Photo of the Day
Clint, Tena, and Eddie Betrand!
Clint, Tena, and Eddie Betrand!
Shoutbox

sysmalakian: TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!
300 days ago

dp: dude
281 days ago

Bango_Rilla: Shout Bananas!!
236 days ago

BillyBlastOff: See you kiddies at the Convention!
220 days ago

GDW: showman
171 days ago

Emilien03: https://losg...
93 days ago

Pyronauts: Happy Tanks-Kicking!!!
86 days ago

glennmagi: CLAM SHACK guitar
72 days ago

Hothorseraddish: surf music is amazing
52 days ago

dp: get reverberated!
2 days ago

Shout History

Please login or register to shout.

IRC Status
  • racc

Join them in the #ShallowEnd!

Need help getting started?

Current Polls

No polls at this time. Check out our past polls.

Current Contests

No contests at this time. Check out our past contests.

Donations

Help us meet our monthly goal:

39%

39%

Donate Now

Cake February Birthdays Cake
SG101 MP3 Comps
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
SG101 Banner

SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

Permalink Bass Questions

• New Topic
Page 1 of 1
swiens
avatar
Joined: Jan 05, 2025
Posts: 4
Winnipeg
Canada
Link Posted on Jan 06 2025 06:03 PM

I've always been a Beach Boys fan since I was a kid but for some reason never got into other surf bands till recently. As a Bassist I always enjoy learning a different style.

From reading some posts it seems bass is usually a p with flats but any effects? From listening it sounds like the bass is usually playing the root with some walking bass lines or am I wrong?

Lastly are there any specific Bassist I should check out? Who would be the Steve Harris or Geezer Butler of surf?

Thanks

Top Flag
Padraig
avatar
Joined: Feb 26, 2022
Posts: 423
Dollars, Taxes
United States
16 Contributor Pins
Link Posted on Jan 06 2025 06:59 PM

Hey Swiens, welcome to SG101! There are many excellent bass players to be found in bands here on SG101, but I would start with Jonpaul Balak who plays for the Lords of Atlantis, the Insect Surfers, the Scimitars, The Tikiyaki Orchestra, Tikiyaki 5-0, and has played for Surfer Joe at various times.

Most surf music bass players I have seen either go straight to the amp, or perhaps have a tuner pedal in between. I would agree that the Fender Precision Bass with flat wounds is the most traditional sound, or perhaps a Jazz Bass with flats, but today you will find surf bassists playing other bass brands and types as well.

When you have a moment, go to the “Shallow End” forum, and the “INTRODUCTIONS! New Members Post Here” thread and tell us more about yourself and your involvement with surf music.

—

Patrick

Top Flag
swiens
avatar
Joined: Jan 05, 2025
Posts: 4
Winnipeg
Canada
Link Posted on Jan 06 2025 07:13 PM

Perfect, thanks. Introduction post has been posted.

Top Flag
ldk
avatar
Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 369
San Francisco Bay Area
United States
29 Download Pins 9 Contributor Pins 6 Security Pins
Link Posted on Jan 06 2025 08:47 PM

swiens wrote:

... From listening it sounds like the bass is usually playing the root with some walking bass lines or am I wrong? ...

Hello Steve, and welcome.

I've learned the bass lines of many surf and related instrumental songs. I'd say the basslines go from very simple to pretty involved. They nearly always serve a supporting role with no signature sound, like tremolo picking, reverb, glissando, etc. for lead guitar.

A few tunes I really like the bassline are the following:

  • Link Wray's Rumble, although the bass is somewhat hard to hear
  • The Ventures' Walk, Don't Run
  • Jon and the Nightriders' Catalina. The beginning has mostly roots, but at 30 seconds, the bassline is great.
—

If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.

Top Flag
swiens
avatar
Joined: Jan 05, 2025
Posts: 4
Winnipeg
Canada
Link Posted on Jan 06 2025 09:29 PM

I'll check those out

ldk wrote:

swiens wrote:

... From listening it sounds like the bass is usually playing the root with some walking bass lines or am I wrong? ...

Hello Steve, and welcome.

I've learned the bass lines of many surf and related instrumental songs. I'd say the basslines go from very simple to pretty involved. They nearly always serve a supporting role with no signature sound, like tremolo picking, reverb, glissando, etc. for lead guitar.

A few tunes I really like the bassline are the following:

  • Link Wray's Rumble, although the bass is somewhat hard to hear
  • The Ventures' Walk, Don't Run
  • Jon and the Nightriders' Catalina. The beginning has mostly roots, but at 30 seconds, the bassline is great.
Top Flag
Brian
avatar
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19308
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States
296 News Pins 126 Calendar Pins 198 Link Pins 8 Download Pins 42 Security Pins 27 POTD Pins 33 Map Pins 1 Brave New Surf Pin 1 Wiki Pin
Link Posted on Jan 07 2025 08:56 AM

I really enjoy Ron Griffith's bass playing with the Lively Ones.

—

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Top Flag
Page 1 of 1
Top