Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

C

classic.rocker978

New member
Ok, I love his tone on Disraeli Gears (Hope I spelled that right) and pretty much anything with Cream. That is my ideal humbucker tone.

I'm sure this has been discussed many times but I haven't been able to find much. So here goes.....

Which humbuckers would get my closest to that old Clapton tone? I'm playing a Les Paul into a Tiny Terror with a G12h30 and it sounds surprisingly similar to an older Marshall. Definitely an awesome amp.

The only bad thing is, I need a pickup swap. Stock pickups just are not cutting it. So which pickups would you guys recommend for this?
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

Which pups do you have now and what specifically would you like to change about them?
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

I had a Jb/Jazz and it was wayy too modern... Tried a set of Dimarzio Air Classics and they had some weird thing going on with the mids.

Put in a set of Rockfield SWV's and they are too compressed, give an excellent Santana sound though.
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

I've no first hand experience with these but from what I've heard I'd assume that Antiquities are what you're looking for. Search these forums and you'll find plenty of opinions on them.
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

earlier clapton, like bluesbreakers id say antiquitys, but by cream they were a5 magnets.

if you wanted to go the distance, get some antiquitys and put alnico 5 magnets in them
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

jeremy said:
earlier clapton, like bluesbreakers id say antiquitys, but by cream they were a5 magnets.

if you wanted to go the distance, get some antiquitys and put alnico 5 magnets in them
Click to expand...

I agree. Ants with A-5's would do it. I've also gotten awful close to the SG/LP (Fool) tone using Seth's in my '61 reissue. But as you said, you also need the chops and rig.:14:

Jeff
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

classic.rocker978 said:
Ok, I love his tone on Disraeli Gears (Hope I spelled that right) and pretty much anything with Cream. That is my ideal humbucker tone.
Click to expand...

Some of my favorite music too. '59's are your best bet.

You know why the album got that name, don't you?
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

Actually yea I do know how it got its name... Clapton had been thinking about getting a bike and one of his roadies mentioned something about "Disraeli Gears". The word he meant to say was "derailleur gears" but Clapton liked it enough to use it as the next album title.


At least thats what I've heard to be true.
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

Okay so its down to

'59
Antiquities
Seth Lovers


Well the '59 wins hands down as far as price is concerned, how does it compare to the other two in this given situation? Will it get me 90% of the way there?
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

Well I've been doing some reading....

The antiquity is supposed to simulate a pickup that has aged from the 50's. Seth lover would be like buying a new pickup from the 50's.

Well considering Claptons paf was in no way 50 years old when he was recording stuff with cream that means the Antiquity is out.

Okay down to:

Seth Lover
'59

Can I remove the wax potting from the '59 and make it unpotted like a seth lover? Thing is, I want a vintage unpotted tone but an alnico 5 magnet and I dont really want to do a magnet swap with seth's.

Let me know what you guys think!
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

You cannot remove the wax potting. Seth's are great pickups, but they are A2's. I prefer the Seth's, but a good, no great combo would be a 59' in the bridge and a Seth in the neck. Tonal bliss.
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

blueman335 said:
And it's probably the most accurate Duncan PAF for 1960's Clapton tones. What are you waiting for? Get some '59's in that LP and start rocking.
Click to expand...

Get both sets (Seths and 59's). Mix and match. Whatever you don;t choose can always go in another guitar. The more pups, the merrier I say:32:
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

Okay, I'm gonna try a set of '59 pickups...

Can I buy an open coiled humbucker and put a cover on myself without wax potting it? I'd like a nickel cover but cant find a 59 with one. Its also a lot cheaper if I find a used open coil and cover it myself :)
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

you can do it yourself but make sure to get a good cover. a cheap one will kill the high end.

they do sell 59's with covers
 
Re: Humbucker for Cream/Clapton Tones....

This might be too late, but '59 models can be ordered for no extra charge without wax potting...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top