INTARSIA WOOD ART
Artistic wood creations, handcrafted and proudly made in Canada.
Fender Stratocaster “Number One” – The Sound of Texas Blues
The battle-scarred Fender Stratocaster that became Stevie Ray Vaughan's signature instrument and helped define the sound of modern Texas blues.
Quick Facts
Artist:
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Built::
1963 body / 1962 neck / 1959-dated pickups
Model:
Fender Stratocaster “Number One” aka First Wife
Most Famous songs:
• Texas Flood
• Pride and Joy
• Love Struck Baby
• Couldn't Stand the Weather
• Riviera Paradise
The Story
Stevie Ray Vaughan acquired his famous Stratocaster in 1973 from Ray Henning's Heart of Texas Music in Austin. He quickly formed a special relationship with the instrument, eventually referring to it as “Number One” and sometimes calling it his “First Wife.”
For years, Stevie believed the guitar was a 1959 Stratocaster because the pickups carried 1959 dates. It wasn't until his guitar technician Rene Martinez examined the instrument more closely that the truth emerged: the body was stamped 1963 and the original neck dated to 1962.
Number One was anything but a pristine collector's guitar. Stevie played it hard, constantly modifying and repairing it as years of touring and performances took their toll. The guitar's worn finish, battered body and heavily worked neck became part of its identity.
Yet despite its unconventional history, Number One remained Stevie's main instrument throughout his career. It appeared on his recordings and countless live performances and became inseparable from the powerful blues sound that made him one of the most influential guitarists of his generation.
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Why This Guitar Matters
Number One represents the connection between a musician and an instrument that goes far beyond specifications.
Stevie Ray Vaughan didn't need a pristine or technically perfect guitar. He needed an instrument that could withstand his enormous attack and deliver the huge, expressive tone that became his signature.
His heavy strings, aggressive playing style and powerful bends demanded an extraordinary amount from the guitar. Number One endured it all.
For blues guitarists around the world, the sight of Vaughan playing that battered sunburst Stratocaster became almost as recognizable as the sound itself.
The Craft Behind the Tribute
Every Guitar Legends shadow box begins with careful research. Before selecting a single piece of wood, I study the instrument, its history, the musician who played it, and the performances that made it unforgettable.
For Number One, reproducing the guitar's worn and weathered appearance was just as important as getting its basic shape right. The black pickguard, distinctive bridge, gold hardware and heavily played appearance all contribute to its identity.
The goal was not to make the guitar look new. Number One earned every scar. The engraved image of Stevie Ray Vaughan reinforces the connection between the musician and the instrument that became his most recognizable companion.
Each component is individually handcrafted, assembled and finished to create a one-of-a-kind tribute celebrating both musical history and one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time.
Design Philosophy
Number One is beautiful because it isn't perfect.
The worn finish, scars and modifications tell the story of thousands of hours of playing. My goal was to preserve that character rather than create a flawless-looking Stratocaster.
The natural wood interpretation allows the grain and texture to become part of the story, while the darker finish and black pickguard capture the unmistakable appearance of Stevie's famous instrument.
Design Choices
Songs That Define Stevie Ray Vaughan
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Texas Flood - The title track from Vaughan's breakthrough album and one of the clearest demonstrations of his enormous blues tone and expressive Stratocaster playing.
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Pride and Joy - One of Vaughan's most recognizable songs, driven by his powerful rhythm playing and the distinctive sound of Number One.
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Love Struck Baby - A high-energy showcase for Vaughan's aggressive attack and ability to combine blues tradition with the intensity of rock.
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Couldn't Stand the Weather - A defining SRV recording featuring the fiery guitar work and unmistakable tone that made Vaughan a modern blues icon.
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Riviera Paradise - A very different side of Vaughan, demonstrating the remarkable control and subtlety behind all the power.
Specifications
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25" by 11"
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Baltic birch backing
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Poplar frame
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Solid hardwood guitar
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Laser engraved artwork
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Hand assembled
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Ready to hang
Every Guitar Legends piece reflects the personality of the instrument and its player.
For Number One, the focus is on the details that distinguish Stevie's Strat from an ordinary Fender. The sunburst body, black pickguard, maple neck and distinctive hardware are immediately recognizable to anyone familiar with Vaughan.
The engraved portrait places Stevie beside the guitar he called his “First Wife,” creating a direct connection between the musician and the instrument.
Number One Through the Years
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1973 – Stevie Ray Vaughan acquires the Stratocaster from Ray Henning's Heart of Texas Music in Austin.
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Late 1970s – Vaughan increasingly relies on the instrument as his primary performance guitar.
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1980 – Guitar technician Rene Martinez begins working with Vaughan and becomes responsible for maintaining Number One.
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1983 – Texas Flood brings Vaughan international attention, with Number One becoming a defining part of his image and sound.
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1984 – Couldn't Stand the Weather further establishes Vaughan as one of the world's leading blues guitarists.
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1989 – After years of refretting and heavy use, the original neck eventually becomes unusable and is replaced.
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1990 – Vaughan's career is tragically cut short. Number One remains one of the most recognizable guitars in blues history.
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Today – The original Number One remains in the Vaughan family, in the possession of Stevie's brother Jimmie Vaughan.
Stevie Ray Vaughan reportedly said Number One had been “rebuilt more times than a custom Chevy.”
And the guitar really did earn its battle scars. Its neck was repeatedly refretted, its components were replaced and modified, and the instrument was continually repaired to survive Vaughan's famously aggressive playing.
Number One wasn't valuable because it was untouched. It was valuable because Stevie played the hell out of it.
Note From The Artisan
I don't build replicas—I build stories. Every wood species, engraving, photograph, and historical detail is chosen to preserve the legacy of an instrument that helped shape modern music.
Number One is a perfect example of why I love the Guitar Legends project. The guitar isn't famous because it was rare or perfect. It became legendary because one extraordinary musician took it on stage night after night and made it sing.
Sometimes the history of a guitar is written in its finish, its scratches and its scars.