Built by Eric Clapton on his kitchen table in 1969 from a Telecaster Custom body and the '56 Stratocaster neck from his beloved “Brownie,” the Blind Faith Telecaster was a one-of-a-kind parts-caster born at a pivotal moment in his career. The Fender Eric Clapton Blind Faith Telecaster recreates that storied hybrid in factory-fresh form with a double-bound alder body dressed in 3-Tone Sunburst nitro lacquer and the distinctive '56 V maple neck that gives the guitar its unmistakable Tele-meets-Strat identity. A pair of Alnico 2 '63 Telecaster pickups delivers iconic Tele twang and vintage punch, while a “woof tone” wiring kit is included for players chasing period-correct accuracy. A '63 Telecaster bridge, three-ply parchment pickguard and vintage-style brown hardshell case further honor the original, while a discreet reproduction of Clapton's signature on the back of the headstock adds a personal finishing touch. Created in celebration of the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival and limited to just 130 instruments worldwide, this Guitar Center Exclusive brings one of the Grammy winner's most fascinating Fender creations back to life.
Double-Bound Alder Body in Classic 3-Tone Sunburst
The Blind Faith Telecaster starts with a solid alder Telecaster body finished in classic 3-Tone Sunburst, delivering the clarity, punch and balanced response that have long defined the Fender sound. White binding runs along both the top and back, giving the familiar Tele silhouette the dressed-up character of a vintage Telecaster Custom. A vintage-tinted nitrocellulose lacquer finish lends the guitar the authentic look and feel of a well-preserved '60s Fender. The result is an elegant foundation for the unconventional Tele-Strat combination that made Clapton's original such a memorable piece of Fender history.
'56 Straotocaster Maple Neck Based on Clapton’s Original
Perhaps the most fascinating piece of the Blind Faith Telecaster story is its '56 V-profile maple neck, taken directly from Clapton's legendary Brownie Strat—the guitar he would later use during the sessions for Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Fender recreates that distinctive 1956 Stratocaster V profile here, pairing a 25.5" scale with a vintage 7.25" fingerboard radius, 21 vintage frets and a 1.65" bone nut for an authentically old-school Fender feel. The one-piece maple neck and fingerboard wear vintage-tinted nitro lacquer, while the small Stratocaster headstock preserves the immediately recognizable Tele-meets-Strat appearance at the heart of Eric's original parts-caster.
'63 Telecaster Pickups and Vintage “Woof Tone” Wiring Kit
A pair of '63 Telecaster pickups with Alnico 2 magnets gives the Blind Faith Telecaster the bright attack, focused punch and unmistakable twang expected from a vintage-inspired Tele. The guitar arrives with modern three-way wiring and master volume and tone controls for a familiar, versatile setup that's ready to play straight out of the case. For players chasing the sound of Eric's original Blind Faith Telecaster, an included “woof tone” wiring kit lets you recreate the distinctive dark, bass-like neck-pickup voicing that was standard on Teles until the late ’60s. Complete with an additional capacitor and wiring diagram, the kit offers an easy path to exploring one of the more unusual sounds associated with early Telecasters.
Period-Correct Appointments With Personal Touches
A 1963-style Telecaster bridge, vintage-style tuning machines and a three-ply parchment pickguard continue the period-inspired specification, with an included “ashtray” bridge cover completing the historically accurate presentation. Eric's signature is discreetly printed on the back of the Stratocaster headstock, while each neck plate receives a unique EPC serial number, referencing Eric Patrick Clapton and running sequentially from EPC001 through EPC130. An American Vintage brown hardshell case and certificate of authenticity with a reproduction of his signature round out a package that pays homage to both vintage Fender design and Slowhand's one-of-a-kind original.
From Blind Faith to the Crossroads Guitar Collection
Following the end of Cream, Clapton entered a new chapter in 1969 with Blind Faith, joining Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech in a short-lived supergroup that became another defining stop in his musical evolution. His homemade Tele-Strat hybrid accompanied him into the studio and on tour with the band, including Blind Faith's celebrated Hyde Park appearance, giving this unconventional Fender a lasting place in guitar history. More than five decades later, the Fender Eric Clapton Blind Faith Telecaster returns, available exclusively at Guitar Center. This limited-edition instrument celebrates Guitar Center's more than 22 years of support for the Gramy winner's Crossroads Guitar Festival and the Crossroads Centre, the addiction treatment facility he founded in Antigua. With a significant portion of proceeds benefiting the Centre and just 130 instruments available worldwide, the Blind Faith Tele brings one of Clapton's most fascinating creations back to life while carrying the mission of Crossroads forward.