SRV Stratocaster Review

Stevie Ray Vaughan collaborated with Fender® to produce a signature Stratocaster guitar shortly before his untimely death in 1990.

Features:	10
Sound:	10
Action:	10
Reliability:	9
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.8
Users rating:	9.3
Comments:	6

overall: 10

Featured review by: thejester, on november 23, 2004

Price paid: $ 1329.95

Purchased from: American Musical Supply

Features: 2004 American Strat, an early '60s "oval" neck shape, pao ferro fingerboard with jumbo frets, three Fender Texas Special single-coil pickups and 5-way selector, gold-plated hardware and an inverted left-hand Vintage tremolo unit. Also came with a beautiful tweed case. Fender really put together a Strat as close to Stevie's as one could find. Many people would think that the left handed tremolo is wierd but I believe it is way easier to access and use during playing compared to a right handed tremolo. // 10

Sound: I traditionally play blues/rock, blues, or just rock in general and this guitar can do it all. I play through a Marshall 100HDFX head and the 412 half cab. The 5-way selector lets you hit many different tones and styles with the flick of a Switch. I really like the single-coil pickups because I do not have to deal with a crapload of distortion. The Texas Special pickups are wonderful and produce a great tone. This guitar absolutely screams, so bright and so clear. If you want a good blues sound or to sound somewhat like SRV pick this guitar up. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The action may seem a little high for some but when I picked up this guitar it felt like it was custom made for me. I have heard some complaints from people with small hands that the neck is too big. I have decently large sized hands and I find no problem with the neck. The finish on this guitar (3-tone Sunburst) is absolutely beautiful. When combined with the gold hardware that Fender put on it this guitar goes from beautiful to stunning. The pickguard with the letters "SRV" enscribed is also a very nice touch. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I honestly believe that I would be able to play baseball with the neck of this thing. A very solid guitar and everything on it, IMO, will be able to withstand gigging in any form or fashion. This is my new number one and I would feel totally comfortable doing anything with this guitar. Fender makes quality products and once again I believe this thing would withstand a "Texas Flood." // 10

Impression: As I stated I'm caught up in the blues and rock and this guitar definately suits my style. I also own an Epiphone Standard Les Paul, Ibanez AEF30 acoustic electric, Epiphone EDS-1275 double neck (very fun). Aside from that if this guitar was stolen (because I wouldn't lose it) I would immediately buy another one. Also if you guys can't shell out $1330 all at once go to American Music Supply and you can do 5 easy payments (thats what I'm on). They make it very easy there and you dont need to apply for a stupid card. I hope this review has intrigued you or possibly made you want to get an SRV custom yourself. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on december 20, 2004

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: Standard Strat features:
- Solid body Strat
- Volume and tone controls
- Vintage bridge
- Vintage tuners
- Tobacco sunburst

SRV features:
- Three single coil Texas Specials
- Left-Hand tremelo
- Engraved pickguard
- Pao Ferro fret board
- Gold-Plated hardware. // 10

Sound: The SRV has a fantastic bright tone, due in part to the overwound Texas Special pickups. It's pure Stratocaster, which makes it fit for just about any form of music. Don't expect instant SRV tone that takes skill from the player. The pickups (typical of single-coil Strats) are kind of weak for metal and are extremely bright for those grunge players out there. So if you fit in either of those categories, you'll probably be adding an extra set to the package later on. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: My SRV is among one of the most well-built axes I have ever picked up. This is not a cheap merchadising endeavor you're buying a top-quality guitar. The action is actually much faster than most Standard Strats I've played. This guitar actually excells in everything from speed riffs to slow blues, and has served me at church on top of that. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This is where I had to give the guitar a lower rating. The finish has proved in my experience to be very sensitive to scratching. I was sickened the first time I scratched the beautiful tobacco sunburst finish, and I've learned to be extremely careful when placing it in the case. The bridge and tuners are time-proven Fender Vintage, in other words, this axe is made for playing, not just for display. I wouldn't get too wild and crazy on-stage with it, but as far as the hardware is concerned, the SRV is just about stage ready from the box. // 8

Impression: I play mostly instrumental blues-style music, and thise guitar has served me well for going on 3 years now. As I stated above, aside from a sensitive finish and slightly weak pickups, this is my pride and joy (a little SRV plug there). I play through a Marshall Valvestate 100w and a Fender DSP 150w Stage, and the SRV puts out a wide variety of tones. Throw in a Tube Screamer, some Super Bullets (mine came with 150's), and a Crybaby, you've got a top-of-the-line blues machine. I hope to have at least one SRV in my collection from now on. If you're frequently on stage, however, I would definately recommend going to the Jimmy Vaughan Tex-Mex Strat or maybe a Clapton for that hardcore blues tone. // 10

Comments

[chrisb92]

Just bought this guitar off ebay. It's frickin awesome

[ktownsxfinest]

well, i hav his brothers guitar jimmie vaughn's... ive never tried an SRV one, but his music is great. as for jimmie vaughn, i know nothing of him, lol, but his guitar is great. i love my tex mex strat- its reliable, beautiful, lasts, sounds awesome, and most of all can fit any style. jimmie vaughn's guitar is great! even comes with a hendrix sticker on the pickguard plastic, lol.

[M4jorpiz]

i would suck dick for this guitar jk lol well mabey

[harley10_5]

i smell some copy & paste on the first review...

[Who66]

i agree with much of this. the SRV is great but a tad delicate. its versatility stylewise is great too.

[nickofzo]

this is also a nice one