A 1977 Juan Alvarez classical acoustic guitar in natural finish. Owned and played by John Porter and used by Eric Clapton to write the song “Tears in Heaven,” a deeply personal composition about loss, and grief. Originally released on the soundtrack for the motion picture Rush, “Tears in Heaven” is perhaps best known from his 1992 MTV Unplugged performance. The guitar is also featured in a February 2008 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine which is included in this auction.

In the included signed letter of authenticity, dated 2015, John Porter recounts the history of this guitar. Porter had toured Europe with Clapton in 1977, and wound up in the Mediterranean via yacht. The tour’s last stop was Barcelona, and Eric expressed his desire to purchase a Spanish classical guitar, eventually buying a pair of them made by luthier, Juan Alvarez.

He, Clapton, and Ronnie Lane, who had just purchased an Alvarez of his own, worked on songs together for a time, including “And So We Say Goodby to Barcelona.”

Porter kept one and Clapton the other, but after returning to England Clapton wanted to buy Porter’s. Unwilling to sell outright, Porter offered Clapton a permanent loan which lasted 15 years, a period marked by the tragic loss of Clapton’s son. He wouldn’t ask for the guitar back until many of Clapton’s guitars hit the auction block.

“I have great memories of the time when we first had the guitars,” Porter says. “We played together a lot and many of the songs written at that time –– including “Tears in Heaven” –– were worked out on those two instruments.”

A Juan Alvarez classical guitar, dated 1977. A 26.25” scale length mahogany neck, 19 fret ebony fretboard, rosewood back and sides, spruce top, and rosewood bridge. Classical guitars are traditionally plucked with fingers, yet Clapton left plenty of pick marks in the finish, with an area worn to the wood on the bass side of the rosette, and numerous scrapes from the 12th fret area down to the bridge on both treble and bass sides.

It’s a deep, warm, full-sounding classical that shows off the skill of the one who made it, tempered by years of play. Includes original hardshell case, a letter of authenticity from John Porter, and a copy of Vintage Guitar Magazine featuring the guitar.

Guitars & Instruments