Song Rig
Badge
Eric Clapton · Goodbye · 1969
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Leslie speaker cabinet + wah creates the swirling, trembling character of the intro chord — one of the earliest uses of a rotating speaker on a rock guitar recording. The middle section solo is straight cranked-Marshall Les Paul. Written with George Harrison, Badge represents the transition from raw Cream blues to the more textured Blind Faith and Clapton solo work.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson Les Paul (bridge pickup)
- 2Leslie 145 rotating speaker cabinet
- 3Vox wah (middle section)
- 4Marshall Super Lead 100W
Amp Settings
The intro guitar runs through a Leslie rotating speaker rather than the Marshall — the amp handles the middle solo section. Marshall at high gain for the solo; the Les Paul bridge pickup at full volume produces the warm, saturated lead tone. Leslie effect was achieved by running the signal through an organ's Leslie cabinet.
Technique
How to Play It
The intro riff requires precise pick attack with the Leslie spinning at slow speed — chord changes need to be clean as the Leslie blur covers sloppiness less than reverb does.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Boss RT-20 (Leslie sim, slow rotation) for the intro into a Blues Junior at 8 gain. The middle solo: Les Paul bridge pickup into any amp cranked past 7.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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