Riff Tone

Crossfire

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

Guitarblues1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster 'Number One' (early 1960s, rosewood neck, left-handed tremolo, heavy strings, tuned down half-step)

AmpFender Vibroverb Blackface (x2, 1964, often modded by Cesar Diaz, one driving a Vibratone Leslie cabinet)

PickupsFender single-coil pickups (vintage spec, stock for era)

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass7

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS9 or TS10)

Notes

Studio recording for 'In Step' (1989); main riff section. Guitar is 'Number One' Strat, heavy strings (.013-.058) tuned to Eb. Amp is a pair of 1964 Fender Vibroverbs, one sometimes powering a Vibratone Leslie. Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS9 or TS10) used as main overdrive. No evidence of modulation, delay, or wah on riff section. Studio context, not live.

Tone Character(10)

Texas blues edge-of-breakup crunchfat, punchy midrangetouch-sensitive dynamic responsewarm, glassy Strat neck/middle tonetight, percussive attacksinging sustain on single notesarticulate, not overly compressedslight amp breakup, not high-gainclear note separation under heavy attackclassic SRV 'Texas Flood' style drive

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced rhythm skills, strong hands for heavy strings, and precise dynamic control to achieve the signature SRV shuffle groove and percussive attack.

Sources

SRV Guitars, Tone & Gear – Home Stevie Ray Vaughan Guitars & Gear | Detailed History of Guitars, Amps & Effects | Ground Guitar GALLERY: Stevie Ray Vaughan Gear - Premier Guitar Stevie Ray Vaughan – His Story, His Equipment, His Music - Blues Guitar Insider

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