Riff Tone

Scuttle Buttin'

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

Guitarblues1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster 'Number One' (1959 body, 1962 neck, left-handed tremolo)

AmpFender Vibroverb (1964 Blackface, 2x10" speakers, often with Electro-Voice speakers)

PickupsFender single-coil pickups (vintage spec, likely stock or period-correct replacements)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass7

mid7

treble6.5

reverb5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Notes

Studio recording, 1984 (from 'Couldn't Stand the Weather'). SRV's main studio rig for this era was his 'Number One' Strat into a Fender Vibroverb, with an Ibanez Tube Screamer for overdrive and amp spring reverb. No evidence of additional pedals or effects in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulatepercussive and snappytouch-sensitive edge-of-breakupTexas shuffle feelwarm neck pickup claritydynamic response to pickingfluid, wet spring reverbtight low endslight amp breakupno audible modulation or delay

Difficulty

The riff is played at a blistering tempo with demanding alternate picking, intricate string raking, and a relentless Texas shuffle feel, making it one of the most technically challenging blues guitar riffs.