Epiphone is launching a new Eric Clapton ES-335 – and you can play it this weekend at the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival
The 2026 edition of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival is set to land in Texas this weekend (26-27 September), and will see a hand-picked selection of six-string royalty from across blues, rock, country and beyond converge upon Austin’s Moody Center for a series of electrifying performances.
This year marks the event’s seventh edition, and celebrates the 28th anniversary of the Crossroads Centre Antigua, a treatment and education facility which supports individuals affected by alcohol and substance dependency.
But aside from the obvious allure of performances by Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Billy Gibbons, Marcus King, Keb’ Mo’ and Sierra Hull, Gibson will also be on the ground in Texas, offering punters hands-on access to guitars, as well as “exclusive product experiences, photo opportunities and more”.
And of these guitars which attendees will have access to, is a new Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Eric Clapton signature ES-335, based on the guitar legend’s original 1964 Gibson ES-335 – the same one he played during Cream’s farewell show at the Royal Albert Hall in November 1968.
Oh, and the original will also be on display at the festival, but far out of the reach of rabid Clapton fans, no doubt.
The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1964 ES-335 TDC Reissue (bit of a mouthful) will be released in summer 2027, so there’s a bit of a wait to get one of your own. But if you’re within reach of Austin, Texas this weekend, you can head down to the Moody Center and take the new model for a spin.
Also, attendees will have the chance to enter a competition to win one of the new Epiphone Eric Clapton signature guitars, too.
The guitar is just one of over 30 Gibson and Epiphone guitars and Mesa Boogie amplifiers that’ll be available to play at the Crossroads Gibson booth, where there’ll also be the famous Gibson guitar throne, a custom built installation made from 100 real electric guitar bodies and necks – think the Game of Thrones one but for guitars. Attendees will be able to take their photo atop the throne for a chance to be featured on Gibson’s social media channels.
Elsewhere, Guitar Center will return as the exclusive retail partner of the 2026 Crossroads Festival, and has unveiled a collection of limited guitars in celebration, including an exclusive Silver Sky and a recreation of Eric Clapton’s Blind Faith Telecaster.
Learn more about the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
