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SRV Killer Tone On This Night

by John Durham
29 replies
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Every other Saturday or Sunday I find myself obsessed with a different guitarist... this weekend it has been SRV again.

If there is anything that sucks about playing music its that you can never depend on your tone to be the same every night, so sometimes you have to play your heart out even though your tone isnt what you want.

I have noticed Stevie ALWAYS played his heart out, but this was one of those nights when the sound man was blessing him with some serious killer tone. One of his techs built this strat for him, and I believe they passed away so he honored them nightly by playing some on this one..., and it sounds awesome, but its not the strat itself, because it sounds like his other one pretty much, in most vids...it's just a good night for guitar sound thats all. Some nights you just get that lucky awesome tone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26_WysFTz8
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

    Every other Saturday or Sunday I find myself obsessed with a different guitarist... this weekend it has been SRV again.

    If there is anything that sucks about playing music its that you can never depend on your tone to be the same every night, so sometimes you have to play your heart out even though your tone isnt what you want.

    I have noticed Stevie ALWAYS played his heart out, but this was one of those nights when the sound man was blessing him with some serious killer tone. One of his techs built this strat for him, and I believe they passed away so he honored them nightly by playing some on this one..., and it sounds awesome, but its not the strat itself, because it sounds like his other one pretty much...it's just a good night for guitar sound thats all. Some nights you just get that lucky awesome tone.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26_WysFTz8
    SRV is one of my 5 favorite guitar players...I actually like him when he plays on his old strat better:

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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      SRV is one of my 5 favorite guitar players...I actually like him when he plays on his old strat better:

      Stevie Ray Vaughan - Scuttle Buttin' - YouTube
      Killer. Thanks Kurt. Was just checking that vid too. I have been watching all his interviews... The Original strat is what the whole industry referred to as Stevies wife. I believe it was his first strat.

      When I was younger I knew I liked SRV but never really knew why... today I get it though. This man was just an intense tone monster. Even vocally.

      Plus he was a really good person.

      He went from needing a gram of coke in a shot of whiskey just to wake up in the morning, to really changing his life around and helping alot of alcoholics... In the end he was the best he had ever been. Shame he had to leave so soon after.
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      • Profile picture of the author bravo75
        Man, I just wrote a great reply and for some reason it messed up and didn't post.

        True what you say about him being a really good guy. Quite shy. Reminds me a bit of Jimi in interviews sometimes. As a matter of fact, I used to think he was trying to act like Jimi. Although I know that's just the way he was.
        Really a shame he died so young. After kicking his coke booze habit, it seemed he had a new lease on life..
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post

          Man, I just wrote a great reply and for some reason it messed up and didn't post.

          True what you say about him being a really good guy. Quite shy. Reminds me a bit of Jimi in interviews sometimes. As a matter of fact, I used to think he was trying to act like Jimi. Although I know that's just the way he was.
          Really a shame he died so young. After kicking his coke booze habit, it seemed he had a new lease on life..
          Really did seem he had a new lease on life Bravo. I have listened to him alot but just this weekend have really LEARNED alot about him. Such an amazing disposition he was ALL about the music.

          I agree Bravo, I believe probably Jimmie was his hero, and he probably did try to be him in many ways.... I only realized today how he got alot of his style from Albert King too... Alot of licks that a guitar player would wonder "How did he think of turning it around like that"... I found out, it came from Albert king who played his strings backwards and so his bends sounded different, they have different emphasis in places than most guitarists would. SRV nails them though, with the strings on the RIGHT way...and they sound cool because they were designed by King to be played backwards... its a little different dynamics with the string tension on these notes... because SRV pushes the notes upward, while king pulls them down...

          I better go guys...Im obsessed enough on my own without driving you crazy too. Lol

          Just wanted to share.

          Here's an interview where his energy is all clean and shiny.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhffhhnibQY
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          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            Really did seem he had a new lease on life Bravo. I have listened to him alot but just this weekend have really LEARNED alot about him. Such an amazing disposition he was ALL about the music.

            I agree Bravo, I believe probably Jimmie was his hero, and he probably did try to be him in many ways.... I only realized today how he got alot of his style from Albert King too... Alot of licks that a guitar player would wonder "How did he think of turning it around like that"... I found out, it came from Albert king who played his strings backwards and so his bends sounded different, they have different emphasis in places than most guitarists would. SRV nails them though, with the strings on the RIGHT way...and they sound cool because they were designed by King to be played backwards... its a little different dynamics with the string tension on these notes... because SRV pushes the notes upward, while king pulls them down...

            I better go guys...Im obsessed enough on my own without driving you crazy too. Lol

            Just wanted to share.

            Here's an interview where his energy is all clean and shiny.

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhffhhnibQY
            It's funny...I was just watching a couple of videos from Buddy Guy. Buddy is known for impersonating other blues guitar players' styles and I just watched videos of Buddy playing both SRV and Albert King.

            Buddy Guy is another player with great tone...and was a big influence on Jimi.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Killer. Thanks Kurt. Was just checking that vid too. I have been watching all his interviews... The Original strat is what the whole industry referred to as Stevies wife. I believe it was his first strat.

        When I was younger I knew I liked SRV but never really knew why... today I get it though. This man was just an intense tone monster. Even vocally.

        Plus he was a really good person.

        He went from needing a gram of coke in a shot of whiskey just to wake up in the morning, to really changing his life around and helping alot of alcoholics... In the end he was the best he had ever been. Shame he had to leave so soon after.

        A big part of why I love blues so much is because the way the guitar players often play lead, rhythm and sing at the same time. Singing and playing at the same time is harder than many people think and is often taken for granted.

        And players like SRV have good voices and create a rhythm while playing lead, doing by themselves what many bands have 3 members doing.

        I compare SRV to the comedian Sam Kinnison in a way...Both seemed to have beat their demons with drugs and alcohol, only to die in accidents a few months later.
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  • Profile picture of the author bravo75
    Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

    Every other Saturday or Sunday I find myself obsessed with a different guitarist... this weekend it has been SRV again.

    Some nights you just get that lucky awesome tone.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26_WysFTz8
    Know what you mean. Sometimes it all just seems to come together. It's like that with almost everything.
    I was watching Liverpool v. Southampton today and Liverpool were hitting all the right notes, but just couldn't hit that tone.

    Awesome video btw. On fire that night was old Stevie boy! His vocals were bang on as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Yeah Kurt, this weekends path has also lead down the Buddy Guy rabbit hole (Great one). Whole new level of respect for blues this weekend and understanding.

    It kills me, I was trying to explain blues to my sister, and why they prefer longer notes over LOTS of them....and she says "I always thought it was just because they couldnt play alot of notes...".

    God it kills me that people think that. Its about the phrasing, and making each note speak volumes to the soul.

    In most cases it isnt because they are limited to playing it. They choose to because its good!
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    • Profile picture of the author Kurt
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      Yeah Kurt, this weekends path has also lead down the Buddy Guy rabbit hole (Great one). Whole new level of respect for blues this weekend and understanding.

      It kills me, I was trying to explain blues to my sister, and why they prefer longer notes over LOTS of them....and she says "I always thought it was just because they couldnt play alot of notes...".

      God it kills me that people think that. Its about the phrasing, and making each note speak volumes to the soul.
      Blues isn't about playing a million notes, it's about playing the single perfect note, with the other notes setting it up.
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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        Blues isn't about playing a million notes, it's about playing the single perfect note, with the other notes setting it up.
        Yeah and making the notes sing and talk. Really the same note can be attacked 10 different ways... blues people , instead of moving on to the shiny bells and whstles, they hang around on that note and let it talk a little bit and express what the guitar has to say. I love it. I knew you would relate. Had to get it out man. lol
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      • Profile picture of the author bravo75
        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        Blues isn't about playing a million notes, it's about playing the single perfect note, with the other notes setting it up.
        Less is more. JJ Cale is really good at this.
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post

          Less is more. JJ Cale was really good at this.
          One of my favorite producers basic premise is that the space in between notes is as important as the notes themselves. Maybe Im just getting older, but there is alot to be said for being understated.

          Not that any of the guitarists we are mentioning couldnt play fast too.
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          • Profile picture of the author bravo75
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            One of my favorite producers basic premise is that the space in between notes is as important as the notes themselves. Maybe Im just getting older, but there is alot to be said for being understated.

            Not that any of the guitarists we are mentioning couldnt play fast too.
            Jimi seemed to agree with this.

            I feel guilty when people say I'm the greatest on the scene. What's good or bad doesn't matter to me; what does matter is feeling and not feeling. If only people would take more of a true view and think in terms of feelings. Your name doesn't mean a damn, it's your talents and feelings that matter. You've got to know much more than just the technicalities of notes; you've got to know what goes between the notes.

            Jimi Hendrix
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        A big part of why I love blues so much is because the way the guitar players often play lead, rhythm and sing at the same time. Singing and playing at the same time is harder than many people think and is often taken for granted.

        And players like SRV have good voices and create a rhythm while playing lead, doing by themselves what many bands have 3 members doing.

        I compare SRV to the comedian Sam Kinnison in a way...Both seemed to have beat their demons with drugs and alcohol, only to die in accidents a few months later.

        When I was learning to play the drums (at 33) the friend who was teaching me told me to always sing while you play. It is difficult to play and sing at the same time but it really helped me with my concentration. But I'll never be on par with these true musicians like SRV.


        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        Blues isn't about playing a million notes, it's about playing the single perfect note, with the other notes setting it up.
        The same teacher said to me "It's not always about the notes you play. Sometimes it's about the notes you DON'T play". He was right. When my son started playing guitar it was all about speed and a million notes. Now that he's grown, he has learned a lot about phrasing, etc. He's a much better musician now.

        Music is cool
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

          Now that he's grown, he has learned a lot about phrasing, etc. He's a much better musician now.

          Music is cool
          Thats seasoning. Looking for more tone instead of more notes. It doesnt matter as much to most non discerning listeners, but to a player lackluster tone drives you crazy. I wont even use plastic picks anymore. Why hit a beautiful church bell with a plastic mallot?

          Wouldnt the tone be better with a different mallot material? I think of picks as mallots these days. Its the best description I can think of. Never will be a Stevie, but its fun trying.

          @ Bravo, maybe I have yet to learn why his sound is so legendary, but clapton has never really blown me away either....or at least his playing never really stood out to me. Some think he is a guitar God though. My stepdad swears by him after hendrix...then Beck and page... and David Gilmour...

          Edit: Had to go back and capitalize the word "Beck" so Kurt would not get a shock to the system.
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          • Profile picture of the author bravo75
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            I wont even use plastic picks anymore.
            You use Amber pics, don't you?

            http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...years-old.html
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          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            Thats seasoning. Looking for more tone instead of more notes. It doesnt matter as much to most non discerning listeners, but to a player lackluster tone drives you crazy. I wont even use plastic picks anymore. Why hit a beautiful church bell with a plastic mallot?

            Wouldnt the tone be better with a different mallot material? I think of picks as mallots these days. Its the best description I can think of. Never will be a Stevie, but its fun trying.

            @ Bravo, maybe I have yet to learn why his sound is so legendary, but clapton has never really blown me away either....or at least his playing never really stood out to me. Some think he is a guitar God though. My stepdad swears by him after hendrix...then Beck and page... and David Gilmour...

            Edit: Had to go back and capitalize the word "Beck" so Kurt would not get a shock to the system.
            I believe when Hendrix was alive, he was better than Beck. But Jeff has keep playing and practicing and expanding over the last 4 decades since Jimi died, and IMO has surpassed what Jimi did in his lifetime.

            If we want to talk about timbre, phrasing and tones, without using foot pedals and other "enhancements", here's JB playing Brush with the Blues...no one else plays like this or creates a wider range of sounds from the same notes:


            BTW, JB doesn't use a pick at all in most of his work since the 1980s.
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          • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            Thats seasoning. Looking for more tone instead of more notes. It doesnt matter as much to most non discerning listeners, but to a player lackluster tone drives you crazy. I wont even use plastic picks anymore. Why hit a beautiful church bell with a plastic mallot?

            Wouldnt the tone be better with a different mallot material? I think of picks as mallots these days. Its the best description I can think of. Never will be a Stevie, but its fun trying.

            @ Bravo, maybe I have yet to learn why his sound is so legendary, but clapton has never really blown me away either....or at least his playing never really stood out to me. Some think he is a guitar God though. My stepdad swears by him after hendrix...then Beck and page... and David Gilmour...

            Edit: Had to go back and capitalize the word "Beck" so Kurt would not get a shock to the system.

            Perhaps, but I think that's mainly in the rock genre - not so much in rhythm and blues. I like his style, but I don't consider him legendary. Just a damn good musician.

            But what do I know - I always played air drums, not air guitar when I was a kid
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        • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
          Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

          When I was learning to play the drums (at 33) the friend who was teaching me told me to always sing while you play. It is difficult to play and sing at the same time but it really helped me with my concentration. But I'll never be on par with these true musicians like SRV.




          The same teacher said to me "It's not always about the notes you play. Sometimes it's about the notes you DON'T play". He was right. When my son started playing guitar it was all about speed and a million notes. Now that he's grown, he has learned a lot about phrasing, etc. He's a much better musician now.

          Music is cool

          The secret to the success of the Muscle Shoals sound...
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          • Profile picture of the author Brandon Tanner
            While we're on the subject of killer tones from SRV... this is probably my favorite tune of his. Tone is as smooth as butter...


            I really like Melvin Taylor's version of that song too. Amazing how similar his vocals sound to SRV's...

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            • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
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            • Profile picture of the author John Durham
              Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

              Awesome - a gift idea for my son. Thanks!
              He will love them if he appreciates the feel and tone of a quality pick, plus it will do something for his self esteem to know that everyone else is playing with 25 cent plastic.

              I know it sounds shallow but its true, it will make him want to take each note the extra mile, and justify his expensive pick by getting every ounce of tone out of it.

              For instance, I feel a sense of honor everytime I open my strat case. Holding the guitar is as sacred as playing it, they are so iconic, and that adds alot to my experience these days too...the whole sacredness of the instruments themselves. A Single chord on a strat means something once you recognize all those little tonal nuances that it carries on its own, and how much tonal power is there. It will go almost anywhere you want...

              Fenders are amazing guitars, they really do talk.

              Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

              Now that must have taken alot of practice!

              Originally Posted by Brandon Tanner View Post

              While we're on the subject of killer tones from SRV... this is probably my favorite tune of his. Tone is as smooth as butter...

              Tin Pan Alley (AKA Roughest Place In Town) - YouTube
              Are you trying to melt our souls here Brandon?

              You are true tone monger man, to pick this song! I salute you.

              I may agree. It may be his best one ever.

              Edit: Also good contrast between the Strat and Gibson. Melvin has a little different pick attack than SRV but the vocals are similar. The guitar tone is different...

              I think its a great illustration of the contrast between the guitars themselves. Only certain people will be able to discern that, even though its pretty clear in this example. The Gibson sounds good here though, love the hollow bodies- Really wanna get an es335

              I like the warmer SRV version better out of the two, personally.

              Great illustration brother!

              -JD
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          • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
            Originally Posted by Dave Patterson View Post

            The secret to the success of the Muscle Shoals sound...
            You say true. I say Thankya!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    I think one of the best examples of blues is on this All Star tribute to SRV. Listen to Buddy Guy's jam starting at about the 2:27 mark, followed by Eric Clapton and compare the two jams. Clapton plays the notes, but doesn't come close to the feeling and soul Buddy Guy expresses. IMO, Buddy rips Clapton a "new one"...and Clapton knows it.

    For anyone wanting to know the difference between blues and rock guitar, check out the difference between Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton:

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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      I think one of the best examples of blues is on this All Star tribute to SRV. Listen to Buddy Guy's jam starting at about the 2:27 mark, followed by Eric Clapton and compare the two jams. Clapton plays the notes, but doesn't come close to the feeling and soul Buddy Guy expresses. IMO, Buddy rips Clapton a "new one"...and Clapton knows it.

      For anyone wanting to know the difference between blues and rock guitar, check out the difference between Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton:

      SRV Shuffle (A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan)(DVD rip) - YouTube
      Yeah Clapton looks like he got a kick out of the beating though! lol.... Man I hate to bring a Gibson into this... but ole Lucille has some really nice tone here.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Yeah Clapton looks like he got a kick out of the beating though! lol.... Man I hate to bring a Gibson into this... but ole Lucille has some really nice tone here.
        Clapton is a very humble person and you can tell he's a big fan of Buddy's...But Clapton still got his butt kicked. LOL

        B.B. is the "King" of phrasing.

        Jimmy Vaughn isn't a great guitar player by any means, but you have to feel for him in this tribute to his brother. You can really tell he's giving it his all. Jimmy is good at laying down a rhythm and it's easy to envision them when they were young with Jimmy on rhythm and Stevie playing lead.
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post


          Jimmy Vaughn isn't a great guitar player by any means, but you have to feel for him in this tribute to his brother. You can really tell he's giving it his all. Jimmy is good at laying down a rhythm and it's easy to envision them when they were young with Jimmy on rhythm and Stevie playing lead.
          Totally agree. Another difference is that Jimmie like most guitarists these days, plays on those little tiny wimpy strings... Stevie used the heaviest strings known to man which is why his tone was fatter, and why he looked like it HURT alot more. lol:p

          Originally Posted by bravo75 View Post

          Cool that you remembered that. I was buying up every amber pick I could find a year ago, and they are amazing... but in the last year I have discovered a new pick made out of some kind of man made acrylic material that has really been comparative, and maybe even better....the amber picks cost 80 bucks apeice, and I couldnt afford to keep losing them. The "Vpick" is very much like amber... VERY much... and it only cost 11 bucks. lol I have a whole slew of those now. Honestly its not about cost though, they are as good as amber...again, maybe better.

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          • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            Totally agree. Another difference is that Jimmie like most guitarists these days, plays on those little tiny wimpy strings... Stevie used the heaviest strings known to man which is why his tone was fatter, and why he looked like it HURT alot more. lol:p



            Cool that you remembered that. I was buying up every amber pick I could find a year ago, and they are amazing... but in the last year I have discovered a new pick made out of some kind of man made acrylic material that has really been comparative, and maybe even better....the amber picks cost 80 bucks apeice, and I couldnt afford to keep losing them. The "Vpick" is very much like amber... VERY much... and it only cost 11 bucks. lol I have a whole slew of those now. Honestly its not about cost though, they are as good as amber...again, maybe better.

            Awesome - a gift idea for my son. Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author bravo75
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post


      For anyone wanting to know the difference between blues and rock guitar, check out the difference between Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton:

      SRV Shuffle (A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan)(DVD rip) - YouTube
      In my opinion, Clapton never really got to where he aspired to be. He said in an interview once that all of his musical ambitions were to be able to play like Robert Johnson.
      He never got there. In my eyes, he will always be the white English kid trying to sound like a black American blues artist.
      Don't get me wrong, he is a great, if not a necessarily naturally gifted musician.
      In the pecking order of the greats, he ranks pretty much in the nether regions. In my opinion, anyway.
      Buddy Guy illustrated this really well in the video.
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