Rhys John Stygal Reveals His INSANE Guitars!

[@hellosailoreffectsofficial]

I've watched Rhys develop his chops for a few years now. I'm very fortunate to have got to know him and I can honestly say hes a fantastic human.

[@PedalPawn]

100%! Such a gem! Hope you’re doing well btw, love your pedals 🎸❤️

[@fivehead6675]

Being a fantastic human is actually the most SRV thing someone can possible do.

[@ImMoonMan]

The crap he gets for sounding like SRV is the crap SRV got from people saying he sounded like Hendrix. I support him doing exactly this, enjoying the music and the instrument passionately. I would like SRV in 2023 but he ain't around and i'm glad he's keeping Stevie's legacy alive! 🙏

[@ImMoonMan]

@austinking2959 people back then always said SRV sounded like Hendrix, it's documented in interviews and quotes by critics in magazines. This guy is also a teenager, he'll find his way but he's gotta find it first. I applaud what he's doing, I just don't find the logic in putting him down for being great at what he's doing.

[@JonathanAdams-tg2tu]

I really don't agree with the SRV sounded like Hendrix comment lol, They're both good but I can't phantom physcadelic/classic rock sounding anything like the southern blues

[@jayye1743]

i think its amazing he’s keeping srvs music and style alive because somebody has to. But srv sounds nothing like hendrix really just some similar licks and fast paced blues/rock but jimi had a way bigger rock/psychedelic sound

[@jamesclemmer3897]

​@austinking2959 can you or any of the others hating on him play like that?

[@vanlandeghemvince]

yeah, its kinda sad people think of it like that. Music or sounds aren't patented, so people need to get over themselves and stop with being jelly

[@fourskin8348]

Incredible playing, i just really hope he finds his own sound because he's just a very skilled SRV reincarnation now which is cool but will only get you so far

[@evrgreen_69]

The irony of copying a guy who copied a guy 🤪✌️

[@ChrsGuit]

​@@evrgreen_69Stevie was inspired by many players, some more than others. Nobody was really using the Tube Screamer, Vibroverbs and Super Reverbs, heavy strings, high action, etc etc... and none of Stevie's heroes were either.

[@evrgreen_69]

@@ChrsGuit meh..

[@ChrsGuit]

@@evrgreen_69 I mean... that's the way it is if you actually look deeper into it, not face value...

[@stelliumeleven2889]

@@ChrsGuit plays blues: "hE CopIEd SomEOnE!?!?!?"

[@PPioner]

So cool you got him on here, inspiring! But always remember ; guitar heroes become heroes because they have a style that is theirs, not a style that is anothers.

[@ezerlab1]

Word.

[@notperson7275]

yeah but rhys has been playing for 3 years and he's this good. yeah he sounds like stevie, but i think it's unfair to put that expectation on him. he's playing guitar cause he loves it, and there's no need to make it anything more than that. even then, it takes fkn years, maybe decades to develop a personal style. at the time stevie was famous and alive, he was playing for over 20 years and you still hear massive amount of other great players like albert king and hendrix in his playing

[@SeagoGuitarist]

​@@notperson72753 years? Are you serious?!!?

[@PPioner]

@@notperson7275 I couldn’t agree more! And no one becomes an icon at the age of 15 so he has time, and of course you hear some inspiration in unique styles, but to become an icon you need to have that type of style

[@glennmartin4232]

Every guitarist would be better if we all spent time in the guitar SRV world like he is. He’s killing it and when he put’s it together with all his other influences he will have his voice and will have a lot to say musically

[@notebender5073]

I've been through this at this age. I'm 53 now. SRV was such huge influence, and always will be. There's so much to take away from his music. I became the SRV of my town like a year after he passed away, but my show was flooded with his music. Noone could play it more closely at least in my mind. I remember one night someone brought a napkin to the stage. It read, you're damn good, but no more SRV. Lol!! That hurt a little bit. Once I came in second to a harmonica player at a blues competition because I was so influenced by SRV. I won a King of The Blues guitar competition in my home town. The open forum accused me of being another SRV guy. Lose the hat, keep the influence, but find your own thing. Life advice kid. You're talented, have a good tone etc. Expand your horizons. None of us will be SRV, and I've yet to see anyone that touches his vibe. Not even the great KWS. I've seen them both live, there's a massive difference. Still though, it's so nice that young people are still so influence by the man. He was just a cool cat all the way around.

[@nickd3895]

This is the comment this kid needs to read. Lose the hat, he needs to lose that hat.

[@JP-lc5mr]

He is just a kid and impressionable. He will find his own sound. Only been playing for 4 years.

[@Texasbluesalley]

Tremendously talented young man. Go Rhys!

[@PedalPawn]

100% - Amazing talent!! I remember you supporting me back when I was this age and it means a lot 🎸🚀

[@Texasbluesalley]

​@@PedalPawn I'm proud of what you've become and honored to have been a part of your journey.

[@AllenGoodman]

This young man is awesome,hope he does his own thing in the future !

[@kellybates1972]

With action that high his control is superhuman.

[@GearSafari]

We first met Rhys and his mum this year at Namm and hung out for a while, then we all took a trip to Norms Rare Guitars. It was a great few days. Really pleased you got him on here. 👍🏻🔥🎸

[@fender0942]

All cool and amazing player but he’s just adopted everything SRV. The strings. The gauge. The licks etc. time to do your own thing with all that talent.

[@thisisjtom]

He's barely 17, give him some time dude.

[@LiveatVictoria67]

What, I didn’t hear him say he had 13s on his guitars

[@Samrat_guitar]

Have been following Rhys for quite some time now. The way he practiced and improved with time is very inspiring and awesome!! I hope he keeps going like this ❤

[@waxcritic]

Man he’s got talent! It’s going to be pretty cool watching him continue to refine and develop.

[@Eric-sh2ok]

Hard to believe that’s natural. I’ve played a poly finished Strat hard for 15+ years and it’s nowhere close to the amount of wear

[@tc3383]

He’s lying. He reliced it because his whole vibe is poser.

[@vepex7305]

yeah lol. when i was a beginner I did a relic on my squire to get that old fender look (it came out alright lol) it would take near 5 minutes of straight rubbing with sand paper to even get through that finish, so there's no way that's natural. (plus lots of 70s fenders don't have that wear)

[@tc3383]

@@vepex7305 believe me I did the same to look cool on a poly strat. I had to chip it out it’s almost a 1/8-1/4 thick no way you wear that with it’s multiple coat base by “picking”. And poly doesn’t wear it chips so there would be no wear only jagged edged chips. Unless you sand it like you said.

[@jaredwrightart]

Came here to comment that too, there's not a chance in hell that he played through a poly finish. Plus watching him play he seems to play higher up toward the neck pickup instead of where the "wear" was centralized. Nobody ever wants to own up to relic jobs, every one you see for sale says "reliced by previous owner" The only thing cornier is pretending you played through 1/8" polyurethane in a couple years

[@Eric-sh2ok]

@@tc3383 I did the same. He’s better off just owning up to it and moving on.

[@badlydrawnfrog]

I got to see Stevie play a lot in the late 70's and early 80's....a LOT. It was quite clear back then that he didn't want to just sound like his heroes, he wanted to BE like his heroes, and that can be tricky, right? And while he was at it he developed a signature, trademark sound of his own that so many others work to emulate. May it never end......

[@LewiDoesMusic]

It’s awesome to know that there are other people out there my age who play guitar and love the blues! This guy plays amazingly!

[@ruok3351]

Do yourself a favor and start learning jazz, prog and fusion. Sticking to blues will stunt your growth

[@scottrussell9504]

Great job Rhys! Ignore the haters on here. They clearly don’t appreciate your story and your abilities. You do you. I for one have watched you develop into an amazing player. Others hate on people because they have ZERO talent and they hate what they’ll never be. Don’t listen to their negative comments because their opinion means absolutely nothing and they clearly know nothing about you! Guitarist’s should support, encourage and inspire other guitarist. Not try to put other guitarist down. And to any of the naysayers, let’s see what you got, post a video of you playing until then STFU! You keep doing whatever it takes Rhys this is just the beginning of your journey. I for one am proud of how far you’ve come already. 🤘🏻

[@notebender5073]

I just saw this video of the young man. There may be some harshness from folks, but I instead lended some advice that may be helpful to the young man. I've been doing this for 30 years. Noone has covered SRV more closely than I except for maybe Tommy Katona, but he's dedicated his life to that. He's got cool guitars, equipmnet, some talent etc., but it's just more healthy to nurture and find your own voice. It's one thing to be influenced, it's another to copy. I've been through all the harsh criticism just as he. Just trying to be helpful. I have videos posted. from way back. Check out Life Without You, Redhouse, Frankenstien/Voodoo Chile etc. All live performances, where it counts. You'll see how I improv, and how I've copied. Brian Johnson Band. Frendly advice with good intentions from an older fella. I don't know it all, but I know this. Before there was ever a youtube. There were guys already doing thing. Some really talented folks. Peace and respect.

[@richardface8664]

Chris Duarte is way better

[@scottrussell9504]

@@richardface8664 yeah he’s only got 30 years of experience on Rhys. The kid is 14 or 15. And while your comparing let’s see what you got???

[@RichardFriendartist]

Been following Rhys on IG for about 2 years. So happy and proud of him. Can't wait to see him live one day!!

[@energyasylum997]

Rhys do your thang brother!! SRV was a giant and the reason I named two of my boys after the Austin Texas LEGEND! Keep at it youngster!

[@johnmariani3869]

Stevie Ray & Ray Stevie?😁

[@martingoodwin8884]

I’ve whatched a lot of people trying to get srv tone but my god this is close from one stevie nut to another just amazing and big up peddle pawn getting bigger and bigger well done

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

This is an honest question. Is Stevie Ray Vaughan the Elvis of the guitar world? I mean this in the sense that was he so influential that people literally impersonate him from the replica Strats, the gear, the strings, and even the strap. I honestly don't know if there is a more impersonated guitar player. I'm not saying anything against the young man as a player or anything like that. I'm just honestly asking the question because it seems like every day there is someone else popping up that is just absolutely obsessed with Stevie. I totally get it myself as well. When I was this kid's age I was the same way. I ate, slept, and breathed Stevie Ray Vaughan. He's no doubt one of the all time greats and I'm glad his music is still living on.

[@frankfett3473]

Srv and Jimi Hendrix

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@frankfett3473 Yeah Jimi was the other one that I thought of but honestly Stevie is probably the reason literally the Custom Shop exists so they can "relic" guitars because so many guys think that the paint on a guitar is somehow connected to why it can so as great as Stevie did. It's true that Jimi is heavily copied but with Stevie I mean they literally mimic every single aspect of everything he does. One of the dumbest things I've ever heard was that Stevie was "overrated". I was like "uh... no... just because there are tons of terrible imitators and wannabes does not mean that HE was overrated". In some ways Stevie is sort of a victim of his own influence in the sense that so many people try and act like all the clones are his equals. They're not. They never will be. They're not even close. That is all. LOL!

[@BeeRumblin13]

Steve was good and flashy but it's not amazing stuff. I depends what kind of music you like to say who is #1. For me it's Brian Setzer. To me he's the best .

[@notebender5073]

Dude I saw Setzer and SRV jam in Memphis Tn. years ago at Mud Island. It was freaking amazing. Setzer is one of my favorite guitarist as well as SRV. They just brought something out of eachothers playing. Wish there was video of that out there somewhere.@@BeeRumblin13

[@slxxpyhollow]

I got chills when he started to play Lenny, my god that guitar sounds perfect and Rhys is very talented

[@rudypaltauf4890]

for anyone curious the SRV Lenny strat is in ATX. At the guitar center on anderson. Its paired with other SRV items that were his. very cool to see.

[@MrJasonMcintyre]

He's not even 18 yet, and he's already playing like a veteran.

[@captainsalty5688]

Keeping SRV alive and well! Love it from Texas!

[@filipkaczmar]

What a cool guy! He's got that SRV sound down! And dude has some strength obviously as well, just like the man himself

[@Kallum]

I know lots of people think he won’t get far if he is just ‘a copy of SRV’, just wait till this guy is 30 years old, developed his own style, ripping on stage

[@tattooed1979]

Kid kills it! Does a lot of the subtle little things that made SRV unique. I hope he finds his own way. We had an SRV and the man is a legend. ✌️

[@Livelaughlimpbizkit]

I play 2mm action as well, tbh I never knew that was considered super high, I thought it was just kinda middle of the road

[@LiveatVictoria67]

It’s average height

[@PatrickGeyn-xy8vd]

Very talented guitar player, there was only one SRV and will only be One srv. Agree with everyone hopefully he finds his own style. Take the tools and apply them to his own bag of tricks.

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

The dude is awesome, thanks for sharing this upload.

[@LiveatVictoria67]

Young man, you are fantastic on the guitar!!! Effing great!!! I saw Stevie in the Royal Theatre here in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. And people thought AC/DC, who I also love their music, are loud, well they never saw Stevie Ray!!! What a sad and horrible day that was. I had tears for him. Love the music he made. Hope to see you live soon!! Sounds amazing!!

[@mimic3527]

This guy is incredible, when he's hitting gigs i'll go.

[@tokk3n-hj4xg]

I love the fact that your guitar looks relic because of you playing it.

[@SwiftyMcswift777]

I think this kid is only 15,,,, Do you see how wore his guitars are! He doesn’t say how long he’s been playing,,, but to put that much wear on a guitar! Little less three guitars,,, that’s dedication!! And his playing shows it! Rock on young brother!!!

[@Willserka907]

Its artificial🤦‍♂️

[@ukguitarnoodle]

He's loving being SRV. I hope he listens to more music and discovers his own thing. KZbin is full of SRV TS9 6 string bass guys ( and one girl 😜) think what he could do when he moves on and finds his own music.

[@disseminationnetwork]

Man he's great! Nice segment...

[@RJ_HTx]

Me worrying about getting a perfect action on my guitar and this guy has a bridge over his fretboard.

[@ericsills5290]

I love srv as much as any other guitar player but come man. I want to be myself as a person or as a guitar player.

[@ChrsGuit]

I agree... It's like "I HAVE to play this gauge, this string height, his exact gear, etc..." I want to sound like me and my interpretation of my influences...

[@ziggamaras]

How old are you sir?

[@Ben6Strings]

Go cry about it

[@jamesgretsch4894]

Like his red Strat his friend made for him. That's a beauty.

[@larrygreene6522]

Thanks! I appreciate it

[@christianoliver434]

Hasn’t this guy only been playing a few years too?? Nuts

[@darrellminx5459]

Great playing you have nailed it brother.

[@michaelgreer4790]

Such a talented guy.

[@simonbull3497]

Just what the planet needs.

[@thebudgetguitarist9721]

Absolutely love this guy!!

[@SeagoGuitarist]

Goddamn incredible playing, especially on those strings. I get why SRV is often replicated. But I think this kid has no doubt got a bright future ahead of him. Amazing foundation of technique and class to be had from SRV. This guy I can see finding a voice and going places!! 🙏✌️😎😎😎

[@gregmccormack7562]

This guy sounds a bit like Srv, don’t know if anybody has noticed , think he’s maybe a bit of a fan , not sure though

[@EasyAcoustic]

I’ll never complain about my action again

[@andrewbowen6875]

What a cool family and in answer to the many comments about finding his own sound he undoubtedly will but everyone has to start out emulating someone.

[@yourdrummer2034]

Definitely a SRV protege with the 13's!! DAYUM!!

[@chandlerhamilton3710]

The red strat is just sexy sounding and looking my favorite

[@DjallelDerbal]

Mom can we have Marcus King and SRV ? Mom : we have Marcus King and SRV at home Marcus King and SRV at home : ...

[@beyondbirthday713]

That action is as high as me right now haha

[@5urg3x]

6:23 What bridge is that? Those look like PRS saddles.

[@larrygreene6522]

Mighty mite “toilet bowl” saddles if I remember right

[@5urg3x]

@@larrygreene6522 Thanks…looks like that’s the one, impossible to find tho!

[@larrygreene6522]

I got them through axetreme creations . They come in and out of stock.

[@lambo831]

What were the gear on the amp? I saw the tube screamer and the hot plate. What were the other two pieces in the 64 amp?

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

Great job keeping SRV music alive

[@GmanMusic12]

I wish my parents were rich like that

[@larrygreene6522]

His moms not rich. He has a circle of people that believe in him and want to see him succeed

[@davisestilette5499]

when you here him play you hear Stevie speaking through his hands

[@dippypepsi1728]

Insane this Dude is 15 😎

[@JP-lc5mr]

Crazy you at that good with under 5 years of playing and 15 years old. In 10 years you will be one of the Greats.

[@securethebag1613]

Buddy has some paws on him for those thick strings and high action 😱😱😱

[@darrenc8776]

Wow the vibroverb is killer

[@tanneryordan]

chuck norris couldnt even wear through a poly finish... i will never believe that Rhys did it naturally. i think he’s amazing, but quit the cap. interested to see his journey though! dave simpson has had a poly guitar for 20 years and all it’s done is crack and break like glass on the edges. it does not wear away like nitro

[@LiveatVictoria67]

Dave Simpson doesn’t play like Stevie Ray

[@tanneryordan]

@ he plays like frusciante who wore through his nitro finish. the fake relicing every couple weeks to make people think it’s real is comical. NO ONE has relic’d a poly finish like that ever.

[@insightguitars]

fantastic tone

[@Callsigntitan]

Is he playing through the vibroverb?

[@NoirL.A.]

that guy nails SRV's sound exactly but man their accents couldn't possible be more different!

[@GeorgTheGuitar]

Insane Rig, great playing!

[@alaoismusic]

Rhys is awesome glad to see him on here!!

[@kindofblue85]

He is so amazing

[@cartergmd]

He looks like a young ronnie van zant playing guitar

[@roccogiampietro4830]

Cool to see a new generation of emulators keeping Stevie alive

[@elmorepedals]

Awesome stuff y’all

[@salahbaker4089]

"I am not original. I just rely on a person that was, for my income."

[@larrygreene6522]

Bro. He’s 15. Dumbass.

[@Texasbluestunes]

Jest move here to Texas and complete the journey.

[@naga9247]

Hi. What kind of bridge are you putting on those guitars? Sounds great man!

[@shable1436]

I wish ppl would stop complaining about how he is a srv clone. They sound jealous because they can't do it. Actually learning a base style will allow you to branch out into other styles more easily, because you have a grest understanding of fretboard, cage system, and speed, and vibrato, and bends. If you want to go into any direction, you can, learning speed licks, or jazz, droning scale patterns, alternate picking and some finger picking, although Stevie didn't use it like Merle Travis, he appreciated it like Travis walk. I was learning flat picking, bluegrass, and blues at same time before i was in a srv, Hendrix type three piece, and did shit loads of covers from them and hundreds of blues songs, nothing better than playing in a three piece to make yourself a tighter player, learning how to fill im spaces, and when to not overplay, and how to sing and play, or do it in a way that you can do it at the same time which takes lots of practice. Point is, i ended up playing in other bands that was not blues, and developed a style that studio musicians had, i could set innwitj anyone and do session work, could go grom r and b, jazz, funk, rock, heavy metal, country, bluegrass, and jam band stuff from greatful dead, to phish noodling. I couldn't have branched out like that and made a living if i hadn't first studied srv albums note for note, and his many bootlegs, which i was one of the first to trade them online when the Internet started, there wasn't srv tutorials on how to play his songs, licks, just tablature that was wrong lots of times. And when you learned how to play a srv song back then you were considered a good player, not a clone like they label it for past 10 years because they think it's easy for ppl to learn now because there's lessons online on everything srv ever played. Which is true, its way easier, but still takes dedication, and now kids learning it way faster actually opens up more time for them to explore other types of music even sooner.

[@jirofong6309]

what's the song he played at 2:05 ? Heard it once but couldn't find iy again. Thanks!

[@ezroshreds]

couldn't stand the weather! one of my favorite stevie songs for sure

[@davidorrick63]

This young man reminds me of Marcus King talented young man seems like he's got a bright future ahead of him

[@bluesrockngearwjoeyg8853]

Quite a few negative comments on here. Not cool!!! Every musician/guitarist learns and finds their way by spending an insane amount of time studying and mimicking their idols playing styles. It takes so much dedication to sit down an learn licks and songs, study all the intricacies of playing guitar like the greats, determination, patience and tenacity. Talent is mostly inherent for those who are born with it, but even so, it still has to be nourished and developed. Stevie and Jimmy did this, so did the Eric’s (Clapton, Johnson, Gales), Bonomassa, Dereck Trucks, Mayer, Hendrix, KWS, and any guitarist you think of and can name in general. Including myself. This kid is lucky to have parents who encourage him in this way and I’m pretty sure have helped him build his guitar collection by buying them for him. Kudos to him. Once he finds his songwriting abilities and mixes his own way of playing with what he’s learned he just might be the next Chris Kingfish Ingram or Marcus King. I wish this young man all the success, best wishes and opportunities the world has for him. I’m Joey G from TEXAFYDE. Keep the riffs coming y’all!!!

[@notebender5073]

I think every comment that says find your own voice is good sound advice. Only negative if you take it that way. Nonone ever saw Marcus King or Kingfish ingram sporting the hat and copying SRV chops. They found their own thang. He's a kid he'll learn. I've been through this myself. No hating going on here.

[@LiveatVictoria67]

Finally, someone says it like it is!!! I thought he was Marcus King first time I saw him on a short. You are correct, everyone that sticks with it does so by playing music that they love. If only we had KZbin back in the’80s!! The time wasted because everyone wanted to be EVH. And here show me a lick or two, was always a Van Halen tune. I never liked VH so that was time consuming getting to music I like, Texas Blues. The young man has different feel than Stevie, as everyone does, He will be great very soon, meaning famous

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

EXCELLENT...SRV rules.

[@lawlaw1]

gotta find your own style. weve already had srv

[@IanConnaghan]

Respect for Rhys, hope he carries on playing.

[@PC85X]

Guy is a total savage 🔥

[@MattBaker-zd8nq]

Damn those strings are huge

[@eldiablo3794]

Does he play anything other than SRV?

[@alistygal3420]

Yes

[@BIZARBIES]

He plays Albert King and Jimi Hendrix as well lol

[@StandupRoss]

All I wanna know is what pick ups in his standard SRV Strat? I couldn't make out what he said

[@PedalPawn]

Oat Soda Sounds 🚀🎸

[@StandupRoss]

@@PedalPawn God bless you my friends

[@balladguitar910]

6:38 he says it was 1900s made. I’m trying to count how many centuries ago that was. Then I realize, shit I AM 1900s made. Then I cried.

[@xx_HI_xx7]

Who's this Larry guy that made the red strat? It's absolutely awesome.

[@larrygreene6522]

Me,thanks a lot 🙏

[@xx_HI_xx7]

@larrygreene6522 No problem. Looks as good if not better than the custom shop.

[@ianclevenger9714]

Very impressive indeed

[@Xuxixnywhwj1725]

Dude has SRV fingers

[@johnanon3081]

What pickups are those on the Number One? I can't make out what he says.

[@larrygreene6522]

59 spec made by Oat Soda Sound Co

[@billwittman0504]

AWESOME, cheers!

[@isaiahdiekhoff3763]

Nice man you are amazing👍🏻

[@simonsitinjak]

2:17 Cold shot

[@markmark8174]

This kid can play.

[@smiddlyrabone8900]

Its cool he sounds like SRV and hes young so 1 day he will think im gonna sound like my self if he can.

[@JonathanAdams-tg2tu]

Does Rhys have a routine channel I can subscribe to?

[@axemanchris]

The kid is good at Stevie, no doubt. Stevie spent his life listening and learning to all of the greats and formed his own unique sound. I get it, this kid is absolutely obsessed with SRV, but I have a feeling that Stevie would not be too thrilled that this kid is trying to copy him, note for note, dress and style. The only way to be noticed is to be yourself.

[@stonephilips9361]

Fantastic young Player! He just needs to find his own Voice🎸💯

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Incredible! 🤙🤙💕

[@comfortablynumb9342]

This dude jams, I'd love to see him develop his own style instead of being an SRV copy.