Guitar Center Unveils 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection With Eric Clapton
Guitar Center has announced the launch of its exclusive 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection, a limited-edition lineup created in collaboration with legendary guitarist Eric Clapton and leading musical instrument brands Martin, Fender and Ernie Ball. The collection arrives ahead of the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival and continues Guitar Center’s long-standing partnership with Clapton and the Crossroads organization.
A key purpose of the collection is to support Crossroads Centre Antigua, the addiction treatment and education center founded by Eric Clapton in 1998. Proceeds from the collection will contribute to the organization’s ongoing mission of helping individuals and families affected by addiction.
The new collection brings together a range of instruments and accessories inspired by important moments in Clapton’s career. It includes highly exclusive handcrafted acoustic guitars, recreations of iconic electric guitars and signature accessories designed for musicians and collectors.
A Long-Standing Partnership
Guitar Center’s relationship with Eric Clapton dates back more than two decades. The partnership began in 2004 when Guitar Center acquired several historically important guitars from Clapton’s collection during the Crossroads It Auction.
Among the instruments purchased were Clapton’s famous Blackie Fender Stratocaster, his Cream-era Gibson ES-335 and a Martin 00-21 associated with George Harrison. These instruments became part of It Center’s Legends Collection, a unique archive of historically significant instruments displayed at the company’s flagship Hollywood location.
The 2004 acquisition helped establish a continuing relationship between It Center, Clapton, Crossroads and leading guitar manufacturers. Over the years, the collaboration has resulted in several limited-edition instruments and artist recreations that have become highly sought after by guitar players and collectors.
Previous releases have demonstrated the strong demand for Clapton-related instruments. It Center’s recreation of Clapton’s Blackie Stratocaster sold out in only four hours following its 2006 launch. In 2025, an exclusive Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul reportedly sold out in less than 12 hours.
The 2026 collection continues that tradition while expanding the range of products available to musicians.
A Collection for Players and Collectors
The 2026 Crossroads It Collection includes instruments across different price points, giving both serious collectors and working musicians an opportunity to own a piece of the collaboration.
At the top of the collection is the Martin Custom Shop 000-42 Eric Clapton Brazilian. Priced at $24,999.99, the handcrafted acoustic It is limited to only five instruments worldwide. It features Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a solid Adirondack spruce top and Clapton’s preferred 000 body shape.
The 000 design is closely associated with Clapton’s acoustic performances, including his celebrated appearance on MTV Unplugged. Each Brazilian rosewood model is personally signed by Clapton and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Another premium acoustic offering is the Martin Custom Shop 000-42 Eric Clapton Ziricote. Available in Natural and Sunburst finishes, the model starts at $9,699.99. Only 50 Its will be produced in each finish.
The instrument combines a 000 body shape with ziricote tonewood, an Adirondack spruce top and traditional 42-style appointments. It also features an ebony fingerboard with an Eric Clapton signature inlay.
Recreating an Iconic Electric Guitar
For electric It enthusiasts, the Fender Blind Faith Telecaster recreates one of Clapton’s most recognizable instruments.
The It is based on an instrument Clapton assembled in 1969 and later played during Blind Faith’s historic Hyde Park performance. The limited-edition model combines a Telecaster Custom body with a replica 1956 “Brownie” Stratocaster neck and period-inspired details.
Only 130 instruments will be produced worldwide. The It includes modern electronics as well as a vintage-inspired “Woof Tone” wiring kit. Each instrument features an “EPC” serial number representing Eric Patrick Clapton.
Priced at $4,999.99, the model is available exclusively through It Center and is designed to appeal to collectors as well as players interested in historically inspired instruments.
John Mayer Joins the Collection
The 2026 Crossroads collection also includes a special collaboration with guitarist John Mayer and PRS Guitars.
The limited-edition PRS John Mayer Silver Sky “Crossroads” features an Incline Blue finish, a rosewood fretboard and a custom “Crossroads Sun” inlay at the 12th fret. The guitar also carries a special “Crossroads It Festival 2026” neck plate.
Only 70 Its will be produced, with a price of $3,750. The instrument is expected to receive additional attention because Mayer will debut the model publicly during his performance at the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival.
An Accessible Eric Clapton Signature Martin
The collection also includes the Martin 000-13E Eric Clapton, designed to make Clapton’s signature acoustic guitar style available to a broader group of musicians.
Starting at $1,899.99, the It is inspired by the smaller-bodied 000 instruments Clapton has used throughout his career. It features a spruce top, ziricote fine veneer back and sides, a built-in soundhole tuner and Martin’s E1 pickup system.
The model is available in Antique Toner Natural and 1935 Sunburst finishes. It will be sold exclusively through It Center in the United States through January 27, 2027.
Signature Strings Complete the Lineup
Ernie Ball is also contributing to the collection with the Eric Clapton Signature Strings. Priced at $29.99, the release represents the first signature string set created through a collaboration between Clapton and Ernie Ball.
The collectible tin contains three sets of Slinky 10–46 strings, a gauge Clapton has used extensively throughout his career. Production is limited to 5,000 collectible tins, which will be available exclusively through It Center.
The strings provide a more accessible entry point into the 2026 Crossroads collection while celebrating Clapton’s nearly five-decade relationship with Ernie Ball.
The Guitar Center Experience
As the exclusive retail partner of the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival, Guitar Center will also host The It Center Experience at Austin’s Moody Center.
The destination will allow festival attendees to explore the new collection and interact with major It brands, including Fender, Gibson, Martin, PRS and Ernie Ball. Visitors will have opportunities to participate in hands-on activities and purchase exclusive collection items and festival merchandise.
The event will also feature a special display of instruments from It Center’s Legends Collection. Among the highlights will be Clapton’s original Blackie Stratocaster and Cream-era Gibson ES-335, giving fans a rare opportunity to see the historic guitars in person.
Guitar Center will further celebrate guitar-industry history during the festival by inducting PRS Its founder Paul Reed Smith into the company’s RockWalk.
Supporting Crossroads Centre Antigua
Beyond the instruments themselves, the collection has a charitable purpose. Proceeds support Crossroads Centre Antigua, which Clapton established in 1998 to provide treatment and education for people affected by alcohol and drug dependency.
The center provides residential treatment, family programs and aftercare services based on a 12-step recovery approach. It also operates the Bevon House halfway facility and supports recovery initiatives throughout Antigua and the wider Caribbean.
By linking exclusive musical instruments with charitable support, the Crossroads It Collection continues a partnership that combines Clapton’s musical legacy with his long-standing commitment to recovery services.
The 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection became available August 26 at Guitar Center stores across the United States and through It Center’s online store. The products will also be available at The Guitar Center Experience during the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival.
With rare collector instruments, signature Its for everyday players and limited-edition accessories, the collection offers fans multiple ways to connect with Clapton’s musical legacy while contributing to the important work of Crossroads Centre Antigua.
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