First produced in 1958, the ES-335 was the first thin-line, semi-hollow body guitar which provided the warmer tones of hollow-body guitars with amplification but it wasn’t until 1964 that Eric Clapton purchased this Cherry Red model. Eric used the ES-335 extensively throughout his career with The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and later during his solo career. Beginning more frequent use during live performances in 1968, most famously on Cream’s US farewell tour then at the Royal Albert Hall. It also featured in the studio on Badge when Cream recorded Goodbye and again whilst filming The Rolling Stone’s Rock And Roll Circus in 1968. From 1970, Eric used this guitar on stage and in the studio including recording Hard Times for his Journeyman album in 1989. Used throughout his career it became known as the ‘Cream Guitar’ after a roadie stencilled the word CREAM in large letters on its case. The Cherry Red ES-335 also featured extensively during the 1994-95 Nothing But The Blues Tour but it was played for the final time in public at the Prince’s Trust Concert in London’s Hyde Park on 29 June 1996.  Eric sold his Cherry Red Gibson ES-335 at auction on 24 June 2004 to raise funds for the Crossroads Centre rehabilitation facility. It was purchased by the U.S. music retailer Guitar Center for $847,500.