Stevie Ray Vaughan | Skinted or Minted: How To Get The SRV Tone On Any Budget!

Considered by many as the Holy Grail of Strat tone, Stevie Ray Vaughan's iconic sound has eluded so many for so long. We were approached by Guitar Magazine/Guitar.com with the challenge of nailing that SRV tone not once, but twice! First up was free reign with no budget but using modern gear that we at Peach stock, and then possibly the more challenging of the two, get as close as we can on a reasonable budget!
As John is our resident SRV expert, he took the reigns on this video, demonstrating it's about the player as much as the gear!
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[@chrisjs6123]

I’ve heard a lot of Stevie wannabes. There’s no wannabe about John. What an absolutely killer player. Spent most of this video with my jaw on the floor.

[@turi9x109]

did you listen to matthew scott? he's a really good player too. he also uses vintage stuff

[@strophish]

We are Vaughnabies TYVM and we know each other very well. John knows what I’m talking about 😉

[@aguy1945]

"How to" videos should included the amp and pedal settings.

[@Sir_Dickbag]

Some of the best Strat tones I’ve ever heard. Killer playing too!

[@lexist7]

The sound is 90% there. If you just want a close enough sound, the budget rig will do. But if you listen to HOW he plays, it sounds like there’s a bit more excitement when he uses the two rock and cs strat.

[@Kobbarberg]

That is a really good observation. It's always when people are trying to sound like Stevie with "cheap" equipment they lack passion while playing and that is very important thing of his sound.

[@ahiwalter9153]

@@Kobbarberg I don’t think the gear has anything to do with it, SRV just had a fire & a passion for the music he was playing that isn’t often matched, especially at the bedroom levels most people try to achieve his sounds at, it’s incredibly hard to get to that kind of ferocity

[@ACDC267]

That Pride and Joy tone at 5:27 is unreal

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

Fucking great man, just fucking great...JOHN !!!!!!!!!!!!! One of the best videos about SRV stuff ever seen. Cheers!

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

In my opinion the reason Stevie Ray Vaughan's tone improved is because he went into treatment for cocaine/alcohol addiction in 1988 and came out a far better player and with the release of In Step in 1989 you can hear a clean Steve Stevie Ray Vaughan absolutely killing it! He could have played through a Crown amp and a Norma guitar and he still would have sounded like SRV. We all know that tone starts in our hands. The Austin City Limits video is a testament to the new Stevie Ray Vaughan. You can see him smiling at the crowd and being really present. Just a beautiful show. As a side note, the album title In Step is a reference to the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. We lost this genius, beautiful person way too soon and so tragically. RIP brother 💕

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

His tone was better in the early blackface el mocambo cocaine era. I hate cocaine users,they are boring self absorbed scum with zero ethics.

[@SixStringSlinger1]

It's true that he would've sounded like Stevie, but it still wouldn't have sounded the same sonically. The amp plays an integral part in tone, responsiveness, clarity, thickness, glassiness, etc.

[@TangoNevada]

I saw him in CT on July 4th the year he died. I couldn't believe it was one of his last performances. I feel privileged having seen it.

[@SeagoGuitarist]

Real close here! Very nice. One thing worth noting about SRV. He used to use the thick side of a plectrum, not the tip as is most commonplace. It makes a surprising difference to your tone and attack. Not something you'd necessarily think of immediately given how small a component the plectrum is. I'd always recommend to any guitarists to experiment with their plectrum/picking approach/es. Where you hit the strings, what angle your plectrum is at, how hard you hit, how you hold the plectrum. Heck, even what plectrum you use makes a huge difference to tone. I use jazz 3 stubbys now, but that's after years of going through many different kinds and settling on my personal favorite. Great job though! SRV isn't easy to imitate. Dude had train tracks for fingers! 🚂✌👀

[@rs-xr3ty]

Good grief, this video surprised me. Freaking amazing

[@FabianoMartins1]

Best sound of SRV that I've ever saw on YT ever

[@darrenc8776]

There's some awesome tones here. Just check out Matt Scott and Nik sivergy channels as well

[@TheRobinfrank]

You have to check out Matthew Scott then!

[@fakeemailbox]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rKaXyEaMSBbMU Guys really beat themselves up to get this sound. But honestly a Super Reverb with a slight bit of overdrive gets you pretty close...here's an old vid I once found when searching pickups that shows how little it takes (other than the player) to nail it...

[@meisterjubjub7606]

Tommy Katona gets closer than this

[@FabianoMartins1]

@@TheRobinfrank I know him yet. He's awesome.

[@olilix8226]

Best & most comprehensive collection of Stevie sounds on youtube.

[@meisterjubjub7606]

If you liked this, you'll love Nik Sevigny, Matthew Scott, and Tommy Katona

[@StratTones]

The blues jr and then with the tube scream legit sounds just as good as the $12-15,000 rig when listening to the mic’d results. Literally just as good. Little bigger low end on the big rig, but with more low eq on a board, the audience could not decipher the two.

[@peterdaze1]

I wonder how he got that tone with the blues jr.. i can never get it with mine!

[@aeroprojects]

Man this is absolutely awesome how close you went from Stevie's sound and spirit. Really totally inspiring and the way you play and feel the instrument is a real tribute to him. Congrats and thanks so much for the tips and in a more general perspective for perpetrating that SRV sound & gestures.

[@Bobuk666]

Great playing, wicked tone (both rigs), great shop, 👍

[@nigelallen9933]

WtFFFF!!! I closed my eyes (video 1) and it was like he'd never left us! Brilliant - gear and fingers. Nailed it in all but the Texan accent mate!

[@skinnykarlos710]

Really well played and voiced. I would have thought that the first part of the episode "WAS" SRV the sound was that convincing. Well done. The tones just from stock gear shows us just how much is in the fingers and not necessarily in the gear. Absolute top notch playing mate, well done !!

[@EclecticApproach5]

I love those pickups! Just ordered a set and I’m super excited to hear them. Best I’ve heard from this video. Can you please share the Dualist setting you use in this video?

[@thefonz147]

I would have liked to hear the guitars and pedals switched with each amp to see how much of a difference the Dualist makes. Or how much difference the guitars make again a home rig.

[@markellis6668]

Absolutely beautifully sounds !.alot of hard work to be able to play like that . Fantastic playing

[@AbcDino843]

Great video, showing the settings of the pedals along the way would have made it even better. I would go as far as to say that some of these tones (minted version) are even better than Stevie's. Most of his tones were made to work in the mix, at very high volumes, and on their own are often pretty harsh. Hat off to John for the tremendous job he did here, but if SRV was sitting in that room, with that rig, it would be his best sounding self, ever.

[@alanohagan6999]

Skinted or minted - that’s awesome 😎

[@markroylance1584]

Boy John I knew you liked Stevie..... Great video and article in magazine too!! Hell you can't half play must be the hair dude! Just watched Guitargate guy doing reaction to one of his slow blues.... Wonderful stuff but even better, Michael Palmissimo mentioned texas blues alley tutor working on lots of old jhs videos from 80s and remastering and digitising them....!!!! From the one song I've seen it's going to be super-exciting!!!

[@wizardsouthJP]

The Two Rock and CS Strat nail it, more even and the inherent compression of the amp is a more balanced tone with so much character. Incredible playing and licks that are so SRV - well done.

[@austinharrison2453]

i want a silver sterling amp

[@cussy77]

Absolutely loved it John the tone and dedication you've put in too get them tones and knowledge of how srv plays is exceptional take care

[@PureJadeKid]

Hit the strings hard! Wow, it's just firebreathing!

[@Mick-Dempsey]

Don't think I'll be splashing out 450 on testing the Mf pickups,anything recommended that are lesser known gems that anybody could recommend ? I never used Texas specials and have heard so many dozens of contradicting opinions on them,anybody got some light they could shed or pickups they've tried for a similar sound ?

[@guymartinmusic]

Really the only thing missing is Stevie's attack. Very few can duplicate the attack, which is 50% of the tone IMO.

[@captaincoconut1694]

All those toys are cool, but all you need is a cranked blackface amp, a Strat with low output pickups and you're 95% there. Being able to play his stuff and mastering his technique will also help.

[@Rypsolisti]

Great stuff! Strat has a big role in SRV tone, the player obviously too. If you think about it, SRV got more ''meat'' in his sound than many of the blues players using Gibsons, fat strat neck with heavy strings play part in that.

[@johnsacco2430]

I thought the "budget" rig sounded pretty spot on. That is when then the TS mini was engaged. So maybe add a clean boost, or another TS mini for the hotter licks and solos. Oh and I agree with another post there was less enthusiasm when the "budget" gear was played. Over all good video thank you!

[@robertw1871]

Insane tone, damn amazing effort to get to that level…. Probably the only video on KZbin that isn’t clickbait…

[@michaelwatson7812]

Great sound and playing John. 👏👏👏👏 I can’t stand when people bang on about coming up with your own tone! When you play probability the most celebrated guitar and fender type amp in history it’s inevitable your going to get those type of tones and that’s why of love it. Keep them coming thank you 👌

[@jameslatham2655]

Wow.... I agree. Closest tone I've ever heard to being Stevie's that wasn't Stevie. Fantastic. Your playing is very close in alot of was as well. Love it and appreciate all you shared with us.

[@pauldouglasmuir]

What a player!! Jeez!! Can I hear a compressor pedal in the first part of the vid through the expensive stuff?

[@grampabob6115]

This is ONE tasty video John with very tasty playing. Bravo dude! 👍🏻😎👊🏻

[@Bluesmusicno1]

Dy guitars makes great srvs guitars ive got their rory Gallagher guitar at 899 affordable and is relicd not decals sperzel gotoh and the correct pick ups they say dy you can have it blsnk n put your own sticker

[@joshperry730]

Thank you for showing off the king tone switch! I’ve always wanted to hear it! Thank you!

[@jakeah1175]

Incredible playing, bravo sir! Done him justice...

[@jackbenson8228]

player series fender strat sounds like hendrix. the "fancy" relic'd expensive fender sounds like srv

[@frantisca]

A nice SRV inpersonation, from the tones to the faces. Beautifully played too...

[@matthazelby506]

Also SRV neck pickup was the higher output pickup of the 3.👊

[@morrisonmcqueen1364]

Fantastic tones! Thanks for tuning me in to the king tone switch

[@amosandrecantini3453]

I didn't know Bill Gates played guitar so well....

[@highgear1]

Fantastic playing , Feel and Sound ... thx John !!!

[@colaboytje]

I had some objections to you doing the demo's in the past, but when it comes to SRV, you are the man.

[@ghibellino2936]

Fantastic tones. Just a curiosity what kind of British accent is this?

[@Michael-ty6tm]

I thought you said any budget do you have the amp on clean channel I can't afford cust made stuff thanks for nothing

[@alexgarnett5373]

I appreciate this but am I the only one who doesn't like SRV?

[@junimeme5626]

This video hurts my empty wallet.

[@IsmailsGuitarWorld]

Wowwwwww that's cool iam gonna buy one from your store

[@howguitars2201]

What setting is that king tone switch on. The dip switches that is.

[@boudoir_lueneburg]

Jeebus! Great playing, awesome Tone. Bet Stevie would be pretty happy seeing you do this hommage!

[@ivank563]

Ok, let’s face it, it’s much better than Andertons ‘’sound like’’

[@SashaIvantic]

That Classic Reverb looks tiny compared to that SSS 😄

[@massimos6863]

Awesome playing awesome Tone fantastic

[@gregcsefko]

El Mocambo! Shout out to the 6, T-Dot & YYZ!

[@hafstrat]

Absolutely nailed it!!! Stunning.

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

The budget setup sounded closer to SRV

[@gitarbangsatchanel8036]

I want to know how to set up d pickup height

[@matthewmilantoni3961]

I’ve got #9!!! Just arrived!

[@JesusRocks26]

Thanks for showing us how to get SRV tone on a budget using a $5000 amp

[@PeachGuitars]

If you watch the whole video you'll see how to get the SRV tone on a $500 Fender Blues Junior too........

[@alexandrethemens9259]

Would love to know the settings on the blues junior...

[@markellis6668]

Yeh me2

[@amritjanardhanan]

I mean, sounds great, but IMO SRV's tone and ferocity was so unique I haven't really heard anyone even get 10% there. Maybe matthew scott has the same energy, but I don't think anyone will ever even get in the ballpark... cool video tho!

[@jaysjaysgarden398]

Right there are a lot of people out there almost right on the SRV thing the OP must not be looking to hard.

[@amritjanardhanan]

@@jaysjaysgarden398 Believe me I've looked - Tommy Katona, Phillip Sayce, Talleg Toussaint, Dan Patlansky, Vivien Verdier, Joshy Schreuder, Nik Sevigny, are all great, and maybe when listening to them they'll sound like SRV, but when I actually go back and listen to Stevie I realize how untouchable he is.

[@kevinp_25]

I think you’re spot on but regardless, those tones are spectacular. 👍

[@rwagner501]

You should try Klein 1959 Epic Series Stratocaster Pickups if you haven't already. Amazing sound!! Love your playing BTW!

[@austinharrison2453]

Thought they took it down

[@edoardovergerio5168]

what are the settings on the amp ?

[@PaulBirm]

Yes I would like to know the setting on the Blues Jr- Please!

[@jordanhaycock9701]

That amp sounds amazing

[@druwk]

You really have the touch for SRV tone. Great playing. That probably is the biggest thing? The high end rig is amazing! Checked out another post where you achieved similar tones with Strat, Kingtone Blues Power, and an 808. Jesse Davies is a genius, and his pedals and gear is REALLY good! That tone knob is incredible?! Even if you aren’t going for Stevie Tone, his gear is awesome. So good! Have his Ge Mini Fuzz, and I want more. All the little parts, and big parts really allow you to NAIL this tone!

[@druwk]

This my second time through on this video. I have a KingTone “Switch” and I’m torn about weather to put into my Strat, or into another guitar with P90’s? ...this video didn’t help!

[@alwilliams1997]

Gary Moore tone?

[@GuyNarnarian]

The $5,000 amp sounds better but with the duelist and the Blues Jr. he got very close. If you really want to nail the tone without the super expensive amps I would try a few pedals that are similar, the tube screamer alone didn't quite get you there. Kind of wish he used the everyday Strat with the duelist to hear how that sounds.

[@topa1798]

i swear, if you guys close your eyes and listen,that is Stevie playing there,with totally different amp and pedal..no TS9

[@glennanderson9947]

To Peach Guitars: How can I buy that CS guitar. Is it available as production model? Thanks.

[@paulcowart3174]

Wish you would play on more demo's Great DW strat man Yes I like my TS after my GF as well so you can bump the treble on the tone up so the fuzz isn't quite so woody Great tone Skint rig too

[@garysmith2983]

Not a strat guy, but fantastic rig and lovely chops. Think a lot of this is creating a tone that would have been achieved at ear shattering volumes at manageable volumes. That said, the tonal quality between the rigs is very evident, as should be when comparing costs. Personally, think the strat tends, I say tends, to lead to playing fast and frantic. I find a 335 leads to more restrained, or melodic, playing style. That said, you can’t beat a workout on a strat occasionally for a bit of mayhem, IMHO that is. I think Jack agrees with me on this ?

[@Camstrat-bo2dl]

I have a 60s strat and a Fender Champ 100 and 2 tube screamers using 1 turn the guitar volume knob up full that is key because when you turn the volume down on the guitar you lose some of that high end then work the volume on the amp to how you like it

[@cemylgn1363]

15 mins to custom shop rig and 5 mins to player strat rig? The video is too commercial oriented

[@PeachGuitars]

Hey Cem, the intended audience for this video was very much the Custom Shop crowd. It was an agreed audience between ourselves and Guitar Magazine, it was definitely a commercial decision though, we are a guitar store after all!

[@xsamitt]

Fender man Approved!!!!!!

[@johngregory7329]

You are definitely a super excellent blues guitarist. I would love to jam with you someday. Stay safe and well. Keep Rocking. Signed John Zepbass.

[@av8tordonny398]

Are these pickups now the Lone Star pickups? Just a name change? Also, is there a treble bleed? What type?

[@DavidMcMillanPlus]

Your minted sound is awesome but, here in Oz, your skinted sound would still cost $2260!

[@BrandonScottSellner]

Man, you did you’re homework! Great stuff all around.

[@CyberOptek]

One day maybe I can afford this gear...lol. Great licks though and amazing sound

[@Dad-Gad]

If you're main thing is to create an SRV tone , surely it would be better to use the pedals Stevie used which are still easily available ?

[@surfboy7]

How does that strat compares to that sunburst pre CBS one you showed in one of the older videos? Always that question haha! Thanks

[@cpamiseso]

The starting point of how you dial the knobs on those amps is really intrigues me. I wanna see that cause even in bypassed mode you sound so close in my opinion. You're that good John!

[@mariosjosephidou1170]

I was hoping to hear only a marginal difference between the Minted and Skinted set-ups......... I didn't, it was monumental! Enjoyable, nonetheless :)

[@charlesfitzgerald3201]

Brother when i get ready to buy a custom shop strat , im coming to see you , you've obviously done the strat work , great job.

[@richjohn2497]

Damn you!!!! I love the expensive gear sound ... but can only afford the cheap set up ... maybe ;)

[@p6x2]

The tone is from his hands and his soul...

[@CentaurusRelax314]

Makes a player seem kinda silly, then, since Stevie himself obsessed over his gear and getting specific tone. He could have saved himself a lot of time by just realizing all that tone was already in his hands and 'soul.'

[@p6x2]

@@CentaurusRelax314 You can listen to him throughout the years, from Fender to Dumble, if he could hear some differences I doubt very much his audience could. Robben Ford did plenty of gigs in Europe using rental equipment from the backline. Most of the time Fender "The Twin" and his famous "Zen Drive". He still sounded like him, and you would not be able to tell he was not using his Dumble. I am a fan of Andy Timmons. From the early 90's. He went from Laney to Mesa, a multitude of pedals. He still sounds like Andy Timmons on any equipment he uses.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

​@@p6x2 You're still talking about tones that are within the same 'realm.' When Robben Ford uses backline gear, he does it with pedals that are meant to replicate his dumbles. He's not going from using his Strat+Dumble to a JEM+Orange. When Stevie 'evolved,' he still had relatively the same tastes, so the 'journey' was just that-an evolution. Not a revolution. He still sounded relatively the same because it was him, playing what he liked, the way he liked it. But, that doesn't mean the gear was irrelevant, which is the way it sounds when so many people say "tone is in the hands." "Tone" is a combination of playing style, the mentality (or "soul," if you wish), and the signal chain it all goes through. Dismissing any part of that is misleading for the sake of platitudes. And i'm not speaking solely of you or your comment-this is just such a common refrain in forums and comments and it's kinda ironic when it comes in a context specifically oriented toward achieving a tone partially via choice of equipment.

[@p6x2]

@@CentaurusRelax314 The subtlety of tone changes from the virtuoso's point of view is mainly missed by the majority of the audience. This is all very subjective. I can recognize a variety of guitar players by just listening to them. Whatever equipment they play on. I have followed Andy Timmons in the 90's, when he was a Laney endorser. Paris France, Frankfort Germany, Barcelona Spain; I have listened to him playing on a variety of amps and guitars; mostly Laney amplifiers, but also Ibanez amplifiers (rare appearance), playing his signature guitar the AT100SB, but also his AT300. I purchased equipment to get close to his tone. I own both the AT100SB and the AT300. I also own his current amplifier of choice, a 100 Watts Lonestar head with 2 x 12 Rectifier closed back cabinets. I have acquired all of his staple pedals, signature or not. When I play, I still sound like myself. I had that same discussion with him, Andy, since I often go to watch him play in McKinney Texas. What I am saying, is, you can purchase all the components used by your favorite artist, to get closer. But the major part of the tone comes from you.

[@hagzgamboa]

Dayyym! @John, what strings do you use? Awesome tones and playing. Wicked.

[@Blues-man.]

Man can you tickle the strings, great guitar player thumbs up 👍

[@eddieparker1680]

Lotta sheep in this space... why everybody trying to be somebody else?

[@DavidLiraOfficial]

Sucks you didn’t give pre amp setting info on the amp.

[@77tsmsa]

this is the SRV!

[@joshmcsaucy]

Been waiting for this video, did not disappoint! Definitely the best demo of the King Tone switch on KZbin

[@aidenmohrmann1850]

It's hard to replicate the aggression in the picking and vibrato

[@lukaszilnicki5732]

Great playing ,sound amazing brilliant job, you and Jack now how to get good sound all the best🤓👍

[@rjsilvas8597]

I bought a Duellist based off of this video. Thanks!