GuitarDistortedRiff
Tightrope Guitar Tone Settings
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble · 1980s · blues
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 'Number One' 1963/62 Stratocaster)
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups (stock vintage-style, overwound, late 50s/early 60s spec)
Amp
Fender Vibroverb (Blackface, 1964) and/or Fender Super Reverb (Blackface, mid-60s), possibly blended with Dumble Steel String Singer
Pickup Position
Position 4 (neck + middle)
Studio recording, 1988-89 for 'In Step' album. SRV often blended two Fender amps (Vibroverb and Super Reverb) in the studio, sometimes with a Dumble Steel String Singer. For 'Tightrope' riff, the main rhythm tone is Strat into Tube Screamer into Fender amps, no modulation or time-based pedals. Pickup selector likely in position 4 (neck + middle) or neck only. No evidence of additional effects in the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass7
Gain4.5
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer · overdrive
Fender Stratocaster → Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer → Fender Vibroverb/Super Reverb (spring reverb on)
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- edge-of-breakup crunch
- fat Texas blues tone
- warm and smooth
- touch-sensitive and dynamic
- slightly compressed mids
- clear single-coil articulation
- tight, punchy rhythm
- percussive attack
- no audible modulation or delay
- classic SRV Strat sound