Clapton's Strat Is NOT a Normal Stratocaster!

More than 30 years after #Fender designed the #EricClapton #Stratocaster it's no secret that it has some interesting features lurking under the hood. We take a look at what's going on with the electronics by using my 1990's MIJ Strat that I outfitted with pickups taken from a 1992 Clapton Strat.
Mid Boost Circuit: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyNz5z
Clapton Strat from Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/k02WP3
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[@TomButwin]

Mid Boost Circuit: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyNz5z Clapton Strat from Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/k02WP3 Clapton Strat from Zzounds: www.zzounds.com/a--3980673/item--FEN117602

[@myjames48]

Where and what is that control, are they available frim music shops. The title of that control is what i am interested in. Jimmy in Johannesburg.

[@guyberger4169]

There you go! Finally the Truth 😅

[@andreetje1964]

@@myjames48TBX

[@rolandjgutierrez7737]

Actually Clapton secret weapon is Clapton himself.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Super secret

[@sean1121970]

Groan...🙄

[@jeffreyraymondarthur230]

True

[@armin5174]

Totally agree.👌

[@sparkyguitar0058]

And your secret weapon is you. Just keep working on it.

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

Actually Eric's secret weapon is 50+ years of practice!

[@TomButwin]

True. Let’s all get off KZbin and practice. Watch all my videos and subscribe first, tho😉

[@viper2148]

Yup, Clapton also sounds pretty good using just a wooden acoustic box with NO onboard electronics.

[@TomButwin]

He sure does! Mics an acoustic in an arena. Boss move.

[@ppvk2610]

Well Eric being born in '45 and starting Cream in '66 after having played already in The Yardbirds and John Mayals Bluesbreakers. Pretty sure he developed his secret weapon in approximately twelve, thirteen years or so of practice

[@DoktrDub]

@@TomButwin I’ll make an exception for your videos sometimes!

[@simonsmith2642]

Watched a recent rig rundown, he just uses a 3 way switch live, and only has one pedal on the floor and leaves the mid boost on. Just punches the tubes on his dumbles. Thats it. Its OG… Its just all him.. Doing what he does.

[@TomButwin]

I definitely over simplified it, but it doesn’t get much more “OG” as far as setups go, that’s for sure. Make sure you check out my 10k subscriber giveaway video too! Giving stuff away from PRS, Martin, & more.

[@jdelcolli]

Third position always - the guitar tech said

[@pedrobrando4606]

A wah peddle is used on his recent work with Ozzy.

[@brianfoster5702]

Also has his amp all set to 7 all other sounds are from guitar.

[@ralphmezey9171]

Most of the the great ones use bare bones equipment, and push the tubes.. Awesome stuff.

[@glennevans5824]

It’s a genius concept…and Eric’s thought instead of putting a Humbucker in bridge like many did…He got Fender to add a circuitry that pushes the midrange db…and the tbx tone control compensates the loss of treble …pretty awesome..I think it’s the best all around Stratocaster…for stage use…😊

[@randomlyrancannabis7020]

Blocking the tremolo is also his calling card.

[@cliffords2315]

I have one, but i have replaced the pickups with Fender Hot Noiseless PU's

[@ludwigvanbeethoven2490]

If you dont have much power like clapton to ask fender doing what you want, they gonna kick your ass immediately like what they did to john mayer

[@donkloos9078]

I have owned and played an Eric Clapton 'Blackie' Strat since mid-90s. It's been a great workhorse for what I am using it for. What he did not mention is that the neck is thinner in the middle, worked down to allow easier play and fingering.

[@TySpiceland]

OMG! I CANT BELIEVE THIS! Back in 1998, I made this EXACT GUITAR! 97 Am. Standard with the Clapton electronics dropped in, and I play it every day!! I used to think my guitar was one of a kind, but now it’s at least 2, excellent taste dude!

[@TomButwin]

That’s awesome! Mines actually a mid-90’s MIJ 50’s reissue Strat, so yours is still one of a kind! Thanks for watching. Hope you’ll stick around and subscribe.

[@tw8454]

@@TomButwin very cool!!! mij?! damn!

[@TomButwin]

Yeah, I kind of feel bad for modding it, honestly. 😬 Still have the original wired pickguard and neck. Maybe I’ll reassemble it someday lol.

[@jcruisioso5975]

My blackie is a custom shop body. Double shielded electronics & heavier wiring, gold lace sensors , & an EC neck which doesn’t match serial numbers of course . I love it. Not sure how many parts were bastardized from other Claptons . Lol

[@mihailmilev9909]

lol

[@TomButwin]

Buy A Clapton Strat and Support the Channel HERE: www.zzounds.com/a--3980673/item--FEN117602?siid=7742

[@eugenevedensky6071]

Recently got a 2004 Eric Clapton custom shop and I absolutely fell in love with the sound.

[@TomButwin]

Amazing. What color?

[@eugenevedensky6071]

@@TomButwin it’s like a super dark green metallic sparkle. Was surprised to find out it’s NOS. Funny thing about that mid boost. When I was first trying it out I was totally unaware of it and thought it sounded muddy and kind of unclear for a strat😅

[@TomButwin]

Ha! That’s awesome. I can only imagine how that went not knowing you had an extra 25db of midrange going. How cool. Congrats on that guitar!

[@elgenetiamzon1062]

His original "blackie" strat was actually comprised of the best parts of 3 stratocasters. He had it "custom buit." He found a guitar shop that was selling them cheap and bought six. One He gave to George Harrison, another he gave to Steve Winwood, and another to Pete Townshend.

[@SeanOHanlon]

I saw an interview with Clapton recently wherein he talked about buying Strats in pawn shops when he was on tour in the US because they weren't available in the UK at the time. I sat there in stunned silence as I realized that there was nothing special about the guitars he played back then. Once again, It's all in the hands.

[@peacefulruler1]

My first Strat, bought new in 1975, cost $320 including the case, This is before there were Mexican, Japanese, Korean Fenders or Squiers

[@corneliuscrewe677]

I always wondered what happened to the leftover parts from the Blackie donors.

[@PeterErikson-rd5tj]

@@peacefulruler1 wow. -- during the gas lines / oil embargo and the recession. -- what was gas 89 cents or something like that. ?

[@Kevin-fj3ol]

@@corneliuscrewe677 Brownie was also built with some of the guitars that he had bought through that time - mostly bought in NYC and a few other places.

[@scottym3]

Clapton could take a $30 electric guitar and make is sound like a million bucks.

[@frieswijk]

He could buy a 30 dollar guitar and sell it for a million bucks as well

[@duster71]

If it wasn't set up properly he'd put it down in 3 seconds just like I would.

[@duster71]

We all know how the tone knobs works. Try something harder like a Zappa sound. I've been playing for 50 years and I don't need no stinking pedals,except maybe a wah

[@dennispickard7743]

@@duster71 lol 😂 calm down old boy 😊

[@mohitrahaman]

not to comment on technique tho but the tone

[@SwiftyMcswift777]

His secret weapon is his fingers hands and soul! Eric Clapton is Eric Clapton a gifted great guitarist!!!🎸

[@marchatesyou1]

SRV played with a circuit excitor too

[@PutItAway101]

Gilmour used a similar mod on his red strat from the 80s, you can hear it all over Delicate Sound of thunder. I had the mod on one of my guitars back in the day, definitely gets you closer to that sound - you can use the bridge pickup and get some bite, but with a warm fatness to it that's not like the dark chunkiness of the classic middle and neck pickup sound of a strat. Great for soaring leads.

[@TomButwin]

Clapton was definitely channeling (and lusting after, I’d say) some other Strat legends’ tone around that time. Gilmour, Knoplfer, etc.

[@mikaelbiilmann6826]

I have a 1982-84 (Checked the serial number online) Squier Stratocaster and one of the pus was dead, so I installed the DG-20 on it. Totally new guitar.

[@runabout76]

The EMG SPC and EXG controls Gilmour uses with his EMG SA pickups is otherworldly. I have the same in one of my Strats. Very useful and versatile.

[@LonnyEagletonMusic]

Great video dude! Very interesting. Been loving your stuff ever since stumbling upon your Silver Sky content. Keep up the great work.

[@TomButwin]

Really appreciate that. Thank you!

[@gevowavemagnet]

Those early Lace Sensors are getting very hard to find, take care of them.

[@TomButwin]

#truth I just hope mine keep working lol

[@alanosterman7130]

Very informative, thanks. In this case with the special third knob, the second tone knob must work for all 3 pickups then, because the regular use of the third knob has been changed to such an extent. I have to say that I noticed that when Eric switched to these "all white" pickups, the notes would sound more "sonic", to me, without the normal "note decay" I was used to, being played through a large stack, like the classic 60s, 70s sound. Which I do prefer to the new "sonic" sounding notes. These non decaying notes sound too futuristic to me. I like "Brownie" better. But, that's just me.

[@TomButwin]

Hey Alan! Yes, the TBX tone circuit is sort of a “master” tone. It’s got a detent for a neutral position. If you go up, it’s boosting highs and if you go down, it’s cutting them. Really helps to get clarity that can be lost with such a big boost in the midrange from the other knob. As far as those all white Lace Sensor pickups, your ears are correct. They have a hifi/HD quality to them…almost too much. And, your comparison to that more traditional/vintage Strat tone of Brownie is right on. These midboost circuit guitars don’t really sound like a “real” Strat, which can be cool, but I tend to agree with you. I like that vintage vibe more.

[@sairamr6886]

1:58 Clapton does this same thing when he played Layla with bassist Nathan East onstage in a black 2 piece suit, that concert when Clapton launched into the riff Nathan got startled. All Clapton did was he rolled a knob to get that tone.

[@Taogunner]

I put Fender mid boost on my active dimarzio PU set.... it is amazing as you pointed out thru VDO.... love that brought this up .....simple things that make different practically

[@TomButwin]

Nice! Thank you for watching.

[@andrewdarnley4608]

I built a "Clapton Strat" from scratch. I couldn't get from your description as to whether you put in PCB but it does sound like it. One point for guys that want try this mod is that you need to rout out a decent sized pocket under the pickguard for the PCB and use noise cancelling pups. The pups need a bit more taken out under the depth of the originals. Using typical single coils will give quite a noisy result. Great explanation of the Clapton Strat Tom !

[@TomButwin]

I did! It's the full kit, to include the circuit board. There was definitely some serious routing that had to be done. In my ignorance, and my habit of taking off the trem spring covers, my tech installed the battery under the pick guard (along with the PCB). So, you can imagine, things are pretty tight in there and battery changes are not easy. Poor decision on my part, in hindsight lol. As far as pickup routing, the Lace Sensors fit just fine in the MIJ 50's reissue body I have. Awesome to hear of another build like this!

[@ericdos]

@@TomButwin I did the same in my Deluxe Plus Strat, PCB and battery under the pickguard. The pickups were the originals Lace Sensor (Blue, Silver and Red). After some time I removed it and sold it, and now it has Fralin Blues pickups. But... I bought a Custom Shop Eric Clapton Strat, maybe the best Strat I've ever had in my hands. Although I think the lace sensor gold would be a better option. I'll try those pickups one day.

[@f4f9968]

Hi Andrew, I have also installed this TBX pcb in a strat and I got some serious humming/buzzing. I thought I wired it up wrong but I haven't. Today I routed out a pocket for the pcb to fit in as I had it under/in between the pups and thought maybe that was causing the humming. I've not yet finished putting it together and I just happened to randomly see this video and then comments. I'm now guessing that I have to have noiseless pups? I have an SSL5 and 2 fat 50's.

[@michaelcarey9359]

The Lace Sensors ARE true single coils. Probably the "purest" sounding you can buy.

[@thomasberinati3380]

I was able to jam the circuit board in the cavity beneath the pots. Just had to cut the corner off to make it fit. 2018 Roadworn Olympic white strat with Tex mex pickups ( which I did not like in my Jimmy Vaughn model) sound great with this circuit. Routed a pocket in the back beneath the trem spring cover for the battery. Also modded a 2015 classic player 50’s strat in shoreline gold with the circuit and installed Vintera 60’s pickups. Also sounds great. Good secret weapon for gigs or when you show up at a blues jam and use some random amp

[@kentonkirkpatrick5225]

To me, ECs sound reminds me of an old buckboard racing down a mountain trail with the wheels about to fall off. I always think "that can't be normal...". Thanks for the info.

[@TomButwin]

Glad you enjoyed! Love the analogy.

[@teledice1317]

I had the same thing done to my Strat along with Noiseless pickups installed,, the change is amazing and very cool to use when playing,, thanks for the vid!!

[@TomButwin]

Do you like the Noiseless pickups? Thanks for watching! Appreciate it.

[@teledice1317]

@@TomButwin I love them!!! thank you!!

[@mihailmilev9909]

I'm grateful for yt recommending me this video on my yt search for 50s strat wiring btw. On the search about building the ultimate guitar. And u just added something totally new, another knob, unrelated to pots caps or phase switches ect, which hasn't happened in a pretty long time I think. So thanks lol. Let's see if ur other secret weapon videos contain other electronic/building, well, secret weapons lol. Cheers everyone reading (I'm not Bri ish or Canadian lol)

[@kidwajagstang]

Got myself a 99 Fender Deluxe Powerhouse Strat, which was the “budget” slightly neutered Clapton Strat. It was a (VERY WELL MADE) Mexico Strat with a 12 db md boost with American standard pickups. The mid boost is actually the same 25 db boost, but with an extra resister added to half the boost.

[@TomButwin]

I had a Powerhouse Strat for a brief period! Loved the guitar, but I wanted that extra boost.

[@SeanOHanlon]

😳

[@AM2PMReviews]

oh I have one too I didn't know how similar it was. When I first got it, I had no idea what it was. I only knew it was awesome that I have like active pickups with a boost knob.

[@iganpparamarta8813]

There's still one of this available in a shop in my country (2-3 days shipping to where I live). It's a new old stock, black, with Lace Sensor. It cost $1300 complete set. It has some minor conditions though but nothing that impair its playability nor structural integrity.

[@TomButwin]

Ooooo what year? That sounds incredible. Black is a great color too.

[@psbii]

My guitar teacher got a black EC strat with the Lace pickups and the mid boost when he was invited to buy some stuff when Joe Walsh was clearing excess stuff out of his storage. When I heard that sound, I immediately took my Squire Strat and had the Lace/midboost/tone knob installed on it. Love that guitar. The only thing left of the original Squire is the body & neck at this point. Then about a year later my teacher had a real need for a new washer & dryer, and made a great deal on the EC Blackie (with right of first refusal if I ever want to sell it, which I can't imagine I ever will)!

[@TomButwin]

Love it! How different do the two sound?

[@blueguitar8479]

Great job, thanks for posting!

[@TomButwin]

Thank you for watching! Hope you’ll subscribe, if you haven’t yet.

[@LOFIGSD]

I saw Clapton New Years Eve, he played a Charity Gig for Alcoholics Anonymous, in a Sports hall about half mile from my house, small gig, maybe 1k people max, he totally smashed it, doesn't get better!

[@TomButwin]

Wow! Sounds like an incredible and memorable experience. Not many people can say they’ve seen him in a setting like that.

[@GAFloppa]

All going great until that dude in the audience collapsed

[@LOFIGSD]

@@GAFloppa yeah, but Clapton and the Leisure Centre staff handled it well, tbh, given the number of oldies in the audience, there should have been chairs, I'm cool with standing for 5 hours on a solid concrete floor, they ain't, he should have done an encore though.

[@GAFloppa]

@@LOFIGSD yes it did end rather abruptly. Would have been nice to hear him play at least one of his self-penned classics. The setlist fell a bit flat for me

[@LOFIGSD]

@@GAFloppa I kinda get what he is doing, going back to the songs that inspired him and stripping it right back, it was done really well, however, as a Musician, most of those songs have been done to death by old blokes at Jam sessions, Im not being too critical, chance to see Clapton 5 minutes walk from where I live, HUGE RESPECT for him doing that gig and to all his Band. Warm up pub band could have played longer, also would have been nice to see an originals warm up Band, rather than covers.

[@Tonetwisters]

The earliest models were the best in my opinion ... not so much gain and the LACE pickups were fabulous.

[@TomButwin]

The newer ones with the noiseless pickups feel more sterile to me too.

[@jcruisioso5975]

Yeh , have both. Neither sounds like a traditional strat. All sound great & different

[@jcruisioso5975]

@@TomButwinhow long u been playin . Didn’t know about the secret. Grew up on em .

[@iluvmoviestoomuch1437]

I own a “Blackie” and the Lace sensors are like comparing CD’s to cassettes. They were ahead of their time. I love humbuckers and traditionally wound pickups. The Lace sensors are so forgiving and clean. Fantastic on stage. I’m rarely use the tone boost but there are those moments when it’s great!

[@TomButwin]

I always describe them as almost an “HD” pickup. Totally different animal that any traditional pickup, like you said!

[@lrmars]

I’ve seen several interviews with Clapton himself, and he says very simply, “My technique is in my hands…my tone is in my equipment” I agree.

[@martynsmith9702]

I put this boost circuit in my mim strat with vintage noiseless pups, I absolutely love it

[@michaelheller8841]

I might sound a little old fashioned but I want my Strat to sound like a Strat and my Les Paul to sound like a Les Paul. You need one of each and a Telecaster too lol. I get the gain Db thing but it’s still a Strat with a boost. I think people want to get his Strat to sound like Clapton. We all are guilty of this rabbit hole once it comes from our hero’s lol

[@TomButwin]

I can tell you, after playing my Strat with these electronics for 15 years, you’re exactly right lol.

[@richardbeck4193]

That’s no secret. Tony Iommi had Laney put a boost in his Amp, Brian May and Rory Gallagher both used Dallas Rangemaster Pedals.

[@TomButwin]

It’s just the name of the video series. Check it out! kzbin.info/aero/PLjNIskxVP-fOCcN4ajomLpli2EiW5zYtp

[@ricoingles8322]

The same effect can be applied if you use a lace sensor strat with a lead sound DI (like a DG Stomp and roll off the volume. This will clean up the tone with the volume nob only. Crank the knob and voila; instant lead tone. Roll down the volume knob instant clear tones

[@fongy200]

I done that to mine, i have Lace Sensors to, their out of a Clapton signature Strat. It's a cool mod for sure.

[@allancrow134]

Clapton's Strat tone on the 'Just One Night' double live album(with Albert Lee) was IMHO his best Strat tone. It had sparkle, stinging clarity, and sounded awesome with the Wah. After that as far as I'm concerned it lost some of its mojo. It morphed into this mid rangey tone that sounded like the neck pickup on an SG or LP with the tone rolled off. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a huge fan. I learned how to play guitar by copping Clapton's licks reaching back to the Cream era and by incorporating Just One Night into my DNA. I'm just expressing my personal opinion, everybody's got one. Cheers.

[@TomButwin]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head here. In 1980, for Just One Night, that was a "real" Strat with single coils and none of the mid boost circuitry. Funny enough, his goal and challenge to Fender was to get his Strat to sound like that rolled off, neck hum bucker on the SG/LP. So, I guess they got pretty close then! These guitars are a really weird middle ground. Not quite a Strat...not quite a humbucker guitar. I loved mine for a long time and played tons of gigs with it, but I've since gravitated back to traditional single coils or humbuckers and gotten away from the "do it all" guitar that I think Clapton's intends to be. Appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@allancrow134]

@@TomButwin Thanks man, I wasn't sure how that comment was going to go over. I've got a 70's era SG and Strat I've had since I was a teenager(I'm 60 now), I've had many other guitars but I kept them because it's nice to have the best of both worlds. Cheers :)

[@xsamitt]

I agree with you!!!!!

[@TomButwin]

Oh man, those two guitars are probably amazing. How cool. Thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@allancrow134]

@@TomButwinThey are both tobacco bursts so they are kinda a matching set. The Strat has the trem decked with three springs(i use .09's) and a maple neck that is just scoured. I recently put a Floyd FRX trem system on the SG, I just love it. They are both authentic relics now. Someone can pry them from my dead cold hands. :)

[@muhammadsteinberg]

The secret weapon to cop anyone's style is to 1st practice. ALOT!!! It's a secret so don't tell anyone.

[@TomButwin]

You’re not wrong! Still need that mid-boost, tho 😉

[@frogdude21XXX]

Found you through Ward Carroll's channel. Dude that outro you did for him is so damn good it gets stuck in my head, and I don't mind at all! I encourage you to check out my dear friend Tim Templeton. I served with him on a Med float in '85. We did a few numbers together and he was good then. He's amazing now. Thanks for the great content. Just subbed. ✌🐸

[@TomButwin]

Amazing! Welcome and thanks so much. Ward is the man! I’ll check Tim out too. Appreciate it.

[@michaelshearer3559]

I really need to give this a try on my next Strat. Thanks!

[@TomButwin]

Try it out! My only two pieces of advice would be: 1. Mount the battery in the trem cavity, like stock models (I didn’t do this. 🤦🏻‍♂️) 2. Have a normal Strat too if you like that sound, because these guitars are Strat-like…but not that classic single coil sound.

[@ctcards2636]

You should check out Jerry Garcia's guitars and what they had. Jerry had a OBEL (ONboard Effects Loops) on the guitar itself. Also the guitar had a preamp in it as well and a buffer. Theres more musicians than you think out there using some very unique approaches to getting their tone. :-)

[@TomButwin]

Oh man, Jerry is/was the king of this type of stuff! You’re 100% right.

[@viper2148]

No greater homage to Fender than to request “can you make iit sound like a Gibson”? /sarc

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

Wow that thing sounds AWESOME!

[@TomButwin]

It’s really a cool instrument. Definitely not a “normal “ Strat, that’s for sure.

[@craigshewchuk9018]

Awesome break down of his mod and what it does

[@TomButwin]

Thanks, Craig!

[@bobbys4327]

One reason I believe why Clapton's sound changed is his hearing loss. With pretty much most hearing loss it is the upper mids and high end that goes. So he boosted em.

[@TomButwin]

Could have been! That was the 80s, so I’m sure his hearing isn’t better now. Happens to all of us eventually.

[@bobbys4327]

@@TomButwin Yeah he said he tried hearing aids as he was about 80% deaf in one ear, he didn't like them as he said they didn't sound natural. My friend was the same way, get in his car and the radio was at max treble. I am old and am in the same boat. I cannot even hear the microwave beep if I am not using my hearing aids.

[@santibanks]

The Tone knob works slightly different: you might have noticed it "dents" around the 5 mark. Settings 0-5 behave like your regular tone knob as in it is a low pass filter which rolls off the highs. However, past the dent (6-10) it works as a high pass filter: a tone knob in reverse. It is not that more high frequencies are added, it is that low frequencies are scooped out giving you the impression of more brightness (because you just take out the "mud"). I suspect the idea behind this is that low frequencies generate additional harmonics upon break-up which are still in a lower range than high frequencies (not sure if low frequencies also distort faster). So if you clean up the lows on the input side, you get more clarity in your distortion (= definition) while you can still add "warmth" by adjusting the EQ on your amp and boosting the lows. The difference being that an EQ just amplifies certain frequencies which exist in the signal and a distortion generates additional frequencies which happen to be in that low-mid range for low frequencies. I added such electronics (except not the boost mechanism as that needed a 9v battery which i couldn't house) to my PRS EG. It's a great tone.

[@TomButwin]

Thanks for this! Appreciate the detailed comment. I think you’re right on.

[@michaelcarey9359]

The TBX is like a tone pot that becomes a "no load" type of tone pot.

[@marshallderriek1858]

Love the clean sound .. not breaking up

[@altonwilliams7117]

Nice tones!🎸🎵

[@iamanovercomer3253]

When it comes to a stratocaster 🎸.... Jeff Beck can make a stratocaster sing like nobody else can. Yeah Clapton 👍 but Beck is in a league of his own 🎸🎶🎵‼️

[@TomButwin]

#Truth Beck’s playing was from another dimension. Absolutely unmatched and impossible to really imitate.

[@666Havers]

i really like gilmour

[@slidinjohn495]

I once tried a Clapton Strat with the 25 db boost on it and it turned out real hard to me, to set it back on 0 db after using the boost. It felt so goddamm naked and cold 🎸🌬 very addictiv thing that boost 😃

[@TomButwin]

I’ve had a very similar experience.

[@tw8454]

this is a GREAT demo.

[@TomButwin]

Thank you. Appreciate that very much.

[@jeffdubuque3755]

i love the tone on the jouneymen record.

[@TomButwin]

Me. Too.

[@Glicksman1]

Of course, artists such as Eric Clapton seek guitars that feel right to them and aid them to produce what they want to produce. However, these guitarists would and do sound great on virtually any guitar. Their gear is refined to suit them and to make their efforts easier, but it is their individual talent that makes whatever they are playing on sound so great. Using a recent film as an example, a great race-car driver can win in a Ferrari or a Ford. Gear is fun and does make a difference in the final sound, but it is the musician's talent that drives the car, gear is what he/she is driving.

[@TomButwin]

☝🏻☝🏻This. 👏🏻

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

The analogy with race cars doesn't really work. Ford and Ferrari both showed up with cars capable of an overall victory, but other teams came with cars that were competing for class victories. If the Ford and Ferrari drivers were driving 906s or 911s or Alpines they wouldn't have stood a chance of winning unless all of the GT40s and P4s DNF'd. Individual talent won't overcome a several second per lap deficit, a competitive platform is required. That's why most motorsports puts so much effort into ensuring parity between different cars that are raced in the same class. In many ways it's the exact opposite situation as music. Music involves a balance of all sorts of factors, that's why musicians who aren't skilled in some areas can still produce really interesting music. A really good musical instrument might inspire an artist, or might be slightly easier to play on, but ultimately it won't be conclusive. A good musician can almost certainly make music no matter what instruments they have access to, given that quality is largely subjective in this context. Meanwhile, for motorsports, having a competitive vehicle that's well set-up might be the difference between competing for a victory and finishing poorly. Quality is much more narrowly defined and objective in this context.

[@Glicksman1]

@@skaldlouiscyphre2453 Yes, it does. Of course, the gear that a musician uses must be good enough to help him or he make music. A poorly made guitar, etc. will not do so and he or she would not use one. The race car analogy assumes that the cars are of roughly equal quality and that it is the driver who wins the race by the application of his or her ability. Of course, an ordinary family sedan cannot compete with a racing-purpose-designed Ferrari. Similarly, I assume (yes, I know the joke about "assume") that we are discussing professional grade gear. I thought that that was understood in my analogy.

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

@@Glicksman1 To be fair, I'm talking entirely about purpose built race cars, not a regular family sedan (unless it's prepped for racing like TCR or Group A, etc). I think you might be understanding my criticism backwards, because I agree with your point about instruments; it just doesn't apply to race cars. The best driver in NASCAR or IMSA or what have you can't take the worst performing car in their class to a victory. A reigning champ will finish mid-pack in a car that consistently runs in the back half of the field. Talent only rarely overcomes the deficit on it's own. The best team might be able to in a spec series (since they'd just apply their setup, everyone drives identical cars), but not the driver alone. The best team wouldn't be able to polish the slowest car in a bespoke or production based series into a winner all at once though. Having the best tool available matters a lot more in racing than it does in music because the competition is judged on a very narrow criteria. Music isn't even a competition, it's judged on very different criteria. That's why one doesn't even require 'professional' grade gear, merely adequate gear.

[@Glicksman1]

@@skaldlouiscyphre2453 Alright, not racing cars. I bow to your interest and expertise regarding them. My analogy was not intended to be taken literally, but as an example of how it is the player who matters more than the gear (the driver more than the car). I think that you might agree that the better driver in a lesser car stands a better chance to win than the lesser driver in a better car. However, I do appreciate that you agree with what I wrote, however poorly stated.

[@dustinarnold79]

I have a clapton strat in the mail ,it will be here tommorow I'm very excited

[@TomButwin]

Awesome! What year and color? Really exciting. Congrats!

[@dustinarnold79]

@@TomButwin brand new ,I went with the classic black

[@dustinarnold79]

@@TomButwin I feel like a very lucky man to have a silver sky and now a clapton

[@TomButwin]

Awesome choice. Would love to hear your thoughts on it when you get it!

[@dustinarnold79]

@@TomButwin will do ty

[@castnoshadow82lr48]

Clapton was renowned for travelling light this boost built in enables him to just go plug in wherever he plays. When testing out guitars I always just plug it in to a good amp no need for all the other stuff to mask the tone for me if a guitar don’t sound great straight into an amp in not fussed about it. Now I’m not rubbishing off pedal boards in anyway they’re a necessity to guitar players doing their studio stuff live and a band can change their sound over time so to carry on achieving those differences live is probably impossible for some players on just one guitar. But Eric does it

[@viggogrendahl1]

I didn't know that Clapton is such a great composer cause of that knob :))))

[@TomButwin]

All you have to do is install it and you’ll write tons of hits and instantly be a legend.

[@sarthwahb]

Ima get the eric’s pewter signature strat and a costum shop v neck rw… I just want a 10 way switch ( it’s freeway switch ) and it gives real Les Paul tone on neck and bridge even if it’s a strat just one mod and changes everything

[@TomButwin]

That's brilliant, actually. Get that middle position LP tone! Awesome color choice too. That's my favorite, by far.

[@TomButwin]

Nah, it won’t make you better. Maybe a little louder.

[@TomTobin67]

It's a mid range boost. Similar to the Ibanez tube screamer.

[@TomButwin]

It’s a mid boost, but very different than a TS, tonally.

[@vincejacob5595]

I have a ‘79 25th Anniversary Strat that in 1985, I put a set of EMG SA pickups that has a 400hz mid boost under lower tone knob, and it rocks. The db output is not 25, maybe not even 12 db but enough to make a good difference. I’d love to learn how to make that circuit hotter. I take that guitar to every gig and play it most of the night…

[@TomButwin]

I think it can be done, but I’m not sure. A fellow commenter might have mentioned it, I think. You’re guitar sounds super cool!

[@erictripton]

Don't forget Ty Tabor of King's X. Part of his secret recipe. This was in the Strat Elite from early 80's. So what is great, is this MBX and THX mod is available as a kit for your Strat

[@davidbaron8330]

If he'd never switched from Gibsons and Humbuckers, he wouldn't have needed a preamp.

[@TomButwin]

True. Odd trajectory. Went to a Strat, played it for awhile, then wanted the Strat to sound more like the LP/SG thing.

[@JalenRawley]

The Fender mid boost first came out in the Dan Smith era Stratocaster Elite, along with the TBX tone circuit. Basically it's +25db of boost @500hz, and the pot blends the boosted signal with the dry signal. So if you dont want to rout a hole in your Strat and achieve the same effect, you can just get an EQ pedal and boost a bunch of 500hz. But then you dont have it available on a knob right on your guitar. The TBX tone circuit helps clear it up as well, as it OS a normal tone control from 0-5, but from 5-10 it changes the resistance and kind of acts like a bass roll off, but doesnt get too thin. Just a MDX mid boost can get a little muddy depending on the setup, so the TBX in addition to it certainly helps. Fender also put the mid boost in the old Powerhouse Strats, but it was only a 12.5db boost. Apparently you can modify them by cutting a resistor out to make it the full 25db boost, but I've never done it. Strats are very mid-scoopy sounding by default, so a mid boost really helps fill out the sound and makes it thicker.

[@TomButwin]

Those original 80s Elites had only 12db tho, if I’m not mistaken. Usually not enough for any breakup.

[@JalenRawley]

@@TomButwin Yeah, ya know I'm not sure which they had. Being a massive Ty Tabor (of Kings X) fan, I was a huge fan of the Strat Elite. I just assumed it was the same 25db one that ended up in the Clapton.

[@TomButwin]

It was certainly the precursor!

[@david.leikam]

Just plugging into an amp direct is beautiful, especially on tour. (NS Design CR6-string Radius fretless bass guitar here)

[@TomButwin]

Makes load-in and setup a little easier, that’s for sure! Ha! I’d be lost on that bass of yours, but it looks like a really cool instrument. Thanks, David!

[@jjzuc]

My friend beat Fender by about 3 years when he put a mid boost on my 1984 custom guitar he made for me. I do have a stellar '91 Strat Plus and just leave the TBX control on all the time.

[@TomButwin]

He was ahead of his time. Call the lawyers!

[@jacksmith4460]

"Secret Weapon" that literally everyone who is remotely interested in Clapton and /or Strats knows about

[@TomButwin]

It’s the name of the video series, Jack. kzbin.info/aero/PLjNIskxVP-fOCcN4ajomLpli2EiW5zYtp

[@garykozanecki5882]

Great video on Eric’s strat. He was able to get a bit of a Humbucker sound with single coil pickups. I totally agree straight through the amp is really the way to go. I’m old and learned along the way, pedal boards are really cool. The problem is that you will be screwing around trying to find a sound you are looking for, and guess what? You’ll just trying to tweak tones. You’ll almost never be happy with the tones. Robert Cray does not use effects nor does Angus Young. So, I am told. Angus uses a wireless system to play to his Marshall stacks. Some say it is the wireless system that does it, Marshall’s are their own animal..don’t know 🤷‍♂️Whatever!

[@TomButwin]

I have to agree that pedals and such can be a huge distraction from just playing! That’s why I love acoustics so much. Just you and the guitar and nothing else. I will say, though, when you get the right pedal combination dialed in, it can be incredible! Just have to resist the urge to constantly twist knobs! Haha. Thanks for watching. Appreciate the comment very much.

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

This is relatable. It's so easy to get overwhelmed with options and waste all of one's initiative on trying out different sounds instead of creating music. After years of chasing a specific tone I'm basically there, it's just a stereo blend of two 90s era solid state amps - settings haven't been touched in years. Technically it's two (analog) pedals that imitate those amps and two cab sim boxes, but all and all, it's smaller than most people's pedal boards. I just need distortion.

[@frankrusso9200]

1992, Springfield, MA: Mr. B.B. King put his hand on my shoulder & said, "Don't worry about your tone. Just play & it will sound like you.". To this day, I always fall back on Mr. King's expert direction.

[@Millennial_Mike]

My #1 guitar had a TBX circuit built in originally... quite a cool feature for extra gain... but ultimately I got rid and implemented a coil tap.

[@deanbibb3680]

Clapton started down this road when he got Fender’s original Strat Elite. It had a 12dB MDX boost and the TBX boost circuit along with prototype rectangular pickups allegedly made by EMG and individual on/off switches for each pickup. It also came with their horrible FreeFlyte tremolo system. I found one locally and sold it after a few years for 2 1/2 times what I paid for it. Other notable users include Tommy Shaw and of course Ty Tabor, who set out to buy as many OEM parts as he could get ahold of for his Elites and subsequent guitars made for him by Hamer and Yamaha. He eventually mounted the controls in a box and used them thusly for years. These Elites are completely different from the more recent Elite line.

[@3500ton]

Much cheaper option to buy a boss eq pedal and boost the output and mids. Plus you can do much more with an eq pedal than a mid boost

[@TomButwin]

True! The onboard boost is overall a different animal than pedal based stuff, but there are certainly other ways to get this sound.

[@3500ton]

@@TomButwin On the other hand I use volume pot a lot! Having another “volume” pot is actually a great idea. Plus it’s a pot variable. A pedal is on off. You’re video starts to convince me. Where can I buy a legit circuit for a mid output boost and tbx?

[@marcwelby2351]

Sounds really muddy and unpleasant?

[@bobbyarthur-yf3yf]

Yep

[@peteytwofinger]

its a great circuit , i like it for clean , like with the neck pu or position 4 , playing up past the 12th you get this bell like attack and a sound you just cant get otherwise . one can just as soon build your own circuit and mount it in your guitar or in a pedal . i recommend the demeter fat control - i have one built into a guitar and i have one in a pedal , also this same circuit CAN work wonders for a bass guitar . i have one on my wifes pedal board and it makes certain effects come to life , like the phaser on her board animates and justifies its spot on the board ONLY with that mid boost , same with the auto wah stuff . now mind you i have found it works in some instances and in others i wasnt so hot on it , as with this stuff YMWV . its great when we have the bass running direct into the pa . when we run the pedal into a mixer and then a headphone amp for practice in the apartment , it sounded awful with the mid boost . its one of those effects that is kind of under the radar though but yeah its a really cool effect that totally changes the tone . you can find the layout for the demeter fat control on tagboard effects and its a pretty simple low parts count build based around an op amp so ... its beginner to moderate skill level build . tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/09/demeter-fat-control.html

[@TomButwin]

I wouldn’t even classify my ability to work on electronics/solder as “beginner.” What’s one step below beginner? Lol always impressed when people can build their own stuff.

[@roscius6204]

So we should all go and put our own personal choice of boost/EQ/Drive circuit into our guitars. Really though, unless you use midi or really like squatting. having that control at your finger tips makes sense. Zappa did similar stuff, even to the point of having a Ring Mod built in. a Green Ringer in the Baby Snakes SG It sure looks cool to when you can dial in the dirt too.

[@mark-wn5ek]

It might be Clayton’s Secret weapon but sure ain’t working for you.

[@TomButwin]

If it’s good enough for “Clayton” it’s good enough for me. 🤷🏻

[@heinzdog9]

Great video. I love EC's Strat music but my fav music he did was his Gibson ES 335.

[@TomButwin]

Love that 335 sound (and look).

[@raygronvall2771]

I did a lot of the same for another GTR player as his tech. But at the end of it all it comes down to fingers and talent. From Mick Ralph’s, Frankie Sullavan, Billy Gibbons and last one I had the pleasure to work with Mr Michael Schenker. All in the fingers.

[@TomButwin]

Ultimately, it’s the player! You’re right. Still a cool circuit.

[@roadtorockstar7848]

Thank you so much!

[@AllieCatBluesman]

Props, man. This is perfect.

[@TomButwin]

Appreciate the kind words. Hope you’ll consider subscribing!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

EVH Loved Eric Clapton and talks very highly about his influence. Listen to the Music from the 1991 Motion Picture "Rush" = insane Clapton tones. Interesting stuff here. Enjoyed it.

[@TomButwin]

Working on an EVH video as well. I’ll definitely check that out!

[@beandipcartography]

It's all in the tone.

[@ryanforresterrenaissancesa4204]

You can do that lower pot thing with a simple boost pedal that has a midrange punch or control. The JHS Haunting Mids is a great example.

[@TomButwin]

Pedal just switches on/off. The knob allows for a gradual onset of boost.

[@j40bob1]

Very informative.

[@TomButwin]

Glad you enjoyed. Hope you’ll check out the whole series.

[@lennydupont9005]

Second he played a strat to me all down hill. Loved his sound for cream.

[@Jodyrides]

it seems that Eric Clapton semi retired after Derek and the dominoes. I haven’t heard a ripping blaring tone out of any of his guitars since the early 1970s.. He change the music, he set the standard, then he disappeared

[@djcurtis9547]

Hey Thanks for this Awesome INFORMATIVE video I will get my New Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Stratocaster tomorrow Saturday November 12 I have a MIM Fender Stratocaster with Fender Hot Noiseless pickups I decided to get serious about Blues music and Blues guitar by buying a Custom Shop Eric Clapton Stratocaster

[@TomButwin]

Nice! Congrats on the guitar. You’re going to love it.

[@micahgerdis1008]

Id love to have an extra knob set up for this and a "King Tone" treble bleed. That would be a beast.

[@bazzathegreat3517]

I have a Japanese version of the Clapton strat. It came with gold lace sensors and the midboost. It has a V neck as well. I am not certain but I think it is actually a little fuller than Clapton's soft V but I like that. It is the old Fender Japan 54 style with the Clapton electronics. I think it is from 2002. It looks close to the Torino Red that is one of the colors that Clapton strats come in but not certain the exact color.

[@TomButwin]

Oh wow. That’s awesome. I love MIJ Strats!

[@lenduckworth99]

The Heartfield Talon II has it too. It's super useful. Like an Ibanez RG with an inbuilt musical boost.

[@EC_IS_Here]

Well he was the god, even knew how to make his own sound ..The guy is beyond words

[@1red_nextview740]

I have a "lone Star" strat with a Seymore Duncan humbucker on the bridge. It just has all kinds of tone.

[@mattwarbuckle]

I have a '91 7-Up green. I can still smell the case smell from getting it as a young man!

[@TomButwin]

I LOVE that color. Also, the whole smell-memory connection is so insanely cool.

[@mikestroud9969]

Just crank up all the knobs and play the Sob!! Hehehe. Good video buddy. It's in your playing take care 😎👍👌👏👏🎸🎸

[@TomButwin]

I’ll sob, then practice, sob some more, then (softly) rock.

[@webbyenfield]

Lovely, well explained. I used to use a FP graphic eq on the floor, specifically for mid range boost in soloing. Going to build me a Tele with mid range boost .. wicked!

[@TomButwin]

Thanks, Dave! Good luck on the tele build!

[@davidledford1456]

@@TomButwin yep, who cares he,s a multi millionaire an im 67 an have had so many strats an plexis an expandoras,an everything an have nearly no rythm abilities, but like blackmore the worlds best,an clapton an gibbons an others, there them an im me, there rich as hell, an i have made only a few bucks in 30 years..

[@hugobonin268]

The secret weapon of Clapton’s Stratocaster are His FINGERS

[@EC_IS_Here]

very good video.Some clapton deep dive.Stufff alot dont know.pure genuis.Thanks for your video and what you put into music.And i am gonna start with this video, suscribed now, be safe, stay blessed :)

[@TomButwin]

Thank you!

[@TheRastler]

Yes we all know about the Clapton strat, but it is Clapton that makes it sound different from mine and more than likely everybody else’s

[@TomButwin]

You’re not wrong, but not everyone knows about what’s lurking under his pickguard. Gear obsessed guitar players (me included) do, but your average Clapton listener or hobbyist might not.

[@BadPenny]

I've got a Clapton Strat. The 20dB boost works really well. Beautiful guitar

[@TomButwin]

Nice! What year and color?

[@StevenCarinci]

That's exactly what the cae mxr boost pedal gives you. 20db

[@SoulForty5Music]

Its a great idea.. I JUST put a Gilmour mod on my Strat, but I would love to try this on one some day

[@TomButwin]

I love all the Strat mods, but I’ve learned you always need one “real” Strat in the arsenal lol

[@TomButwin]

Ps which I don’t have.

[@rick00770]

Love that strat. Subscribed

[@TomButwin]

Appreciate it, Richard! Hope you’ll check out some of the other Secret Weapon series videos and others on my channel. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@midnightrider715]

The master of the caster 😊

[@henningsflugsimulatorkanal6034]

There is a similar sounding complete pickup set available in several online stores, called "fully loaded and pre-wired David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) Signature ST-Style Set with 3 EMG SA pickups, Volume control, EXG Guitar Expander for bass & treble boost, SPC Presence Control provides midrange boost for earthier sound 5-way switch, system comes pre-wired on a custom 11-hole White Pearl pickguard with white knobs for easy installation..." I've build it in a Fender Squire Classic, which now sounding much better - BUT: it is a electronic PU system, so there is a battery under the pickguard, which has to be changed from time to time (I haven't changed it since 3 years ;-)

[@TomButwin]

That battery under the pick guard is no fun. That's where mine is mounted too. Super cool on the Gilmour set in a Squier.

[@joelee1195]

I want that guitar! This guy sounds just like Clapton!