GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Guitar Tone Settings
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble · 1980s · blues
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1963 Fender Stratocaster (SRV's Number One)
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups (original 1963 spec, overwound, vintage-style)
Amp
Marshall Major model 1967 Lead (early 1970s, 200-watt head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording for 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' on 'Couldn't Stand The Weather' (1984). SRV used the Marshall Major specifically for this Hendrix cover in the studio and live, as confirmed by Guitar World. Fender amps were used for most tracks, but the Marshall Major was chosen for its high headroom and Hendrix-like tone on this song. No evidence of Dumble or Vibroverb for this track. No evidence of studio-only effects like Dimension D on this riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass7
Gain5.5
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Wah pedal (likely Vox V846 or similar) · wah
Guitar → Wah pedal → Marshall Major amp (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- Texas blues crunch
- touch-sensitive and dynamic
- fat, round Strat neck pickup sound
- aggressive pick attack
- edge-of-breakup drive
- singing sustain
- percussive and articulate riffing
- warm, thick midrange
- slight amp breakup
- classic Hendrix-inspired wah sweeps
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for Marshall Major found; values estimated based on typical Marshall settings for blues/rock in the 1980s and SRV's known preferences.
- No evidence of Ibanez Tube Screamer or other overdrive pedals used on this specific recording/riff section; SRV often ran straight into the amp for this song.
- No evidence of chorus, delay, or flanger on the riff section; Dimension D chorus was used on solos for other tracks but not on this riff.
- Wah pedal is clearly audible in the riff section; model not confirmed for studio, but likely a Vox V846 or similar based on era and SRV's known gear.
- Reverb is likely amp spring reverb set low; no evidence of heavy reverb or time-based effects.
- Settings are estimated based on genre, amp, and era due to lack of explicit studio documentation.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. SRV's 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' riff tone is thick, dynamic, and on the edge of breakup, achieved with moderate gain, boosted bass, strong mids, and restrained treble to avoid harshness. Presence is neutral, and reverb is set for subtle ambience, matching his typical Fender amp settings and blues/rock conventions.