Joe's Jazz Tabs: 1947 Django!
Gypsy Jazz pioneer, Django Reinhardt was known for his electric tone during his 1947 recordings in Brussels. Reinhardt often demonstrated a fortissimo that pushed his amplifier into overdrive. This allowed him to be heard as a soloist backed by louder instrumentation including drum kit, double bass and sometime orchestra.
For a faithful reproduction of this tone, try a classic arch-top guitar combined with a small valve amp combo. I would recommend the Guild A-150, with the distinctive and exceptionally voiced DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1000 floating pickup.
For an amplifier, I would recommend using one of the new AC10C1 from VOX. More portable than the AC15 and more powerful than the AC4, the AC10C1 features the classic Top Boost tone circuit that provides an array of classic and modern tones.
Here are two transcriptions from the classic 1947 recordings, 'Place De Brouckere' and 'Song D'Automne'.