Tears in Heaven Settings Resource
Amp, Guitar, and Pedals
Song: Tears in Heaven
Artist: Eric Clapton
Amp Model/Type: None
Guitar Type/Style: Acoustic
Pedals/Effects: None
Tears in Heaven Amp Settings Suggestions
- Mesa Boogie: Mesa amps often have controls for Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, and Gain. Suggested settings – Bass: 4, Mid: 5, Treble: 6, Presence: 3, Gain: 2
- Diezel VH4: Diezel amps typically include Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, and Gain for each channel. Suggested settings – Bass: 5, Mid: 6, Treble: 5, Presence: 3, Gain: 3
- Fender Twin Reverb: Classic warm clean tone with Bass, Treble, Reverb, and Volume. Suggested settings – Bass: 4, Treble: 6, Reverb: 3, Volume: 3
- Vox AC30: Features include Bass, Treble, Cut, and Volume controls. Suggested settings – Bass: 5, Treble: 7, Cut: 4, Volume: 3
- Marshall DSL40: Offers Gain, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Presence. Suggested settings – Gain: 3, Volume: 2, Bass: 5, Mid: 4, Treble: 6, Presence: 3
- None (Generic amp EQ): Basic 3-band EQ with Bass, Mid, and Treble. Suggested settings – Bass: 5, Mid: 4, Treble: 6
Set your amp's output first (master), channel volume, then your EQ.
Guitar-Related Tone Tips
1. Volume
- Set to moderate level for fingerstyle playing
- Ensure clean, even output without distortion
- If using an acoustic-electric, match amp volume to preserve natural tone
2. Tone
- Warm and mellow tone with clarity in the upper mids
- Roll off excessive treble for a smoother sound
- Use light reverb if amplified to imitate live sound feel
3. Pickup Selector
- Not applicable for a purely acoustic guitar
- If using an acoustic-electric, use neck or piezo pickup for maximum warmth
- Select pickup position that captures the natural body resonance
4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?
- Single coil tones offer more clarity and articulation for fingerpicking
- Piezo pickup in an acoustic-electric will more accurately capture Clapton’s clean tone
- Humbuckers not typically used for this acoustic ballad style
5. Ideal Guitar Type
- Steel-string acoustic guitar recommended
- Eric Clapton commonly used a Martin OM or similar auditorium-style guitar
- Smaller body size helps deliver warm, balanced tone with articulation
Gear Recommended for Covering Tears in Heaven
- Fender Stratocaster: Ideal for clean, warm tones with smooth articulation.
- Martin D-28 Acoustic: Rich, balanced acoustic tone perfect for fingerpicking.
- Boss CE-2W Chorus Pedal: Adds depth and shimmer for a fuller clean sound.
- TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb: Provides ambient space, emulating live acoustics.
- Fender Blues Junior Amp: Compact tube amp with warm clean tones and responsive dynamics.
- LR Baggs Anthem Pickup: High-quality acoustic pickup system capturing nuanced dynamics.
- Dunlop Nylon Picks (0.60mm): Soft attack suited for gentle fingerstyle passages.
- Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Strings: Balanced tension for electric guitar clarity and playability.
Tone Tips and Best Practices
- Use a clean, warm guitar tone with minimal effects.
- Choose fingerstyle picking for authenticity and dynamics.
- Use light compression to even out volume inconsistencies.
- Select a neck pickup or position 4 on a Strat-style guitar for a mellow sound.
- Add slight reverb to emulate natural room ambiance.
- Keep gain and distortion off to preserve clarity and emotion.
- Use fresh strings for articulate highs and warmth.
- Set EQ with slight mid boost, soft highs, and rolled-off lows.
- Maintain clean articulation on arpeggios and melodic phrases.
- Play with subtle dynamics to convey emotional depth.
More Amp and Tone Settings Resources
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amp Settings
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Artists & Amp Settings
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