Stevie Ray Vaughan's Main Guitar: The 1959 Fender Stratocaster

Stevie Ray Vaughan is most famous for playing a 1959 Fender Stratocaster with a sunburst finish, which he named "Number One." This guitar became so tied to his identity that many people assume it was his only instrument, but he actually owned and played several guitars throughout his career. Number One was the one he reached for most often in the studio and on stage, and it is the guitar most closely associated with his sound.

The 1959 Stratocaster was already a vintage instrument when Vaughan acquired it in the late 1970s. He bought it used, and the guitar had already been played by other musicians before him. Rather than treat it as a museum piece, Vaughan played it hard and often modified it to suit his needs. He replaced pickups, adjusted the electronics, and wore the finish down through years of touring and recording. The wear and tear became part of the guitar's character and part of his visual signature on stage.

What made Number One sound the way it did was not just the year it was made, but how Vaughan set it up and played it. He used heavy gauge strings—typically .013 to .056—which required more finger strength but gave him a thicker, more powerful tone. He also played with a light touch in some ways and an aggressive attack in others, which meant the guitar's response depended partly on his technique rather than the instrument alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Stevie Ray Vaughan's primary guitar was a 1959 Fender Stratocaster sunburst that he called "Number One," which he played on most of his recordings and live performances.
  • He also owned and played a 1963 Fender Stratocaster and a Fender Telecaster, switching between them depending on the song or session.
  • Vaughan modified his guitars extensively, changing pickups and electronics rather than keeping them in original condition.
  • His tone came from a combination of the guitar itself, his heavy string gauge, his amplifier setup, and his distinctive playing technique.

The 1963 Stratocaster and Other Guitars He Owned

Beyond Number One, Vaughan also played a 1963 Fender Stratocaster regularly. This guitar appeared on some of his recordings and live performances, though it never achieved the same iconic status as Number One. The 1963 had a different character—slightly different electronics and a different feel under the hands—but Vaughan used it when he wanted to explore different tones or when Number One was being serviced.

He also owned and played a Fender Telecaster at various points in his career. The Telecaster is a different animal from the Stratocaster—it has a sharper, more cutting tone and only two pickups instead of three. Vaughan used the Telecaster less frequently than his Stratocasters, but it showed up on certain recordings and in live sets when he wanted that particular character.

Late in his career, Vaughan also played Fender Stratocasters made in Mexico and newer American-made models. He was not a purist about vintage gear—he cared about how a guitar played and sounded, not whether it was old or new. If a newer Stratocaster felt right under his hands and responded the way he wanted, he would use it.

Why Vaughan Chose Fender Stratocasters

Vaughan played Fender Stratocasters almost exclusively, which was a deliberate choice rooted in the blues tradition. The Stratocaster was the guitar of choice for many Texas blues players before him, including Buddy Guy and Albert King. By choosing the same instrument, Vaughan connected himself to that lineage and to the sound world those players had created.

The Stratocaster's three-pickup design gave him flexibility. The middle pickup alone produces a thin, bright tone useful for rhythm work. The bridge pickup is sharper and more aggressive. The neck pickup is warm and round. By switching between pickups or blending them, Vaughan could shape his tone without reaching for a different guitar. The Stratocaster's tremolo arm—the whammy bar—also let him bend notes and create expressive effects that were central to his style.

The Stratocaster's body shape and weight distribution also suited his playing. It balanced well when he stood for hours on stage, and the contoured body was comfortable against his chest. These practical details matter more than many people realize—a guitar that does not feel right in your hands will limit what you can do with it, no matter how good the electronics are.

The Amplifiers and Effects That Shaped His Sound

The guitar itself was only part of the equation. Vaughan's tone came equally from his amplifier setup and the way he used effects. He played through Fender amplifiers, most famously a Fender Vibroverb and a Fender Twin Reverb. These amps are known for their warm, responsive tone and their natural breakup when pushed hard. Vaughan would crank the volume and let the amp distort naturally rather than relying on distortion pedals.

He used a Fuzz Face pedal for certain songs and a Vox Cry Baby wah pedal for expressive lead work. The wah pedal became one of his signature sounds—he could make it talk and sing in ways that seemed almost vocal. But he used effects sparingly and intentionally, not as a constant layer on top of everything. Much of his tone was just the guitar, the amp, and his hands.

How to Identify Vaughan's Guitars in Photographs and Video

Number One is straightforward to spot: it is a Fender Stratocaster with a sunburst finish (darker at the edges, lighter in the middle), and it shows visible wear and modifications. The pickguard is white, and the body has a distinctive patina from decades of playing. In photographs and video from the 1980s, this is the guitar you see most often.

The 1963 Stratocaster is harder to distinguish from a distance, but it has a slightly different color and finish than Number One. The Telecaster is when ready recognizable by its single-cutaway slab body and sharper edges compared to the Stratocaster's curves. If you are watching live footage and see Vaughan with a guitar that looks more angular and less rounded, that is likely the Telecaster.

What Happened to Number One After Vaughan's Death

Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in 1990. Number One did not go into a museum or a private collection when ready. Instead, it was played by other musicians and passed through different hands over the years. The guitar eventually became part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection, where it is preserved as a significant artifact of American music history.

The Smithsonian has displayed Number One in exhibitions about blues music and American culture. The guitar is no longer played—it is preserved in climate-controlled conditions to prevent further deterioration. This means Number One will not be heard live again, but it remains visible to anyone who visits the Smithsonian or views photographs and documentation of the collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Stevie Ray Vaughan play any guitars other than Fenders?

Vaughan played Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters almost exclusively. He may have experimented with other brands early in his career, but by the time he recorded his major albums and became famous, Fender was his choice. He was loyal to the brand and the sound it gave him.

What strings did Stevie Ray Vaughan use?

Vaughan used heavy gauge strings, typically .013 to .056. These are thicker and harder to play than standard strings, but they produce a thicker tone and allow for more aggressive bending. Most players use lighter gauges because heavy strings require more finger strength and can be harder on the hands.

Can I buy a guitar like Stevie Ray Vaughan's?

You can buy a Fender Stratocaster today, and Fender makes several models inspired by Vaughan's style. A vintage 1959 Stratocaster costs thousands of dollars and is a significant investment. Newer American-made or Mexican-made Stratocasters are more affordable and can sound excellent if set up properly.

Why did Stevie Ray Vaughan modify his guitars so much?

Vaughan modified his guitars to get the exact tone and feel he wanted. He was not interested in keeping them in original condition—he cared about playability and sound. Changing pickups, adjusting electronics, and customizing the setup let him shape his instrument to match his vision.

Where can I see Stevie Ray Vaughan's Number One guitar?

Number One is part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection in Washington, D.C. It has been displayed in various exhibitions about American music and blues history. You can view it in person if you visit the Smithsonian, or you can find photographs and information about it online through the Smithsonian's website.