# Eric Clapton's Guitar Mistake

> Eric Clapton admits selling his iconic guitars was a big mistake but says it helped fund his addiction rehab.
- Title: Eric Clapton's Guitar Mistake · Guitar World | Shortify
- Summary: Eric Clapton admits selling his iconic guitars was a big mistake but says it helped fund his addiction rehab. Eric Clapton called selling his guitars a big…
- Keywords: eric clapton, stratocaster, blackie, crossroads, drug rehab, auction, Eric, Clapton's, Guitar, Mistake, Guitar World
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/eric-claptons-stratocaster-mistake
- Published: 2026-09-30T11:24:03+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: eric clapton, stratocaster, blackie, crossroads, drug rehab, auction
## Eric Clapton's Guitar Mistake
Eric Clapton says selling two prized electric guitars at auction in 2004 was a big big mistake.
## Guitars Sold for $1.8m
His 1964 Gibson ES-335 and iconic Stratocaster 'Blackie' sold for $1.807 million at Christie's auction.
## Funds for Crossroads
The auction raised $7.44 million with $6.4 million going to Clapton's Crossroads drug addiction rehabilitation center.
## Guitars' History
The ES-335 was used at Cream's 1968 farewell show and the Strat came into Clapton's life in 1970.
## Crossroads Mission
Crossroads offers a therapeutic environment on Antigua for people recovering from addiction.
## Why It Was Worth It
Clapton says selling the guitars was a big mistake but the funds helped his Crossroads center survive.
## Key takeaway

Eric Clapton called selling his guitars a big mistake but the auction raised $6.4 million for his Crossroads rehab center.