Riff Tone

Bad Love

Eric Clapton

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarEric Clapton Signature Fender Stratocaster (mid-80s, Lace Sensor Gold pickups, active mid-boost circuit)

AmpSoldano SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1989/1990)

PickupsFender Lace Sensor Gold single-coils with active mid-boost (25dB, onboard TBX tone control)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for 'Journeyman' album (1989), riff section. Clapton used his signature Strat with active mid-boost and a Soldano SLO-100 head, which was his main amp for this era. No evidence of additional pedals for the riff section; overdrive from amp and guitar's mid-boost. Settings based on period-correct interviews and typical usage.

Tone Character(10)

thick, mid-forward overdrivesmooth sustaincreamy, compressed attackarticulate pick attacktight, focused low endsinging sustainwoman tone (tone knob rolled down)British-voiced crunchtouch-sensitive responseslight reverb for ambience

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-level technique due to its syncopated rhythm, palm muting, and the need for dynamic control to maintain clarity and sustain in a crunchy, mid-heavy tone.

Sources

Learn the playing styles of every Eric Clapton era with this ...

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