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Jeff(bigtikidude)

another tip...don't be afraid to use a pick aggressively on the bass...many many many surf bass pioneers use a pick...it's almost punk-rock bass sometimes...

lastly...be sure to play around with your tone knobs...on the amp and on the bass itself...

do you like a big muffled bassy sound...or treble twang? or both?
find out and dial it in...

I'm a big fan of tight round bottom and a full and lively top end with a flat flat midrange...but...to each their own...

that should keep you busy for about five years...keep me posted on how things develop...

best wishes,
-dp

Surfabilly

dp
...learn guitar barre chords...

I once came close to getting kicked out of a music store when playing straight barres (a la Keith Richards' guitar style) on a 6-string bass. One of the sales people behind the counter got my attention, and says "please stop." I looked, and there were several basses on the 2 walls adjacent to the stack that were shaking. Occasionally, I still like to play with harmonics on the D and G strings, but that's about it...not gonna chance any basses jumping from their hangers.

Matt

i like this story! Barre chords on the bass can be quite heavy...but, the notes that make up those chords are a good thing to know for bass players...

another aspect one might want consider are the various influences for surf bass players.

back in the olden days, most bass players began on the upright double bass. The Fender electric bass was an earth shaking innovation during the late 50s early 60s instro period. Many early instro tunes have a walking jazz or rock-a-billy or country or even big band influenced accoustic-bass style line. During the first wave surf era, many other influences began to emerge and these were based upon the amplified electric Fender Bass stylings.

One early influence was Donald Duck Dunn of Booker T and the MGs...another was James Jamerson of Tamla/Motown. Both presented electric styles that influenced many. Bob Bogle of the Ventures also had a truly influential electric bass style. Additionally, Carol Kaye recorded many instro surf tunes, as well as famous TV themes.

Back during the first wave, The Fender bass (Precision and Jazz) were the dominant instrument of choice, but many also played Mosrite, Danelectro and even Gibson or Gretsch.

anyone know of a surf bassist who's playing fretless electric surf bass?

I know of a 5-string surf player: Pollo del Mar's Jeff Turner comes to mind...is Jeff also a fretless player too?

I think fretless would sound sweet within a surf setting, even though it is not at all the traditional sound of a fretted Fender...

Speaking of modern surf bassists my favorites are: Sam Bolle of Slacktone has a great style he's all finger plucking with no pick. Mark Fontana of the Blue Hawaiians also sounds wonderful, his live sound is pure Fender and he really knows how to propel the band forward. Jeff Turner of Pollo del Mar has fantastically creative lines.

Brian
Sam Bolle plays with a pick when he plays for Dick Dale. I wonder if Dick insists upon that.

You know, I remember reading somewhere about Dick Dale's philosophy of surf bass playing. He's a big fan of the driving sound of downstroke pick attack. Sort of goes with his Gene Krupa drum philosophy. I do know that Dick Dale subscribes to the KISS philosophy of bass playing: "Keep It Simple Stupid". Drive (and drone) on the root (I) note...hit the chord changes on the chord center (the I note of each chord)...don't mess around with any fancy octaves or scales...Dick's bass players can walk around a bit through the I III V of the chords sometimes...or the I IV V...or the I III IV V VII... but don't get too busy or fancy...or else <u>"you're fired!"</u>

Dick's bass players do seem to use the massive pick dowstroke attack, and the "leading note" attack to the fullest...just check out "The Wedge" or "Miserlou"...

Last edited: Aug 20, 2009 22:55:23

...and John Paul (JP) sure has the "driving pick surf bass attack" down...be sure to catch him live if you can, I think he's playing with about 50 SoCal bands right now!

My two penneth worth....

A lot of surf misic uses minor chords, so you can get by a fair bit just by getting to know the minor-scale shapes and playing about with those.

Seeing as the guitar is often busy on most stuff, I reckon its best to keep the bass subtle and simple(ish)! Saying that, its pretty neat to fit the odd solo (if thats your thing) in when/if the guitar is playing rhythm. In our band, The Waterboarders, we've managed to work a bass solo into our version of Secret Agent Man, which sounds pretty cool...

I find it good to use a pick - you get that aggressive, driving bass sound but it depends on what you prefer. I find I often play my bass like a guitar because thats what I learnt first...

A cool bit of playing to have a gander at, is footage of Sam Bolle (think its on youtube) with Slacktone playing 'The Bells of St Kahuna' live, fingerstyle - most of it up past the 12th fret. Sounds sick.