Hi, you could try a PM to Martin Cilia, he occasionally visits the forums (I think his username is surfguitar)or try his website http://www.martincilia.com/

I haven't tried learning this song but gee it's a good one.

https://www.facebook.com/lostremoleros/

Last edited: Nov 22, 2011 06:23:17

Many audio editing programs allow you to adjust pitch. And there's a number of them that are free.

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

The Atlantics usually tuned down half a step. I wonder if they were the first ones to do that. The first time I've heard of anybody doing that after them was Jimi Hendrix, though I suspect at least some blues guys did it. According to the Atlantics, they discovered this themselves, didn't get it from anybody else, and did it cause they thought it gave them a tougher sound, a bit more dangerous (something like that, just going from memory here). As far as bass, I wouldn't be surprised if Bosco tuned his E string (which would now be an Eb) a full step down to play this song, though I don't know anything about that in particular. The one thing about the Atlantics you can count is that they were willing to try pretty much anything to make something work and to get a different sound. A remarkably creative band.

(I'm still not exactly sure what's going on with that chaotic sound effect in the intro of The Crusher, how they're getting that sound. I think it's quick slides up and down the neck combined with heavy echo. That's my best guess, anyway, though I can't really replicate it. During that part in the outro they're turning up the feedback knob on the Echolette to get that heavy-echo effect, I do know that. A super cool song, just amazing!!)

PS Here's my old band's attempt at this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VAXVOI7NS8

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

Last edited: Nov 22, 2011 10:40:31

RaistMagus wrote:

Yep, it's in E after all, the guitars and the bass
tuned down a halfstep.

I think so, too - though my memory is that the song is in the key of A, not E. Are you sure about this?

Are they using two echolettes (in series) to get these effects?

Not on this one. I actually asked either Jim Skiathitis or Peter Hood about this some years ago (i think it was Jim), and he told me that they used two Echolettes together in series on three songs: War of the Worlds, SOS (Stomp on Stomp), and I believe Shark Attack, though I'm not 100% sure on the last one. I'll have to go check my email and see if I can find that. But a single Echolette on its own has a very specific sound and produces an effect I've never heard another tape echo unit or a pedal produce - that strange thing where the repeats get louder and then just stop. That's a completely unique Echolette sound.

Great cover Ivan!

Thanks! We gave it our best shot. It's always a challenge to cover the Atlantics and do it justice, but very rewarding when we pull it off. (With the Space Cossacks we've recorded versions of Bombora, The Crusher, Shark Attack and War of the Worlds; with the Madeira, we've recorded Express to Baghdad, SOS (Stomp on Stomp) and Giant. Soon I'll be able to put together a whole album of Atlantics covers!

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

IvanP wrote:

RaistMagus wrote:

Yep, it's in E after all, the guitars and the bass
tuned down a halfstep.

I think so, too - though my memory is that the song is
in the key of A, not E. Are you sure about this?

I meant the first chord which is E. Most of the song resides in A though I can't say that the melody is ever resolved in A. I don't feel 'home' when in A. As a matter of fact I find no resolution the in the melodic line of the crusher, most of the time it keeps me suspended and anxious of what will come next. (The rolling drums also contribute to this). That's why I love this band!!

By the way Giant and The Bowman are my favorite Atlantics tunes.

bigtikidude wrote:

IvanP wrote:

The Atlantics usually tuned down half a step. I
wonder
if they were the first ones to do that. The first
time
I've heard of anybody doing that after them was Jimi
Hendrix, though I suspect at least some blues guys
did
it.

The Fender IV tuned down to D

Allthough 'official' down-tunning could be a fresh idea back then, I believe that through the ages there have been innumerable muscians who down-tuned their instruments for various reasons.

Off-topic: Do you guys (and gals?) think there's a point in creating a sticky thread with obscure surf tabs? I could upload the guitarpro tab I made to a tab site but none will ever consider looking for an atlantics the crusher tab there. Just an idea.

https://zakandthekrakens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.dirtyfuse.com

Last edited: Nov 28, 2011 02:47:22

RaistMagus wrote:

Off-topic: Do you guys (and gals?) think there's a
point in creating a sticky thread with obscure surf
tabs? I could upload the guitarpro tab I made to a tab
site but none will ever consider looking for an
atlantics the crusher tab there. Just an idea.

I would like to see it. I have never compared the way I play The Crusher to anyone else', so I've no idea if I'm correct. I believe there's a tab section in downloads you can use, but I don't know if you can upload a guitarpro tab.

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

The tabs for guitar and bass are now available at the Downloads area in txt format!

https://zakandthekrakens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.dirtyfuse.com

RaistMagus wrote:

Great job again, Ivan! I dig your playing and your sound. If I may ask, what amp/pups/strings/picks are you using?

Thanks, Raist. Sorry for the delay in reply, I missed this the first time around. Richard got it basically right - in the top video, I use a Gomez Surfer (100W, very similar to a bronface Showman) with a 2x15" JBL and a Gomez G-Spring reverb unit. In the lower video, I used a '64 Showman with a 1x15" JBL and a reissue reverb unit. I also used a Korg Dynamic Echo pedal in both videos. Both these Strats have Seymour Duncan pickups: the Shoreline Gold Strat has Antiquity Surfers, and the Fiesta Red one has Alnico II Pros. The strings are 12-gauge Rotosound Purples (nickel roundwound), and the picks are Dunlop Delrin 500 .96. There you go! Thanks again! Good luck with your own pursuit of the Atlantics tone!

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube