Lately my band mates and I have really been listening to alot of surf-style tunes, and we really want to incorporate it into our style. So I was wondering if my gear is surf enough? Currently i have a 1965 fender mustang, '69 reissue mustang, and hopefully a cyclone II within the next month. My amp is a Peavey classic 50 running through a 2x12 cab with greenbacks.

Also please feel free to recommend some gear.

Hi Shaggy,

What you have is fine, especially when getting started or for someone not going into a full blown surf band. The question for you is what elements of surf are you thinking of incorporating into your sound? Is it the heavy reverb sound with the drip? (Drip is the plinky sound you hear typically while muting the strings and plucking at the same time e.g. the Astronauts). If so, then nothing short of a Fender stand alone outboard reverb unit will do. If not, then your built in reverb or a reverb pedal will work fine.

Do you want to do the double-picking like Dick Dale? Then you may consider getting thicker strings (.012-.013 typically, though some of us have gotten good results on thinner). The thicker strings provide more resistance to your pick giving more control which allows for more even sounding picking. Try it and you'll see what I mean. Also many of us favor flat-wound strings. They are a little darker and are silky smooth for all those surf glissandos

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, or search the archive for more immediate results. Also post your band's info to our links page and the myspace thread currently taking place.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

Let's go trippin' and Nitro? Young Dick and Old Dick! You really like Mr. Dale! I had to word it that way because I might of gotten in trouble again if I used his first name

You got two mustangs, I would personally slap some heavy flats on the newer one and call it a day equipment wise. As long as your amp plays relatively clean at the volumes you need, you don't need any of the god-like big fender amps. If you do need more volume and clean tone, some of us... Errr... I mean some folks like the crate Powerblocks which are going for around a hundred on Ebay. No it's not a tube amp, but it's cheap, and with the gain turned down is clean at all volumes, and it can be hella loud! Throw a used Fender reverb in front of it, and for a grand total of about $400 plus a speaker cab, which you might enjoy building yourself, you'll have a fine surf tone. Don't mind the gear nazis who will trash the Powerblock. Would you worry what the Church Ladies say about your clothes? Don't worry about the Amp Ladies then either!

Anyway that would be the cheapest way for you to do some serious acoustic damage. Of course if you got the bucks, Get a Showman... Then the Guitar Ladies will come out, purse their lips and say "Oh Deary, you really want our savior to come back and see you playing THAT guitar through a showman... Apparently some of us prefer guitars designed post CBS... you know what CBS means don't you? Commissioned by SATAN!"

Welcome to the group, Shaggy!

I agree with the the advice given by the others who have responded.
If you want the serious "drip", buying a reverb tank will be your first
and highest priority. Contrary to the opinions of a few in this group,
IMHO there is indeed such a thing as too much reverb. Stacking reverb
on top of reverb tends to get real muddy to my ears.

I'm partial to blackface Fender tube amps. Not being a trad guy, I like
a little break-up, so I go for amps less powerful than the exalted
Showman or a Twin. I've got a '63 Deluxe (20watts) that just kills, and
a '65 Bassman (50 watts) Head for when more power is needed. A lot
of guys here would tell you that the Celestians have to go, in favor of
Webers, Jensens or JBL's. I guess what you need to ask is whether you
want the traditional sound, or want to go the more progressive route.
The Crate powerblock that BadAsh mentioned is a great alternative
that a lot of us have picked up on. I bought mine for a back-up, and
with a reverb tank, will get you a very creditable sound.

As far as your guitars go, the Mustangs should be fine for now. Guitars
of choice within the group are predominently Jaguars, Jazzmasters,
Strats, and Moserites.

Like Danny said, search the archives. There is a wealth of information
on this site.

Good luck!!!

Bob

Bob

another quick note about strings, since it's the obvious first step. Have a decent guitar tech enlarge the slots in the nut to accomodate the thicker strings. Then use plenty of graphite or lube of choice in the slots and string trees and bridge, to help stay in tune when using the trem.

I have a powerblock and I'm proud of it

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

Shaggy ~ welcome.......
You've gotten really really first class advise.
Now just get yourself a Hawaiian Shirt and some Converse All-Stars and you're good to go.

yes I'm kidding - have fun and buy as many Surfaris and Astronauts albums as you can afford (after buying the Hawaiian Shirt, of course.... HAHAHA there I go again...................

Louie

..jeez...i alamost forgot.......

AND a Fender SideKick Amp..........

hahahah

Thanks everybody!! I decided to to but some round-wound 12's on my '69 reissue competition mustang, and save up for a used outboard reverb and possibly a strat for the future. And if i ever stumble across a powerblock for dirt cheap, i just might, might buy it.

As for uniform, i have worn lo top converse and surf shirts for all my life.

Once again thanks to everybody who contributed.

the other guitar player in my band uses my Peavey Delta Blues which is practically the same amp as the Classic series except with a tremolo circuit. It does a great job in the band and keep up with my Twin Reverb pretty well (except in the volume department). Your definetly making a good choice with the outboard tank, I just need to talk my bands other guitar player in to investing in one... and maybe an amp... and maybe his own guitar too...

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