Help: Elmore James Question

Subject: Elmore James Question
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 11:45 AM

Anybody know what kind of guitar set-up he used? I can't identify it from the two pictures I've seen. Perhaps someone might have heard what he used before he was "discovered", also. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Help: Elmore James Question
From: GUEST,bnemerov
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 03:41 PM

I don't think he was too particular. I've seen photos of him playing a Martin Dread with DeArmond soundhole PU...deep body archtop F-hole with humbuckers...solid-body Fenders with single pole PU's...go figure.

Subject: RE: Help: Elmore James Question
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 06:01 PM

As far as I know his favourite gutar was a Martin - I can't remember the exact model number, but it was like a D28 supplied with two factory-fitted pickups. I know it wasn't very popular, and Martin did not make them for long (late 50s). The only other people I've seen with these were Elvis Presley and Tracy Chapman.

Subject: RE: Help: Elmore James Question
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 06:03 PM

PS I think his amp was a Fender Dual Showman from something SOMEONE once said in passing.

Subject: RE: Help: Elmore James Question
From: ddw
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 06:14 PM

in Lawrence Cohn's book Nothing But The Blues, there's a picture of EJ that he claims is the oldest known. He's playing what looks (in a VERY bad-quality picture) like an old Kay electric. The name plate is hard to make out, but it has a dreadnaught body and has two tone/volume knobs on it. Don't have time to look through the rest of the book right now to see if there are any other shots of him in there with other guitars.

cheers

david