1959 Gibson Les Paul Sunburst

Andy Summers was known for having once owned a 1959 Gibson Les Paul sunburst-electric guitar in the mid-1960s, which he famously sold to fellow guitarist Eric Clapton. It was sometimes referred to as the "Summers Burst" or "Fresh Cream Burst" depending on source (the reasons for the latter nickname we will get to).

As far as Andy remembers, he and Eric Clapton once bought a Les Paul each from the same guitar store, with Andy being the first: "About the time that we share a stage at the Flamingo, I acquire a new Gibson from a store on Charing Cross Road. When Eric sees me with it, a ’59 Les Paul Sunburst, he asks where I bought it. I innocently tell him that they have another one on sale for eighty quid and he could go get it. Eric gets the other Les Paul and eventually changes the sound of rock guitar forever. (One Train Later p.89)"

By around late August 1966, Andy sold his Les Paul Sunburst to Eric Clapton after the latter's Les Paul (the "Beano Burst" used with John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers) was stolen: "Knowing that I have the other one, Eric starts calling and asking me to sell it to him. By this time, I have moved on to a Fender Telecaster, and I also think that there’s something wrong, with my Les Paul, the back pickup doesn’t work or something. […] He is offering me two hundred pounds, which is more than twice what I paid for it. […] The next day I drop off the Les Paul at Advision in the West End, where Eric’s in the middle of recording with Jack and Ginger. […] I go into the toilet at the side of the reception area and when I come out I can hear Eric’s voice over the PA system, which is inadvertently hooked into the foyer. He is remarking how great the guitar is, just like his old one. (One Train Later, p.92)"

Eric would go on to play this guitar with Cream on most of their debut album Fresh Cream (released December 1966) as well as their single "I Feel Free". However, the headstock of the guitar was damaged in early 1967 (presumably March), but Eric rejected the guitar once repaired with a new headstock grafted on (a Gibson mandolin-style one with 'Eric Clapton' inscribed) and migrated to using a Gibson SG instead. To date, the "Fresh Cream" Les Paul burst is reportedly in the possession of musician & dealer Drew Berlin.