is coveted for its exceptional tonal qualities and is no longer available due to heavy de-forestation of its native habitat. The Style 42 appointments include abalone inlay around the soundhole and the top body border, with delicate snowflake pearl inlays on the fretboard. The guitar had a pre-sale estimate of $60-80,000 at the second Crossroads auction in 2004 and sold for $791,500 (including the buyer's premium)!

The Martin company has since successfully cashed in on one of the most famous performers to feature their guitars by issuing eight Eric Clapton signature 000-size models since 1995 that continue to be popular with high resale values. (There are also Clapton signature Martin guitar strings). The stock Eric Clapton signature Martin 000-28 that currently lists for $4,599, has sold over 17,000 units since 1996.

Indeed, Clapton is credited with single-handedly re-popularizing the smaller 000-size Martin guitar. With its shorter scale, notes are easier to bend for blues and other style fingerpickers such as Clapton. Clapton's long-standing devotion to Martin acoustics and his ability to make them sing has made this partnership a homerun for Martin.