A 1964 Fender Vibroverb amp once owned by Stevie Ray Vaughan and used for his legendary guitar work on David Bowie's 1983 blockbuster, Let's Dance, is up for sale.
The amp was acquired by Nashville vintage guitar dealer Rumble Seat Music and arrived with a number of pieces of documentation, which included a handwritten note, a Double Trouble poster, photos of the amp, and more.
Vaughan first met Bowie after his set at the 1982 Montreux Jazz Festival. Bowie immediately took a liking to the Texan – who at the time was still largely unknown – and invited Vaughan to the studio contribute to Let’s Dance.
Vaughan lent an incendiary outro solo to the hit title track, and memorable six-string contributions to "China Girl," "Cat People (Putting Out the Fire)," and three other songs on the album. Let's Dance – which topped charts around the world – was the first exposure millions of listeners had to Vaughan's unmistakable, always-moving and melodic lead work.
Vaughan would go on to accept a slot in Bowie's touring band, but his resistance to the stage choreography Bowie desired and the refusal of Bowie's management to allow Vaughan and Double Trouble to open select dates on the tour – or promote their forthcoming debut album, Texas Flood, at all – led Vaughan's management to sever his relationship with Bowie entirely before the tour even began.
Though this particular Vibroverb's role in Vaughan's sound beyond Let's Dance is unknown, it's rumored that its spectacular condition is due in part to Vaughan setting it aside for the Bowie tour, and never bringing it back to his rig after he pulled out.
Vibroverbs in general were one of Vaughan's favorite amps, and were one of the main sources of his trademark sound.
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