Seven Nation Army

The recording

Jack White recorded the main riff on a 1950s Kay K6533 hollowbody fitted with a single DeArmond neck pickup, tuned to Open A (E‑A‑E‑A‑C#‑E). He routed the signal through a DigiTech Whammy 4 set an octave down, then split it into two amps – a vintage Sears Silvertone 1485 120‑watt tube amp into a 6×10 Jensen cabinet, and a Fender Twin Reverb for clean sparkle. Both amps were mic'd on separate tracks at Toe Rag Studios' analog 8‑track tape, giving the riff its thick, gritty yet articulate character.

Tuning Open A (E‑A‑E‑A‑C#‑E)

Reported gear

1950s Kay K6533 'Value Leader' archtop hollowbody

Guitar

Jack White used his 1950s Kay K6533 hollowbody with a single DeArmond neck pickup, delivering a low‑output, raw tone that underpins the riff.

DigiTech Whammy 4 pitch shifter pedal

Pitch Shifter

The pedal is set an octave down, turning the guitar line into a deep, bass‑like voice that defines the track’s hook.

Sears Silvertone 1485 'Six Ten' 120‑watt tube amp

Amplifier

The Silvertone’s raw overdrive, pushed through a 6×10 cabinet with Jensen C10Q speakers, gives the riff its gritty, crunchy edge.

6×10 Jensen C10Q speaker cabinet

Cabinet

Miked on its own track, the 6×10 Jensen cab reinforces the Silvertone’s low‑frequency crunch.

Fender Twin Reverb (1970s) combo amp

Amplifier

The Twin Reverb provides clean sparkle and spring reverb that balances the Silvertone’s grit, recorded with a separate mic.

Alternatives

Epiphone Casino

Budget alternative · for the 1950s Kay K6533 'Value Leader' archtop hollowbody

$150 to 200

2×12 Celestion G12T-75 cabinet

Budget alternative · for the 6×10 Jensen C10Q speaker cabinet

$300 to 350

TC Electronic Shifter

Modern equivalent · for the DigiTech Whammy 4 pitch shifter pedal

$150 to 180

Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Twin Reverb (1970s) combo amp

$1,800 to 2,200

Fender '57 Custom Twin Reverb (combo)

Modern equivalent · for the Sears Silvertone 1485 'Six Ten' 120‑watt tube amp

$1,500 to 2,000

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Use a hollowbody guitar with a single low‑output DeArmond pickup.
2. 2.Set the DigiTech Whammy 4 to an octave‑down setting.
3. 3.Detune the guitar to Open A (E‑A‑E‑A‑C#‑E).
4. 4.Pick aggressively to emphasize the low‑end punch.
5. 5.Blend a gritty tube amp (Silvertone) with a clean Fender Twin Reverb for tonal contrast.