Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the “guitarist’s guitarists” who are the secret weapons behind some of music’s greatest acts. Today, we focus on one of the most respected, brilliantly inventive, and endlessly tasteful players in modern American roots music: the incredible Kenny Vaughan. Best known for his long and celebrated tenure as the lead guitarist for country music icon Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Vaughan is a true modern master, revered for his impeccable tone, his encyclopedic knowledge of guitar styles, and a quirky, clever playing that is full of delightful surprises.
Kenny Vaughanās musical style is a complete and authentic encyclopedia of great American guitar. He is a true chameleon, able to move seamlessly and with absolute conviction between the twang of Bakersfield country, the slapback-echoed swagger of rockabilly, the drenched-in-reverb atmosphere of surf, and the raw grit of the blues. In his role as a Fabulous Superlative, he is the perfect foil to Marty Stuart’s own virtuosic playing. The two guitarists weave in and out of each other’s lines with an almost telepathic chemistry, creating a rich and dynamic tapestry of sound. Vaughan is the ultimate sideman, a player whose incredible versatility, honed over decades as a top Nashville session player, allows him to provide the perfect part for any song, from classic chicken pickin’ runs to atmospheric, tremolo-soaked textures that are as much about mood as melody.
The guitar playing of Kenny Vaughan is a masterclass in both honoring tradition and playfully subverting it. He has a deep and reverent understanding of the classic country and rockabilly vocabulary created by the original masters, but he infuses it with his own quirky, often humorous, and harmonically clever twists that are entirely his own. His genius lies in his incredible touch and his inventive phrasing, particularly his masterful and unique use of string bending. He can create stunning, pedal-steel-like sounds with behind-the-nut bends and incredibly precise B-Bender-style licks, often without using a B-Bender at all. This is complemented by a flawless command of chicken pickin’ and hybrid picking, which he uses to create his classic, snappy country sound. He is, above all else, a quintessential Fender Telecaster master. The bright, twangy, and articulate sound of the Tele is the absolute core of his voice, which he typically runs through a vintage-style Fender combo amp (like a Princeton or Deluxe Reverb) for a pure, clean, and incredibly responsive tone.
To hear the incredible versatility and tasteful genius of Kenny Vaughan, his work with Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives is the perfect starting point.
“Hot Like That”
This fun, upbeat, and swampy rocker is a perfect showcase for Vaughan’s quirky and textural playing. To approach this song, the key is to dial in a heavy, pulsating tremolo effect that drives the main riff. The solo is a masterclass in his unique style, full of his signature behind-the-nut string bends and quirky, almost “off-kilter” melodic phrases. The goal isn’t to be technically perfect in a shred sense; it’s to be greasy, funky, and brilliantly inventive.
“Tempted”
This classic country shuffle features a perfect, traditional-style guitar solo that is a lesson in taste and tone. To play this, a guitarist should focus on the fundamentals of classic Bakersfield country guitar. Use a bright, clean tone and classic chicken pickin’ techniques. The approach requires a hybrid picking style (using both the pick and bare fingers) to achieve that signature percussive “clucking” sound on the low strings while playing clean, melodic double-stop licks on the higher strings.
“Mojave”
A beautiful, atmospheric, and cinematic instrumental, this track is heavily inspired by classic 60s surf-rock. The approach here is all about creating an atmosphere. The key is to use a pristine clean tone that is drenched in a deep, lush spring reverb effect. The playing should be clean, clear, and melodic, with a focus on letting the reverb create the sense of wide-open, desert space. Use a light touch and a smooth, subtle vibrato with the whammy bar to complete the classic surf sound.
In the end, Kenny Vaughan’s legacy is that of a true modern master of American roots guitar. He is the ultimate “Superlative” sidemanāa player who is a true star in his own right, revered by his peers and discerning fans for his incredible taste, his impeccable tone, and his boundless creativity. He is a vital and brilliant link in the long, celebrated chain of great Telecaster players, an artist who both honors the traditions of the past and pushes them forward with his own clever, inventive, and absolutely unmistakable voice.
Cover Photo Credit “Kenny Vaughan” by D. Scott Lipsey is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
