Stevie Ray Vaughan's iconic tone comes from a blend of specific gear choices, unique physical playing techniques, and a half-step down tuning, all contributing to a fat, dynamic, and articulate sound
-
Guitar Model: SRV's primary guitar, "Number One," was a
Fender Stratocasterwith a 1963 body, a 1962 neck, and 1959 pickups. The signature model features similar "Early-'60s oval" neck profile and Texas Special pickups to emulate this sound.
-
Pickups: The original pickups were low-output 1959 Fender single-coils, known for their clarity. Fender's custom-designed, overwound
Texas Special single-coil pickupswith alnico 5 magnets are often used in signature models and replicas to capture the "big Texas-blues tone with dynamically scorching output".
- Strings and Action: A crucial element was his use of very heavy-gauge strings, typically a custom set ranging from .013 to .058 (with a plain G string). This, combined with a high action, allowed the strings to vibrate fully for maximum sustain and a robust tone, though it required significant finger strength.
- Tuning: He consistently tuned his guitar a half-step down to Eb standard (Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, Eb), which provided a deeper, more resonant sound and aided in string bending with the heavy gauges.
- Hardware: "Number One" also featured a left-handed tremolo bridge (for a different feel and angle with the tremolo bar above the strings) and the bridge was set flat against the body with all five springs to increase mass and sustain
-
Amps: SRV famously used a mix of Fender tube amps (
Vibroverbs, , and occasionally a ) and high-wattage Dumble Steel String Singer amps.
- Settings/Volume: He ran his amps extremely loud, often with the volume at 7 or higher, pushing them to the point of natural tube overdrive (edge of breakup). A typical clean setting might have the Treble around 9, Mids at 6-8, and Bass around 5-6.
-
Pedals: His primary effect was an
pedal (
,
TS9, or ) which he used with the gain set low and the volume boosted to push the front end of his amps for extra sustain and mid-range boost. He also frequently used aVox wah pedaland aFender Vibratone rotating speaker cabinetfor a swirling, three-dimensional effect (notably on "Cold Shot").
- Technique: Perhaps the most important factor was his aggressive, dynamic picking attack and strong fretting hand. He used the round edge of a pick and a powerful vibrato technique, which contributed significantly to the "tone is in your fingers" aspect of his sound.