Elmore James — Rig Network

James used various Silvertone and Harmony archtop electrics through his recording career — budget instruments available to working blues musicians in the early 1950s. The Silvertone's single-coil pickup provides the raw, cutting tone of the electric slide recordings.

Unique to this artist in the database

Acoustic guitar for recording and some live contexts — the Delta slide technique translates between acoustic and electric without fundamental change in approach.

Unique to this artist in the database

The Champ's single speaker and 5-watt output pushed near maximum provides the natural breakup that amplifies the emotional intensity of James's slide playing. The speaker saturates under the guitar signal, adding harmonic content to the slide notes.