Guitar Center Unveils 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection

Filed under: Crossroads Guitar Festival, Gear & Guitars

9 Sep 26

Watch Eric Clapton Explore the New Fender Blind Faith Telecaster and Crossroads Collection Martin Acoustic Guitars, and Reflect on Robert Johnson’s Lasting Influence and MTV Unplugged

Ahead of Eric Clapton’s 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival, Guitar Center has unveiled a limited-edition collection of signature guitars and accessories created in collaboration with Eric and leading brands Martin, Fender, PRS and Ernie Ball. Proceeds from the collection will benefit Crossroads Centre Antigua, the addiction treatment center founded by the guitarist in 1998.

“For more than two decades, we’ve partnered with Eric Clapton and the Crossroads organization to create iconic instruments, with powerful stories behind them, and put them in musicians’ hands,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “The 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection continues that tradition, with every one sold supporting a cause Eric has championed for decades.”

Spanning handcrafted acoustic and electric guitars, including a faithful recreation of Eric’s iconic Blind Faith Fender Telecaster, along with premium accessories, the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection offers something for every type of player – from exquisitely crafted collector pieces to signature models designed for everyday musicians. Developed in collaboration with Martin, Fender and Ernie Ball, each product celebrates a defining chapter of his career while supporting the mission of Crossroads Centre Antigua. Rounding out the collection is a limited-edition PRS John Mayer Silver Sky created especially for Eric’s 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival.

The 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection:
Martin Custom Shop 000-42 Eric Clapton Brazilian ($24,999.99)
The centerpiece of the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection, the Martin Custom Shop 000-42 Eric Clapton Brazilian represents the pinnacle of Eric Clapton’s more than 30-year relationship with Martin Guitar. Limited to just five instruments worldwide, the guitar is handcrafted with rare Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a solid Adirondack spruce top and Clapton’s preferred 000 body shape – the same style made famous during his legendary MTV Unplugged performance. Each guitar is personally hand-signed by Eric and includes a Certificate of Authenticity, making it one of the most exclusive Eric Clapton signature guitars ever offered by Guitar Center.

Martin Custom Shop 000-42 Eric Clapton Ziricote (Natural & Sunburst) (starting at $9,699.99)
Joining the collection’s flagship Brazilian rosewood model, the Martin Custom Shop 000-42 Eric Clapton Ziricote pairs Eric’s preferred 000 body shape with ziricote tonewood, prized for its rich sound and striking natural grain. Limited to just 50 guitars in each of two finishes, 1935 Sunburst and Clear Natural, the handcrafted Custom Shop model features a solid Adirondack spruce top, Golden Era 42-style appointments and an ebony fingerboard with an “Eric Clapton” signature inlay. Each guitar includes a printed Certificate of Authenticity and is available exclusively through Guitar Center.

Fender Blind Faith Telecaster ($4,999.99)
Inspired by the iconic guitar Eric assembled on his kitchen table in 1969 and debuted at Blind Faith’s legendary Hyde Park concert, the Fender Eric Clapton Blind Faith Telecaster faithfully recreates one of the most recognizable instruments of his career. Limited to just 130 guitars worldwide, the production model combines a Telecaster Custom body with a replica 1956 “Brownie” Stratocaster neck and period-correct details, while including both modern electronics and a vintage “Woof Tone” wiring kit for players seeking an authentic recreation. Available exclusively through Guitar Center, each guitar features a unique “EPC” serial number honoring Eric Patrick Clapton.

PRS John Mayer Silver Sky ($3,750.00)
Developed in partnership with John Mayer, the limited-edition PRS Silver Sky “Crossroads” features a unique Incline Blue finish, rosewood fretboard with a custom “Crossroads Sun” inlay at the 12th fret and a “Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026″ neck plate. Limited to just 70 guitars, the model will make its first public appearance onstage with John Mayer at the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival.

Martin 000-13E Eric Clapton (Natural & Sunburst) (starting at $1,899.99)
Designed to bring an authentic Eric Clapton signature Martin to more players, the Martin 000-13E delivers his signature acoustic style at the most accessible price point in the collaboration’s history. Inspired by the smaller-bodied 000 guitars Eric has favored on stage and in the studio for decades, it features a spruce top with ziricote fine veneer back and sides, along with a built-in soundhole tuner and Martin E1 pickup—the first time those features have been offered together on an Eric Clapton signature Martin. Available in Antique Toner Natural and 1935 Sunburst finishes, the guitar is available exclusively through Guitar Center in the U.S. through Jan. 27, 2027.

Ernie Ball Eric Clapton Strings ($29.99)
Celebrating nearly 50 years of Eric’s relationship with Ernie Ball, the Ernie Ball Eric Clapton Signature Strings mark the first-ever signature string set created in collaboration with the legendary guitarist. Packaged in a collectible commemorative tin containing three sets of Ernie Ball Slinky 10–46 strings—the gauge Eric has relied on throughout much of his career—the limited-edition release gives players the opportunity to experience the feel and tone trusted by one of music’s most celebrated guitarists. Limited to 5,000 collectible tin sets and available exclusively through Guitar Center, the strings complete the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection.

The 2026 Crossroads Guitar Collection is available now at Guitar Center stores across the United States and online at guitarcenter.com. The collection will also be available for purchase at The Guitar Center Experience during the Crossroads Guitar Festival, taking place September 26 and 27 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Tickets to the festival are available through EricClapton.com, or the links below:
September 26 – Austin, Moody Center – Get Tickets
September 27 – Austin, Moody Center – Get Tickets

About Crossroads Centre Antigua:
Founded in 1998 by Eric Clapton, Crossroads Centre Antigua was created to provide treatment and education to chemically and alcohol dependent persons, their families and their significant others. Treatment is provided through residential care, family and aftercare programs. The pathway to recovery is founded on the 12 steps and a change in lifestyle. Crossroads Centre Antigua also operates a halfway house in Antigua called the Bevon House and facilitates various ongoing recovery initiatives on the island of Antigua and in the Caribbean. For more information, visit crossroadsantigua.org.