In my own sound the amps have always made the biggest difference in tone....with guitar pickups being the other deciding factor,as far as I'm concerned,effects are icing on the cake.

The Two Rock that Mayer uses is a 6L6 based amp. According to interviews he uses a TS-9 tubescreamer, strat, and the Two Rock. I can almost exactly match the tone on "Good Love" with my Blues Deluxe, tubescreamer, and my strat. That is listening to a recording at least. In a live comparison, it might reveal more difference. Then again, I don't have his brain or fingers.

Thanks, Doc. Could you post that link? I missed that one, I think.

Also, what are you infering by your conclusion that "its got to be the amp"? That his tone is actualy derived by his choice of amps, because that dramatic change in guitars didnt alter his tone? Explain, please.

Thanks.[/quote]

It was a link to YouTube...a Jools Holland Hootenanny Blues Show in 2004.
He's running a clean, passive pickup guitar into that amp, and I hear 'that' tone.....a kind of round, full, bassy effect. Thus I said, it has to be the amp.

That '57Twin imparts a certain 'flavor' to the tone of any guitar. Premier Guitar magazine did a feature on that amp several issues back in which they demonstrated how the amp could be tweaked electronically to 'improve' its tone.

Several of Clapton's Twins were build with aged lumber, though I'm given to understand, by ME, that he is using "stock' gear as well. Clapton's stage guitars do not have a TBX. They have a conventional tone control We agree that the voices of the old Blackie, and both the Lace Sensor equipped, and the Vintage Noiseless equipped guitars will be different to some extent.

What exists as a common denominator is the Twin. I maintain that there is something about the Twin and the way it is EQ'd that contributes to his current sound. It certainly is NOT the same old Brownie with The Dominoes at the Filmore East or the voices of his Gibsons throught those Marshalls in the Cream days.

I have never found, in any discussion of Eric's gear, an accounting of how the Twin is EQ'd. It's a simple circuit. Bass, Mid, Treble...but the proportions have never been described anywhere, to my knowledge. That recipe accounts for part of what we hear.

Doc

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both players play in either position 2 neck/mid or bridge/mid
play with your amp settings, youll get it.

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Tone...Well I am new at all this and still looking for my tone. However this seems to be an area where some logic can be applied.

The Clapton (or for that matter the current Markara) tone many strive for is actually made up of many components. Most of the components can be had by any one of us. Amps, guitar, pups, chords, effects, etc can be bought. I would think that this would allow any one of us, or even a complete novice to pluck an E string and have it sound exactly like Clapton plucking an E string. This is tonal replication.

The problems begin from the fact that we are not digital creatures. Songs are not played from the plucking of a single string. The notes and chords are woven together based on the knowledge and ability of the player. This overall formula (tone + technique) gives each of us a signature sound. If Eric and I (oh God, outside of some fantasies I can't list here, this one is right up near the top) were up on stage and he played a riff and then handed me the guitar, I could replicate the finger positions and picking he just did, but the minute differences in timing, finger pressure, attach with the pick etc, would produce a similar albeit different sound.

In the end, I look at it this way. Short of hiring Mr. Clapton and having him sit in a closet and play while I play air guitar, I will never be able to duplicate his overal sound. The cool thing is that the reverse is also true. My sound is unique. Good or bad or in between, that makes my sound special. When I finish playing Wonderful Tonight or Bell Bottom Blues, I know that I played them with my sound, and that is ok by me.

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2012 American Standard Strat Charcoal Froast
2009 Standard Strat Sunburst Brown
Blues Junior Tweed NOS
2007 Line6 Spider Jam

Not all stuff is easy to buy or afford...Clapton gear included.
I would really like to have one of the '57 Bassman RIs.....made especially for him and a few to benefit his Crossroads rehab place....they just ain't cheap and plentiful,so plucking an E string without that I don't sound like Clapton.