ROCK MOMENT – Stevie Ray Vaughan “Number One”
The story of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s most famous guitar is almost as legendary as the man himself. His primary instrument—affectionately known as “Number One”—became inseparable from his identity and sound.
“Number One” was a 1963 Fender Stratocaster that Vaughan purchased in 1973 from a music store in Austin, Texas. The guitar itself was unique: it featured a 1962 body paired with a 1963 neck, a combination not uncommon at the time but one that contributed to its distinct resonance and feel. Vaughan immediately bonded with the instrument. He strung it with unusually heavy gauge strings—often .013s—which gave his tone extraordinary thickness but also put tremendous strain on the neck and hardware.
Over the years, “Number One” underwent numerous modifications and repairs. The original neck had to be replaced several times due to warping and fret wear caused by Vaughan’s aggressive playing style and heavy strings. He installed a left-handed tremolo system (even though he was right-handed), which slightly altered the string tension and feel. The worn sunburst finish eventually faded from constant touring and sweat, and the pickguard was replaced multiple times. Despite all the changes, Vaughan insisted the guitar retained its spirit and sound.
“Number One” was central to the recordings of albums like Texas Flood and Couldn’t Stand the Weather. Its biting yet warm tone defined tracks such as ‘Pride and Joy’ and ‘Cold Shot,’ helping Vaughan revive blues rock in the 1980s. The guitar’s thick sustain and glassy highs became hallmarks of his style.
After Vaughan’s tragic death in 1990, “Number One” was eventually returned to his family. Today, it remains a treasured piece of music history—a battered but beautiful symbol of one of the most electrifying guitarists ever to plug into an amp.
