Stevie Ray Vaughan is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and his influence on the world of blues and rock music is still felt today. Vaughan was known for his passionate and intense style of playing, and his powerful solos and riffs helped to redefine the genre of blues-rock. In this article, we will take a closer look at the equipment that Vaughan used to achieve his signature sound.
Guitars
Vaughan was known for his love of Fender Stratocaster guitars, and he was often seen playing a variety of different models throughout his career. One of his most famous guitars was a 1963 Fender Stratocaster that he nicknamed “Number One.” This guitar was famously beaten up and worn down over the years, and Vaughan often had to make repairs to keep it in playing condition.
Vaughan also played a variety of other Stratocaster models, including a 1965 Stratocaster that he nicknamed “Lenny” and a 1962 Stratocaster that he used for slide guitar work. He also played a Gibson ES-335 on occasion, which he used for a warmer, jazzier sound.
Amplifiers
Vaughan’s amplifier of choice was the Fender Super Reverb, which he used for much of his career. He also used a Fender Vibroverb and a Fender Vibro-King at different times. Vaughan was known for cranking his amps up to high volumes to achieve his signature sound, and he often used overdrive pedals to push the amp into distortion.
Effects Pedals
Vaughan was known for using a variety of effects pedals to achieve his signature sound. One of his most famous pedals was the Ibanez Tube Screamer, which he used to boost the signal of his guitar and push the amp into overdrive. He also used a Vox wah-wah pedal, which he used to create his distinctive “wah-wah” sound.
Other pedals that Vaughan used included the MXR Phase 90, which he used for his signature phaser sound, and the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus pedal, which he used to add depth and dimension to his sound.
Strings and Picks
Vaughan used a variety of different strings over the years, but he was particularly associated with using heavy gauge strings. He often used GHS Boomers with a gauge of .013-.058. These heavy strings helped to give his playing a thicker, more powerful sound, and they allowed him to bend notes more easily.
Vaughan also used a variety of different picks over the years, but he was particularly associated with using a heavy gauge pick made by Fender. He often held the pick at an angle, which helped him to achieve his signature sound.
Stevie Ray Vaughan was a true master of the guitar, and his equipment played a crucial role in helping him to achieve his signature sound. His love of Fender Stratocasters and his use of heavy strings and high-volume amplifiers helped to give his playing a powerful and dynamic sound. His use of effects pedals and his skillful use of phrasing and dynamics also helped to make his playing unique and distinctive. Today, his influence can still be heard in the music of countless guitarists, and his legacy as one of the greatest guitarists of all time continues to grow.