Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
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Bludave
New member
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
The guitar is an EC signature Strat and yes it has the mid boost circuit in it. EC typically uses it when he solos. The mid boost circuit adds 25 DB of midrange boost so it gets a bit louder and a little more bottom. I think it tends to make his guitar a bit muddy! The Newer version of the EC Strat uses the Fender Noiseless pickups but IMHO the older ones with the Lace Sensors sound much better (in general). I have yet to play any guitar that has those pickups in them that sounds good. Most sound sterile & lifeless. Yet in his hands I agree they sound great. I'm sure the guitars are being hand made for him by Fender so who knows weather those are the same pickups.
As far as the amps, the EC amps which are alos made by Fender come in a few configurations so I am not surwe which one he was playing through but you can read more about them here.
The guitar is an EC signature Strat and yes it has the mid boost circuit in it. EC typically uses it when he solos. The mid boost circuit adds 25 DB of midrange boost so it gets a bit louder and a little more bottom. I think it tends to make his guitar a bit muddy! The Newer version of the EC Strat uses the Fender Noiseless pickups but IMHO the older ones with the Lace Sensors sound much better (in general). I have yet to play any guitar that has those pickups in them that sounds good. Most sound sterile & lifeless. Yet in his hands I agree they sound great. I'm sure the guitars are being hand made for him by Fender so who knows weather those are the same pickups.
As far as the amps, the EC amps which are alos made by Fender come in a few configurations so I am not surwe which one he was playing through but you can read more about them here.
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Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
everything bludave said is correct except one little thing. there are actually two boost circuits in the guitar, a ~12db straight preamp boost thats always on and an adjustable ~12 db mid boost. i have that preamp setup in a strat with classic stacks neck and mid with a vintage hot stack in the bridge and its a killer setup
everything bludave said is correct except one little thing. there are actually two boost circuits in the guitar, a ~12db straight preamp boost thats always on and an adjustable ~12 db mid boost. i have that preamp setup in a strat with classic stacks neck and mid with a vintage hot stack in the bridge and its a killer setup
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
Don't know about the current version but the LS version is definitely a bit hotter than a passive Strat.
I'm in a honeymoon phase but this is a Killer git when you iron out the warts.
Mine was likely a "made on Monday" guitar, FWIW.
Don't know about the current version but the LS version is definitely a bit hotter than a passive Strat.
I'm in a honeymoon phase but this is a Killer git when you iron out the warts.
Mine was likely a "made on Monday" guitar, FWIW.
Bludave
New member
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
Do you have the L'S version or the Fender noiseless?
Don't know about the current version but the LS version is definitely a bit hotter than a passive Strat.
I'm in a honeymoon phase but this is a Killer git when you iron out the warts.
Do you have the L'S version or the Fender noiseless?
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
Someone needs to slap Clapton in the side of his head, and get him back on track! LOL
Lace Sensors, boost circuits, and Fender Noiseless suck. Period. All he needs to do is install a set of Duncan Surfers or MJ Custom Shop pickups in all of his strats, play his new signature amps turned up all the way, and add a couple Gibsons with Antiquities.
He must surround himself with pussies who agree with all his bad gear choices in recent years, because I'd stick my foot up his ass if I were anywhere near him. hahaha J/K!
Someone needs to slap Clapton in the side of his head, and get him back on track! LOL
Lace Sensors, boost circuits, and Fender Noiseless suck. Period. All he needs to do is install a set of Duncan Surfers or MJ Custom Shop pickups in all of his strats, play his new signature amps turned up all the way, and add a couple Gibsons with Antiquities.
He must surround himself with pussies who agree with all his bad gear choices in recent years, because I'd stick my foot up his ass if I were anywhere near him. hahaha J/K!
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F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
+1
Most of my favourite Clapton stuff was played on Gibson electric guitars.
+1
Most of my favourite Clapton stuff was played on Gibson electric guitars.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
Tis true - especially when there's an option to make them totally silent without stacked pickups. Mid boost can be put into a pedal.
Remember then the original EC sig came out it was the age of EMG's and onboard electronics. He just stuck with the onboard electronics.
That being said - Lace and the boost are a really nice combo. Different twist, but a nice combo.
Tis true - especially when there's an option to make them totally silent without stacked pickups. Mid boost can be put into a pedal.
Remember then the original EC sig came out it was the age of EMG's and onboard electronics. He just stuck with the onboard electronics.
That being said - Lace and the boost are a really nice combo. Different twist, but a nice combo.
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
at one point i was running the clapton preamp with antiquities and it sounded awesome. no extra noise. i was very pleasantly surprised.
clapton had a fender tweed twin made years before his new series or even the crossroads version from a few years back
at one point i was running the clapton preamp with antiquities and it sounded awesome. no extra noise. i was very pleasantly surprised.
clapton had a fender tweed twin made years before his new series or even the crossroads version from a few years back
OaklandA
New member
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
2004 would predate the current EC line offered by Fender.
I believe in 2004, and in the video, that he was probably using Cornell Custom 80's which look like tweed Twins. Likely using Tone Tubby speakers at that time as well.
That'd be my guess anyway.
2004 would predate the current EC line offered by Fender.
I believe in 2004, and in the video, that he was probably using Cornell Custom 80's which look like tweed Twins. Likely using Tone Tubby speakers at that time as well.
That'd be my guess anyway.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
EC was using the tweed twin back then. It was either a custom build based on the 5F8-A or an actual 5F8-A. This tweed features 4- 6L6s and a tube rectifier. In other words essentially a higher powered bluesbreaker combo. Word is that it was loaded with Tone Tubby alnico 12s.
EC has stated that he has grown to prefer the feel of 50's strats (particularly the neck profile and scale length) over Gibsons. He also the likes the blocked trem bridge more than a hard tail. The onboard pre-amp and stuff allows him to get a fatter tone than blackie ever could though when needed. Somebody should introduce him to the lone star strat with a PG in the bridge.
EC was using the tweed twin back then. It was either a custom build based on the 5F8-A or an actual 5F8-A. This tweed features 4- 6L6s and a tube rectifier. In other words essentially a higher powered bluesbreaker combo. Word is that it was loaded with Tone Tubby alnico 12s.
EC has stated that he has grown to prefer the feel of 50's strats (particularly the neck profile and scale length) over Gibsons. He also the likes the blocked trem bridge more than a hard tail. The onboard pre-amp and stuff allows him to get a fatter tone than blackie ever could though when needed. Somebody should introduce him to the lone star strat with a PG in the bridge.
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
as much as i would love him to start playing a les paul or firebird again, from a functional stand point i totally understand why he does what he does.
its a really simple rig (sorta) guitar-cord-amp where you can get lots of different flavors
there is a wah and a ts in there as well but they are rarely used. and he also switches between amps depending on the tone/level of grind he wants but he is a freakin legend and has a tech to set it all up for him
as much as i would love him to start playing a les paul or firebird again, from a functional stand point i totally understand why he does what he does.
its a really simple rig (sorta) guitar-cord-amp where you can get lots of different flavors
there is a wah and a ts in there as well but they are rarely used. and he also switches between amps depending on the tone/level of grind he wants but he is a freakin legend and has a tech to set it all up for him
Bludave
New member
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
I think EC is a traditionalist. When you put a HB in the bridge of a Strat you do gain some tonal changes from a SSS Strat but I think you loose more then you gain. For a very long time EC "Lived" with his selector switch in the #2 position and with a HB in the bridge it wouldn't be the same. I remember seeing him live a few years ago and he had a piece of tape holding the switch in that position. Not to knit-pick a Strat but I tend to pick/strum in between the neck and middle and I can hit the switch and knock it out of position, do I get the tape thing but what I do is remove the switch and trim one or two coils off the spring to make it stiffer so when you do hit it it won't move so easily.
I think EC is a traditionalist. When you put a HB in the bridge of a Strat you do gain some tonal changes from a SSS Strat but I think you loose more then you gain. For a very long time EC "Lived" with his selector switch in the #2 position and with a HB in the bridge it wouldn't be the same. I remember seeing him live a few years ago and he had a piece of tape holding the switch in that position. Not to knit-pick a Strat but I tend to pick/strum in between the neck and middle and I can hit the switch and knock it out of position, do I get the tape thing but what I do is remove the switch and trim one or two coils off the spring to make it stiffer so when you do hit it it won't move so easily.
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Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Eric Clapton Rig @ Crossroads 2004 (with vid)
Years ago, Clapton said his favorite amp was a tweed Twin he had. He couldn't tour with it because the wiring was kind of shot and it was a little unreliable. I think at one point when Cesar Diaz was Clapton's tech, Cesar may have replaced the power transformer with a newer one.
So, eventually, the Fender custom shop made a tweed Twin for him. As far as I know, the first tour he used that amp on was the 'From The Cradle' tour, after he did the blues album of the same name. On that tour, he used several different amps and guitars. Besides the Twin, I think he may have used his Soldano, and something else. Besides his signature strat, he also used his red 335, and an old fat, blonde hollowbody Gibson. The reason for his expanded rig was that the 'Cradle' album had several covers, and he was trying to get a specific tone to be fairly true to the originals.
Some time later, he got the 80 watt Cornell. That could be what's on this clip, but it's hard to say without a good picture of the amp.
I will say his tone on this clip IS great -- even on the solo, it's not as muddy as the tone that so many people don't care for.
I also agree with Jeremy that as far as his sig strat, he probably wanted a simple rig. I saw him once, before the 'Cradle' tour, and I think he used a white strat the whole show.
Slightly off topic, but I saw Clapton recently on a "Later with Jools Holland". I'm not sure what the original air date was, but he did two tunes from his 2010 'Clapton' album. I was a little surprised, 'cause he used his old blonde Gibson for 'Rockin' Chair' and he used a Les Paul for a straight blues tune -- I think he was playing slide and had the Les Paul capoed.
Years ago, Clapton said his favorite amp was a tweed Twin he had. He couldn't tour with it because the wiring was kind of shot and it was a little unreliable. I think at one point when Cesar Diaz was Clapton's tech, Cesar may have replaced the power transformer with a newer one.
So, eventually, the Fender custom shop made a tweed Twin for him. As far as I know, the first tour he used that amp on was the 'From The Cradle' tour, after he did the blues album of the same name. On that tour, he used several different amps and guitars. Besides the Twin, I think he may have used his Soldano, and something else. Besides his signature strat, he also used his red 335, and an old fat, blonde hollowbody Gibson. The reason for his expanded rig was that the 'Cradle' album had several covers, and he was trying to get a specific tone to be fairly true to the originals.
Some time later, he got the 80 watt Cornell. That could be what's on this clip, but it's hard to say without a good picture of the amp.
I will say his tone on this clip IS great -- even on the solo, it's not as muddy as the tone that so many people don't care for.
I also agree with Jeremy that as far as his sig strat, he probably wanted a simple rig. I saw him once, before the 'Cradle' tour, and I think he used a white strat the whole show.
Slightly off topic, but I saw Clapton recently on a "Later with Jools Holland". I'm not sure what the original air date was, but he did two tunes from his 2010 'Clapton' album. I was a little surprised, 'cause he used his old blonde Gibson for 'Rockin' Chair' and he used a Les Paul for a straight blues tune -- I think he was playing slide and had the Les Paul capoed.
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