INTARSIA WOOD ART
Artistic wood creations, handcrafted and proudly made in Canada.
Blackie – The Guitar That Found Its Voice
The guitar Eric Clapton built from three forgotten Strats—and used to create some of rock's most enduring music.
Artist: Eric Clapton
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster "Blackie"
Year: 1968 (assembled in the early 1970s)
Famous Songs: Cocaine, Wonderful Tonight, Lay Down Sally, Forever Man, Layla
Manufacturer Fender
Handmade Box specifications (wood species, size, etc.)
Some guitars are famous because of how they were built. Blackie became legendary because of the music it created. Hand-assembled by Eric Clapton from three vintage Fender Stratocasters, this iconic instrument became his constant companion for more than a decade, appearing on countless recordings and concert stages around the world.
This handcrafted shadow box celebrates not only the guitar itself, but also the stories, songs, and artistry that made Blackie one of the most recognizable instruments in rock history.
The Story
Quick Facts
Why This Guitar Matters
Blackie represents more than craftsmanship. It symbolizes the idea that greatness isn't always bought—it can be created. Built from several ordinary guitars, it became the instrument behind decades of unforgettable performances.
The Craft Behind the Tribute
Every guitar in the Guitar Legends Collection begins with extensive research. Before a single piece of wood is cut, I study the instrument, its history, the artist who played it, and the moments that made it legendary.
For Blackie, I wanted to capture more than the guitar itself. The deep black finish, aged maple neck, engraved portrait of Eric Clapton, and commemorative plaque all pay tribute to an instrument that became synonymous with his unmistakable sound.
Each component is individually handcrafted, assembled, and finished to create a one-of-a-kind shadow box celebrating both musical history and traditional woodworking.
Design Philosophy
Blackie was never a flashy guitar. Its reputation came from the music, not extravagant appearance. I wanted this tribute to reflect that same philosophy. By surrounding the guitar with clean poplar, an engraved portrait of Eric Clapton, and a commemorative plaque, the viewer's attention remains where it belongs - on one of the most influential Stratocasters ever assembled.
Design Choices
Every Guitar Legends piece is designed differently. Some celebrate an artist through memorabilia and layered storytelling, while others rely on simplicity. For Blackie, I chose restraint. The uncluttered presentation mirrors the understated elegance of the original instrument and allows its shape, history, and craftsmanship to speak for themselves.
Songs That Define Blackie
Layla written in 1970 by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon about Clapton's secret love for Pattie Boyd (wife of George Harrison)
Cocaine was written in 1976 by JJ Cale and serves as a cautionary critique about the ultimate toll of drug addiction
Wonderful Tonight was written in 1974 by Eric Clapton about waiting for his then-girlfriend Pattie Boyd to get ready for a party and how much he loves her when they go out together
Lay Down Sally was written in 1977 by Eric Clapton, Marcy Levy, and George Terry, and it is about a man trying to convince a woman to stay and rest with him instead of leaving
I Shot the Sheriff was written in 1973. This lively cover of Bob Marley's reggae track earned Clapton his only number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100
Blackie Through the Years
1970 - Clapton purchases six Stratocasters in Nashville
1973 - Blackie assembled
1974 - First major tour
1977 - Slowhand released
1985 - Retired from touring
2004 - Blackie is auctioned for charity and sold for $959,500
From The Artisan
I don't build replicas—I build stories. Every wood species, engraving, photograph, and document is chosen to preserve the history of an instrument that helped shape modern music. My hope is that each piece invites you to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the legends behind the music.