Song Rig
Seven Come Eleven
Charlie Christian · Benny Goodman Sextet · 1939
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The Benny Goodman Sextet recording that introduced Christian's guitar tone to a national radio audience — a bright, clean archtop tone that cut through the Goodman ensemble without ever sounding harsh. The Charlie Christian pickup's bar magnet design gives a unique warmth that no subsequent pickup design has precisely replicated.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson ES-150 (bar pickup, 1939 model)
- 2Gibson EH-150 amplifier
Amp Settings
Slightly brighter than Solo Flight — the Sextet recordings from 1939 have more treble presence than the 1941 recording technology allowed. The bar pickup's wide frequency capture and the small tube amp create a distinctive mid-range warmth.
Technique
How to Play It
Rhythmic single-note lines at swing tempo — Christian's right-hand technique uses alternating downstroke-upstroke with the pick angled to minimise surface area contact, producing a clean attack on each note. The left hand uses minimal vibrato compared to later jazz guitarists.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
ES-150 or any warm archtop → Gibson-style small amp → study Christian's right-hand technique: alternating pick strokes at consistent swing feel (long-short, long-short subdivision). The swing rhythm is the foundation of every bebop phrase.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
More from C. Christian
Other Song Rigs
Solo Flight
Solo Flight — The Genius of Charlie Christian · 1941
The recording that proved the electric guitar was a lead instrument — Christian …
View rig →Air Mail Special
Benny Goodman Orchestra · 1941
One of the fastest guitar solos in jazz history at the time — Christian's tone a…
View rig →Honeysuckle Rose
Live at Minton's Playhouse · 1941
Loud and swinging — the Minton's recordings capture Christian in a small club at…
View rig →Flying Home
Solo Flight: The Genius of Charlie Christian · 1939
Big band swing electric — Christian's guitar cuts through the Benny Goodman band…
View rig →Grand Slam
The Genius of the Electric Guitar · 1939
Confident and swinging — one of Christian's most outgoing performances. The ES-1…
View rig →