Song Rig
Texas Flood
Stevie Ray Vaughan · Texas Flood · 1983
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Raw, heavy-string Texas blues at its most emotionally direct. The Super Reverb barely holds together at stage volume — the amp itself is the main distortion source, not pedals. String gauge and pick attack do more work than any effect.
Signal Chain
- 1Fender Stratocaster "Number One" (13-gauge strings, standard tuning)
- 2Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer (level high, drive low)
- 3Fender Super Reverb 4×10" (cranked past 7)
Amp Settings
Super Reverb pushed to the edge of breakup. The Tube Screamer runs as a clean boost with drive below 3 — it pushes the amp harder rather than adding pedal distortion. Very little spring reverb.
Technique
How to Play It
Upstroke pick attack with heavy thumb pressure on the strings creates the percussive grunt. SRV attacked the strings from below, not on top — it changes the harmonic balance dramatically.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Ibanez TS9 (or Boss BD-2) as clean boost into a Blues Deluxe or Blues Junior cranked near maximum.
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