Clapton's Custom-Made Hermès Crocodile Guitar Case
The other day we told you about Karl Lagerfeld's bespoke trunk from Louis Vuitton which holds the Chanel kingpin's collection of 20 iPods and a speaker system. In the same vein, we now present Eric Clapton's ultra-luxurious, custom-made crocodile guitar case from Hermès (above). Hermès also has a Special Orders workshop which can produce everything from a handbag to a bespoke interior for a Rolls-Royce, and is if anything more exclusive than Vuitton's atelier.
Clapton's case was specially made to hold his Martin 00028 EC acoustic guitar, the rock star's signature model ("EC" are his initials) which he helped to design. The shell of the case, which is covered in the world's finest matte-finish crocodile skin, is handmade of poplar wood from Nazareth, Pennsylvania and the whole is lined in blue silk velvet. While we don't know what Clapton paid for the one-of-a-kind case, it is likely to have cost at least $100,000.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
newswede@gmail.com Nov 24th 2008 8:38PM
This fantastic case was on the cover of "Back Home" and the "Sessions for Robert J." (DVD). A fitting case for EC, that's about all I can say. He know how to do things right.
Lee Malato Feb 10th 2009 12:49PM
So "Slowhand" Clapton has a spiffy new axe case...Jesus,you'd think the damn world has come to an end!!!!!!!-get over yourselves,and go hug a flaming tree in Australia,or whatever!!!!!!-I'm a musician,too(bassist,35+ yrs),and if I could afford to have one,with change left over,I'd do it!!!!!-he doesn't need your permission!!!!!!!
Joey Jan 7th 2009 1:35PM
Now this has GOT to be weird! I know exactly who makes that case and how much it costs. I spoke with the gentleman over the phone today because i wanted him to make a brown Alligator pattern case for my Taylor acoustic. And after speaking with him for a moment or two i asked. "Well what if i wanted to change my case from Alligator Pattern to real Alligator skin. Would u know how much that would cost?" And without skipping a beat he said "Of coarse i do. Eric Clapton just ordered two of these in real Alligator from us for Christmas." And then proceeded to tell me how much he paid for each of them. Now pardon me if i think this is a little mind blowing because all this JUST happened this morning (Thurs Dec 18th 2008). Its very odd that while I search for a custom made guitar case for my Taylor that this gentleman would disclose such information. Just moments ago i was speaking to a family member of mine and they even said "Do you think they should of shared that private information with you about Eric Claptons guitar case?" and i didn't think anything of it. Until i stumble upon this site. Now. I think it would be of bad character for me to post the actual price of this case here on the internet. But what i can tell you is that the case, even though it doesn't cost one hundred thousand dollars STILL is the price of what most average people would pay for a Car! lol.. Again this is just too weird and i had to share this mornings experience with you all. I mean does anyone actually read this anyway? Ive never heard of this site before lol..
Nick Comer-Calder Feb 9th 2009 5:28AM
The Hermes case is truly a thing of beauty but they have stuck to a very traditional design. At Calder we thought the world's finest guitars should have truly exceptional cases. Hand built in England with a carbon fiber shell covered in top grain leather and lined with hand painted silk velvet, each case takes over 35 hours to make.
You can see the full Calder case range at http://www.calderoriginals.com