Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa To Auction Guitar Gear To Benefit Crossroads Centre

According to Spinner.com, a number of guitars, amps and speaker cabinets owned by Eric Clapton are to go under the hammer next year as the legendary guitarist attempts to raise money for his Crossroads Centre -- a rehab clinic based in Antigua. Clapton -- himself no stranger to drug and alcohol problems -- founded the clinic in 1998.

Among the 150 lots set to be auctioned in New York in 2011 are the guitar Clapton played at the 2005 Cream reunion gigs as well the speaker cabinets used in the early 1970s when the guitarist was with Derek and the Dominoes.

Also up for auction are guitars donated by the alliterative trio of Jeff Beck, J.J. Cale and Joe Bonamassa.

Stephanie Connell, head of entertainment memorabilia at Bonhams, said, "We are delighted to be offering such a fantastic collection of guitars and amps from such an iconic musician."

Previous auctions held by the legendary fret-worrier have raised some extraordinary amounts of money. His Fender Stratocaster -- affectionately known as 'Blackie' -- was sold for an eye-watering $959,500 (£607,500). 'Blackie' was fashioned by Clapton from several Stratocasters that he'd bought in Nashville and was regularly deployed between 1973 and 1991.

Speaking to Associated Press in 2007, Clapton said of the clinic, "I haven't had a drink or drug for quite a long time and it's changed my life completely. That's something I want to pass on and share with other people."