  |
|
| Author |
Message |
zzdoc
Rock Star
Joined: 13 Jul 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Long Island
|
 Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:03 am Post subject: Eric Clapton's Gear... |
  |
|
Forgive my repetition if it be the case. I did a search first, but the options were too numerous, and far to general I believe for me to exclude irrelevant material. If any of this is new to you, I hope it will be of general interest in your quests for tone.
Crossroads Guitar Auction 2004: Eric Clapton had been using a 1958 Fender Twin Amp, modified to increase the output by the late Cesar Diaz, for recording since the late 1980's. This model of amp was first seen on stage on the blues nights during the 1991 Royal Albert Hall 24 Nights season. When Clapton started to play more blues numbers on stage in 1993, initially he used the Tweed Twin for the early part of the set, alongside his Peter Cornish/Soldano/Marshall rack setup. By 1995, Clapton was using the Tweed Twin Amp exclusively, and had by this time acquired a number of spares. In 1997, Fender Amp Custom Shop built three replicas of his modified Tweed Twin using vintage parts and old pine, to replace the vintage Tweed Twins for stage use. They spec'd out the amp to a T, searched for old parts, and even had the transformer hand-wound to the original specs. At that point, it didn't sound quite right, and John Page suggested 'old pine'. They found some which had come out of an old church floor and that made the difference. They built three, and Eric loved them.
On another note, do have a look at the beautiful valve pedalboard which Pete Cornish built for David Gilmour. (Guitar Player Jan:'09 Page 830
In the quest for tone, the playing field is never level. Not in this racket. Be prepared to spend big bucks if you want to really nail it. If you want to fly with eagles, you need to have their wings.
Hope this day finds you all well. We've a bit of snow on Long Island.
I'm looking forward to Florida at the end of this month. 
_________________
"I wish I was where I was, when I wished I was where I am now!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Shane Nicholas - Fender
Fender Staff
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 83
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
A few years ago, Eric began using a couple of our current-issue '57 Twin Amps. At some point, we did a limited run with his CROSSROADS artwork on the grille cloth, and he's still using those as far as I am aware. He gets a lot of overdrive from them, courtesy of his mid-boost circuit in the signature model Strat.
He's also been known to use a '57 Deluxe for his sit-down blues set.
Thanks,
Shane |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
 |
zzdoc
Rock Star
Joined: 13 Jul 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Long Island
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Shane Nicholas - Fender wrote: | A few years ago, Eric began using a couple of our current-issue '57 Twin Amps. At some point, we did a limited run with his CROSSROADS artwork on the grille cloth, and he's still using those as far as I am aware. He gets a lot of overdrive from them, courtesy of his mid-boost circuit in the signature model Strat.He's also been known to use a '57 Deluxe for his sit-down blues set.
Thanks, Shane |
Your input is most valuable...however...the ingredients, without the recipe, is something we've always seem to have been able to obtain. How he EQ's his mixes seems to be a state secret. We know there's this Bradshaw pedal on the stage, and there's that Leslie speaker, and he uses a wireless between the guitar and the amp, but the 'special sauce' which produces THAT sound has, of course, much to do with his hands, but also to his guitar setup and the EQ which allows those tones to sing and sustain. (ref: George Harrison in Japan: "If I Needed Someone'). There is also a slight 'taste' of delay processing (other than what is used for "Badge') which gives the tone 'dimension'..makes it 'round' rather that 'flat'.
One cannot disregard, as well, the way these amps are miked either for recording for for live stage, and how the board interfaces with this to produce the desired tone in the final mixing. The is the nature of the Clapton Tone from Heaven which is elusive to his interested audience.
In addition, I remind you of the NYC Bryant Park Concert. John Mayer played a CS 'one-off' of the 'SunStrat" which had a rosewood neck and his 'scooped' pickups installed in it. In that set, he had Eric's tone 'dimed to the nines,' and he was playing through his own amp, not a Fender Twin Amp.
I presently own an '88 Clapton. Have owned a '97. Both guitars with Lace Sensors. Recently traded a CS guitar built on a Clapton platform, but with a rosewood neck and SCN pickups. Played these guitars through different amps. It's not just the midboost.
With an acute ear, listening to a sufficent number of performances, either recorded or live, it is obvious that a tone palate is used to paint these sounds. 'Layla' and 'Cocaine' carry very different colors, but I have heard 'Layla', for example, performed 20 years apart, with two different accomplished players on the second guitar, with the back and forth exchange, and the guitars had the same tonal quality. In the first case it was Knopler on a Pensa-Suhr, the second David Sancious on a Strat.
There's more than this in heaven and earth, Horatio.......... 
_________________
"I wish I was where I was, when I wished I was where I am now!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
zzdoc
Rock Star
Joined: 13 Jul 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Long Island
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Note: It was Knopfler on a Prince's Trust Benefit Concert, and Sancious
on the DVD of the tour accompanying "One More Car, One More Rider."
At least a 20 year spread.
_________________
"I wish I was where I was, when I wished I was where I am now!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fhopkins
Rock Star
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Posts: 5420
Location: Louisiana
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
Very interesting posts Doc and Shane! Thanks, the kind of information exchange I love to read!!
_________________
In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.
Proud Member of The 2 or 3 Club |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zzdoc
Rock Star
Joined: 13 Jul 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Long Island
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| fhopkins wrote: | | Very interesting posts Doc and Shane! Thanks, the kind of information exchange I love to read!! |
.
Pleased to have been able to give you and your '57 Twin Amp something to think about. My motives were a bit less than altruistic though. I was hoping to push Shane's buttons into leading us to the holy grail of 'Clap-Tone'
So far, the other end of the line remains dead air. 
_________________
"I wish I was where I was, when I wished I was where I am now!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
nikininja
Rock Star
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 7326
Location: uk
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think clap-tone is a state secret. Bet theres some kind of clause in the sponsorship contract, stopping anyone in the know slipping out info.
_________________
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zzdoc
Rock Star
Joined: 13 Jul 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Long Island
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nikininja wrote: | | I think clap-tone is a state secret. Bet theres some kind of clause in the sponsorship contract, stopping anyone in the know slipping out info. |
Would not be surprised in the least
_________________
"I wish I was where I was, when I wished I was where I am now!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
contrabassist
Aspiring Musician
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 573
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| zzdoc wrote: | | Shane Nicholas - Fender wrote: | A few years ago, Eric began using a couple of our current-issue '57 Twin Amps. At some point, we did a limited run with his CROSSROADS artwork on the grille cloth, and he's still using those as far as I am aware. He gets a lot of overdrive from them, courtesy of his mid-boost circuit in the signature model Strat.He's also been known to use a '57 Deluxe for his sit-down blues set.
Thanks, Shane |
Your input is most valuable...however...the ingredients, without the recipe, is something we've always seem to have been able to obtain. How he EQ's his mixes seems to be a state secret. We know there's this Bradshaw pedal on the stage, and there's that Leslie speaker, and he uses a wireless between the guitar and the amp, but the 'special sauce' which produces THAT sound has, of course, much to do with his hands, but also to his guitar setup and the EQ which allows those tones to sing and sustain. (ref: George Harrison in Japan: "If I Needed Someone'). There is also a slight 'taste' of delay processing (other than what is used for "Badge') which gives the tone 'dimension'..makes it 'round' rather that 'flat'.
One cannot disregard, as well, the way these amps are miked either for recording for for live stage, and how the board interfaces with this to produce the desired tone in the final mixing. The is the nature of the Clapton Tone from Heaven which is elusive to his interested audience.
In addition, I remind you of the NYC Bryant Park Concert. John Mayer played a CS 'one-off' of the 'SunStrat" which had a rosewood neck and his 'scooped' pickups installed in it. In that set, he had Eric's tone 'dimed to the nines,' and he was playing through his own amp, not a Fender Twin Amp.
I presently own an '88 Clapton. Have owned a '97. Both guitars with Lace Sensors. Recently traded a CS guitar built on a Clapton platform, but with a rosewood neck and SCN pickups. Played these guitars through different amps. It's not just the midboost.
With an acute ear, listening to a sufficent number of performances, either recorded or live, it is obvious that a tone palate is used to paint these sounds. 'Layla' and 'Cocaine' carry very different colors, but I have heard 'Layla', for example, performed 20 years apart, with two different accomplished players on the second guitar, with the back and forth exchange, and the guitars had the same tonal quality. In the first case it was Knopler on a Pensa-Suhr, the second David Sancious on a Strat.
There's more than this in heaven and earth, Horatio.......... |
Cool info... I enjoyed the detailed shop talk on EC's rig. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
nedorama
Hobbyist
Joined: 13 Dec 2008
Posts: 80
Location: South Bay, CA
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Like many, the sound of Eric Clapton lies in his fingers.
In the 70's and 80's, Eric endorsed Music Man amps and played those - time to run out and get those 65 watt and 135 watt 2x12s before word gets out! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Miami Mike
Rock Star
Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Posts: 7316
Location: Taxachusetts, USA
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Vintage is now before 1985, I keep thinking 1975. Well it's still vintage
I saw Cream when he used the "phone booth" Marshalls. I saw Blind Faith when he used Marshall Plexis. Andy Fairweather Lowe got him into using the MusicMans from what I understand. 
_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nedorama
Hobbyist
Joined: 13 Dec 2008
Posts: 80
Location: South Bay, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Miami Mike wrote: | | Andy Fairweather Lowe got him into using the MusicMans from what I understand. |
Since he was also using Showmans back as far as Blind Faith on some shows with Blackie, I'm guessing also he wanted the Fender sound, but in the mid-70s it wasn't the Fender of today - or the 60s. Music Man was as close to a good road worthy Fender as he could get in 1976-on. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Miami Mike
Rock Star
Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Posts: 7316
Location: Taxachusetts, USA
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nedorama wrote: | | Miami Mike wrote: | | Andy Fairweather Lowe got him into using the MusicMans from what I understand. |
Since he was also using Showmans back as far as Blind Faith on some shows with Blackie, I'm guessing also he wanted the Fender sound, but in the mid-70s it wasn't the Fender of today - or the 60s. Music Man was as close to a good road worthy Fender as he could get in 1976-on. |
Sounds logical.
_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BigJay
Professional Musician
Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Posts: 2133
Location: Twin Cities, MN.
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nedorama wrote: | Like many, the sound of Eric Clapton lies in his fingers.
In the 70's and 80's, Eric endorsed Music Man amps and played those - time to run out and get those 65 watt and 135 watt 2x12s before word gets out! |
Well, some anyway. I dont care what anybody says. Even Eric Clapton cant make the same noises through two very distinct signal chains. But I know what you mean.
I once read an interview where the journalist asked Clapton how he gets his unique sounds. Clapton responded by describing how nobody can play the blues without flatpicking. You have to play "the flats" he said. If I recall accurately, Clapton went on to say that until he understood "playing the flats", he couldnt make those sounds and that you cant play the flats on the tips of your fingers. "Flatpicking" is a combination of picking individual notes and strumming chords at the same time, with lots of hammering on/off. It almost requires using the flat parts of your fingers, as well as the tips. Speaking of great flatpicking blues...here's a good example from Jimi Hendrix....who Clapton idolized.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCH9MCOvrHY&feature=related
_________________
86 MIJ Strat Contemporary "Unknown"
BigJays Custom '69 Kickassocaster
71 Martin D-18
76 Bandmaster Reverb TFL 5005D
Marshall 1966B 2x12 Minicab |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fhopkins
Rock Star
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Posts: 5420
Location: Louisiana
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Made my afternoon BigJay!!
_________________
In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.
Proud Member of The 2 or 3 Club |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
