Vaughan always claimed it was a 1959 model, since that date was written on the back of the pick-ups; Rene Martinez, who maintained the guitar since 1980, saw the year 1963 stamped in the body and 1962 on the neck. A few months before, Fender (with Stevie’s brother Jimmie overseeing proceedings) was able to get a hands-on look at the original instrument, with the goal of painstakingly matching every minor element of the famous guitar using detailed photographs and video which an be seen in the clip below. [2] In 1990, it was retired due to many replacements of frets, though he continued to play it occasionally. This was Stevie’s main guitar. In November 2003, Fender made the announcement that 100 Stevie Ray Vaughan "Number One" replica guitars would be made by their Custom Shop (all by John Cruz), priced at $10,000 each. Although they have serial numbers, they are not serialized 1 through 100, as each guitar John Cruz makes—regardless of model—receives the next serial number in line. [5], In November 2003, the Fender Custom Shop announced a limited run of 100 Number One tribute Stratocasters. 1963. Bath Receive news and offers from our other brands? A few months before, Fender (with Stevie's brother Jimmie overseeing proceedings) were able to get a hands-on look at the original instrument, with the goal… Updates also can be found at Graham's YouTube channel. Signature Series Stratocaster", "Stevie Ray Vaughan "Number One" Stratocaster", The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stevie_Ray_Vaughan_Stratocaster&oldid=944053607, Articles needing additional references from February 2011, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 March 2020, at 12:44. You will receive a verification email shortly. In 1992, the Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster was released, based on the specifications of Number One. Number One, also called First Wife, was the nickname given by Stevie Ray Vaughan to his favorite Fender Stratocaster, built ca. With the notable "SRV" stickers on the pickguard being completely worn off, Vaughan requested for replacement stickers to the staff of The Tonight Show, giving him Letraset script-style lettering. Get up-close and personal with Stevie Ray Vaughan's “Number One” Strat. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. In 1990, it was retired due to many replacements of frets, though he continued to play it occasionally. He allegedly traded a '63 Strat for it. In November 2003, Fender announced that 100 Stevie Ray Vaughan “Number One” replica Strats would be made by its Custom Shop (all by John Cruz), priced at $10,000 each. The signature model didn't go into production until 1991 at the direction of Vaughan's brother Jimmie. Visit our corporate site. Vaughan acquired this instrument in 1974 from Ray Hennig’s Heart of Texas Music. We’d love to stay in touch, sign up for the Guitar World team to contact you with great news, content and offers. [1] Vaughan liked the lettering so much that he proposed that the lettering be engraved into the pickguard, as it appears today. They recorded every aspect, recording the output of each pickup, weighing the wood and hardware, measuring the shape of the neck, and using calipers to reproduce every scratch, dent, or wear on the guitar. Nach eigener Aussage wusste er, noch ehe er sie Probe gespielt hatte, dass er sie gegen seine 1963er Stratocaster eintauschen wollte, die er 1969 gekauft hatte. Receive mail from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors? All rights reserved. The project was delayed until 1990, when Fender presented Vaughan with three prototypes of his signature guitar on June 7, 1990, backstage at the taping of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. "Number One" was exhibited for the first time since Vaughan's death in the Bullock Museum's 2012 original exhibtion, Texas Music Roadtrip.