Clapton Sound Effects

[The Wayner]

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.

[just strum]

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.

[The Wayner]

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.

[wingsdad]

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.

[The Wayner]

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.

[Rocket]

(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!

[The Wayner]

(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.

[ShortBuSX]

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.

[The Wayner]

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.

[Rocket]

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!

[just strum]

Guess I'm going have to talk the wife into getting me a Clapton Strat.

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.

[sumitomo]

Ah you guys forgot to tell the Wayner about the almighty Talent pedal!Sumi

[just strum]

Ah you guys forgot to tell the Wayner about the almighty Talent pedal!Sumi

Thought about it, but then you have to go out and buy the practice pedal. One thing leads to another and then you are GASSING for the Famous Rock Star pedal.

[The Wayner]

Ah you guys forgot to tell the Wayner about the almighty Talent pedal!Sumi

I do believe I could use one of those "talent" pedals. Where can I get one?

[just strum]

I do believe I could use one of those "talent" pedals. Where can I get one?

A lot of us could use one. Actually I could use a few of them.

[peachhead***]

A lot of us could use one. Actually I could use a few of them.

I might already have one, I just don't know how to hook it up.

[birv2]

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

[sunvalleylaw]

I enjoy golf, and took lessons with my wife years ago before kids. Not enough time to pursue though, and I play maybe once a year to year and a half. I tend to golf the same score I bowl, somewhere 120 to 130 plus or minus. :

how about this pedal to play with....less than $100....

DigiTech Artist Series XAS-EC Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

ww

That and a MIM strat look like a good way to go. As to what he really used during different periods, looks like you are getting some advice here, and you can google around to find some other things to try. Warren's option with a strat though seems a good bet for trying to make those sounds on your own.

[duhvoodooman***]

I just have to pipe up here and say that, while that Clapton "Crossroads" pedal may have some cool sounds, (1) it is a digital modeler of a diverse mix of some of EC's most famous tones, and (2) please don't think that Clapton has ever used this pedal! Eric really isn't much of a pedal guy at all. Wah pedals, for sure, and occasional use of some others, but he mostly sticks to clean tones and distortion that he can get through the amp and guitar, particularly using that +20dB mid-boost circuit he has in his signature Strats.