A Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton played at his "Slowhand at 70" gig at London's Royal Albert Hall last year has auctioned.

Signed by Clapton on the pickboard, the 2014-built instrument made $45,000 at Heritage Auctions on July 23. The proceeds will help musician Johnny Nicholas pay his wife's leukaemia treatment bills. Nicholas is a former member of US country group Asleep at the Wheel.

Clapton played two Fender Strats at the 2015 concert

Heritage said the Strat was "nearly new with the exception of a few very light scratches on the back from Eric's playing the guitar."

Clapton's guitars are perennial strong sellers, such is collectors' appreciation of the Yardbirds guitarist's talents. Clapton's 1948 Gibson L-5P sold for $82,960 in 2011.

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