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Charlie Christian and the Early Electric Guitarists


JasO

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Today we take it for granted that we can plug into an amp, turn up the volume, and dial in a variety of sounds. But in the earliest days of the electric guitar, when guys like Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker were experimenting with what was then a brand-new instrument, it was far more challenging!

 

In 1995, I had the chance to sit down with West Coast bluesman Saunders King, who had vivid memories of meeting Charlie Christian and what it was like recording electric guitar and jump blues 78s, such as his own "S.K. Blues," in 1942, less than three years after Christian made his first records.

 

Saunders remembered that they used two mikes: "One for me, and the other one would be off to the side, close to the piano setup. The horns were around the piano there. I had the guitar across my lap, and the amplifier was down on the floor alongside me." The rest of the instruments were distanced from the mikes according to their volume, the same way it was done back in the 1920s.

 

Saunders had an interesting technique for making his electric guitar sound distinctive: "Instead of using a regular pick, I always used a new felt pick that was stiff and turned the volume up. That would get a good sound." On average, he estimated, he'd burn through three or four picks a night. (As a kid, I always wondered about those fat felt picks for sale in my local music store.)

 

For me, it was amazing talking to someone who not only had heard of, but had actually seen Charlie Christian, Eddie Durham, Alvino Rey, and the others who pioneered electric guitar.

 

If you're interested in more of Saunder King's recollections, including some great insights into Charlie Christian, I've posted them here:

 

http://jasobrecht.com/saunders-king-charlie-christian-early-electric-guitar/

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My old uncle learned to play electric guitar during that era. I've reconnected with him recently and he's been teaching me how they played back in the day.

I'm amazed with the sounds you can get from such a basic rig. Sitting and watching him play even simple stuff is inspiring! Tone truly is in the hands. He can pick up my little rig and just make it sing. It has really made me think hard (and work hard) about how to get sound without fiddling around with a bunch of crap.

 

EG

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These guys here don't wanna hear what he has to say, since it involves simply practicing and not obsessing about obtaining mythical pieces of gear, or esoteric mods.

 

You may be right about some of the forumites here but I'd be willing to bet there are more guys here who appreciate Jas' input than you'd expect. Way to generalize though, a nice broad brush is always best.:thu:

 

 

I had one of those felt picks. Tried for years to figure out a good use for it. I find myself wanting more of them now that I have figured out they sound like fingers when used on a bass. I don't have to learn to play bass without a pick if I get the right pick ;).

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Jas

awsome to see you posting here, and great to see your blog, just incredible stuff! In all the years you have written for Guitar Player who have you encountered or interveiwed that was maybe a surprise from their "public" persona? Maybe not as expected.

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Great article.

 

I've had the privilege of working with the master recordings (lacquers) of the Goodman sextet. And I always thought that the sound Charlie got was so beautiful. That guitar and pickup straight into the amp he was using just had this very punchy, immediate and yet very organic sound to it.

 

It's so funny that people spend so much time and money on different guitars, effects, eq's, amps, etc. when all it really comes down to is just a very simple (and old-style) rig to get that sound. I guess the trick is finding that beauty of an old amp that still works and giving it a go. Make sure you mod it so it doesn't have the "deathswitch" though. :lol:

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For me, it was amazing talking to someone who not only had heard of, but had actually seen Charlie Christian, Eddie Durham, Alvino Rey, and the others who pioneered electric guitar.


If you're interested in more of Saunder King's recollections, including some great insights into Charlie Christian, I've posted them here:


http://jasobrecht.com/saunders-king-charlie-christian-early-electric-guitar/

 

Excellent! Many thanks!:cool:

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You may be right about some of the forumites here but I'd be willing to bet there are more guys here who appreciate Jas' input than you'd expect. Way to generalize though, a nice broad brush is always best.
:thu:


I had one of those felt picks. Tried for years to figure out a good use for it. I find myself wanting more of them now that I have figured out they sound like fingers when used on a bass. I don't have to learn to play bass without a pick if I get the right pick
;)
.

 

When I was first learning to play WAY back in the early 60s, a lot of bass players used felt picks. Haven't seen one in years. Nice read about Charlie. Charlie's solos sound so logical, melodic and effortless. I'm a HUGE Charlie Christian fan. Thanks Jas!

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Charlie's solos sound so logical, melodic and effortless.

 

Just that :thu: . I mean it seems that he was born to play that style with that gear. If ever he could have lived at least a decade more - I have the feeling he was still growing up.

 

About gear: the "Charlie Christian" pickup is quite unique sounding, but P90 can be quite close (but less bright and articulate). About amps, you may search for a vintage one of course, but there's some modern replicas, for exemple the Vintage47 amps http://www.vintage47amps.com/files/index.php?id=1 (ok, it"s not exactly the Charlie Christian amps - he died in '42 - but you'll get close to his tone).

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I'm amazed with the sounds you can get from such a basic rig. Sitting and watching him play even simple stuff is inspiring! Tone truly is in the hands. He can pick up my little rig and just make it sing. It has really made me think hard (and work hard) about how to get sound without fiddling around with a bunch of crap.


EG

 

Watch it! You're verging on heresy! Once the other fourmites get wind of this there may be consequences!

 

(Once they look up "heresy" on Wiktionary, that is!) ;)

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My old uncle learned to play electric guitar during that era. I've reconnected with him recently and he's been teaching me how they played back in the day.

I'm amazed with the sounds you can get from such a basic rig. Sitting and watching him play even simple stuff is inspiring! Tone truly is in the hands. He can pick up my little rig and just make it sing. It has really made me think hard (and work hard) about how to get sound without fiddling around with a bunch of crap.


EG

 

 

I have to confess to a degree of envy. I've really been wanting to find someone to mentor me in that old style of playing.

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My old uncle learned to play electric guitar during that era. I've reconnected with him recently and he's been teaching me how they played back in the day.

I'm amazed with the sounds you can get from such a basic rig. Sitting and watching him play even simple stuff is inspiring! Tone truly is in the hands. He can pick up my little rig and just make it sing. It has really made me think hard (and work hard) about how to get sound without fiddling around with a bunch of crap.


EG

 

 

Be careful, there have been MANY threads around here arguing where tone comes from. I agree with you, tone comes from the player's hands.

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Great article.


I've had the privilege of working with the master recordings (lacquers) of the Goodman sextet. And I always thought that the sound Charlie got was so beautiful. That guitar and pickup straight into the amp he was using just had this very punchy, immediate and yet very organic sound to it.


It's so funny that people spend so much time and money on different guitars, effects, eq's, amps, etc. when all it really comes down to is just a very simple (and old-style) rig to get that sound. I guess the trick is finding that beauty of an old amp that still works and giving it a go. Make sure you mod it so it doesn't have the "deathswitch" though.
:lol:

 

You or I probably wouldn't sound like Charlie thru Charlie's 'rig'. It was in Charlie's hands, connected to his soul.

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