Clapton's "Brownie" tone...

Malicious Matt

Malicious Matt

New member
Alright folks... I havent posted here in a long time, but thought it was time to invoke the wisdom of the community!

I was thinking about Strat pickups, and specifically what kind of pickups would be good at creating the "Brownie" tone, as heard with Derek and the Dominos ("I Looked Away" etc). Everybody loves Blackie, but Brownie had a cool sound too.

Any opinions of Clapton's Brownie tone?
 
Re: Clapton's "Brownie" tone...

I think most of that tone is in the amp- a fully cranked vintage Fender Champ. Pickup wise, any strat with Duncan SSL-1's.

Though suprisingly my Clapton strat with the Lace Sensors and Clapton boost can get a real vintage strat tone as well with lots of brownie and blackie bite
 
Re: Clapton's "Brownie" tone...

I remember reading an article back in the day where he stated that he used a Fender Dual Showman to record the solo album (the one with the pic of him and brownie on the cover). I remember he said he used the amp on B-10, M-10, T-7. Sure enough, I tried those settings on a DS with a 215 cab with my old 1960 Strat and pretty much nailed that tone.

I think the SSL-1s are the right call--unless you want to spend the money for Antiquitys. I would think the Surfers would sound closer than the Texas Hots.

Bill
 
Re: Clapton's "Brownie" tone...

Don't forget Brownie also was a hardtail, which sounds different than a regular strat with the trem blocked.
 
Re: Clapton's "Brownie" tone...

a hardtail maple neck strat with ssl1's will get you there. if you want a little extra mojo then the antiquity surfers are the bomb
 
Re: Clapton's "Brownie" tone...

Cool. I was thinking maybe one of those Victoria champ clones might be nice. Anybody try one? They seem cool.

Already got the maple neck Strat with surfers in the neck and middle positions. I put an SSL 52 at the bridge position to clear up the sound, and its quite nice.

BTW, you's sure Brownie is a hardtail? I think the little hole where the whammy bar goes is visible on the "Layla" album shot. Check it out:

http://premium1.uploadit.org/gwillaker//Domino-Brownie.jpg
 
Re: Clapton's "Brownie" tone...

yeah, that def looks like a trem to me. dunno if thats the actual guitar he played on the album though.

as with most things clapton...the tone comes from the amp and the mid boost kit if he was using it at the time. EC was never big on pedals or changing pups so any vintage style strat pups will get you there if you have the right amp and good chops.

victoria make some really really good amps btw
 
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