Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

[Armotron]

This is just a small little idea, that I might get around to doing, but I'm just trying to figure out how I would do this. Here we go...

I've been loving Claptons Cream tone, say on Wheels of Fire(Crossroads and Spoonful for example). Is it called the "Woman Tone" or something like that?
I hear he used a 64 SG, what DC Resistance were the pickups in this guitar, and what Alnico Magnet was it? Im thinking the body tone of an SG and a Strat wont be too far apart, so I'm thinking to base the pickup choice off what was in his SG.

Im thinking of using either a Bare Knuckle, or Antiquity if it fits the bill. I will also roll down the tone alot, like Clapton said he did with his neck pickup. What pickup would be the best to use for what I'm looking for.

I already have a LF SP43, and I find it has a bit too much output for what Im looking for, and its not warm enough, kind of harsh when i try to get this tone, am I crazy? Should I seriously consider doing this?

- THanks-
Alex

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

I have to tell you this, but you will not make a Strat sound like an SG, period. That said, find yourself a playable but cheep SG copy (I would start with an Epiphone) and throw in a set of 59's that will get you pretty close IMO. To answer the main point of the question, to cop Claptons SG tone go with 59's.

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

I agree to the comment above. I think the 59 would get you closest.

 

[Armotron]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

I have to tell you this, but you will not make a Strat sound like an SG, period. That said, find yourself a playable but cheep SG copy (I would start with an Epiphone) and throw in a set of 59's that will get you pretty close IMO. To answer the main point of the question, to cop Claptons SG tone go with 59's.

Err. Not what I was hoping to hear... :laugh2: I suppose your right.
But again, I don't want to make my guitar sound specifically like Claptons SG or any SG for that matter. I just want to be able to switch to my bridge pickup and roll the tone down, and get that warm PAF tone Clapton got during Creams live shows with my strat and a certain pickup... not possible? I saw In Lews thread how Alnico 5s do sound better in the thinner guitars, so im sure you dudes are right about the 59. Would any bareknuckle get me closer, or is the 59 as good as it gets?

 

[flank]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

59 will probably be it for you. You need something way vintage, or else you won't get it to balance with your surfers right

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

Err. Not what I was hoping to hear... :laugh2: I suppose your right.
But again, I don't want to make my guitar sound specifically like Claptons SG or any SG for that matter. I just want to be able to switch to my bridge pickup and roll the tone down, and get that warm PAF tone Clapton got during Creams live shows with my strat and a certain pickup... not possible? I saw In Lews thread how Alnico 5s do sound better in the thinner guitars, so im sure you dudes are right about the 59. Would any bareknuckle get me closer, or is the 59 as good as it gets?

If you want to get in the neighborhood I would drop a 59 trembucker in the bridge and change the 2nd tone control from the middle to the bridge pickup, the would do you alright...as for the BK pups, they seam cool, but they are just too much money for me...plus I have just always been pretty happy with my Duncan's and my Duncan Custom Shop pups.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

The guys are right. Get an SG and put in '59's or Seth Lover's (my prsonal preference for Cream era tone). The Strat won't do it for you and you'll be unhappy with the results (not to mention the time and expense).

Good luck. Glad to see some of the younger folks appreciating that tone.


Jeff

 

[Armotron]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

Well, seems like trying to get that tone out of my strat is a bad idea?, I guess much later I'll get another guitar to suit that need, either SG or a 335. Too bad...

Thanks dudes

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

What about an HH Tele? It's still got the longer scale length but you could tune down a half step. just a thought...

Or hit the pawn shops for the real thing. you might find a deal.

But, I'm glad that Armotron started this thread, I have wondered the same thing if an HH strat (or Tele would be much of an SG like ax).

I'll bet that an HH strat or Tele, while it may not be an SG substitute, it could be a great sounding instrument!

 

[Armotron]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

I'll bet that an HH strat or Tele, while it may not be an SG substitute, it could be a great sounding instrument!

I think Lew has a strat with a '59 set in it, makes me wonder what tones he gets out of it... you know it works if Lew uses it, hehe.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

Armotron,

I forgot to mention in my post that the "woman tone" you asked about is acheived by backing off the tone on either pup (works best with the neck pup) all the way and jack up your volume control.

Get a copy of Cream's Disreali Gears and listen to track # 7 "SWLABR", for a great example of Woman Tone.


Jeff

 

[Armotron]

Re: Should I Make a change to Strat? Lew, Jeffrec, others?

Jeffrec, posts from Lew like these make me think that I might be able to get the 'woman tone' in my strat with a 59 with the tone very low.

I don't think an alnico 5 humbucker like the 59 has to be degaussed to sound like those in Clapton's SG. My newish ones sound pretty darn close to that Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire tone when I plug them into my Marshall...even in a Strat, which is what I use my 59's in.

I'd vote for the 59B Trembucker. I think the JB will overpower your stock Strat pickups and the 59B Trembucker will be a better match. EVH used a pickup around the specs of a 59B on his classic albums and so did Clapton when he recorded with Cream. Larry Carlton also used humbuckers similar to the 59 for the Joni Mitchell, Crusaders, Tom Scott and Steely Dan recordings. Those are some of the best humbucker tones ever recorded...and the 59B will get you right in that territory and sound great with your Strat single coils...IMO. Lew

I'm just wondering, It seems that Lew gets that Woman Tone well in his strat with a 59.