Riff Tone
Honey Bee
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
Guitarblues1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1963 Fender Stratocaster 'Number One'
AmpFender Vibroverb (Blackface, 1964, 2x10” speakers, often with one replaced by a JBL D110F)
PickupsFender single-coil (vintage-style, stock 1960s Strat pickups)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass7
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording, 1984; 'Honey Bee' was recorded for the 'Couldn't Stand the Weather' album. SRV's main studio rig for this era was his 'Number One' Strat into a Fender Vibroverb, often with an Ibanez Tube Screamer for edge-of-breakup blues tone. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and punchyslightly compressed attacktouch-sensitive and dynamicfat midrange presencearticulate single-coil clarityTexas blues crunchpercussive and aggressiveopen, uncompressed Strat toneslight amp breakup on hard pickingminimal reverb, mostly dry
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, precise shuffle picking, strong left-hand muting, and dynamic control to achieve SRV's signature touch-sensitive tone. The tempo and rhythmic drive make it challenging for most players.
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Original Gear
Guitar1963 Fender Stratocaster 'Number One'
AmpFender Vibroverb (Blackface, 1964, 2x10” speakers, often with one replaced by a JBL D110F)
PickupsFender single-coil (vintage-style, stock 1960s Strat pickups)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass7
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording, 1984; 'Honey Bee' was recorded for the 'Couldn't Stand the Weather' album. SRV's main studio rig for this era was his 'Number One' Strat into a Fender Vibroverb, often with an Ibanez Tube Screamer for edge-of-breakup blues tone. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and punchyslightly compressed attacktouch-sensitive and dynamicfat midrange presencearticulate single-coil clarityTexas blues crunchpercussive and aggressiveopen, uncompressed Strat toneslight amp breakup on hard pickingminimal reverb, mostly dry
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, precise shuffle picking, strong left-hand muting, and dynamic control to achieve SRV's signature touch-sensitive tone. The tempo and rhythmic drive make it challenging for most players.
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