The following history includes information provided in the catalog for the Christies Crossroads Guitar Auction – 24 June 2004.

Purchased by Eric Clapton in 1964, Clapton used the ES-335 throughout his career from The Yardbirds, Cream, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Blind Faith, and during his solo career. He famously played the ES-335 during Cream's farewell tour in the autumn of 1968, which culminated in two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on November 26th, 1968. He played the ES-335 in the second concert of the day, which was filmed and later released as the “Cream Farewell Concert.” In December 1968, Clapton went on to record Badge and other tracks with this guitar, released later on the Goodbye album.

Clapton used the ES-335 extensively in Blind Faith recording sessions, and on stage during Scandinavian and US Tours that followed. It was also used on The Rolling Stones Rock 'N' Roll Circus. The 335 was additionally featured on the inside cover photos of the Blind Faith album as well as No Reason To Cry. Clapton said in a 1989 interview that this guitar was also used on his rendition of Ray Charles' Hard Times from the Journeyman album. In addition, the guitar was taken by Lee Dickson to practically all Clapton's recording sessions throughout his 25 year tenure with Clapton since 1979.

In the autumn of 1994, the 335 returned to the stage during the Nothing But The Blues Tour. Clapton can be seen playing this guitar in the documentary film of Nothing But The Blues, directed by Martin Scorsese.

This ES-335 remained as a stage guitar until the summer of 1996. Again, it was captured in concert footage that year when Clapton used it on various TV shows, most notably the VH-1 Duets program, and on the video Eric Clapton - Live In Hyde Park from 29th June, 1996, where it also features on the cover.

Although lovingly maintained by Eric in largely original condition, the “Hare Krishna” sticker on the back of the headstock was a notable contribution by his best friend, George Harrison. The original tuning keys were also replaced with Grovers (post Blind Faith). The “CREAM” logo is evocatively stenciled on the case, a graphic reminder of this instruments use on one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded – “Crossroads.”

On 24th June, 2004, Guitar Center successfully bid $847,500 for Eric’s 335. Shortly thereafter and with Eric Clapton’s permission, Guitar Center commissioned Gibson to re-create 250 replicas of this legendary guitar – as well as it’s emotive and road worn “CREAM” stenciled guitar case.

On July 30th, 2005, the “Eric Clapton Crossroads 335” was released and all 175 examples allocated to the US market sold out in less than 3 days. A significant portion of the proceeds was for the benefit of the Crossroads Centre – founded by Eric Clapton.