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Eric Clapton's gear: the instruments behind their career
Eric Clapton's sound is defined by a transition from the thick, sustain-heavy tones of the British blues boom to the versatile, expressive clarity of his signature single-coil setups. Utilizing tools like the Fender '59 Bassman and various Gibson and Fender models, he earned the nickname 'Slowhand' for a melodic phrasing that remains a benchmark for guitarists worldwide.
Early Career and the Psychedelic Era
Emerging during the 1960s British blues boom with The Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Clapton eventually achieved superstar status with the power trio Cream. During this psychedelic pop phase, he famously employed the Gibson SG “The Fool”, also known as the Gibson Eric Clapton's The Fool SG Electric Guitar. This instrument, notable for its striking custom paint job, helped define the 'woman tone'—a thick, distorted sound achieved through specific amplifier settings and the guitar's humbucking pickups. Another staple of this era was the Gibson ES-335TD 1964, a semi-hollow body guitar that provided the woody resonance required for his blues-rock explorations.
Evolution of the Stratocaster Sound
As his career shifted toward a solo path and the recording of classics like 'Layla' and 'Wonderful Tonight,' Clapton transitioned toward the Fender sound. The Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster became his primary tool, offering a sharper, more biting attack compared to his earlier Gibson models. This transition allowed for more expressive, melodic phrasing. To further shape his tonal palette, he incorporated the Vox V847A Wah, a pedal essential for the vocal-like sweeps heard in his more experimental and rock-oriented work.
Acoustic Mastery and Signature Tones
Clapton’s mastery extends beyond electric blues into the acoustic realm, particularly in his later career. His collaboration with Martin resulted in the Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature and the more ornate Martin 000-42EC Eric Clapton Signature. These smaller-bodied 'Triple-O' guitars are favoured for their balanced tone and playability, perfectly suited for the unplugged arrangements of his classic hits. For portable practice or unique recording textures, he has also been known to use the Pignose Legendary 7-100 amplifier.
Effects and Technical Versatility
Throughout his journey across genres like funk, soul, and even experimental pop, Clapton has utilised a variety of processing tools. His pedalboard has featured the Boss CE-2 Chorus for spatial depth and the Boss TR-2 Tremolo for rhythmic volume modulation. Despite his blues roots, his exploration of different sounds led to the inclusion of the Ibanez HD1000 Harmonics/Delay and even the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal. His interest in guitar synthesis was highlighted by his use of the Roland G-505 synth guitar, demonstrating a willingness to move beyond traditional blues boundaries.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is 'The Fool'?
- It refers to the **Gibson SG “The Fool”** (or **Gibson Eric Clapton's The Fool SG Electric Guitar**), a famous psych-painted guitar used during his time with Cream.
- Which acoustic guitars does Eric Clapton use?
- He primarily uses his signature Martin models, specifically the **Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature** and the **Martin 000-42EC Eric Clapton Signature**.
- Did Eric Clapton ever use guitar synthesizers?
- Yes, he has used the **Roland G-505** synth guitar.
- What wah-wah pedal is associated with Clapton?
- He uses the **Vox V847A Wah** to create his expressive, vocal-like guitar tones.
- Has Clapton ever used high-gain distortion pedals?
- Yes, the **Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal** pedal is listed among his sourced gear.
- What is Eric Clapton's main electric guitar model?
- In his later career and solo work, his main instrument is the **Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster**.
- Which semi-hollow guitar did Clapton use in the 1960s?
- He used the **Gibson ES-335TD 1964**.
- What modulation effects does Clapton use?
- He has used the **Boss CE-2 Chorus** and the **Boss TR-2 Tremolo**.
- Does Clapton use any rack or delay effects?
- He has used the **Ibanez HD1000 Harmonics/Delay** unit.
- What small amplifier is associated with Clapton's gear list?
- The **Pignose Legendary 7-100** is a notable portable amplifier in his collection.
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