One of the most visually and sonically distinct instruments in rock and roll history is officially heading to the auction block. Eric Clapton’s 1964 Gibson SG, world-renowned as “The Fool,” will go under the hammer this March. The sale is part of the highly anticipated Christie’s Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame auction in New York.
From its origins in a run-down London studio to its pivotal role in defining the “Woman Tone” of the supergroup Cream, the story of this guitar is as vibrant and colorful as its psychedelic finish.
A Psychedelic Fantasy: The Origin of “The Fool”
The story of the guitar begins in the blossoming underground art scene of London in 1966. Two Dutch pop artists, Marijke Koger and Simon Posthuma, had moved to the city and formed an art collective known as The Fool. Operating out of a dilapidated but spacious Georgian-style rental in Bayswater, they quickly attracted the attention of rock royalty, including The Beatles and Cream.
In March 1967, Eric Clapton visited their studio with a specific vision. Having recently had two Les Paul guitars stolen, Clapton had purchased a 1964 Gibson SG Standard in Cherry. While he loved the playability and the humbucker sound, he wanted something that matched the era’s expanding consciousness.
“Seminal influences were suddenly showing up out of nowhere, like they had come out of the woodwork.” — Eric Clapton, on the London art scene (2007 Autobiography).
Clapton commissioned Koger and Posthuma to transform the instrument into a “psychedelic fantasy.”
The Artwork
The transformation was radical. Using oil-based paints, the duo created a visual masterpiece:
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The Body: Features a winged sprite playing a triangle, surrounded by stars, flames, and clouds set against a background of blues, purples, and greens.
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The Pickguard: Depicts a path stretching toward a massive red sun rising over distant mountains.
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The Neck & Headstock: Adorned with graduated curves in oranges, browns, and yellows.
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The Back: Finished with intense concentric circles ranging from green to red and bright yellow.
The Sound of Cream and Technical Modifications
“The Fool” was not just a showpiece; it was a workhorse. It became Clapton’s primary stage instrument throughout the remainder of 1967 and the summer of 1968. It was instrumental in the recording of Cream’s seminal album, Disraeli Gears, helping Clapton forge his legendary, aggressive, sustaining tone.
Over the years, the guitar underwent several modifications to suit the needs of its owners:
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Vibrola Removal: Clapton initially removed the original Maestro Vibrola cover plate to reveal more artwork. By 1968, the arm and mechanism were removed entirely.
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Tuners: The original Kluson tuners were replaced with Grovers.
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The Rundgren Era: When Todd Rundgren acquired the guitar later, he replaced the remains of the Vibrola with a stopbar tailpiece and installed a Schaller “harmonica” bridge. He also had the body paint restored and sealed to preserve the artwork from decay.
A Star-Studded Provenance
The lineage of “The Fool” reads like a Who’s Who of rock history. After Clapton moved on to Firebirds and ES-335s, the SG began a fascinating journey:
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Jackie Lomax: While rumors persist that George Harrison owned it briefly, it certainly passed to Lomax, a Liverpool musician and friend of Harrison.
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Todd Rundgren: The guitar was acquired by Rundgren around 1971, who owned it for decades, calling it “The Sunny” and using it extensively.
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Jim Irsay: In 2000, Rundgren sold the guitar, and it eventually found its home in the Jim Irsay Collection, famed for its accumulation of cultural touchstones.
Following Jim Irsay’s passing last year, the guitar is now set to be a centerpiece of the Christie’s sale, described by the auction house as a “chorus of cultural touchstones.”
FAQ: Eric Clapton’s “The Fool” SG
Q: When is the auction taking place?
A: The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame auction takes place at Christie’s in New York on March 12.
Q: What kind of guitar is “The Fool”?
A: It is a 1964 Gibson SG Standard. However, it has been heavily modified over the decades, including the removal of the original tremolo system and the addition of custom psychedelic artwork.
Q: Who painted the guitar?
A: It was painted by Marijke Koger and Simon Posthuma, members of the Dutch art collective known as “The Fool.”
Q: Did Eric Clapton play this guitar on famous songs?
A: Yes. It was Clapton’s main guitar during Cream’s Disraeli Gears era, meaning it is likely the guitar heard on tracks like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew.”
Q: Is the paint original?
A: Mostly, but with restoration. The oil-based paints were fragile and began to flake off during Clapton’s use. Todd Rundgren later had the body paint restored and sealed, and parts of the neck repainted, to preserve the instrument.
Our Thoughts
The sale of “The Fool” represents more than just a transaction of a vintage instrument; it is the passing of a torch. From the smoky clubs of 1960s London to the high-stakes auction floor of New York, this Gibson SG embodies the “nostalgia for paradise” that artist Marijke Koger described—a longing for joy, beauty, and peace.
As collectors prepare to bid on March 12, one thing is certain: whoever takes this guitar home is acquiring a genuine artifact of the psychedelic revolution that changed music forever.
It sold for $1.27 Million back in March 2023.
Will it go for more this time?
More Information
#Eric Clapton #The Fool SG #Gibson
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