Eric’s most recent world tour took place between 5 May 2006 and 6 April 2007. Throughout the tour, Eric used the following equipment on stage:
Signature Fender Stratocasters, some of which were set up for slide
Martin Acoustics - EC signature models, including the Bellezza Nera
Fender Custom Shop Tweed Twin Amp (1957 Tweed Reissue)
Leslie Speaker
Samson wireless pack
Vox Wah Wah Pedal
Boss TR-2 Tremelo Pedal
Box to switch from the amp to the Leslie or to select both
On some of the dates in 2007, Eric played a white Stratocaster with gold anodized scratchplate. According to his blog, it was a gift from his wife and daughters at Christmas 2006.
Since 2004, Eric has been using a Carlos Juan CP-1 Pickup in the Bellezza Nera. These pickups are handbuilt in Germany by Carlos at his American Guitar Center. The Eric Clapton Signature Stratocasters are equipped with Fender Vintage Noiseless Pickups.
For the Cream Reunion Shows in May and October 2005, Eric changed his set-up a bit from when he toured in 2004 as a solo act. Available to him were four Fender Stratocasters (black strats, 2 were set up for slide), a Fender Custom Shop Tweed Twin Amp (1957 Tweed Reissue), Leslie Speaker, Samson wireless pack, Jimi Hendrix Wah Wah Pedal, and a box to switch from the amp to the Leslie or to select both.
During the 2004 World Tour, Eric used Cornell Amplifiers with Tone Tubby Speakers with hemp cones inside the cabinets for his electric guitars. Built by Dennis Cornell, the Eric Clapton Custom 80 (Single Channel) looks very much like a Fender Twin, but sounds bluer with a lot more middle. Designed to his exact specifications, the Custom 80 is made from birch ply and covered in “fender tweed” that is treated to look old. He first used the Cornell / Eric Clapton Custom 80 at the Party At The Palace in June 2002. It is available from the manufacturer in both single channel and twin-channel models. In addition to this amp, Eric used a Fender Woody for the Robert Johnson set in the middle of each concert during his 2004 World Tour.
His effects pedals for the 2004 tour were limited to a tri-stereo chorus (Boss Chorus CE-3), a Leslie pedal, a Jim Dunlop 535 Crybabywah-wah pedal (6 way selectable) and a box to switch from the amp to the Leslie or to select both. Eric does not use an overdrive pedal. He gets all of the overdrive from the 25dB boost in his guitar, a Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster. Eric used a Samson Synthetics wireless system on stage. His Martin 000-28EC goes through an Avalon DI box.
During the 2001 Reptile Tour, several changes were made in his stage set-up. Eric initially started out using copies of his old Fender Tweed Twins, built by Fender under the supervision of John Suhr. Part way through the tour, Eric went off of them and started using 3 x 10 Fender Vibro Kings with 2x12 extension cabinets built by the Fender Custom Shop. He also continued to use a Leslie speaker driven by a Marshall JCM800 Lead Series 1959 head. Due to its proximity on stage to drummer Steve Gadd, the box was also soundproofed.
