Replicating the “Slowhand” sound is all about capturing two distinct worlds: the aggressive, creamy “Woman Tone” of his Gibson/Marshall years and the compressed, mid-boosted “Blackie” Strat/Tweed era.
To get the most legendary version of his tone—the 1966 Bluesbreakers and Cream era—we need to look at Audio Assault’s specific British vintage models. Here is your definitive recipe for the Eric Clapton “Woman Tone.” 🔥🎸
1. The Foundation: The “Bluesbreaker” Amp
In 1966, Clapton famously used a Marshall Model 1962 2×12 combo. This amp was essentially a JTM45 circuit in a cabinet.
- Audio Assault Choice: British 45 (Modeled after the Marshall JTM45).
- Why: Unlike the later “Plexis,” the JTM45 uses GZ34 rectifier tubes, which provide a “sag” or compression when you hit a note hard. This is the secret to that “rubbery” feel Clapton had.
The “Beano” EQ Settings
| Control | Setting | The Logic |
| Gain/Volume | 8.0 | You want the amp working hard. It should be thick and crunchy. |
| Bass | 4.0 | Vintage Marshalls can get “farty” if the bass is too high. |
| Middle | 8.0 | Vital. Clapton’s tone is all about the midrange punch. |
| Treble | 5.5 | Just enough to keep the notes from being “muddy.” |
| Presence | 4.0 | Keep this lower to maintain the “creamy” smoothness. |
2. The Cabinet: The 1962 Blues Breaker
You cannot use a 4×12 closed-back cab for this; it will sound too modern and directional. You need the “bloom” of an open-back 2×12.
- Audio Assault IR: MRSHALL1962_BLUES_ALNICO.
- The Speaker: This IR is based on the original Celestion Alnico Silver speakers. They have a softer high-end and a much warmer breakup than the “Greenbacks” Hendrix or EVH used.
- Mic Setup: Use a Ribbon 121 model if available in the 3D cab, or a Dynamic 57 pulled back about 2 inches. This softens the “fizz” and focuses on the warmth.
3. The Secret Ingredient: The “Woman Tone”
This is the most famous part of the recipe, and it actually happens on your guitar, not just the plugin.
- Select the Neck Pickup: (Preferably a Humbucker).
- The Tone Knob Secret: Roll the Tone knob on your guitar all the way down to 0 or 1.
- The Plugin Boost: Add the Integrator (Audio Assault’s booster) at the start of the chain.
- Settings: Keep the Gain at 0, but crank the Level to 7.0. This pushes the British 45 into that smooth, violin-like sustain that never gets “fuzzy.”
4. The “Blackie” Alternative (The Strat Era)
If you prefer his later 70s/80s sound (Lay Down Sally, Cocaine), you need a different approach:
- Amp Choice: USA_TWEED (Based on the Fender Tweed 5C3).
- Pedal: Mini Attack (to simulate the active Mid-Boost circuit found in the Eric Clapton Signature Strat).
- Settings: Run the amp clean (Gain at 3) and use the Mini Attack pedal to “fatten” the single-coil pickups until they sound like a humbucker.
5. Final Polish: The Ambiance
Clapton’s studio recordings were often quite “dry,” but they had a beautiful sense of space.
- Reverb: Use a Vintage Spring reverb module in the FX section.
- Mix: 10–15%. You shouldn’t “hear” the reverb; you should only notice if it’s turned off. It should just make the amp feel like it’s in a real room.
Expert Tip: If you’re using a Stratocaster but want the Cream era tone, try using the Dropped pedal in the Amp Locker to thicken the signal slightly, and always use the neck pickup with the tone rolled off!
Get More Amps from Amp Locker ReAmp 2
The “Creamy Woman Tone” EQ Settings
| Control | Setting | Why? |
| Gain / Volume | 8.0 – 9.0 | Push the preamp hard for natural compression and sustain. |
| Bass | 4.0 | Keep it tight; too much bass will make the tone muddy with high gain. |
| Middle | 9.0 | The Secret. This is the heart of the “Woman Tone”—thick, vocal, and resonant. |
| Treble | 3.0 | Roll it way back on the amp (and guitar) for that smooth, rounded tone. |
| Presence | 5.5 | Just enough to add a little “air” without introducing harshness. |
| Master | 7.0 | Drives the power section for extra girth and sustain. |
