Fender announces EC Series Eric Clapton amplifiers

Fender has just announced the arrival of the new EC Series Eric Clapton signature guitar amplifiers. The three tweed tube amps - the EC Twinolux, EC Tremolux and EC Vibro-Champ - are Clapton's first signature amps, and bear his own distinctive design touches.

See the EC Series Eric Clapton amps in pictures

PRESS RELEASE: Each is a specific variation based on three classic Fender tweed tube amps of the 1950s - the '57 Twin, '57 Deluxe and the '57 Champ. Clapton has frequently favored these original amps for specific sounds at various points throughout his amazingly varied career, and the new EC Series amps represent both reverence for his musical legacy and the finest in Fender guitar amp craftsmanship.

All three amps are handmade in the United States, with interesting mods under the hood specified by Clapton himself. These include a '50s-era output tube bias tremolo circuit (which produces a more throbbing pulse than later Fender tremolo circuits) and a switchable power attenuator that reduces speaker output (and can disable one speaker in EC Twinolux for even lower output).

The 2x12" EC Twinolux, 1x12" EC Tremolux and 1x8" EC Vibro-Champ are single-channel amps with high-gain and low-gain inputs, hand-wired all-tube circuitry on eyelet boards with premium components, custom transformers, and premium tubes and speakers.

The EC Tremolux has fixed bias for increased headroom and an internal speaker disconnect that allows use of an external 8-ohm speaker enclosure. The EC Vibro-Champ has an internal speaker disconnect that allows use of an external 4-ohm speaker enclosure, and a footswitch jack for an optional tremolo footswitch.

All three EC Series amps have a cosmetic treatment that elegantly befits an artist of Clapton's stature. Each is ruggedly built with a finger-joined solid pine enclosure, and each authentically evokes Fender's original 1950s golden era with lacquered tweed covering, vintage-style brown/gold grille cloth and a leather strap handle.

And in the most outwardly visible personal touch, each amp bears an "EC Series" badge at front lower right and Clapton's signature on the control panel. Each amp also includes a deluxe fitted cover.

Learn more about the Fender EC Series Eric Clapton signature amps at Fender.com

Submit a press release: email musicrader.pressreleases@futurenet.com

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Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.