Originally Posted by: So what is the secret of Clapton's tone? Here's some insight from Benny Rietveld (http://www.bennyworld.com), who plays bass for Santana. As you may know, Clapton played on a track of the new Santana record Supernatural. EC also sat in with the band at Tokoyo's Budokan Theater on April 28, 2000. Benny reports that Eric didn't bring any of his own gear. Instead, he played one of the Santana tour's spare rigs -- a Strat through a Twin Reverb. Benny has heard many well-known guitarists play this setup, but when Clapton plugged in, it immediately sounded like Eric Clapton's guitar.
The moral of Benny's story: It's the player, not the instrument.
anyway, something helpful now... try using Clapton's famed "woman tone" on your neck pup with the tone all the way on zero, your drive cranked, and your settings cranked too.
heres a vid of him explaining it. a bit hard to follow at points though.
http://www.youtube.com/v/t_pAG9cUZKg