The Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan Wah Pedal
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, live in Texas, 1989 - lucas lp / Youtube
Stevie Ray Vaughan is a famous name among guitarists who love blues and rock music. Born in 1954, he left a big impact on music, even though his career ended sadly with a helicopter accident. Let’s learn more about Stevie Ray Vaughan and the gear he used, including a special connection to another great guitarist, Jimi Hendrix.
Unveiling the Vox V846 Wah Connection
One of the things that made Vaughan’s music special was his use of a pedal called a wah. While most guitarists used a pedal called Crybaby, Vaughan liked a different one called Vox. He even used two Vox pedals at the same time for a unique sound in a song called “Say What!”
But what’s even more interesting is the story of Vaughan’s Vox V846 Wah pedal. Vaughan’s brother, Jimmie Vaughan, played a key role in this story.
Photo of Stevie Ray Vaughan with Jimi Hendrix’s father, Al:
Vaughan particularly embraced the V846 model, frequently utilizing it during studio sessions. Interestingly, this very pedal had once been in possession of Jimi Hendrix. The pedal’s trajectory took a turn when Stevie’s brother, Jimmie Vaughan, acquired it from Hendrix subsequent to a 1969 performance where Vaughan’s band opened for The Jimi Hendrix Experience in Fort Worth, Texas.
In the book “Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan,” it’s revealed:
“After the show, Jimi’s roadie asked Jimmie if he would swap his Vox wah pedal for Hendrix’s broken pedal plus some cash, a trade the young guitarist happily agreed to.”
Jimmie got a special wah pedal that used to belong to Jimi Hendrix. This unique pedal called the V846 wah, was passed from Jimmie to Stevie, creating a connection between two generations of great guitar players.
A Link Between Eras
The Vox V846 Wah pedal, previously owned by Jimi Hendrix and later acquired by Stevie Ray Vaughan, connects the two different times in music history. It’s like a bridge that shows how musicians from different times can still share something special. This gear shows how Vaughan and Hendrix are connected in a meaningful way.
