Customer Kudos
"zZounds has EXCELLENT pricing and payment plans that make any instrument affordable. Not to mention, their customer service department is really efficient, friendly & helpful."
April 11, 2026
zZounds' Iconic Rigs: Eric Clapton
Get the gear -- and tone -- of Slowhand!
Look up any "greatest guitarists" list by any publication, and more likely than not, you'll find Eric Clapton somewhere near the top of the list. Forever a blues purist, Clapton has made blues guitar playing his life's calling, resulting in three Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions (solo, Cream, and the Yardbirds) and millions of records sold worldwide.
From Gibson to Fender to Marshall, Clapton has had his hands on a ton of guitars and amps throughout his career. zZounds' Iconic Rigs Series explores the gear you can use to land the classic Slowhand tone!
Want to nail Slowhand's signature tone, but don't want to sell your soul at the Crossroads for vintage gear? Check out our exclusive video over at the zZounds Blog, where we cook up Clapton's sound with an affordable guitar and an amp based on his classic Marshall.
Get Eric Clapton's tone on a budget:
Check out more artists in our Iconic Rigs video series »
From Gibson to Fender to Marshall, Clapton has had his hands on a ton of guitars and amps throughout his career. zZounds' Iconic Rigs Series explores the gear you can use to land the classic Slowhand tone!
Want to nail Slowhand's signature tone, but don't want to sell your soul at the Crossroads for vintage gear? Check out our exclusive video over at the zZounds Blog, where we cook up Clapton's sound with an affordable guitar and an amp based on his classic Marshall.
Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Auditorium
Typically, when you think of acoustic Clapton, his performance from MTV's Unplugged in the '90s is brought to mind. His 1939 Martin 000-42 sang with a beautiful clarity and balance, and provided a considerable foundation for his iconic performance.
While not the 000-42 model, the Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature model is quite close and is perfect for fingerstyle playing. The small body shape is incredibly comfortable, and the fit and finish of the guitar adheres to Martin's high standard of quality. The Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides give this guitar a balanced tone that is crisp but still bold and organic. And, with a much more wallet-friendly price tag than a pre-war 000-42, you can pick up one of these guitars without taking out a second mortgage.
Own it for $4,199.99 or 18 payments of $233.33!
While not the 000-42 model, the Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature model is quite close and is perfect for fingerstyle playing. The small body shape is incredibly comfortable, and the fit and finish of the guitar adheres to Martin's high standard of quality. The Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides give this guitar a balanced tone that is crisp but still bold and organic. And, with a much more wallet-friendly price tag than a pre-war 000-42, you can pick up one of these guitars without taking out a second mortgage.
Own it for $4,199.99 or 18 payments of $233.33!
Marshall 1959HW Handwired Plexi
The Marshall 1959 Plexi amplifier seems to be a common thread running through many of the iconic rigs of our guitar heroes. Around the time Cream was formed in 1966, Eric started playing these 100-watt monsters. Cranking the volume on this head really gets the power tubes going, creating a powerful, distinct tone. Combined with the rolled-off tone of his guitars, this technique largely contributed to how Clapton achieved his classic "woman tone."
The 1959 Plexis made today offer the same rude tone with generous helpings of volume as its older counterparts. Plug into this amp and you'll have no trouble finding a great-sounding tone, no matter what you're going for.
The 1959 Plexis made today offer the same rude tone with generous helpings of volume as its older counterparts. Plug into this amp and you'll have no trouble finding a great-sounding tone, no matter what you're going for.
Vox V847A Wah Pedal
Typically, Clapton doesn't use too many effects, but during his time in Cream, he would usually have a Vox wah between his guitar and amp. You can hear his wah playing peppered throughout Cream's catalogue, most notably on their hit "White Room."
Vox's modern V847A wah pedal has been carefully designed to replicate the smooth, psychedelic tones of the era. Try one out for yourself and hear how close you can get to Slowhand's epic wah growl.
Own it for $179.99 or 6 payments of $30.00!
Vox's modern V847A wah pedal has been carefully designed to replicate the smooth, psychedelic tones of the era. Try one out for yourself and hear how close you can get to Slowhand's epic wah growl.
Own it for $179.99 or 6 payments of $30.00!
