We need a short guitar history of five watt world

Stevie Ray was the reason I started playing guitar in 1987, and I cried when he died. What a legend.

Grew up in Austin. First saw Stevie when he was playing in the band "The Cobra's" at a tiny club called "The Hole in the Wall" across the street from U.T. I knew that first night that he was something special. Must have seen him live at least 3 dozen times over the years and got to know him casually because he shopped in the grocery where I worked. He was very humble about his gift. A really nice guy. The day he died was a very dark day (week, month, year) in Austin. He shares the G.O.A.T. title with Hendrix when it comes to the blues. Stevie was a lexicon of the blues - there wasn't an obscure blues player out there that he hadn't studied.

One of my early heroes. It was hard not to be influenced by him and his brother growing up in South Texas in the 80s.

I'll never forget the first time that I saw SRV play on TV. He flipped the guitar behind his back and played a guitar solo. I know that when I am playing something that's difficult I get a strained look on my face from the concentration. I looked at SRV's face to see how difficult this feat was for him. He had the biggest smile on his face and looked so relaxed. It blew my mind. I already knew that SRV was great, but this was something special.

GREAT PIECE! As a young man I was so very fortunate to see Stevie in the DFW area bar circuit. He was such a powerful player and to see him in such small settings was beyond phenomenal. A true Texas inspiration for this now older Texan! Love and miss you sooo much SRV.

He was the total package. Incredible stage performer, singer and player with the greatest guitar tone of all time. He looked great, unusually stylish in some ways and at times threatening. Every note, chord, bend and vibrato was his territory or domain. He made us want to be him.

One of my favorite guitarists, and two of my favorite guitar instrumentals, Lenny, and Riviera Paradise. This video is a wonderful and insightful tribute to SRV as seen through his guitars. A thousand thanks. 👏😎

I'd never heard of Stevie Ray Vaughan until his first appearance on "Austin City Limits" on a double bill with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, with his brother Jimmy on guitar. By the time he finished his set with "Voodoo Chile" my jaw was on the floor. I went the following Monday and bought a Stevie Ray Vaughan cassette. Another one gone far too soon.

I am so happy that I got to see SRV live many times - every time was magical. One concert that stands out was at James Madison University 1/25/86 (tix cost $9.50!) with The Fabulous Thunderbirds opening and Stevie and Jimmy doing some songs together. But when SRV launched into Voodoo Chile a hush fell over the entire stadium (only half full, I might add). I believe everyone in attendance realized they were witnessing something amazing - I know I had goosebumps.

I’m inclined to agree with you about feeling worn out after listening to SRV’s records. It’s one thing to listen to someone tear up a fretboard, but it’s another thing entirely for a guy to be so intense that his playing envelops you and makes you feel like you’re on that roller coaster with him.

Without a doubt Stevie Ray Vaughan is the Greatest Blues guitarist to this day. His approach of incorporating and honoring the Legendary blues masters that inspired him is second to none. He didn’t mimic or imitate, he borrowed created and inspired. He’s a true Gentleman and a Legend, his passion for his choice of instrument was infinite. Any song he remade, he owned it. Thank you again Keith for your Great work of presentation educating and inspirational videos. Cheers!

Great video. It's surprising that #1 lasted as long as it did. I remember seeing him on the Couldn't Stand the Weather tour with Lonnie Mack opening. During Third Stone he stood/squatted on the body of the guitar and pulled up on the headstock lifting the body off the ground. Then he proceeded to thrash the guitar around by the vibrato arm. It was mesmerizing and almost brought my guitar teacher, who was with me, to tears to see the guitar treated like that. Good memories.

Stevie for me is the best ever - nobody's soul shines through the six strings like his. I saw him about 5-7 times - the first time in a small (somewhat heralded/famous club...) "my father's place" - 1984 - still have not seen anyone come close to that electrifying performance. I was also at the MSG show in 1989 - double bill tour with Jeff Beck. Stevie speaks to me every single time I hear him, and I don't there will ever be another like him....I hope I am wrong!

There are 2 Bramhalls. One is Doyle Bramhall II who was pictured with Jimmy in this video and the other is his dad Doyle Bramhall who played with Jimmy in the early years and collaborated with Stevie on some of his songs. Great vid thanks !

Cheers Keith! For anyone wondering - for the introduction I'm playing through a 1965 Fender Pro Reverb...It's actually the #1 Production model...Which presumably makes it the first 1965 Fender Pro Reverb built? (Oh and an Ibanez TS10)

Very cool video I did Live sounds in a club in Ft Worth and one night during an Everett Harp show Stevie walked in plugged in and played for about 30 to 45 min then unplugged and left. it was an amazing show and night. I will never forget that nor his playing.. He was a monster player. and I often wonder where his playing would have journeyed to in time.

I started playing guitar because of SRV. At the age of 13, I saw him on Austin City Limits and my life would never be the same. I saw him play Voodoo Chile and it gave me goosebumps. I have goosebumps just thinking about it. I bought the real deal greatest hits volume 2, and tried to learn Voodoo Chile. That song opened up the fretboard to me and I was able to learn the pentatonic scale. Then I learned that the major and minor pentatonic scales are all used in a lot of other guitar solos. The rest is history. Thank you SRV.

Been on a Stevie binge the past few days. Good timing

First time I saw SRV was in October '83 in a little club in Destin FL. Was luck enough to be on stage right in front of SRV, at most 3ft way. I have one of his picks and some nice photos a friend, a professional photog took during the show. Later I was allowed onto his bus and got to chat for a short while with him and his kindly autographed the ticket stub ($5) - but five dollar I have ever spent for sure! He was kind and humble, smiled easily and in no way appeared rushed despite likely being completely worn from all the energy he put into the show. Oh, and what a show! Never have I witnessed an artist becoming one with an instrument as I did that night seeing Stevie. That was the first of five times seeing him including the lows of his severe drug days to the highs of his post recovery period. Any I can say that even during his bad days he was far better than most. One of my friends ended up with of Number 1 that flew off during his very rough and tumble Third Stone From the Sun medley. I still get emotional when I think too much about his passing.

Nobody played guitar better than Stevie Ray Vaughan one of my favorite videos of him is playing with Jeff Healey and the way he backed off and the way that he backed off and let Jeff take the lead in the solo is a true testament to the man Stevie Ray Vaughan was

I don't know that you understand how beautiful these videos can be, serving as such meaningful tributes to these artists and their music... at the end of the day the most meaningful contribution many of us might make is that we were fans of this music and generations from now they wont remember us, but they'll have this music to enjoy. I'm perfectly fine with that as a legacy, if in someway we can sneak a hand onto this and say we had a part.

Everyone talks about "Let's Dance"....but "China Girl" was the true star of that album.

This video should be subtitled: 'Stevie Played a Partscaster: Keep Practicing'. By the way, love the work at 5WW, keep it up!

I made my first "real guitar" purchase, replacing a Squier, at a shop on University Ave. in Madison, WI (the name escapes me at this moment) and it was a '98 Fender "standard" Stratocaster in black with a rosewood finger board. I knew that purchase would mean I'd be living off of mac & cheese, ramen noodles and spaghetti for a long time, but I had to have it. The people in that shop listened, patiently, as I went on and on about SRV. I mentioned that the SRV strat they had hanging on the wall was what I really wanted but there was no way I could afford it. Those kind people let me noodle around with that SRV strat while they packaged the black strat I went home with (still have it). They even threw in a hard shell case for no extra charge. Like Keith, I found SRV after the fateful day. The first song I remember hearing was "Telephone Song". I can still picture the car I was in, the street I was on and how the sun was setting. Early 1992. In the town I lived in all the good record shops had disappeared and I had to go to Madison, in a rickety '78 Malibu, to have anything resembling variety. I was in a record shop in one of Madison's malls when I heard a voice which matched what I had heard on "Telephone Song". I went right up to the shopkeeper and asked "What is playing right now?" The album they were playing was the live album "In The Beginning". I purchased the cassette (still have it) and went head-first down the SRV rabbit hole. Stevie Ray Vaughan's influence cannot be measured. He was so intense that we mortals are still attempting to process all that he provided us during his short life. My bog-standard '98 black "Mexicaster" IS my SRV strat if only because I made that purchase because of SRV.

Guitars of Albert Lee given the inimitable KW take would be a real treat. I live in hope... Brilliant as always KW, Ta mate.

Finally got around to watching this one Keith…, not going to lie, I shed a tear or two from this one. Being a born and raised Texan, I remember getting handed a Tape of Stevie…. I love him dearly and he inspires me to keep showing up to my guitar every day. This is one of the best contributions to his story I’ve seen yet…. Thanks for sharing…

I consider myself fortunate to have seen SRV less than a year before his death (Tucson, 08/29/89). What I remember most was when, during a solo, he turned to his amps and bent up to hold a note. It seemed like it lasted forever. When he finally resolved the lick, it just floored the audience. That day I learned that one note, played right, was better than a million notes played with mediocrity. I also learned that Chris Layton was deafening behind a drum kit. For a three-piece, they were loud as hell but in the best way possible.

In 2 days, it will be 33 years since SRV was taken, and it's still as painful as it was that day. He is the reason I play guitar to this day. I've always felt an intense connection to Stevie, and tears still fall sometimes when I think of him..... I would bet I'm not the only one.

O god. I was lucky to get a chance to meet SRV in (I think) 1986. He was doing a run of shows at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, MI. I was working at the deli that did the catering.

I stumbled upon this video randomly and I think that it is so cool that you brought up Ithaca Guitar Works! I live in the area and these are some of the nicest people you could ever meet, I bought my Martin D-16 from there in 2013 and it’s still my main guitar today! If anyone is in the Ithaca area, make sure you stop by Ithaca Guitar Works! Great ppl.

Stevie Ray Vaughn The Best of Them! Have Loved All His Music Since I First Heard Him Play! He Taught Himself to Play Just Like That!

I keep starting this but I stop and back it up, saving it for later like the last piece of cheesecake. The morning with coffee and some guitar playing will be the right time, I think. I know this is going to make me want to go play guitar and I have to go to bed!

Thank you, Keith, for another great addition to the collection. I've been waiting for this one for a while. I also came late to SRV. I was living in England when he died and when someone told me that he had I thought they were talking about the dude with the bandana who played for Springsteen. A few years later I watched the El Mocambo video and by the end of it I was in tears. I've been playing guitar for over 50 years and to me SRV was the best. He didn't just play guitar; he became music. Whenever I hear Hendrix or Clapton I feel the urge to play but when I hear Stevie Ray Vaughan I want to give it up...

Just got into five watt world this week been binging the short histories/guitars of while I work. So excited for this one!

Loving strat month

I'll never forget being at Gold's Gym in Newington CT when I heard the news of the crash. Stevie was an absolute monster on guitar, I wish I had been able to see him just once...

I was fortunate to see Stevie Ray Vaughan play when he was touring with The Moody Blues during "The Present" tour in 1983. I remember a roadie during his performance always running up to him and changing over his guitar in mid performance. This happened about three times as I recall. I remember thinking that he sure breaks a lot of strings.

Thnx very much for this bro. KNOPFLER and now Stevie. You have impeccable taste. We were lucky enough to see SRV live in Salem, Oregon, scant days before his untimely passing. For that I am eternally grateful to the guitar gods.

I saw SRV with my Dad, in 89 at Deer Creek (noblesville indiana)... an amayzing night

John Cordy's performance on the intro was beautiful.. Another side of his playing I have not heard quite so plainly before. And he is once again sublime.

Nice work, Keith. man, break at work in SSF, '83. I go out for a quick drive. Hit the SF State college station (yes, i remember and frequent KCSM, KFJC and KZSU). They play 'I'm Crying ' From SRV TF. New to me. Blown OUT!!! DJ starts screaming at the end like it's a joke.' Get to work. Co worker knew of the station and the phone number. Called the guy,,,,i think i scared him. Fan of SRV for that album but lost me. In Step ruled and knew of his 'there and back' story. bad news on the door step,,,,i used to get the SF Chron early in the morning. The one with news of him passing wound up in shreds in the kitchen. Pissed and heartbroken. We covered his take on Goin' Down via the SRV Boxset.. in '05. I loved this,,,,i went last ;) RIP, SRV.

Stevie was the catalyst, the reason I decided to pick up the guitar at 14 years old, I would choose a Mexican made Stratocaster, black and white just like (I thought) was on the cover of Texas Flood in around 1991 after falling asleep listening to Live Alive and then woke up with my brain clicking on and screaming ‘you HAVE to learn to play like him!’ I began learning on my dad’s early 70’s Gibson Les Paul, the first chords and song I learned was ‘Pride and Joy’ but I got fairly good quickly, and soon after got my first guitar of my very own, the Mexican Stratocaster for around $400. Then came the first amp, going from my dads absurdly loud silver faced Twin Reverb, to a Fender Princeton Chorus, then came the Tube Screamer, then countless guitars and amps that were traded in for newer ones, then gave up playing for a while, then got back into it again, played in rockabilly bands, then quit again, and now after a break from it and a couple guitar trade ins, I have a new Fender American Vintage II 1961 sunburst Stratocaster that reminds me of SRV’s number one, and also Rory Gallagher’s number one (who is also my dads favourite guitar player of all time, just behind Hendrix, maybe tied lol. SRV has always been there behind my playing and my love for the guitar, for the blues, and I imagine he’ll always be. We miss you Stevie, but we’ll see you in the next world, and we won’t be late. 🎸 🔥 🎶

I remember where I was when I first heard Stevie. I had to stop the car and listen. I remember where I was when I heard the sad news. I had to stop the car and cry.

1992 was about when I discovered SRV as well, so I was a little late to the party too. I was a senior in high school and found "The Sky Is Crying" at a local record store and similarly it blew my mind

Of all my Strat heroes, SRV was my last reason for buying my first Strat 26yrs ago as well as one of the aftermath inspirational influences from watching his 1983/89 Austin City Limits performances afterwards. As he strung his Strats with heavy sets (13-56 or 60), i briefly challenged myself for heavier (14-62😳) but that didn't last 5 days as that heavy tension took a toll on my hands as well as my maple neck so I went back to my light-gauge lane (10-46) very quickly! Thanks for the video... top job!

Been waiting on this video for months 🙏🏽🔥 super dope vid!!

Such a great episode, again!! Thanks for making these videos and love this "Short History"!

Great video. Just had my Tube Screamer out earlier this week playing SRV with a new amp, so good!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. GREAT SHOW.

Fantastic video! Thanks for making it and sharing the wonderful guitars of SRV with all of us.

Awesome work on this video, Keith. I love Stevie for a lot more than his playing. His music and words got me through some tough times. A lot of tough times. Stevies #1 had the biggest frets I’ve ever seen on a guitar. They’re not jumbo or super jumbo. They are hyper jumbo! I’ve compared my up close pictures from the Grammy Museum of #1 and my super jumbo Jescar frets that I install on every guitar I own aren’t even close. They have to be a good 10 to 15 thousandths wider and taller. I believe the SRV artist Strat used to have a 10” radius fingerboard stock. I swear mine was before I refretted it. And yeah, Stevie sold a million Tubescreamers(and the hundreds of modded clones), Stratocasters, Pickups, Fender amps and heavy gauge strings.

THANX SO MUCH FIVE WATT WORLD!!!

Another winner Keith, thanks for bringing us such powerful Stevie memories.

Outstanding content as always! Cheers!

At first I thought: not another SRV's guitars video, this had better be good. I needn't have worried - your the best Hypes! Only one quibble: didn't Billy Gibbon's give Stevie the neck for "Lenny"? I saw him for the last time at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, just a few months before he flew over the rainbow bridge. It was the Benson and Hedges (cigarettes if you forgot) blues festival, and BB King put on an AWESOME performance just before SRV. That may have been one of the last performances with #1 using its original neck (see how obsessed we are?)? The last song was "Riviera Paradise" played no the guitar previously named "Lenny" (apparently he had a rift with his wife, and quit playing the song of that name or calling the guitar by it either...?). The sun had just set, so lights had come on in the outdoor venue, and Stevie sat on a stool as he played the famous song. I always loved the two instrumentals "Lenny" and "Riviera Paradise" the best of all, and "In Step" was my favorite recording, having been in "recovery" most of my life (still am). I'll never forget seeing Him sitting on the stool in the spotlight playing that immortal song about the place He is now living in forever.

Thanks for this episode!!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸

Nice tribute, Keith. Chris Buck is an insanely gifted player who deserves more attention. I saw Stevie a half dozen times and he always played each show like his last, “leave a pint of blood on that stage” (almost famous).

Phenomenal work as always Keith. Loved this brother. RIP SRV ❤️

Always a great video Keith .Thank you.

This is FANTASTIC Keith... SRV was a HUGE inspiration to me, and had a huge impact on me musically and emotionally. And DAMN did I try to chase his tone... LOL unsuccessfully of course, THAT kind of tone ESPECIALLY is all in the hands... I was devastated the day I heard that he died.. Right after coming back and through his addictions, with the whole world opened up in front of him, with a clear mind and healthy body.. And fate decided it was not to be... Rest in Peace Stevie....

I liked you story at the beginning about discovering SRV, good ol pre internet days.

Amazing video, much love from New Mexico hope all is well.

Another great video, Keith. I didn’t get into SRV until the summer of 1985. Having just graduated in May from Iowa State, I moved to Texas for my first professional job (being a design engineer for a bridge construction GC) and for the the warm weather and the excitement that comes with “big city” living. DaveV the engineer, who worked in a cubical next to mine was a free spirit rock climber from Louisiana. He was also a huge SRV fan. We both loved live music, in general, so got to be friends and I turned him on to my favs like The Clash and REM and he turned me on to SRV. A year or two later, I got to see Stevie & Double Trouble open up for The Who at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas; The Fabulous Thunderbirds also played a set. It was a perfect night, floor seats about 25 rows back, great weather and all three bands had their speed balls dialed in perfectly. It was sure sad when we heard he had passed. Just a damn pilot error leaving that show in Wisconsin. Just think of all the killer music he would have made were it not for that crash. RIP Stevie Ray. Thanks again.

Awesome show as always!

Thanx for making these.❤️🙏

I recorded some blues tunes with Larry "Totsie" Davis who co-wrote Texas Flood .The sessions were produced by Albert King. It was quite a thrill.!!! My favorite SRV recording is his Sobriety AA speech. It most likely helps save some lives. A music store co-worker in Atlanta said someone claiming to be SRV wanted a bunch of guitar string delivered to a rehab facility,and thought he was being pranked, but it really was SRV and Im told he was very greatful and very nice to be with. He died Sober. RIP SRV

Your channel is fascinating. Thanks for the great content!

Beautiful! Thanks, Keith. 😎

I just bought a poor man's Charlie.. a Squier Vintage Modified Surf-Stratocaster with 3 lipstick pickups.. what a cool axe 🪓😎 LOVE YOUR WORK! ✌🍄👍

This isn't a big thing but the guy who did the painting of Stevie's Texas Flood is Brad Holland, who like me, is an ex Hallmark artist. While I greatly admire that art, I had no idea that was not a Fender Stevie was playing - I didn't notice the Tokai logo. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that Stevie, like so many professional musicians, have played numerous guitars throughout their careers - so it was really great to hear all about them in this video. Thank you, Keith!

Great job, Keith, thank you!

Great episode! Thanks!

One of the most amazing things about Stevie was not only his playing, but the fact that he was only like 5'4 lol

Wish we could have gotten more from Stevie ❤ "STRANDED, caught in a crossfire...

Keith, one of your best. Well done.

Thank you! Well done as always.

You folks that were lucky to have seen SRV live, or to have even been alive and old enough to enjoy the excitement of his career, are so fortunate it’s not even fair

Love the stories and +1 for including Chris Buck

was fortunate enough the play SRVs ex Chris Cross Strat. had an hour with it, simply amazing sound from those 59 pickups. just crazy. thanks. SRV a guru.

SRV is my favorite. As always, you did a great job Keith!

⚓️ Thanks Keith 😎 I like to imagine the artist > Clapton > Lennon > Earle > Crowell > Russell > trying different guitars, exploring tones… like we all do > to varying degrees. ⚓️

Just came from the Anderton's Tube Screamer shootout... perfect

Was just listening to my Texas flood cassette today. I had a tab book for that and one for surfing for the alien. Roots man roots.

Well done as per usual, my good man.

Thanks! A woman who worked in my dept in a Milwaukee discount store saw the concert at Alpine Valley the night before Stevie died. There were several SRV fans in that store and we all grieved.

Been waiting for this one 😎 Love Stevie! You’re the man, Keith

Wonderful video as always sir.

Love your work. This especially. Thank you.

Another fine one, Kieth!

Great video Keith!!!

It’s worth mention that he also played a Squire Strat also in the late 80s.

Great show 🎸👍

That was really well done, thank you!

My favorite “Guitars of” yet! I remember my parents listening to SRV in the car when I was a kid, and to this day he is still my favorite guitarist.

Another great short history. I have been a SRV fan for a long time. However, I wasn’t tuned into his guitar collection/history. Thanks for providing the interesting details!

Keeping making videos. They’re great!!!

Awesome video as usual!

Another killer video, Keith, thanks, saw SRV twice, summer '85 at the Pier in NYC and early 1986 in a bar in Albany-----sensational performances.

I was lucky enough to see Stevie with the stray cats in 89, and it's the only performance that I saw a guitar players go through 3 different guitars in mid song until he eventually ended up with the one he started with. That man didn't care if the strings broke, he was going to play his absolute best.