Eric Clapton
Solo / Cream / Derek and the Dominos
British guitar legend known for his emotive playing and influential tone. Pioneer of the 'Beano' Marshall sound, the Cream power trio format, and the Stratocaster-through-Tweed amp clean blues approach.
SIGNATURE TONE
Warm, vocal-like sustain with dynamic touch sensitivity. From the cranked Marshall 'Beano' crunch to the 'woman tone' neck pickup with tone rolled off, to the clean Stratocaster sparkle through Fender Twins. Signature mid-boost for singing lead tones.
SIGNAL CHAINS BY ERA
Explore how the rig evolved over time
John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - 'Beano' Album (1966)
The legendary 'Beano' album that established the Gibson Les Paul into cranked Marshall tone. Clapton earned the nickname 'God' during this era for his revolutionary blues playing.
Cream Era (1966-1968)
Power trio format with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Pioneered the 'woman tone' using the SG's neck pickup with tone rolled off through Marshall stacks.
Derek and the Dominos - Layla (1970)
Transition to Fender Stratocaster with 'Brownie'. The Layla album featuring the iconic guitar riff and solos with Duane Allman.
Blackie Era (1973-1985)
The iconic 'Blackie' composite Stratocaster era. Featured on 461 Ocean Boulevard, Slowhand, and countless tours. Retired in 1985 due to wear.
MTV Unplugged (1992)
Grammy-winning acoustic performance that reinvented his classic songs. Featured the iconic acoustic version of 'Layla' and 'Tears in Heaven'.
Modern Tweed Twin Era (2000s-Present)
Clean, dynamic blues tone through signature Stratocaster and modified Fender Tweed Twin amplifiers. Focus on touch-sensitive playing and mid-boost for solos.