The Painted Player
AS - 9
THE ERIC CLAPTON FOOL SG
History
One of the most iconic musical instruments of all time, Eric Clapton’s Fool SG started life as a 1961 Gibson SG Standard featuring a Maestro Tremolo Tailpiece but in 1966 the guitar was hand-painted by the Dutch group of artists known collectively as ‘The Fool’. Given a stunning psychedelic persona, this was Eric’s guitar of choice from throughout his time in, arguably, the greatest rhythm, blues and psychedelic band of the 1960’s, CREAM.
Alongside Ginger Baker (on drums) and Jack Bruce (on bass), Eric laid down the classic 1967 album “Disraeli Gears” using his Fool SG, which Eric modified after ‘The Fool’ had worked their magic with it by having the neck artwork rubbed back and removed to leave a smooth natural wood playing surface to speed up performance on stage.
Many years later, the guitar found its way into the hands of guitarist Todd Rundgren, who nicknamed it ‘Sunny’ after CREAM’s iconic anthem “Sunshine of your Love”. By all accounts the guitar was in much poorer state when Rudgren came into possession of it and he had an artist re-finish the original neck artwork and the top horn in a red / brown mix (which was originally purple / mauve) and also had a stop-tailpiece fitted where the original Maestro Tremolo had once been.
The guitar has since become a true musical icon resonates an era when three men changed the face of music forever…
Pricing
Standard Edition
TPP Custom Crafted SG - £549
Produced using a TPP custom-crafted SG Tribute guitar featuring solid wood set-neck construction, standard chrome hardware and classic humbuckers.
Deluxe Edition
Epiphone SG400 / Tokai USG35 - £699
Produced using your choice of Gibson Epiphone SG400 or Tokai USG35, the Deluxe Edition Fool SG offers a superior playing experience and high spec equipment dependant on the instrument selected. The Epiphone SG400 offers Kluson or Grover machineheads and classic appointments, the Tokai USG35 offers a more accurate SG tribute with open-book headstock design, Kluson machineheads and PAF Mk IV humbuckers.
Supreme Edition
Gibson USA SG Standard - £1,999
Crafted using a Gibson USA SG Standard, the Supreme Edition offers a stunning playing experience, high quality sound and craftsmanship and accurate profiling making this an ideal choice for your Fool SG tribute.
Ultimate Edition
Gibson USA 61’ re-issue SG – (contact us)
The closest possible specification to Eric’s original guitar, Gibson’s 61’ re-issue SG features the same body dimensions and design as the SG Eric had re-finished with that iconic psychedelic artwork.
Maestro Trapeze Tremolo Tailpiece Option – £149.99
Available for all Editions of the Eric Clapton Fool SG, this really is a must for the dedicated CREAM fan, the addition of the Maestro Tremolo Tailpiece to this iconic guitar completes the vintage 60’s aesthetics behind Clapton’s original Fool SG before it was modified in later years, providing you with a definitive representation of Eric Clapton’s guitar as it was seen in 1967.
Natural Finish Neck Option – £49.99
Aimed at the true enthusiast and dedicated musician alike, the natural finish neck modification accurately replicates Eric’s original Fool SG, allowing for a beautifully smooth and improved playing experience. Combining this option with our Maestro Trapeze Tremolo Tailpiece option creates the perfect 60’s representation of one of the most iconic ands recognised guitars in musical history.
