Texas Flood Amp Settings
Texas Flood showcases SRV's more restrained, emotional side — a slow blues with a tone that balances raw power and delicate touch. The same rig as Pride and Joy but played with more dynamics and sustain, letting each note breathe.
What Makes This Tone Iconic
While Pride and Joy shows SRV's power, Texas Flood shows his soul. The tone cleans up when he backs off the volume knob and roars when he digs in — that dynamic range is the hallmark of great blues tone. The slow tempo gives each note space to ring and sustain, showcasing the Vibroverb's beautiful natural compression at high volume.
Key Tone Elements
- Fender Vibroverb at high volume for natural compression and sustain
- Tube Screamer for mid boost on lead passages
- Heavy strings (.013-.058) tuned to Eb for thick, sustaining tone
- Volume knob dynamics — clean when backed off, dirty when full
- Slow, expressive vibrato and string bending
Original Recording Settings
Original Gear
- Guitar
- 1959 Fender Stratocaster ('Number One')
- Pickups
- Stock 1959 Fender single coils (neck (position 5))
- Amplifier
- Fender Vibroverb (x2) / Dumble Dumbleland 300
- Channel
- Cranked
- Tuning
- Eb standard
- Pickup Selector
- neck
- Strings
- 0.013-0.058
Same setup as Pride and Joy.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
Playing Technique
Slow blues with incredibly expressive bends and vibrato. Albert King-influenced overbends. Powerful dynamics from whisper to roar.
Sources+
- Guitar World: Richard Mullen interview
- Equipboard.com - SRV
Get This Tone on Your Gear
Adapt the "Texas Flood" tone by Stevie Ray Vaughan to your specific amp, guitar, and pedals.
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