Solo Tone
Crossroads (Live Version)
Eric Clapton
Guitarblues1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson 1964 Firebird I
AmpMarshall JTM45 (KT66 tubes) into 4x12 cabinet
PickupsGibson Firebird mini-humbucker (single bridge pickup)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6.5
mid7
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live performance, 1968, Cream Farewell Tour (Fillmore, 'Wheels of Fire' live recording). Clapton used the Firebird I for the solo section. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp overdrive. No studio overdubs; this is a live recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainwoman tone (rolled back tone knob)fat, mid-forward lead soundsmooth, violin-like solo voicetouch-sensitive dynamicsaggressive pick attackclassic British blues-rock crunchraw, uncompressed amp drivebridge pickup biteno audible reverb or delay
Difficulty
The solo requires fast, accurate blues phrasing at a high tempo, with expressive bends, vibrato, and dynamic control, plus mastery of the 'woman tone' technique with the tone knob.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarblues1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson 1964 Firebird I
AmpMarshall JTM45 (KT66 tubes) into 4x12 cabinet
PickupsGibson Firebird mini-humbucker (single bridge pickup)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6.5
mid7
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live performance, 1968, Cream Farewell Tour (Fillmore, 'Wheels of Fire' live recording). Clapton used the Firebird I for the solo section. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp overdrive. No studio overdubs; this is a live recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainwoman tone (rolled back tone knob)fat, mid-forward lead soundsmooth, violin-like solo voicetouch-sensitive dynamicsaggressive pick attackclassic British blues-rock crunchraw, uncompressed amp drivebridge pickup biteno audible reverb or delay
Difficulty
The solo requires fast, accurate blues phrasing at a high tempo, with expressive bends, vibrato, and dynamic control, plus mastery of the 'woman tone' technique with the tone knob.
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