I've always loved the bass line for Bullwinkle pt. 2 by the Centurions.

I don't have an amp at the moment.
But I am really wanting to get something soon.
I have a hand built cabnit with 2- JBL E 140s
But I am thinking that a 100 lb. cab. with 2 -15s might be overkill
for most gigs, so I will probably look for, or have made a 1- 15 cab.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Last edited: Dec 22, 2011 22:45:19

Good one.

That thing Ive been carrying for 14 years is 100lbs ?
As the saying goes"more sound by the pound"

The ventures arent surf... but I always thought he was definitely integral in their songs.Both Edwards and Bogle. Even for the way they set up on stage.

or like JET BLACK....
But when you really get down to surf...its difficult to discover the good bass players because they arent talked about.

Rob,
yer cab is probably not 100 lbs.

mine is,
its 4 by 3 by 2
and 3/4 inch plywood.
its a bitch to move even with a dolly.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

That's a good description. Tim is one of my favorite surf drummers, and he and Ron combined to be one of the best and most distinctive rhythm sections of that time.

weirdee13 wrote:

What are some of most notable 60's era surf songs with
amazing bass lines?

Well, the early 1960s era surf is notable for first routinely using the electric Fender bass in the combos of the day. I think is was an essential, foundational element of the whole sound.

EDIT: The taxidermy connection to surf bass eludes me. Are you The Nuge's bassist?

SSIV

Last edited: Aug 18, 2011 02:00:32

+1 for Ron Griffith! Love the tone he got out of his bass.

Ooh, a thread for me!

Ron Griffith's playing definitely had an impact on the way that I play surf bass. Jet Harris has also been a favorite. Although one really can't call the Ventures surf there is no doubt that the bass lines, both 4 string and Bass VI, are phenomenal. I hear something new, bass-wise, almost everytime I put on a Ventures record. Same thing goes for the Shadows.

Some thoughts on surf bass.
I have always said that it requires a fair amount of discipline to be a bass player in a surf band. A modern bassist really has to take a step back to fit into the surf/instro idiom. Bass technique took a huge leap forward in the 70s with the advent of funk and fusion. All of a sudden there are players like Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Louis Johnson, Bootsy, etc etc. They changed the language and the role of the electric bass in pop music. The bass lexicon has continued to evolve. Modern bass requires more technical prowess than most of the early "Fender Bass" styles of the 50s and 60s (however, see what happens when you ask a chopper bassist or a shredder to do a simple walking bass line you will likely be disappointed). In my opinion modern bass styles wouldn't really work in the context of a surf band. For one thing most surf guitarists would crap their pants if they had to compete with a "lead bass" player, also surf would sound silly if there was a lot of slappin' and poppin' and hammerons. Surf bass, to my ears, requires traditional blues/r&b style bass lines. It's a support role, but for me it is always rewarding to lock in with the drums and rock.

I have three different amps that I use depending on the gig. One is a 60 watt 1x12 ampeg that I use for quiet gigs, then I have 400 watt acoustic 2x10 that works for most applications. For bigger club, theater or outdoor gigs I use a 450 watt ampeg head with a ported 4x10, sometimes I use two 4x10 cabs or a 4x10 and a 1x15.

This post is ridiculously long. sorry.

The Exotics 1994-Current
The Chickenshack - www.wmse.org
www.thedoghouseflowers.com
www.uptownsavages.com

It didn't seem long to me. Maybe too short. If I read you correctly, I should tell my guitar teacher to work with me on walking bass lines. Is that where I should start? Oh, yeah, I editied it for brevity.

jp wrote:

....
Some thoughts on surf bass.
....
.... see what happens when you ask a chopper
bassist or a shredder to do a simple walking bass line ....
....
This post is ridiculously long. sorry.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Aug 18, 2011 10:21:02

Thanks, JP. I appreciate the advice. I'll look for those bass books.

I'm using a pick right now because it's closest to what I already do with moderate success on guitar. So I guess I'm starting out playing bass like a guitar player. Is that a mistake? I see bass players use a pick, thumb only, thumb and one finger. thumb and two fingers, one finger only and two fingers without thumb. Is this based on what they're playing or just how they play?

Regarding sound, the pick, a heavy Fender bass pick, creates a sharp loud attack as opposed to the softer quieter sound with thumb or fingers. I see lots of surf vids with surf bass played with a pick. Is that normal or just what's in the sample?

One more question if you don't mind. I'm still looking for a bass fuzz pedal to produce a rasberry sound. It may or not be traditionally surfy, but I think it could be added to surf music and it sounds really wild, especially with lots of reverb; I just don't know how it's made. I have plugged my bass into a BOSS RV-5 and into my amp, set it to hall/modulate, and it sounds terrific, but doesn't have that rasberry sound I want. Do you have any ideas?

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Aug 18, 2011 12:26:54