This adolescent has earned the title of Stevie Ray Vaughan's knowledge repository, and after a prolonged phase of experimentation, he's been granted access to the authentic SRV sound.
Rhys John Stygal, a 16-year-old guitar prodigy from the United Kingdom, has been making waves in the music world for his striking resemblance to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, the legendary Texas blues guitarist. His authentic Texas blues style and precise tone replication have earned him the title of "the next Stevie Ray Vaughan."
Stygal's guitar rig is an obsessive recreation of Vaughan's legendary setup, featuring a vintage Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer pedal, a Pedal Pawn Fuzz, an Octone pedal, Fender amps such as Vibroverbs and Deluxe Reverbs, an EV-loaded speaker cabinet, and a spinning Vibratone unit.
The pedalboard, arranged to emulate the layered, dynamic sound Vaughan was known for, includes other classic SRV-style effects. Rhys also modifies his Fender SRV Signature Strat with heavy strings and custom wiring, along with René Martinez MojoTone pickups, to chase Vaughan's tone with precision.
Stygal's musical journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite battling severe anxiety caused by his autism, he has managed to overcome his challenges and perform on stage with blues legends such as Buddy Guy and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram.
In addition to his live performances, Rhys has collaborated with Pedal Pawn to offer clinics and deep-dive videos into Vaughan’s tone and gear. He is considered "a walking encyclopedia of Stevie knowledge" by the platform.
Rhys actively shares his journey and performances on Instagram (@rhys_guitar), where fans can follow his rise in the music scene. The video titled "This is it - the moment Rhys finally dialled in the real Stevie Ray Vaughan tone!" on Pedal Pawn's channel has been described as "insane."
Stygal emphasizes that tone is primarily in the hands, a sentiment widely held by the guitar community. He shares his insights on emulating Vaughan's tone, emphasizing the importance of string gauge and pick attack.
With his SRV-inspired rig, Rhys John Stygal continues to captivate audiences and pay homage to one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time. His personal story of overcoming autism-related anxiety through blues guitar adds a compelling human dimension to his rise in the music scene.
- Rhys John Stygal's guitar rig, mirroring Stevie Ray Vaughan's legendary setup, includes a vintage Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer pedal, a Pedal Pawn Fuzz, an Octone pedal, Fender amps, an EV-loaded speaker cabinet, a spinning Vibratone unit, and classic SRV-style effects on his pedalboard.
- Like Vaughan, Rhys modifies his Fender SRV Signature Strat with heavy strings, custom wiring, and René Martinez MojoTone pickups to achieve a precise tone replication.
- Despite his autism-related anxiety, Rhys has performed on stage with blues legends such as Buddy Guy and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, marking a remarkable musical journey.
- In collaboration with Pedal Pawn, Rhys offers clinics and deep-dive videos into Vaughan’s tone and gear, earning the title of "a walking encyclopedia of Stevie knowledge."
- Rhys actively shares his journey and performances on Instagram (@rhys_guitar), providing fans with a glimpse of his rise in the music scene.
- With his SRV-inspired rig, Rhys John Stygal continues to pay homage to Stevie Ray Vaughan, reminding audiences that tone is primarily in the hands and emphasizing the importance of string gauge and pick attack.
