Solo Tone

Old Love

Eric Clapton

Guitarblues1980s

Original Gear

GuitarEric Clapton Signature Fender Stratocaster (1988-1990, Lace Sensor Gold pickups, mid-boost circuit, maple neck)

Amp1958 Fender Twin 5F8-4 (Tweed Twin, Cesar Diaz modded, used in studio and live 1989-1990)

PickupsFender Lace Sensor Gold single coils with active mid-boost circuit

Amp Settings

gain5

bass6.5

mid7

treble6

reverb3.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveChandler Chandler Tube Driver

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio and live rigs for 'Old Love' (Journeyman, 1989) both centered on the Tweed Twin; Clapton's Strat had active mid-boost and Lace Sensors. No evidence of other guitars or amps for this solo section. Effects chain likely included Tube Driver and delay for solo. Settings estimated from era and forum consensus.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainwarm and smooth neck pickuptouch-sensitiveslightly compressedfluid, expressive bendsdynamic response to pickingclear note separationmild breakup with claritynot high-gain, but saturatedvocal-like phrasing

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced blues phrasing, expressive bends, and dynamic control to achieve Clapton's vocal-like sustain and touch sensitivity, as well as precise timing to blend with the delay effect.