SRV Tone Essentials With Scott McKeon [Five Amps, Vibratone, Strats, Tube Screamers & Fuzz!)

[@scottmckeonmusic]

Thanks for having me! My hearing has almost recovered.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ha! What a blast Scott, thank you. Erm, not sure mine have. Hahahahaha

[@MarceloDurham]

Great stuff!!!

[@Shoshi770NYC]

Hope Daniel does very quickly as well!

[@rottalmusik6563]

Thanks for the awesome SRV rhythm stuff❤

[@marmelaki]

Thanks for taking us down that all-familiar rabbit hole (again)!

[@jimamsden]

I vividly remember the first time I heard SRV. I had just started graduate school in computer science at Boston University as a mid-life adventure. I was in my late 30's early 40's (I'm 75 now). It was after class, around 10:00 and I was walking back to my car on Commonwealth Ave. It was very cold, dark and wet, typical early winter in Boston. I walked past a Radio Shack and heard this guitar. I went in and listened intently to SRV playing Voodoo Child. It changed guitar forever for me.

[@roryyerama5496]

9 years in to get the first unabashed, shameless SRV video - well done and thank you!!! Love it! 🤠

[@live2shredguy]

Like 9 years and 8 months lol

[@dougmishoe1336]

People can like or dislike SRV's music, and that's fine. But the guy was the embodiment of a redemption story, having fallen into a hole and pulled himself out of it. He played with emotion and ferocity, and as an artist he gave you something every time he strapped it on. And for regular people like me who are just trying to figure out how to be better versions of ourselves, musically and in life, he's a good example of the human spirit. Folks who just want to talk about guitar chops / technical ability and who was the "best" guitar player - they just don't get it... and probably never will. I have many musical heroes, but SRV is unique for these reasons, in my opinion.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Nice! Thank you for that!

[@logangrzesiek8749]

Idk if I've ever met a single person who doesn't like SRV, haha. Guitar players, or not - one of the most univerally loved musicians.

[@CorbCorbin]

He also was a story of perseverance, as he gigged throughout his 20’s, and didn’t make that first album until he was 30.

[@matthouston8411]

Well said.

[@tonyevans9999]

exactly, you get it

[@simonnaji]

I have had a tough few months, and this one really lifted my spirits. Two big kids with unabashed delight at recalling the excitement and passion that comes with discovering and living with Stevie Ray. Thanks to you both, it was lovely!

[@MatthewRMacKinnon]

When that fuzzed kicked in- that’s the best tone you’ve ever had in the show. Bravo!

[@RadcliffGuitar]

What a player! Despite all the incredible gear, this man’s study of how to play like SRV seems to be the biggest factor.

[@Joshbw3]

Finally Scott McKeon!!!!! Legend. More needed with Scott talking about playing with Sir Tom Jones and his approach to different gigs and styles. Would love stories about playing with Doyle and Bonamassa too.

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

I was 18 in 1980, and saw SRV live at an outdoor college graduation festival event. It was positively mind bending. People now might have trouble grasping the musical landscape of the late 70’s. Picture this, disco was finally fading out and hair metal was ascendant along side 80’s pop weirdness. Guitar wise, we had the rockabilly revival lead by Brian Setzer an the Strsy Cats, and in the rock world, of course we had the mind blowing EVH. But blues were essentially completely non existent. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, came the opening lines of Pride and Joy. You have no idea how that fucking cut through EVERYTHING. I was total WTF. God it was glorious!

[@paulcavaliere213]

I was smiling the whole time, just watching Mick smile the whole time. It was like watching kids open their presents on Christmas or least allowing full grown adults to be kids again. Experiencing pure magic, bubbling with excitement, tearing through the wrapping paper and realizing their dreams came true. I never played guitar when I was young, picking it up now when I'm older and just entering my Stevie playing phase. For me its a whole new experience. P.S. The Deluxe Reverb deserved better.

[@hisproperty1438]

G'day Mick & Scott, Yes, I remember the 1st time I heard Stevie Ray Vaughan. Around 85, I went to a house-warming party with a girlfriend, and Couldn't Stand The Weather was playing on the stereo. We danced to Voodoo Chille and Cold Shot. We enjoyed it so much that I spent the rest of the night rewinding the cassette, so we could listen & dance to side A. One year, and one gf later, I managed to find the album on CD, and started collecting SRV's albums. I also remember in 1990, hearing SRV on commercial radio in Australia, before the DJ announced that he had died that day. Thanks to you both for a great show. Andrew

[@Usher76]

One of the best episodes ever. Scott Mckone is amazing!

[@gbarge4]

Man, Mick, the truly good humans coming onto the show are incredible. We are all so lucky to have a listen and a hang with your and Dan's dear friends. It's all very special. Thanks to all. Funny how K responded immediately to the question re the dB meter! Bless her. (My R received her package from the TPS Store yesterday, including a very lovely note. Thanks so much to K!)

[@TomPowell-jk1xy]

I do love that pedal show, what better video to watch after a week of work. Great stuff as always

[@canyondepths]

I saw SRV on the Soul to Soul tour in a 3,000-seat theatre. He had large baffles in front of his amps b/c his stage volume was insane. But not loud enough, apparently. Near the end of the show he kicked over the baffles and it was like a sonic boom ... could feel every note shake my whole body. Several people up front couldn't take it and had to leave, haha. ps -- And yes, Scott's album New Morning is amazing!!!

[@pauleddy5146]

Always fun when you bring Stevie to the party. Thanks Scott for the terrific playing. Personally, I was 24 when Texas Flood came out. An instant fan. Thanks for the immersion into the sounds of youth.

[@cowieson]

What an utter treat of an episode! I think we spoke briefly about SRV when I visited for an experience day this year Mick (Euan here, hello!). It’s funny how many of these stories start with a dad’s pal because that’s true of me too! One of my dad’s pals said to him “Your boy plays guitar? Show him this!” in reference to a DVD of Live at the El Mocambo. I think it’s one of my strongest musical memories, sitting transfixed in front of the tv in awe of the visceral emotion flowing out through his guitar, and his connectedness with his instrument as if it were literally a part of him. The contrast in energy between Third Stone and Lenny in particular blew me away. What a pure soul. I think a lot of us have those “oh god, I should just quit playing… or maybe never stop until I can get somewhere close to this” moments when encountering artists like him - thankfully for me I can say I went with the latter and he’s a big part of why I’m still playing guitar 20-odd years later!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Hey Euan, thank you for these thoughts. Hope you're well geezer!

[@kanehicks9321]

Great show and thank you both 🙏🤘🎸🤯🎸🤛🙏🎸🙏🇨🇦🔥👋🇨🇦🔥🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦👋🔥🇨🇦Feel much better Dan!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@joshuaraysummey7679]

I had one summer that i used to play SRV tunes, i was 16, and it was so much fun! Thanks for doing this vid! The nerdy nostalgic nature of this vid brought me joy!❤

[@michaelclarkphoto]

Right on Gents! True to form--and to SRV's tones--all I remember is that it was absolutely ear-splitting and punishingly loud in those small clubs in Austin back in the late 80s when I lived there. It was glorious too, but man, it was freaking loud.

[@JustinJeske]

As someone with a 1964 VibroVerb I’m SO excited for this. Also, cheeky covering up the you-know-what 😆

[@dominionelectriceffectsco]

Talking about the Leslie being on almost the whole time - One of my absolute favourite live recordings is SRV at the Austin Opera House in 1984 (you can find it on KZbin), right from the get go with Testify you can hear the Vibratone on slow corral on pretty much the whole time and on a proper set of speakers it's amazing! Thanks guys for this episode, loads of fun!

[@ToddTheJoker]

I am 54 and I remember in the 80's seeing/hearing SRV late at night one night on TV and it was the Austin City Limits show and he took my head off! I was hooked, I went and bought Texas Flood and he is one of the main reasons why I play guitar although I was always into drums mainly! I remember that Stevie liked and played with fellow Canadian Colin James(then called Colin Munn as Stevie referred to him in interviews) and Colin is another hero of mine but I digress! SRV was just Texas Blues, he personified it and his sound was so powerful! I remember the day Stevie died, I was so depressed! One of a kind! oh and you guys nailed the SRV tone especially at roughly the 52.38 mark and onward..well done!

[@MrApprobatur]

MAN!! Was having a stankface all the way through - thanks for the indulgance guys!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ha! Me too! Mick here. Cheers!

[@DunsfoldDave]

We’re in our mid 60’s from Surrey, Uk, however in the early 80’s my wife lived in Dallas TX and used to watch SRV play at Nick’s Uptown, often not packed. She remembers sitting in a chair at the front with her feet up on another chair watching him, the whole routine, behind his back, with his teeth etc. I’m still insanely jealous that he died before I could see him.

[@hendrixevo147]

Wow. Great interview. Scott is so talented. I was lucky enough to see SRV in 1983 at reading rock festival. So cool 🤘🤘

[@tylergorham7301]

Killer episode! I think it's good to be unapologetic about the joy we find when tapping into our favorite players and this episode was dripping in that.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you Tyler!

[@shanemcconnell1736]

I touched the SRV guitar, after the encore at the Elmo combo in the band, walked off my table was like 3 feet from the stage, I just got up reached over and took a pic out from the strings, put my hand around the neck for about 10 seconds, I’m a guitar player, this deck was huge. It was like a baseball bat side and a half, fun stuff.

[@VeniceKing1]

Love an episode where you or Dan can't hide your enthusiasm. Brilliant stuff!

[@weschilton]

What a balls to the wall video! Super awesome! I was LUCKY enough to see SRV play in my dinky little Texas college town of Nacogdoches back in 1984 and MY GOD was it incredible. As a mostly rock and fusion guy back then I barely knew who he was... but after that show I started buying up his records. You know after looking at the Tube Screamer settings you guys say he used, I would bet big time that if Stevie had lived into the 90s he would have been a huge fan of the Klon Centaur Big props to Scott's amazing playing and for sharing his rigs... incredible tones!

[@Akapickles]

Tones just kept getting better! Thank you for sharing this experience.

[@67er_matze97]

this was so amazing!! I had to call a friend who is also into SRV tones to immediately dial into that episode. So next monday's VCQ we'll have a lot of discussion how thousands of TPS followers explain their wifes / husbands that we definitely need to amp up our toilet rooms. This is in a very good way the most nerdy idea I ever came across. Love it !!

[@mark.guitar]

For me it was seeing Allan Holdsworth depping in a trad jazz band at a pub gig in Surrey. My Dad, who had played flugel with the band heard that he was a good guitarist and took me. I was blown away when he did a solo. The band retired to the bar and Allan played on a strat into a Deluxe reverb for 45 minutes. Never to be repeated.

[@billtice5057]

I had the pleasure of seeing SRV several times. First time was in a park in 1984 in Shreveport, LA. Last time was at the Greek Theatre in Las Angeles. He was a one-of-a-kind!

[@mdrummey]

Stunning recreations of those impossible SRV rhythm parts. Some of the best I've ever heard. This episode was awesome!

[@TheGlitterball8]

My first love was Elvis,,,, my second was The sugar hill gang,,,, my third was Mick Taylor who introduced me to SRV and my life was never the same…. It was Mick and Stevie Ray that brought the glorious instrument that is the guitar into my life and never left❤ Thank you babe

[@ThatPedalShow]

Bless you. x

[@TraneFrancks]

Nice to get some SRG in my life over brekkies this morning. Some of the tones were utterly exquisite!

[@alexandermclaughlin3978]

In-SANE sound 🤯🤯 I'm completely blown away by how good this sounded, and I'm just a regular SRV-liking, not loving bloke. Hats off to this, you've genuinely made me like Mick, TPS, Scott and SRV more 🙌🙌

[@MrDlc1969]

Tommy Shannon does not get enough credit he was a great Bass player and played with Greats like Johnny Winter at a little show in Woodstock Ny. Usa . Props to Mr. Shannon !

[@robzagar4275]

Love all your shows . Enjoy them . This one was the bomb! The look on Micks face ..! Good job thanks

[@tonemonkeys]

I was at NAMM when they released that SRV guitar. I had the pleasure to play with Bonnie Raitt with the number one of the hundred that were made, one of the greatest moments of my life.

[@starchild6347]

Tremendous geekery! Would love to see more focus on an iconic artist rig in the future!

[@simonwhalley1743]

I remember so clearly the first time I saw SRV. It was at Reading Festival, must have been early to mid-eighties. A band had just finished one afternoon and the normal bottle fight erupted in the crowd whilst the roadies were changing sets. Bottles of everything - and I mean everything - were flying all over the place. Suddenly the sound of Voodoo Chile swept over the audience and the bottle fight immediately stopped and jaws started hitting the ground. It was one of the most electrifying sets I’ve ever seen.

[@davidrustad2084]

My heart explodes with joy seeing happy Mick with a pile of tube screamers and the truth.

[@JohnRussomJr]

I needed this. Thank you for the detail you added!

[@Slavomiras]

Scott has a very interesting shuffle feel. Swinging very hard. Thant one of a king for sure, very cool!

[@cchuvan]

One of my abiding teenage memories is visiting my uncle with my dad one day, and him popping in the Laserdisc(!) of Live at El Mocambo. I was just getting into guitar playing and it was a pretty pivotal moment in terms of feeding my fascination with the instrument. 30+ years later, I still can't get anywhere close and my personal style is aeons removed from SRV's but I can't deny his influence (and that performance in particular) in lighting the fire.

[@bluesfan182ify]

This was sick dude!!!! Gnarly accurate sounds. 🤘🏻

[@edwardpenoi7275]

Daaang ya'll, sure it's not the Cotton Bowl in Texas, but that was amazing. Thanks for doing this.

[@gogboxing5655]

I saw him live in Dallas (saw Jimmy a bunch of times). Loudest concert maybe ever. Phenomenal player. Mind-blowing, really. Then everyone in Texas tried to play and even look like him (or it seemed like it), and no one could really get there, which was not surprising. There was a time when the SRV clone thing was out of control, and it wore everyone out, but I think that's finally wearing off, and it's great to see he is being appreciated again.

[@WolverineBeast86]

The best TPS video, EVER! Goosebumps galore!

[@TheArtofBlues]

I like reading the comments of people who actually saw him. It gives you sense of how great he was even more so. Thanks Mick and Scott for doing this Episode!

[@GuitarTonePro]

Awesome episode gents! Always good to hear from Mr McKeon and some Stevie. Definitely going to need to get him back on the show to go through his pedal range over the years and hear maybe some more technical insider info on them.

[@dhod900]

I can’t wait - am lucky enough to have two of Scott’s NKT fuzzes and his playing is 🔥

[@martintracey4949]

TONES 🤯.....Unbelievable...Just Class and great fun to boot. Hats of Guys👏

[@wolftonemusic2103]

Thanks Scott and Mick - what a treat ✨🎶❤ had the chance to see SRV in 1988 - right in front of the stage & had my ears ringing for a week in glorious way✨

[@dubshockmedia1110]

That was awesome. Things can get really po faced when people are too far down the rabbit hole. You really captured the fun of Stevie's vibe in this episode.

[@jeffreylane73]

Learned about Scott from you guys and the Anderton's folks and man, what a great player...that New Morning record is just so good, killer tones all over it!!

[@cybersectech3171]

Really enjoyed this deeper look intro SRV, thanks!

[@darrenevans3148]

Wow, if this doesn't sell 1000's of strat's I'll be amazed. This episode sounds phenomenal, great job Mike. Will be checking out Scott, ridiculously good player.

[@Jimbodiddley1]

Having the Toilet Deluxe in the mix gives new meaning to Scuttle Buttin’!

[@average.punter14]

There is no better advertisement for SM fuzz, than SM playing these fuzzes - but remember friends, the critical ingredient is volume.

[@jordangalash4289]

Loved this, love SRV. Great episode.

[@jonathandulin8753]

I pretty much never liked a tube screamer, but I’ve recently discovered that I love using it strictly for a solo boost. Always audible and plenty of sustain.

[@mattswanton795]

I was also around 10 years old when i discovered him. SRV is the reason why I play blues and have a blues band today. No one grabbed my attention at 10 years old like he did.

[@philgallagher1]

I just thought it was great to see you both having so much fun! Dan must be SO pissed off that he missed it!!! (Oh yeah, and Mick hit 117!)

[@eanroad]

Amazing show! Thanks for doing this! Cheers!

[@matthewgregg31]

Great episode! Scott is absolutely one of my favorite players ever.. Like many, I’ve idolized Stevie since I was a kid. One of the first things I did when moving to Austin Texas was visit Ray Hennigs Music where Stevie purchased Number 1. Ray was happy to shoot the breeze and talk about Stevie and that guitar, what a cool guy he was (RIP) Months later, I got a job managing a guitar store and met a ton of old locals who had played with or knew Stevie personally. One gent gifted me one of SRV’s blue Fender guitar picks that he acquired from a gig at Maggie Mae’s in 1983! It’s been fun living here and hearing stories first hand that were close to the man. Sometimes I’ll hop in my car and drive up the road 5 minutes to view number one and some other gear of Stevie’s which is permanently on display and be in awe!

[@TheArtofBlues]

Was it a medium gauge pick or thin?

[@marcossalomgarcia1276]

What a great episode. The chat was great. The tones were great and Scott was great. Totally biased and I hope Dan gets well soon, but these last two episodes going full on strats have been fantastic. Philip Sayce is on tour right now on the UK, I really hope he could pay you guys a visit.

[@ji3946]

saw him 7 times in various venues, but the amazing thing was an unannounced show at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ.(89' 90"?) The show was over around 10pm and the placed cleared out. I had a 45 drive back so I hung at the bar for a coffee, the entire band came out to the bar and we chatted with them for half an hour. Most down to earth people I've ever met in music

[@JaakkoTK]

Thanks for this! Stevie was the man! Great sounds and playing, cheers from Finland!

[@massimos6863]

Awesome playing Scott and Mick Awesome Tone with all the great gear, awesome episode. SRV was amazing and inspiration, his legacy lives on, eternal memory ❤🙏

[@kevinmendezrios3101]

Amazing, i had years waiting for this episode! Thank you so much.

[@MrEMann]

What a load of fun that was! So many memories of hearing those sounds for the first time.

[@Guitaural.]

Saw Stevie several times, from a jazz club on the Texas Flood tour, to standing front row at an arena in Sept of '84 supporting "Couldn't Stand..." Albert Collins opened for him at that show. Later with the T-Birds at an outdoor amphitheater where he and Jimmy came out and did their 'brother-playing,' almost hugging, with one on the neck and the other doing the right hand. I do remember the arena show being especially loud, being essentially a hockey rink. Wouldn't even _consider_ going to a show now without my ears packed with foam ear plugs...lol. These days I'd pretty much rather hear Django or Jerry Reed than anyone, but still love some Stevie : ) Great show Mick!

[@nealpike6611]

This is up there with the dumble episode and a few of my personal favourites

[@tonebender69]

Hell yeah Mick!!! Long over due episode. SRV is up there with the holy grail tones and playing! Lots of fun watching this one.

[@FatMatt_Tones]

Great fun Mick and Scott!!! Bless you both!!

[@wallace4546]

Strats have never work for me. Always found it hard to find my place in a band with one, but I cant deny a Strat with that SRV sound is the peak of guitar tone for me, Doesn't get better! Love it guys!

[@danielmincher4912]

that tone/sound is incredible!

[@Wadey1960CS]

Perfect listen for the ride to Work! I’m going to enjoy this one. ❤

[@PedalPawn]

Dream episode! Thanks guys 🤠❤ We need Jesse Davey next 🙌

[@astewart9410]

Pure heaven. Thanks guys!

[@Peterbrendanalbert]

This made me get my Strat out. Well, My Hondo H-76 in Fiesta Red with matching headstock and silver go faster stripes on the arm cut. I digress. I then had to turn this vid off and return to Micks Strat set-up vid. My trem was pretty stiff set, down only. Half hour with the tools and it's like having a different guitar.. Thanks Mick... Anyhoo, back to the show.

[@timchalmers1700]

Wow!!! Incredible playing and sounds!!!

[@admarhermans1]

Great episode! (Hope Dan gets well soon❣️) 🖖

[@mykeychainrecords]

Fantastic!!! Another legendary show! Thanks!!!!💕

[@GlasVelo]

Fantastic episode...Scott is an absolute beast! ❤ Would've loved to have been in the room when everything was on!!

[@victorroffe9983]

Awesome awesome- what fun to watch and listen to!!!!!

[@benspicer7470]

New favorite episode! Awesome tones and playing!

[@cap519]

if ever there were a definitive Mick episode of TPS it would be this one. fun episode! Thanks!

[@GuitarsOK]

Awesomeness! Yesssss! This promises to be an EPIC episode! ❤❤

[@eaglerayrob]

Fantastic!! I'm on Dopamine overload, I wished I could've been in the room. This was moving air at it's best. Because tone!!

[@mojogaucho]

I was lucky enough to see Stevie Ray and Double Trouble every time they came out to Australia. Certainly influenced the way I played going forward.

[@EWhite-95]

Great to see Mick grin from ear to ear! Killer show, love watching people go full nerd and no prisoners taken. Would be cool to see Dan do something like this with one of his heroes

[@anthonyalfredyorke1621]

Thanks Mick and Scott, what a treat and what a wonderful way to start the Weekend. Unfortunately my Guitar has been listening and has just left me!! . Have a wonderful weekend and PEACE AND LOVE TO EVERYONE ❤❤.

[@samueldubois9790]

It’s amazing! Nice job!

[@goodknight37]

What a beautiful place Dorset looks😊 I have the same SRV story btw. I started playing 30 years ago because of Stevie.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Yeah man, Dorset is the shizzle! No motorways!

[@gordonrankin3995]

Mick your missing the real tube Tube Screamer by Ibanez. When I bought it everyone said use 18V. I didn't like it and it went on the pile. Then one day I pulled it out threw it on the board at 9V and it hasn't left. Well I guess that one was after we lost SVR. Now I want to make an amp with a 15"! The Dumble overdrive has a lot of filtering to high pass. From my math it looks like it drops off at -3dB around 200-225Hz. I was working with my 4x12 (2xBlue UK, 2x Greenback UK) @112dB per watt and man even a dinky 4W amp sounds really loud! Great show thanks guys! I love all the smiles today which is reflected by the playing.

[@kcole4001]

What a glorious sound! I always get a little bummed when anyone says SRV is over appreciated/copied, etc. The man was a legend pretty much from the release of Texas Flood, I remember first hearing it in later '83 and my 17 yr old mind was blown. And not just his playing, his vocal style, the whole vibe was and is something really special, and very much like Hendrix was unique. I can't help but think they'd be best buds if they could have ever met in life. Must...NOT...search Reverb for Vibratones.... 😬 Great episode as always! 👍👍

[@chrisquinn9104]

When I finally played a Tube Screamer into a Super Reverb it totally made sense, a bit of drive, but a lot of it seemed like it was the compression that was the real help. SRV supposedly used a Dimension D on CSTW in addition to all the rest