Stevie Ray Vaughan - Guitar Setup & Tunings
Quick Facts
- Primary Tuning
- Half Step Down
- String Gauge
- .013, .015, .019p, .028, .038, .058 (Custom heavy gauge)
- String Brand
- GHS Nickel Rockers
- Genre
- Classic Rock
About Stevie Ray Vaughan's Sound
Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954-1990) brought blues back to mainstream rock in the 1980s with his virtuosic playing and passionate performances. His debut album Texas Flood (1983) announced an extraordinary talent who combined the influence of Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, and Buddy Guy into something uniquely powerful. SRV's tone was famously thick and aggressive, achieved through his unusually heavy strings and fierce attack. He battled addiction and emerged clean in 1988, only to die in a helicopter crash in 1990 at age 35. His influence on blues guitar remains immeasurable.
Tunings Used
Eb Standard - 8 songs
- Pride and JoyTry this tuning →
- Texas FloodTry this tuning →
- Couldn't Stand the WeatherTry this tuning →
- Cold ShotTry this tuning →
- The Sky Is CryingTry this tuning →
- Scuttle Buttin'Try this tuning →
- Mary Had a Little LambTry this tuning →
- Rude MoodTry this tuning →
String Setup
Primary Strings
GHS Nickel Rockers
.013, .015, .019p, .028, .038, .058 (Custom heavy gauge)
Why Stevie Ray Vaughan uses these
SRV's use of .013 gauge strings (sometimes going to .012-.062) is legendary - these heavy gauges combined with Eb tuning gave his tone unmatched thickness and sustain. The lighter tension from tuning down balanced the heavy gauges somewhat, but playing SRV's setup still requires significant hand strength. His strings were wound by GHS to his specifications. When his fingers got sore, he'd temporarily drop to .011 gauges. His Stratocasters had higher action than typical, and he used the tremolo bar extensively. Super Glue on his fingertips became necessary during long performances.