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Clapton Sound Effects

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The Wayner

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I think I'm the last guitar player on the planet to become a great Clapton fan. I explain that by saying I've been involved in church work all my life and haven't been around a lot of different music.

I was wondering what pedals/effects Eric Clapton uses to produce that wonderful sound.
 
I got into Clapton over the last year, so I guess that makes me second to the last Clapton fan (there's a Far Side cartoon about the Last of the Mohican's that I've never been able to locate.)

Try googling different things about Clapton's gear and see what you turn up.
 
Clapton sound

just strum said:
I got into Clapton over the last year, so I guess that makes me second to the last Clapton fan (there's a Far Side cartoon about the Last of the Mohican's that I've never been able to locate.)

Try googling different things about Clapton's gear and see what you turn up.
Thank you, I'll try that. It seems to me that most of his stuff is sort of subtle, which I like. I like the clean sound. I use a blues effects at church but I'm looking for something that will give me more sustain.

It's good to know I'm not the only "johnny come late" guy around about Clapton.
 
The Wayner said:
I was wondering what pedals/effects Eric Clapton uses to produce that wonderful sound.
Can you be a bit more specific? Do you mean earlier EC when he played Gibson LP's, 335 or SG through Marshalls with a Vox Crybaby wah (i.e., with Cream or earlier), or later, (i.e., Derek & the Dominoes & solo career, when he went to a Strat through Music Man or Fender amps, and added using a phase shifter pedal?

EDIT: cross-posted...sounds like you mean the Strat 'era' EC.
 
(One should start with very deft hands!)

You'd be better advised to develop & produce your own unique sound... don't be a mimic, be a musician. That's the difference between artists and technicians and subject for loooooong & intense discussions!
 
wingsdad said:
Can you be a bit more specific? Do you mean earlier EC when he played Gibson LP's, 335 or SG through Marshalls with a Vox Crybaby wah (i.e., with Cream or earlier), or later, (i.e., Derek & the Dominoes & solo career, when he went to a Strat through Music Man or Fender amps, and added using a phase shifter pedal?

EDIT: cross-posted...sounds like you mean the Strat 'era' EC.
Yeah I like the later sound better with the Strat. I just watched some vids posted by Just Strum, "You were wonderful tonight," "Crossroads," (done on Good Morning America with John Mayer) and etc. Clapton is so good and smooth. Since I'm a pastor and play in church I need something that is subtle and I like the sustain. I play a Tele through a Fender amp.
 
Eric Clapton

Rocket said:
(One should start with very deft hands!)

You'd be better advised to develop & produce your own unique sound... don't be a mimic, be a musician. That's the difference between artists and technicians and subject for loooooong & intense discussions!
Yeah Rocket I know what you mean. I don't think Eric has any worry about me taking over his spot. The more I see and hear other players the more I realize I need to work on my playing. Thanks for the input.
 
From what Ive read he developed his sound from his Gibson days, hed use the bridge humbucker full time(I notice Bonamassa does this too) but then he turns the tone knob all the way down so its more middy and he adjusts his tone stack on the amp to flavor.
But on his Strats hes got a preamp to add upto 25db(?) more drive.
Its a mid driven tone.
 
ShortBuSX said:
From what Ive read he developed his sound from his Gibson days, hed use the bridge humbucker full time(I notice Bonamassa does this too) but then he turns the tone knob all the way down so its more middy and he adjusts his tone stack on the amp to flavor.
But on his Strats hes got a preamp to add upto 25db(?) more drive.
Its a mid driven tone.
Guess I'm going have to talk the wife into getting me a Clapton Strat.:D
 
The Wayner said:
Guess I'm going have to talk the wife into getting me a Clapton Strat.
That's a good way to NOT get one.
Get it yourself... then discuss it with the wife!
 
The Wayner said:
Guess I'm going have to talk the wife into getting me a Clapton Strat.:D

That's not going to do anything, but provide you with a guitar that looks like Clapton's or at the very least shaped like one of his. If you can't drive the ball down the fairway, a new driver is only going to help you drive it deeper into the woods.

Practice, get better, and then decide what guitar you want. At the very least, don't buy a guitar because some guitar god has one.
 
just strum said:
That's not going to do anything, but provide you with a guitar that looks like Clapton's or at the very least shaped like one of his. If you can't drive the ball down the fairway, a new driver is only going to help you drive it deeper into the woods.

Practice, get better, and then decide what guitar you want. At the very least, don't buy a guitar because some guitar god has one.
I'm working on getting better. I'm not that stupid about getting a new guitar just because. I love good music and I love playing. Besides I love my Tele.
 
The Wayner said:
I'm working on getting better. I'm not that stupid about getting a new guitar just because. I love good music and I love playing. Besides I love my Tele.


I don't recall putting the word stupid in my post, if you think I was insinuating that - hey, what can I say?

It sounded like you were letting GAS drive you to a sound and I was pointing out the danger. I go down that road all the time, did the same thing with golf. Guitar and golf are tied together in a lot of ways. A good example is Rocket, he wears the same plaids and bright colors whether he's golfing or playing guitar.

Anyway, I wasn't calling you stupid. If I was, I can assure you there would be no mistaking it.
 
just strum said:
A good example is Rocket, he wears the same plaids and bright colors whether he's golfing or playing guitar.
Huh?

GOLF%20016.jpg
 
just strum said:
I don't recall putting the word stupid in my post, if you think I was insinuating that - hey, what can I say?

It sounded like you were letting GAS drive you to a sound and I was pointing out the danger. I go down that road all the time, did the same thing with golf. Guitar and golf are tied together in a lot of ways. A good example is Rocket, he wears the same plaids and bright colors whether he's golfing or playing guitar.

Anyway, I wasn't calling you stupid. If I was, I can assure you there would be no mistaking it.
No, no, just strum, I appreciate the advice. I wasn't insulted. Glad to hear from you anytime. I love reading your posts.
 
just strum said:
that has to be you - you've taken your swing and notice the progress of your ball.
I've not played a single hole of golf... ever!
 
The Wayner said:
Thanks for pointing it out. Have you ever used it?
i have not...but i like digitech products....good bang for the buck in my opinion....

sounded like a nice inexpensive place for you to start! :AOK:

ww
 
Does anyone know what kind of pickups EC currently uses?

I'm a big Strat guy, but I may be the only one on the planet who thinks that Clapton's guitar playing and tone was better with Gibsons in the Cream era.

Bob
 
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