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Ask Bob Spalding (The Ventures, V2) Anything!
Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19266 Des Moines, Iowa, USA 
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Posted on Feb 23 2015 07:34 PM
As part of The V2 Indiegogo campaign, Bob Spalding has agreed to do an "ask my anything" (AMA) right here on SG101! So what are you waiting for? Please use this thread to ask questions for Bob. —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Feb 23 2015 07:52 PM
Hi, Bob! What is your favorite song to play? —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Dec 11, 2011 Posts: 2118
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Posted on Feb 23 2015 08:41 PM
Bob, I've listened to several interviews you have done. I have 2 questions: No.1: are you surprised at how the music industry has changed in your life and the fact that instro surf is still alive and well? No. 2: Is there one point in your life that you would change if you had the "time machine"? Good luck with V2! |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Feb 23 2015 08:47 PM
Hi Bob, first off thank you for agreeing to visit our site! I've had the pleasure to see you play live a couple times. In your video, I was most struck by the statement "preserving and advancing rock instrumentals". I'm a huge fan of instrumental music, so I really appreciate your career working in instrumental music. But my big question, can you shed any light on how you are going to advance rock instrumentals? Clearly, you've had a big input on that throughout your career and I'm really looking forward to what you have in store with V2. Really looking forward to that version of Telstar! The one song that cannot be done to death, so flawless. |
Joined: Sep 06, 2012 Posts: 1299 Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on Feb 24 2015 07:31 AM
Hi Bob, Thank you for taking the time to do this. Do you listen to any current instrumental bands and if so, who you feel stands out? |
Joined: Feb 24, 2015 Posts: 19 |
Posted on Feb 24 2015 10:23 AM
Noel wrote:
Hi Noel, wow there are many songs that I like playing. Of course at various times some have more interest than others. However I can say that over the long term there are three that never seem to get old even after playing them in concert for many years now. They are "Walk-don't Run", "Mr. Moto", and "Guitar Boogie Shuffle". Each has it's own challenges but played correctly and with feeling they never seem to grow old. |
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Joined: Feb 24, 2015 Posts: 19 |
Posted on Feb 24 2015 10:32 AM
wfoguy wrote:
Hi, these are two good questions. Let's start with the time-less instrumentals, many of which are of the "surf genre". I did my first recording session some 50 years ago and the music industry has turned over many times. Being fortunate to work with The Ventures I was able to record instrumentally many of the modern trends that have evolved within the music business. With that experience I can only conclude that the instrumentals that were created out of the late 50's and early '60s are guitar and drum songs that are accessible. I mean they can be learned fairly easily and played with many variations. They also capture a time in the US where young people were establishing their own identity through surfing, cars, and music. Regarding your 2nd questions I have to say "no", I've been very fortunate and worked very hard to be a professional musician and associated with The Ventures. If I had changed something it may not have worked out like it did. |
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Joined: Feb 24, 2015 Posts: 19 |
Posted on Feb 24 2015 10:42 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
Hi Jake, thanks for your kind comments and questions. One of my motivations in playing and recording instrumental music is to preserve the genre itself by using variations of previous "masters" in terms of arrangement, instrumentation, recording techniques, and composition. To that end, having a band to work with to really accomplish this is great for me. As we move through some of the classics we'll record for our first album I believe we'll be preserving them for future generations of instrumental players and fans. At the same time being able to compose and arrange original tracks for the album will also inspire and advance the instrumental genre for future players and fans. Many of the techniques used by instrumental artists of the 50's and 60's are used in today's music, further there are many techniques that could be used today if the music becomes more visible. With my work with The Ventures I found that "Liberty" records did an amazing job of creating and validating the guitar instrumental as a serious genre in selling records. "Liberty" was able make The Ventures one of the music "commodities" in the business. By that I mean if you wanted a guitar instrumental album the associated name was The Ventures and as we all remember including me, everyone had at least 3 three Ventures records... |
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Joined: Feb 24, 2015 Posts: 19 |
Posted on Feb 24 2015 10:50 AM
Surf_Skater wrote:
Hi, yes I do all the time. I'm always searching for new instrumental things to listen to. Of course the ones that interest me the most are guitar oriented bands that are creative and move the music forward. Some of these I've worked with like The Surf Dawgs of Minneapolis and B.C.V. of Japan. Both of their products can be found on iTunes. There are some that are very "far out" in their instrumental recordings and arrangements such as Mike Vernon and The Balls of Fire, and there are many that are traditional and creative such as The Aqua Velvets with their simply amazing arrangement of "Remember, Walking in the Sand". |
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Joined: Sep 06, 2012 Posts: 1299 Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on Feb 24 2015 10:59 AM
Bob, Thank you so much for answering our questions. Who were the artists that inspired you to play? |
Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4052 Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Feb 24 2015 11:29 AM
No questions from me, Cheers, http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic |
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Joined: Oct 28, 2008 Posts: 671 Winnipeg, Canada 
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Posted on Feb 24 2015 12:49 PM
Hi Bob, you may recall I interviewed you and Don when you were in Winnipeg (interview available in the Downloads section). By the way you are overdue for a return! A few questions come to mind: Finally, not a question but a thanks for being so gracious in your interview and best wishes for success of your new project. Rich —https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=9353f9155b5ff32e14c998495fd00da4&#!/rich.derksen.7 |
Joined: Jul 28, 2013 Posts: 220 Hong Kong 
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Posted on Feb 25 2015 03:40 AM
Hi Bob, I have a question which I would dearly love to know the answer to. What do you do to take care of your hands, fingers, wrists etc? I've been battling tendinitis for 5 years (largely as a result of using computers and touch screens too much) and it really limits my ability to play for a long time. I actually got back into guitar and bass as it relieved the tendinitis in my forearms. Recently I have been experiencing numbness in the two smallest fingers, on both hands. The doctors just prescribed anti-inflammatories. Do you have any tips on hand health to share with us? —Sharawaji Records - UK Registered Record Label Dedicated To Surf, Instro, Reverb and Twang |
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19266 Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Feb 25 2015 08:16 AM
Hi Bob, When and where did you first join up with The Ventures, and what did you learn from playing, recording, and touring with them? Thanks! —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
Joined: Apr 01, 2013 Posts: 147 Vancouver BC
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Posted on Feb 25 2015 10:08 AM
Thank you for the all the wonderful music! The Ventures are still at the top of my list of the all time greats. Really looking forward to what you guys come up with next! I've got a gear question, what has been your "go to" bass guitar and why? Thank you! Last edited: Feb 25, 2015 10:11:05 |
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Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Feb 25 2015 02:31 PM
Bob, would you please tell us how your song, Chicchi Star, came about? I for one would love to hear V2 play it. Thank you! —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 5298 the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Feb 25 2015 08:11 PM
no questions but thanks for all the great music. i have a ventures model jazzmaster that i will NEVER part with. — |
Joined: Oct 01, 2014 Posts: 519 Streatham, London 
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Posted on Feb 26 2015 09:30 AM
Hello Sir, Your new compositions for the album; are they tunes that have been hanging around in your (and the band's) head for a while, or a conscious "let's sit down and start this song from year zero"? |
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Joined: Mar 01, 2006 Posts: 490 Chicago
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Posted on Feb 26 2015 12:27 PM
Bob, I've seen the Ventures and it was a very enjoyable show. Its the only time I've seen the Ventures so it was a memorable one. Care to share any interesting tour experiences? I always like to read other surf bands tour logs. Being a fellow musician it makes for an interesting read. I have the Ventures book and have read some of the stories, but its more of a history band. Thanks for the music too! |
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Feb 26 2015 12:46 PM
Tagged. Wow, just drinkin' it in & grateful for the music. Thanks for engaging with SG101! Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
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