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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

Permalink Bass Questions

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swiens
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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

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Padraig
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Joined: Feb 26, 2022
Posts: 423
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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

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

Perfect, thanks. Introduction post has been posted.

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ldk
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Joined: Nov 08, 2017
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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.
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swiens
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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.
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Brian
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006
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Link Posted on Jan 07 2025 08:56 AM

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

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