GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
My Father's Eyes Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster (Lace Sensor Gold pickups, mid-boost circuit)
Pickups
Fender Lace Sensor Gold single-coils with active mid-boost circuit
Amp
Fender Vibro-King
Pickup Position
Position 4 (neck + middle, tone rolled down for 'woman tone')
Studio recording, 1998 (Pilgrim album). Clapton used his signature Strat with Lace Sensors and mid-boost circuit for this era and song. Amp is inferred from era and known studio/live use; no evidence of other amps for this track. No evidence of pedal use for the riff section; mid-boost circuit provides extra gain.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6.5
Gain5
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- creamy and smooth
- thick, mid-rich sustain
- warm, rounded highs
- not harsh or brittle
- slightly compressed
- touch-sensitive
- edge-of-breakup clarity
- full-bodied
- subtle reverb ambience
- dynamic and expressive
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio photo or interview confirms the exact amp for the Pilgrim studio recording, but all evidence from era and live shows points to the Fender Vibro-King.
- Amp settings are taken from Guitar World source as a general Clapton guide for this era and style, not confirmed for this exact session.
- No evidence of pedal use for the riff section; all overdrive is likely from amp and mid-boost circuit.
- Pickup position is inferred from tone description and Clapton's typical use for 'woman tone' in this era.
- Presence setting is estimated based on typical Vibro-King usage and era.
- If a different amp or pedal was used in the studio, no source confirms it for this song's riff section.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Clapton's 'My Father's Eyes' riff features a warm, slightly overdriven blues-rock tone typical of his late 90s Strat/clean Fender or Soldano setup, with pronounced mids, rounded treble, and moderate reverb for space. The gain is set just at the edge of breakup, emphasizing clarity and touch sensitivity.