Epiphone previews an Eric Clapton 1964 ES-335TDC Reissue ahead of Crossroads
The forthcoming Inspired by Gibson Custom model is based on Clapton's Cream-era 1964 ES-335 and will make its first public appearance at Crossroads this weekend.
Sep 23, 2026
Credit: Gibson
Epiphone has confirmed a forthcoming Inspired by Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1964 ES-335TDC Reissue, modeled on the 1964 Gibson ES-335 Clapton played in Cream. Gibson's September 21 Crossroads preview says the new Epiphone will make a world-first public appearance at the company's booth during the September 26–27 festival in Austin.
The original guitar will be nearby as part of Guitar Center's Legends Collection, giving visitors a rare chance to see the instrument and the forthcoming recreation in the same event setting. Gibson says the Epiphone model is planned for summer 2027 rather than immediate sale.
That makes this a genuine first look rather than a conventional product launch: specifications, price and final availability details are still to come. The story is the confirmation of the model and its first public preview, not an attempt to treat it as a currently purchasable release.
Credit: YouTube
Why it matters
Clapton's 1964 ES-335 is one of the best-known guitars associated with his Cream period. An Epiphone recreation brings that specific historic instrument into a more accessible brand tier, even though full launch details are still pending.
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Sources
- https://www.gibson.com/blogs/gibson-gazette/eric-clapton-s-crossroads-guitar-festival-returns-to-texas-for-2026(primary)
- https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/epiphone-confirms-eric-clapton-signature-es-335
- https://www.musicradar.com/guitars/epiphone-to-unveil-eric-clapton-1964-es-335tdc-at-gibson-booth-crossroads-guitar-festival-2026