THE LEGEND OF THE “NUMBER ONE”Once upon a time, a fiery young guitarist named Stevie Ray Vaughan walked into a guitar store in Austin, Texas. His fingers were itching to play, his soul yearning to express the blues that danced in his veins. He was in search of something unique, a guitar that could withstand his passionate playing style and reverberate his unique tone. On that fateful day, Stevie stumbled upon a Frankenstein mix of a 1963 Fender Stratocaster body with a 1962 neck – it was love at first strum.
The Strat, which would later earn the moniker “Number One,” was nothing less than a mirror reflection of Stevie himself. It was bold, unique, and beautifully flawed. The scars and worn finish told stories of previous owners, yet it stood resilient, waiting for the touch of its true master.
Stevie tinkered with his new companion, swapping out the right-handed tremolo for a left-handed one, a tribute to his hero Jimi Hendrix. He strung it up with heavy gauge strings, and tuned it down half a step, giving it a distinct, full-bodied tone that would become his trademark sound.
Over the years, the “Number One” lived up to its name. It was his first love, the primary weapon in his musical arsenal, the instrument that bore witness to his rise to fame. The sweat, the ferocity of his playing, the scorching Texas heat – they wore down the finish, exposing the raw wood, but the guitar only sang sweeter.
The guitar and Stevie became one, his soul channeled through its strings, electrifying audiences worldwide. The “Number One” was there through Stevie’s highest highs and lowest lows, an unbreakable bond formed in the heart of the blues.
Today, the legend of the “Number One” continues to inspire. It stands as a symbol of the passion and dedication of one of the world’s greatest blues guitarists. It serves as a beacon, reminding us that instruments are more than tools – they are extensions of our soul, companions on our musical journey, and vessels of our stories.
Remember the legend. Play the passion. Keep the Blues alive. 
