Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

[kmcguitars]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

He started hanging out with "The Band" with Robbie Robertson and the boys in Woodstock and J.J. Cale in Tulsa and wanted to go in more that direction , which he did, much to the dismay of his loyal fans. That type of music lends itself more to single coil type playing. I remember being horrified down to the tips of my hard rockin' toes--------lol----------Its ALL good---------cheers!----------Jimo

+1 This is the story I read. He loved Robbie Robertson's tone.

 

[Boleslaw Gers 666]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

He had one of the badest, nastiest (in a good way), pure raunchy SG tones ever. Not my favorite, but it's what the Gibson SG is. Don't like his tone or his music as much since he left Cream. His best stuff IMO.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

He had one of the badest, nastiest (in a good way), pure raunchy SG tones ever. Not my favorite, but it's what the Gibson SG is. Don't like his tone or his music as much since he left Cream. His best stuff IMO.

Have you heard his tones from Derek and the Dominoes? Those are some of the best Strat tones ever IMHO.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

Have you heard his tones from Derek and the Dominoes? Those are some of the best Strat tones ever IMHO.

Agreed....And the Layla album...

 

[coachc55]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

While we're talking about Clapton what about Jeff Beck? Remember in the 60's and early 70's he was mainly a Les Paul guy. I know he also played the telegib designed by Seymour. I saw him in 1973 with BBA(Beck/Bogert and Appice) and he played his black les paul the entire concert. Why did he switch to strats? Regardless, his tone is still amazing.


Sincerely,

CoachC

 

[Armotron]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

While we're talking about Clapton what about Jeff Beck? Remember in the 60's and early 70's he was mainly a Les Paul guy. I know he also played the telegib designed by Seymour. I saw him in 1973 with BBA(Beck/Bogert and Appice) and he played his black les paul the entire concert. Why did he switch to strats? Regardless, his tone is still amazing.

I can definetely see why, Jeff Beck's playing is definetely more suited to Strats, IMO.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

I can definetely see why, Jeff Beck's playing is definetely more suited to Strats, IMO.

I don't think its a Strat issue with Clapton. He got some great Strat tones in the past. I think Clapton's current Strat is geared to try and get all kinds of different tones. In the process his current tone is good, but not great like in the past.

 

[Boleslaw Gers 666]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

Agreed....And the Layla album...

Well, I suppose I'm blaming his guitars for his musical decline to "Change the World" and such lately.

 

[Armotron]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

I don't think its a Strat issue with Clapton. He got some great Strat tones in the past. I think Clapton's current Strat is geared to try and get all kinds of different tones. In the process his current tone is good, but not great like in the past.

I agree, I think its just those Noiseless pickups and all of those Circuits, he should just use a vintage strat again. IMO of course.

 

[MBreinin]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

I think some of the best tones Clapton has ever generated came from Strats. The singing lead tone of Forever Man, the Soldano soaked chorused tone of Pretending...Bell Bottom Blues....just great stuff. He did sound great on Gibsons too, I really like All Your Lovin' from the Bluesbreaker days, and Crossroads with the 335.

BTW, Buddy Guy credits himself with turning most of the English guys onto the Strat. In an interview with him I heard on Sirius Blues a few weeks ago he talked about how he had a Strat cranking through a dimed amp and the English "boys" went nuts. He said they didn't know you could play high energy blues on a Strat...and that is was more than a "Country-Western" guitar. I am inclined to believe Buddy.

Mike

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

As for Clapton, Beck and Walsh, don't forget that they played Fenders (Teles mostly) before switching to Gibsons, so you might say that they've come full circle.

 

[MBreinin]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

And Walsh's solo from Hotel California with the Tele custom is just awesome...a great contrast to the Gibson solo from Felder on the first part. Walsh tended to play both Fenders and Gibsons.

Here is an interesting aside. Robbie Robertson was mentioned as an impetus for Clapton switching to Strats. I saw The Last Waltz last month and Robertson was out there playing with two identically modded vintage strats. They both had humbuckers in the bridge and one neck position single coil, no middle P/U. Very EVH, around the same time as VH-1.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

Buddy Guy is known to break out a Goldtop from time to time.

 

[Boston Joe]

Re: Why Did Clapton Stop Playing Gibson's?

And Walsh's solo from Hotel California with the Tele custom is just awesome...a great contrast to the Gibson solo from Felder on the first part. Walsh tended to play both Fenders and Gibsons.

Here is an interesting aside. Robbie Robertson was mentioned as an impetus for Clapton switching to Strats. I saw The Last Waltz last month and Robertson was out there playing with two identically modded vintage strats. They both had humbuckers in the bridge and one neck position single coil, no middle P/U. Very EVH, around the same time as VH-1.

Robertson's Strat was more modified than you would imagine-- that's not a humbucker in the bridge, but in fact, two single coils housed in the same routing. Robbie claimed that the middle pickup got in the way of his picking.