U2start.com | U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979The interesting thing about the Clapton Strats was that they were used on songs that he usually used Strats
- "...Streets..."

and some that he normally used a humbucker fitted guitar (Explorer or LP)
- "I Will Follow"

Probably because this guitar has a somewhat fatter tone, I think it has an active circuit to boost some frequencies, to make it sound closer to the gibsons eric used to play. You will sure research, if you haven't yet.

RattleandHum1988

17 years

Yea I loved the tone on those babies. In fact, after I get my new strat, I'm putting in Gold Lace Sensors in my old one, and I'm going to get a pickup booster to get that tone! I hope it works, because that was one of the edges holy grails (that tone). I also love the "skeletor" clapton, I love the art on it, its awesome. The red one, I believe that's where the With a red guitar, on fire came from. Also, Bono changed it sometimes to With a red guitar, sometimes vanilla! referring to the yellow one, because Bono used to call it the vanilla guitar during that tour. There's a fun fact for ya!

Alex

AAV711

17 years

A buddy of mine and I went to a Guitar Center a few towns over, I tried out a Casino, a couple of Gretsches, a Fender Bassman amp...but by far the most impressive thing I picked up was the Line 6 700 Variax acoustic. The simulator on this thing is unreal. I had a blast with the sitar. Incredible piece of equipment. If any of you get an opportunity to check this out, don't miss out.

AND my Vox AC50 is at a FedEx processing facility over in Jersey, so I expect delivery tomorrow

anstratdubh1979

17 years

Originally posted by thechicken[..]

Probably because this guitar has a somewhat fatter tone, I think it has an active circuit to boost some frequencies, to make it sound closer to the gibsons eric used to play. You will sure research, if you haven't yet.

As a matter of fact, I do know a few things about the Fender "Eric Clapton" model Stratocaster.

I own one. (beams proudly)

Clapton Strats to have 25db mid-range boost. And the 1988-2000 had active Fender Gold Lace pickups. New Clapton's, post 2000, have Fender's Vintage Noiseless. (Not as good in my view but Eric likes `em)

THIS from wikipedia:
The final product (released in 1988) came with 22 frets and three Fender Gold Lace Sensor pickups powered by an active mid-boost circuit with 25dB of gain and TBX tone controls. These world famous pickups (made by AGI Lace Music Products since 1985) were used exclusively by Fender until 1996. Powerful active 25dB midrange boost and TBX tone circuits (first introduced in 1983 with the shortlived Elite Series instruments, which have been discontinued at the end of 1984) helped augment the tone of the sound delivered, opening up a greater tonal range Clapton desired.

More information on Clapton Strats here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton_Stratocaster

bcgd

17 years

Yeah, yeah, nice guitar

(I kid. Seriously though, REALLY nice guitar. Love the color.)

OK, moving on...

Here's a question that's kinda unique to the bass players. Do you think it matters whether or not when you use a pick?

Obviously on some songs (NYD, Vertigo, Out of Control, etc) it matters but Adam switches it up sometimes. For example during the POPmart tour he was going through his drums 'n bass phase so he'd play songs like "I Will Follow" with his fingers which traditionally is played with a pick. Likewise with WOWY and Streets.

Since it all depends on the vibe of the song your going for I guess it really doesn't matter. I know there's some songs that I feel more comfortable playing with my fingers. Do you feel there's any hard rule on this?

anstratdubh1979

17 years

Originally posted by bcgdYeah, yeah, nice guitar (I kid. Seriously though, REALLY nice guitar. Love the color.)

OK, moving on...

Here's a question that's kinda unique to the bass players. Do you think it matters whether or not when you use a pick?

Obviously on some songs (NYD, Vertigo, Out of Control, etc) it matters but Adam switches it up sometimes. For example during the POPmart tour he was going through his drums 'n bass phase so he'd play songs like "I Will Follow" with his fingers which traditionally is played with a pick. Likewise with WOWY and Streets.

Since it all depends on the vibe of the song your going for I guess it really doesn't matter. I know there's some songs that I feel more comfortable playing with my fingers. Do you feel there's any hard rule on this?

Yes, only pussy's use picks! (KIDDING).

Yeah, there is a definite tone difference when a bass player uses a pick. A combination of both is probably a good thing and will give one more variety. But it's up to your taste.

Adam does at times. I think he still used one for things like New Years Day.

There is no hard rule. What works for you and gives you the tone you like... then that is what is best for you.

In guitar world... Robbie Krieger of the Doors, didn't use a pick during The Doors years. Danny Lanois doesn't use a pick and he can get a whisper to a scream on his guitars. Now ofcourse, they can get that cool Edge scratch that way but you see the point... bass or guitar... whatever gets you what you want to hear is what is best.

LikeASong

17 years

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979As a matter of fact, I do know a few things about the Fender "Eric Clapton" model Stratocaster.
...
I own one. (beams proudly)

Mawhahah xDD

bcgd

17 years

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

Yes, only pussy's use picks! (KIDDING).

Yeah, there is a definite tone difference when a bass player uses a pick. A combination of both is probably a good thing and will give one more variety. But it's up to your taste.

Adam does at times. I think he still used one for things like New Years Day.

There is no hard rule. What works for you and gives you the tone you like... then that is what is best for you.
...bass or guitar... whatever gets you what you want to hear is what is best.

My feelings are pretty much the same. That said more often than not I know Adam use's a pick on most of the songs. This is a byproduct of when he first started playing and his biggest influences, Peter Hook of New Order and JJ Burnel of The Stranglers, both pick players.

I think this is one of those things that falls into the same camp as Edge's guitars. Just because he usually uses a Gibson for a certain song doesn't mean he's never played it on a Strat.

thechicken

17 years

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

As a matter of fact, I do know a few things about the Fender "Eric Clapton" model Stratocaster.

[image]

I own one. (beams proudly)

Clapton Strats to have 25db mid-range boost. And the 1988-2000 had active Fender Gold Lace pickups. New Clapton's, post 2000, have Fender's Vintage Noiseless. (Not as good in my view but Eric likes `em)

THIS from wikipedia:
The final product (released in 1988) came with 22 frets and three Fender Gold Lace Sensor pickups powered by an active mid-boost circuit with 25dB of gain and TBX tone controls. These world famous pickups (made by AGI Lace Music Products since 1985) were used exclusively by Fender until 1996. Powerful active 25dB midrange boost and TBX tone circuits (first introduced in 1983 with the shortlived Elite Series instruments, which have been discontinued at the end of 1984) helped augment the tone of the sound delivered, opening up a greater tonal range Clapton desired.

More information on Clapton Strats here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton_Stratocaster

I presume it needs batteries then.

anstratdubh1979

17 years

Originally posted by thechicken[..]

I presume it needs batteries then.

You are correct sir. It used one of them there 9 volt batteries. As long as you don't leave the cable in the guitar jack all the time, it will last fairly long.

But it is one of the reasons that one can not easily just swap out stock fender single coils for any of the Lace Sensor pickups - There needs to be room for the active circuit and battery. One would best served having Lace Sensor p'ups professionally installed as body work is involved.

While Edge used "Gold Lace Sensor" in the Clapton's, the SILVER Lace Sensors are the one's that model 1970's styule Strat pickups. Gold Lace Sensor p'up are more of a 1950's Stratocaster tone.

The PURPLE would be something that perhaps Edge might use if he went back to Lace Sensors, as it is more like a hotter wound bridge pickup. Many of Edge guitars have had the pickups rewound for more output.

LACE SENSOR info.
Four types of Lace Sensor pickups for Stratocaster were originally manufactured (denoted with an * following the model name), followed by five newer models, each with a different output rating and tone. Lace Sensors are also available for Telecaster, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass and Jazz Bass V.

Gold* - (5.8k) - Classic '50s bell-like Stratocaster tone. Favored by guitar legends Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy, Gold Lace Sensors offer a classic '50s style single-coil sound with glassy bell-like sparkle and chime.

Hot Gold (6.0k) - Similar to the Gold Sensors, with a slightly stronger output. Additionally, the

Hot Golds are also available as a hot bridge unit with 13.2 kΩ impedance giving a higher power and cut.

Silver* - (7.1k) - Fat '70s single-coil Strat sound. Silver Lace Sensors deliver the tone of an overwound Strat pickup with raised output, increased midrange harmonics and bass, expecting more power and less noise with added sustain. Also available as a Hot Silver (12.5k) for a warmer, crunchy sustained sound.

Light Blue (8k) - Warm P-90 soap-bar sound with slightly higher output. In the neck position,

Light Blue Lace Sensors produce jazz and blues tones. The bridge-position pickup is warm and punchy with raised sustain and scooped mids.

Burgundy (8.9k) - Slightly fatter '60s Strat single-coil tone. Burgundy Lace Sensors are normally used in the bridge position.

Blue* - (12.8k) - Slightly increased output with the warmer 1950s humbucking sound in a single-coil configuration. Suitable to use in the neck position, Blue Lace Sensors provide warmth and loudness.

Red* - (14.5k) - Extreme output with a hot humbucker sound. The hottest output of the Sensor Series, Red is the scorcher with high output, lots of midrange harmonics and crunch like a hot humbucking pickup. Red Lace Sensors are perfect for the bridge position when fat, punchy humbucking output is required.

Emerald - (5.7k) - Emerald Lace Sensors emulate the gritty Roadhouse blues/rock tone of a Fender Texas Special pickup without the noise.

Purple - (10.5k) - Used in the bridge position, Purple Lace Sensors had a hot overwound single-coil tone between a Burgundy and Blue Sensor. The neck pickup is specially designed to provide P-90-like tones.

Also available but now discontinued were the "Don Lace" AGI S-100 and S-150 Stratocaster Lace Sensors that were similar to the Lace Sensor Gold set. They had a "Don Lace" logo positioned on the bottom right hand corner of the pickup cover and an AGI logo positioned on the left side of the pickup cover.

The "Don Lace" AGI T-100, TN-100 (5.9K) and T-150 (12.8K) Lace Sensors are the Telecaster versions. These pickups deliver the vintage Tele twang and transform any single-cutaway solid-body guitar into a Fender Telecaster Plus.

According to the original description, "the D-100 (11.7k) and D-150 (14.0k) (also known as Don Lace Signature "Humbuckers") each offer two coils which provide a thick and chewy humbucker sound in dual mode and a creamy smooth sound in split mode. The D-100 fits in almost any humbucker size slot. It's the perfect neck compliment to the D-150. Without becoming overpowering, the D-150 helps overdrive tube preamps to a smooth saturation level while delivering incredible overtones." This "limited edition" pickup was only produced for a short time. A review by Guitar Shop Magazine stated the following; "The D-150 is very even and balanced...had the best sparkle and shimmer of any of the pickups I'd heard before...very warm and smooth." The D100 and D150 were not identical to "Dually Gold" pickups.

At the same time the D series was introduced, the Hemi models (7.0k neck/10.0k Bridge) were also unveiled. "The Hemi humbucker series feature serious vintage humbucker and single coil tones combined into one sleek looking design. The Lace Hemi™ is perfectly blended and easily transitions into, fat soulful vintage blues, classic rock, heavy metal, jazz or country. This new Hemi Humbucker set is one of a kind, due to its single-coil and humbucker-style components. The Hemi Humbucker, named so because of their design and coil winding method, offers bite and an aggressive attack for "Chicken Pickin" Tele type tones, while also being able to transition into smooth blues due to its Strat-like components. The Hemi can give you transparency, sparkle and a good dose of upper end glass. The Hemi also has humbucker-type qualities as in the Bass, Mids & Highs. It puts out a little more in those areas then a PAF making it more smooth and Jazzier but without the gritty tone sometimes found in PAF'S. The Hemi's high end is very prominent. Vintage gauge coil wire, with Lace barium ferrite "HOT" Magnets."

In the 1990s Lace released the "Chrome Dome" Lace Sensors, described as "Gold Lace Sensors on steroids" and the Transensor Series P/J pickup set for electric basses.

The Lace Sensor Bass pickups were an original equipment material on the Fender Plus Series bass guitars.

In the 2000s, Lace released the "Burgundy" and "Light Blue" Lace Sensors, with more jazzy tonal qualities, followed by new pickup designs such as the Alumitone, Power Sensor, Holy Grail, Arena and Drop & Gain series pickups. The Alumitones are also available as a hot bridge pickup and humbucking "Dually". A newest addition in the Alumitone range for 2007 was the Aluma 90, essentially a direct replacement Alumitone humbucker in a P-90 format for guitars equipped with P-90 soapbars.

New for 2008 are the "Emerald" and "Purple" Lace Sensors. The Emerald Sensor is primarily designed to reproduce gritty Texas-style blues tones without the 60-cycle buzz; the Purple is a hot overwound Strat pickup blending a Burgundy with a Blue. The new pickups are also available as a Super Pack set with a reverse-wound Silver Sensor in the middle position for added ultra low-noise operation.

MORE here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lace_Sensor

bcgd

17 years

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

You are correct sir. It used one of them there 9 volt batteries. As long as you don't leave the cable in the guitar jack all the time, it will last fairly long.

I used have a Fernades version of a Gibson Chet Atkins. I can't tell you how many times I went to play it only to find out that the battery was dead because I left the cable plugged in.

anstratdubh1979

17 years

Originally posted by bcgd[..]

I used have a Fernades version of a Gibson Chet Atkins. I can't tell you how many times I went to play it only to find out that the battery was dead because I left the cable plugged in.

Yeah... that or an old school EH Big Muff... it only takes a few times before you learn "CRAP, unplugge the bloody thing!".

Plus, if you leave a guitar plugged in... it's a disaster waiting to happen. EVENTUALLY, you or someone will trip over that chord - sending your guitar to the floor. NOT good.

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