From Guitar World · · 1m 40s
Epiphone's Eric Clapton ES-335 comes to Crossroads
The guitar maker unveils a signature model based on Clapton's legendary 1968 Cream guitar at this year's festival.
In brief
The guitar maker unveils a signature model based on Clapton's legendary 1968 Cream guitar at this year's festival. Epiphone is releasing an affordable replica of the 1964 ES-335 that Eric Clapton played at Cream's final Royal Albert Hall show, debuting it at the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Originally reported by…
Crossroads festival gets new gear
The Crossroads Guitar Festival always debuts killer new guitars. This year, Epiphone is joining Fender, Martin, and PRS with signature models for the September 26-27 event in Austin, Texas.
Clapton's mystery 335 gets replicated
Epiphone is releasing an Inspired by Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1964 ES-335TDC Reissue based on the guitar Clapton played at Cream's farewell show at the Royal Albert Hall in November 1968.
The original guitar's murky history
Clapton likely bought the 1964 ES-335 from guitarist Jerry Donahue in late 1968. Donahue said Clapton loved its feel and sound, and he kept it for over 35 years before selling it to Guitar Center to benefit the Crossroads Center.
“He really liked it. The feel, the sound, it was perfect.”
You can play it at the festival
The Gibson Booth at Crossroads will display over 30 Gibson and Epiphone instruments available to plug in and play, including the new Clapton ES-335 signature model.
The original will be there too
The actual 1964 ES-335 that Clapton played at Cream's farewell will also be on display at the Guitar Center Experience. Good luck getting festival security to let you demo that one.
Summer 2027 release date set
The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1964 ES-335TDC Reissue will be released in summer 2027, making its public debut at the Crossroads festival.
At a glance
Epiphone is releasing an affordable replica of the 1964 ES-335 that Eric Clapton played at Cream's final Royal Albert Hall show, debuting it at the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival.
