Dozens of guitars and amplifiers from rock legend Eric Clapton's personal collection are set to go under the hammer for charity.

Proceeds from the auction at Bonhams will go to the The Crossroads Centre - the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre that Clapton founded on the island of Antigua in 1998.

The sale marks the first time the iconic guitarist has donated parts of his amplifier collection.

Highlights of the sale include one of Clapton's main stage guitars from 2005 - a custom-built black Fender Stratocaster, estimated to fetch $20,000-30,000.

Another Stratocaster used by Clapton on stage during his Asia Oceania tours in 2009 and at the O2 in 2010 is expected to go for $25,000-30,000.

The collection also includes instruments donated by other guitar legends, Jeff Beck and Joe Bonamassa.

The guitars and amps will go in under the hammer at Bonhams in New York on March 9.