Pressed Rat And Warthog

The recording

Clapton recorded his guitar part for “Pressed Rat and Warthog” at IBC Studios in London during the Wheels of Fire sessions (July–August 1967). He used his 1961 Fender Stratocaster with the neck pickup, rolled back the tone knob and set the volume to full to get a warm, slightly rounded clean tone that sits behind Ginger Baker’s spoken intro. The signal ran through a 1967 Marshall Super Lead 100‑watt head into a 1965 Marshall 4x12 cabinet, giving the track its characteristic mid‑range focus without heavy distortion.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1961 Fender Stratocaster

Guitar

Clapton used this Sunburst 1961 Fender Stratocaster on most Cream studio recordings, and his part on "Pressed Rat and Warthog" was tracked with this instrument.

1967 Marshall Super Lead 100‑watt

Amplifier

The Cream studio sessions were tracked through a 1967 Marshall Super Lead 100‑watt head, providing the bright, slightly overdriven mids heard on the song.

1965 Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

The head was paired with a classic 1965 Marshall 4x12 cabinet, delivering the focused low‑end and pronounced mids that sit behind the vocals.

Alternatives

Fender American Professional II Stratocaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1961 Fender Stratocaster

$1,500 to $1,800

Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

$600 to $800

Marshall JTM45 reissue

Reissue · for the 1967 Marshall Super Lead 100‑watt

$800 to $1,000

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Use the neck pickup and roll back the tone knob for a warm, rounded tone.
2. 2.Let each note ring by using light picking and minimal palm‑muting.
3. 3.Maintain a steady, relaxed picking attack to let the natural amp breakup shine.
4. 4.Position the guitar slightly off‑center to capture subtle stereo ambience in the mix.