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Six-String Stories by Eric Clapton - The Official Publisher's Copies
Six-String Stories Publisher's Copies - featuring the hardback book, signed by the publishers, alongside a specially designed slipcase, four exclusive photographic prints and a set of five plectrums
four exclusive 8
Eric Clapton onstage during the 1991 Legends Tour, photographed by Brian Roylance

Six-String Stories (Publisher's Copies)

The Crossroads Guitars, 1999-2011

Eric Clapton

Featuring some of the most famous guitars ever played and illustrated with rare archival photography throughout, in Six-String Stories Eric Clapton guides the reader through nearly 300 instruments, discussing their provenance, revealing insights into his own playing and sharing memories from a spectacular life in music.

Six-String Stories was first published by Genesis in 2012 as a limited edition of 2,000 copies signed by Eric Clapton, followed by a bookstore edition available worldwide in 2021.

A special run of just 500 Publisher's Copies was subsequently created by Genesis. Presented in a specially designed slipcase, each set includes four exclusive photographic prints, five guitar picks and a bookplate signed by the publishers.

Fewer than 250 Publisher's Copies now remain.

Publisher's Copies
£125
Eric Clapton recording his famous guitar solo for The Beatles' song
Eric Clapton performing with Cream in the late 1960s - photographed by Brad LeMee
Eric Clapton performing with Blind Faith at Hyde Park, London, 1969.
Eric Clapton onstage during the 1991 Legends Tour, photographed by Brian Roylance
Collage of photographs of Eric Clapton throughout his career - working with Cream, Blind Faith and the Yardbirds
Collage of photographs of Eric Clapton throughout his career - featuring his later solo career and collaborating with various artists at the Crossroads Festivals

THE PHOTOGRAPHY

Six-String Stories (Publisher's Copies)

Every piece in Eric Clapton's extensive collection has been photographed, showing the beauty of the design and the wear and tear often caused by years on the road.

'As an avid rock or blues fan, I would look at all the pictures in this book.' – Eric Clapton
 
The instruments are also shown being played, with performance shots of Clapton taken by over 80 of the world's best photographers including David Bailey, Terry O'Neill, Dominique Tarlé and Lord Snowdon. The photography traces Clapton's evolution from the psychedelic sixties, through the stripped-back seventies, electric eighties and unplugged nineties, right up to the final 2011 Crossroads auction.
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton's Zemaitis 12-string acoustic guitar, featuring a distinctive heat-shaped soundhole and matching heart-shaped inlays - 1960s
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring photographs of Eric Clapton's album cover for his solo release in 1970 - also Eric Clapton performing at West Palm Beach, International Raceway, Florida - 1974
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton's famous stratocaster guitar 'Blackie' which sold at auction for $959,500
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton's Zemaitis 12-string acoustic guitar, featuring a distinctive heat-shaped soundhole and matching heart-shaped inlays - 1960s
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton's Gibson ES-335 in cherry red finish, used during his time with Cream
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton's Gibson ES-335 in cherry red finish, used during his time with Cream
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton with Cream, alongside his 1962 Gibson SG/Les Paul Standard and 1962 Gibson SG/Les Paul Junior
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton on the cover of Rolling Stone, 1988 - alongside photographs of his 1987 Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton Signature Model and 1986 Guild Nightbird Custom
Open pages of Six-String Stories featuring Eric Clapton onstage performing at the Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountainview, California, 1990

THE MANUSCRIPT

Six-String Stories (Publisher's Copies)

Eric recalls the instruments he bought to emulate his heroes, the guitars with unknown origins that became their own legend, the ones that never left his side, and the legacy they left behind.

'These guitars have been really good tools; they're not just museum pieces. They all have a soul and they all come alive.' – Eric Clapton
 
You can see and hear the guitars in use, with playlists and concert dates accompanying the instruments used on records and at public appearances. A 50-year chronology of Clapton's performance history allows the reader to trace individual guitars through recordings, concerts and public appearances.
 
Historical and technical information is provided for every piece of Clapton's vast collection to complete the story behind each guitar.

THE PUBLISHER'S COPIES

Six-String Stories (Publisher's Copies)

Strictly limited to 500 sets, the Six-String Stories Publisher's Copies present the hardback book with an exclusive bookplate signed by Genesis publishers Catherine and Nicholas Roylance, housed in a specially designed slipcase.

Each set also includes four exclusive 8" × 10" photographic prints: a portrait of Eric Clapton on the 1991 Rock Legends Tour of Japan, photographed by Genesis founder Brian Roylance, alongside three of Clapton's most iconic guitars – the 1956 Fender Stratocaster 'Blackie', the 1956 Fender Stratocaster 'Brownie' and the 1964 Gibson ES-335TDC 'Cherry'.

Completing the set are five removable guitar picks, presented in a specially designed Six-String Stories card.

Page Size: 194 x 244mm (7½" x 9½")
Page extent: 376 pages
Binding: Quarter bound in red cloth with yellow foil blocking 
Extras: Four 8" × 10" photographic prints featuring Eric Clapton and three of his iconic guitars; five removable guitar picks presented in a specially designed Six-String Stories card
Publisher's Copies: 500 copies

Fewer than 250 Publisher's Copies now remain.

Publisher's Copies
£125

CROSSROADS CENTRE

Six-String Stories (Publisher's Copies)

Founded by Eric Clapton in 1998, Crossroads Centre Antigua provides a therapeutic and supportive environment for people seeking treatment for addiction.

'When I asked Brian Roylance to help me out with Crossroads, he asked me, 'Are you willing to go to any lengths?' I said, 'Well, yeah,' not even realising what that meant. But then I found out! The Crossroads Centre is still going, so it all had some substance, and that made parting with my guitars OK.' – Eric Clapton
 
As with the auction of Eric Clapton's guitars, proceeds from Six-String Stories (Publisher's Copies) benefit Eric Clapton's Crossroads Centre Antigua.

Six-String Stories (Publisher's Copies)

The Crossroads Guitars, 1999-2011

 

Publisher's Copies

Publisher's Copies
£125
Now shipping worldwide.

Beginning with his blues roots and early days, Clapton chronicles his entire career through the tools of his trade: his guitars. SIX-STRING STORIES is told through Clapton's own words, with background information for each instrument and archival photography spanning five decades.

  • Page size: 194mm x 244mm
  • 376 pages
  • ISBN:
    9781905662227-open
  • Publisher's Copies
    500 copies
  • Binding:
    Quarter bound in red cloth with yellow foil blocking
  • Box:
    Presented in a Slipcase with red cloth and yellow, red and copper foil blocking
  • Extras:
    Four 8" × 10" photographic prints featuring Eric Clapton and three of his iconic guitars; five removable guitar picks presented in a specially designed Six-String Stories card

The story of your book

Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.

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