What Guitar Did Stevie Ray Vaughan Use?
Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitar setup is one of the most studied in blues history — specifically because his tone from single-coil Stratocaster pickups through Fender amps was so full, powerful, and distinctive. Understanding his equipment reveals deliberate choices that explain his sound.
Primary Guitar: Number One (1963 Fender Stratocaster)
Year: 1963 body, various neck replacements
Nickname: "Number One" or "First Wife"
Finish: Custom mixed — Sunburst on the original body, heavily worn
Number One is SRV's primary guitar from approximately 1973 until his death in 1990. It appears on virtually every recording.
Key Specifications of Number One:
Neck: 1962 Fender Stratocaster neck (left-handed), installed on the right-handed body. The left-handed neck has a different headstock profile and tuner orientation — the tuners are on the bass side rather than the treble side, giving the headstock a distinctive look.
Pickups: Three Texas Special pickups (SRV was involved in their development) — hotter than standard vintage pickups, with a ceramic pole piece augmentation for more output. Also used original 1959 pickups in the neck position at various points.
Strings: .013–.056 gauge — significantly heavier than standard Stratocaster strings (.009–.010). This is a crucial element of SRV's tone: heavy strings on a Stratocaster require much more picking force, producing a thicker, more magnetic-interaction-heavy signal that his light-gauge contemporaries couldn't replicate.
Tuning: Standard pitch — but tuned down a half step to Eb (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb). All six strings one half step below standard E. This reduces string tension slightly (compensating partially for the heavy gauge) and lowers the pitch to suit his vocal range.
Secondary Guitars
Lenny (1965 Fender Stratocaster)
Named after his wife Lenora. Acquired in 1980 — the guitar was purchased by Lenora and friends for his birthday from a collection of different era Strat parts. Used on the instrumental "Lenny" from Texas Flood (1983).
Condition: Heavily worn, with a striking collection of stickers on the body that SRV added over time.
Current location: Lenny sold at Christie's auction in 2004 for $623,500.
Charley (1935 National Steel Guitar)
SRV's resonator guitar — used for slide work and acoustic Texas blues style. The original acoustic resonator tone that predated electric guitar amplification.
Scotch (1959 Fender Stratocaster)
A late-1950s Strat used as a backup and for specific studio sessions. Similar spec to Number One but earlier production date.
Strings and Setup
The string gauge choice is the single most impactful physical element of SRV's tone:
- Gauge: .013–.056 (or heavier on lower strings — some accounts report .013–.058)
- Manufacturer: GHS Nickel Rockers (his endorsed string)
- Tuning: Standard but Eb (half step down)
Effect on tone: Heavier strings move more slowly, interact more powerfully with the pickup's magnetic field, and produce more signal. Combined with the Stratocaster's relatively low-output single-coil pickups, the heavy strings produce a thicker, more compressed signal than a lighter gauge setup.
Setup implication: .013 gauge strings on a Stratocaster require neck relief adjustment, nut slots widened, and typically a truss rod tweak. SRV's Number One had setup work done specifically for the heavy string gauge.
The Fender SRV Stratocaster Signature
Fender produces the SRV Stratocaster in the American Vintage series:
- Neck: V-profile (SRV used a V-neck on Number One)
- Pickups: Texas Special pickups (developed with SRV)
- Body: Alder
- Price: Approximately £1,300–1,500
Why the Heavy Strings Matter More Than the Guitar
The specific detail that separates SRV's tone from a generic Stratocaster sound is the combination of extremely heavy strings, aggressive picking force, and the Eb tuning that partially compensates for the resulting tension — not the guitar itself. Heavier strings move more slowly and displace more magnetic field around the pickup, producing a stronger, thicker signal than the same pickups would generate under light strings. This is precisely why single-coil Stratocaster pickups, normally associated with a thinner, brighter tone, produce something closer to humbucker-level thickness and power in SRV's hands.
This also explains why simply buying a Number One replica or an SRV Signature Strat doesn't fully replicate the tone — the string gauge and picking force are doing at least as much work as the guitar's specific hardware, and both require deliberate physical adaptation most players haven't built up.
Common Mistakes
Buying an SRV Signature Stratocaster and expecting the tone to appear automatically. As explained above, the string gauge and aggressive picking technique are doing significant tonal work — the correct guitar without the heavier strings and harder attack gets you only partway to the actual sound.
Jumping straight to .013 gauge strings without a proper setup adjustment. As the FAQ below notes, this gauge genuinely requires more neck relief and often wider nut slots — installing heavy strings on an unmodified setup risks buzzing, tuning instability, and unnecessary playing difficulty rather than an authentic result.
Overlooking the Eb tuning as an optional detail. The half-step-down tuning isn't incidental — it partially compensates for the added tension of the heavy strings, making them playable at all, while also matching SRV's vocal range on record. Skipping it makes the heavy strings meaningfully harder to bend and play.
Assuming all of SRV's tone came from Number One specifically. As the guide notes, he used several distinct guitars (Lenny, Charley, Scotch) for different purposes — attributing his entire sound to one specific 1963 Stratocaster overlooks how much of the character came from his strings, technique, and amp choices across all of them.
ToneStakr's Take
For players chasing this tone, prioritize the string gauge and tuning over hunting for period-correct guitar specs — a genuinely heavy string gauge (starting at .011 or .012 if .013 feels too aggressive at first) tuned to Eb, played with real picking force, gets you audibly closer to SRV's character than a spec-accurate guitar with standard light strings ever will. Build up to the full .013 gauge gradually rather than jumping straight to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gauge strings did Stevie Ray Vaughan use?
.013-.056, tuned down a half step to Eb. This is significantly heavier than the .009-.010 gauge most Stratocaster players use, and it's one of the most important physical elements of his tone.
What is "Number One"?
SRV's primary 1963 Fender Stratocaster, his main guitar for virtually his entire career and the instrument heard on the vast majority of his recordings. It has a distinctive left-handed neck installed on a right-handed body.
Can I play with .013 gauge strings on a regular Strat?
Yes, but you'll need a setup adjustment first — the heavier gauge typically requires more neck relief, wider nut slots, and potentially a truss rod adjustment to play comfortably and avoid buzzing. A luthier can handle this for roughly £40-60.
Should I start with .013 gauge strings immediately, or work up to them?
Working up gradually is more sensible for most players — jumping straight from .009s or .010s to .013s is a significant physical adjustment for your fretting and picking hands. Trying .011 or .012 gauge first lets you build the necessary strength and technique before committing to the full SRV gauge.
Does the Fender SRV Signature Stratocaster come with heavy-gauge strings installed?
No — like most production guitars, it ships with a standard lighter gauge. The Texas Special pickups and V-profile neck replicate Number One's hardware specifications, but achieving the full tone still requires restringing to a heavier gauge and adjusting technique accordingly.
Why did SRV tune down a half step instead of playing in standard tuning?
The Eb tuning slightly reduces string tension, partially compensating for the added stiffness of the heavy .013 gauge strings and making them more comfortable to bend — while also conveniently matching his vocal range for singing over the material.