TheFintastics
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 473
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posted on May 23 2014 07:05 PM
I have been searching high and low for another lead guitarist to join my surf band here in Texas. I've had ads on Craigslist, Facebook, etc and nothing has come my way in the past 5 months. It doesn't help matters either that I live in Texas where country music/red dirt music is king. My town has only 110,000 people so it's not very large; further dwindling my prospects of finding another surf guitarist.
Therefore, I am considering going at it as just a three piece; with me being the only guitar player.
I need to know from you guys and girls...what standard surf songs work WELL as a three piece? The only things I've seen on YouTube that strike me are songs from the Surf Coasters and Martin Cilia when he's performing alone in his three piece band. (Mr. Cilia from The Atlantics).
If anyone can advise me some good, fast songs that don't sound awful without a rhythm guitar...please post some links or song/band titles.
One song I already know and love is Return of the Surf Guitar by Mr. Cilia. So something along those lines. I already know that any Ventures or Shadows songs won't work.
Thanks!
— _
Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics
Last edited: May 23, 2014 19:06:27
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on May 23 2014 07:15 PM
The Octomen, Threesome, Monterreys, One Night Standards, AmpFibians, Destination: Earth!, and Intoxicators! are three-piece combos, just to name a few. Really too many to name here. The Intoxicators! and Monterreys converted to a three-piece from a 4-piece band, so they could probably fill you in on how they changed their arrangements. There's a topic around here on who's in a 3-piece that lists lots of them.
Who Plays Surf in a Trio?
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: May 23, 2014 20:00:34
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TheFintastics
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 473
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posted on May 23 2014 08:03 PM
Thanks Noel. I read all 3 pages of that thread. I would REALLY be interested in knowing if there are any bands on here that are a three piece using a looper pedal. Or even pre-programmed keyboard arrangements that are synced with the kick drum for timing.
— _
Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics
Last edited: May 23, 2014 20:04:00
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on May 23 2014 08:16 PM
SaxOnTheBeach wrote:
Thanks Noel. I read all 3 pages of that thread...
Before or after my reply? That's gonna give a chuckle to a few folks here. Me, too!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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TheFintastics
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 473
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posted on May 23 2014 08:23 PM
After your reply...it was very informative. I thank you.
— _
Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on May 23 2014 09:08 PM
SaxOnTheBeach wrote:
After your reply...it was very informative. I thank you.
My predilection to reply to queries with links to lots of information is well-known and sometimes the subject of good-natured ribbing. But I still do it. I'm glad you found that topic informative.
How to answer your specific question is in deeper water than I can swim, but I'm sure the advice you seek is coming. I know some folks here use loopers and I think someone even has a complete band in a box except for the guitar parts then there's Matt Quilter's Big Wave Machine.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: May 23, 2014 21:36:23
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on May 23 2014 09:28 PM
Speaking of epic trios, The Secret Samurai.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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ArabSpringReverb
Joined: Jul 13, 2012
Posts: 490
San Diego CA
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Posted on May 24 2014 12:12 PM
I don't know man.....you just have to figure out how to make it work...I play lots of song with no rhythm guitar or keys or sax parts....you can just cut those parts out,play an amalgam of parts..whatever sounds good to you...as long as you convey the general feeling you are trying to express.
Sole guitarist in a trio has a lot of ground to cover but then again you get plenty of space too.
IMO a looper pedal is cheating;I'd never use one but that's just my 2 cents.
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Las_Barracudas
Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
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Posted on May 24 2014 12:26 PM
It can certainly be done and some do it better than others. I wouldn't let not having another guitar player stop me.
That said, personally I prefer to perform with a 2 guitar line-up and generally most of my favorite Surf bands had at least two guitars. When I write original material it almost always has two guitar parts.
For a one guitar band a better than average bass player is essential in my humble opinion. Many 3 piece Surf bands sound a bit too Garagie for my taste, too busy, not dynamic enough. Stripped down acts like that seem to do pretty well as of late in certain locales though.
For me a big art of the "Surf sound" is that palm-muted guitar rhythm pounding throughout while another guitar plays lead, melody, hook, etc.. Pick most any Surf Classic and you'll hear it.
As far as a "looper" or "pre-programmed keyboard arrangements" go I say forget about that and just focus on developing the best sound you can with what you have.
My advice is to move forward as a 3 piece but continue looking for another good guitarist. Honestly I think some groups just take the easy way out regarding the number of guitarists and then get used to performing that way.
Good luck.
— METEOR IV on reverbnation
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dboomer
Joined: Jan 05, 2009
Posts: 262
Port Hueneme, CA
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Posted on May 24 2014 02:56 PM
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JohnnyMosrite
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 909
New York City area
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Posted on May 24 2014 03:51 PM
Sax,
I've been in a reverse situation a few times. I've answered local ads where a guitar player advertised for bass/drums for an instrumental surf band. OK, I think, let him/her know I'm around to add another guitar - switching from lead to rhythm for the crew being put together.
Sadly, and I've mentioned this in other forums, I run up against a certain musical neurosis. It's called L.G.S.S. - Lone Guitar Slinger Syndrome. It's the Dick Dale Em-E-Am-A type wanker that feels he or she has all the guitar skills needed for a killer group. Not so IMHO.
I've played solo as well as with a second guitar. It always sounds better with a second guitar.
As an example, take the Mermen. Their first album had rhythm/second guitar overdubbed in the mix - e.g. "The Goodbye" and "Krill Slippin". Then I've heard them live as a trio. Somethings always missing. The good Mr. Thomas can sound pretty thin live at times.
Do what you have to do but keep looking for that second guitar or keyboard.
All this is my ears and my opinion, of course.
J Mo'
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zzero
Joined: Jul 09, 2010
Posts: 1153
Lillian Alabama
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Posted on May 24 2014 07:05 PM
this will get me in trouble but--personally i prefer 3 piece surf bands as my personal favorites are DD and the Mermen. nothing wrong with more than 3 players, some bands do it well. 40 years ago i had a 2nd guitarist in our band and i never heard the guy play. no one else did either. someone asked us why he was there and we only kept him because the other band members grew up with him and he was fun to hang out with.
in a 3 piece you've got to have great players because there will be lots of room to fill so count on overplaying/ it can be done and done well!
maybe i have DD syndrome but that's the way it goes. 
— Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!!
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vintagesurfdude
Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on May 24 2014 11:38 PM
+1 zzero. 3 piece is very doable. There's a nice "openess" to the sound and all the mistakes are there to be heard !  There is that, but as a guitarist you need a strong rhythm section to pull it off. There's more room IMHO for improvisation. AND the pay per man is better! 
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tablatones
Joined: Apr 20, 2009
Posts: 8
ITALIA
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Posted on May 25 2014 08:47 AM
Hi SaxOnYheBeach,this is our example about three pieces surf band,hope you like it;best regards from Italy and surfs up,ciao.Luca.
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tablatones
Joined: Apr 20, 2009
Posts: 8
ITALIA
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Posted on May 25 2014 08:48 AM
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3854
North Atlantic
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Posted on May 25 2014 10:44 AM
vintagesurfdude wrote:
+1 zzero. 3 piece is very doable. There's a nice "openess" to the sound and all the mistakes are there to be heard ! There is that, but as a guitarist you need a strong rhythm section to pull it off. There's more room IMHO for improvisation. AND the pay per man is better!
Agreed!
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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6V6
Joined: Nov 15, 2008
Posts: 284
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Posted on May 25 2014 12:31 PM
I'd be curious if there are any surf trios with two guitars and no bass? Or maybe a guitar and baritone and no bass?
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2388
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on May 25 2014 01:19 PM
There are a lot of REALLY great surf trios. It really doesn;t get any better than Slacktone, the Mermen and the Surf Coasters. The Urban Surf KIngs, and the Glasgow Tiki Shakers are up there, too.
SaxOnTheBeach wrote:
Thanks Noel. I read all 3 pages of that thread. I would REALLY be interested in knowing if there are any bands on here that are a three piece using a looper pedal. Or even pre-programmed keyboard arrangements that are synced with the kick drum for timing.
In answer to the question about looping, The Mermen do quite a bit of looping. At times Jim Thomas sounds like a 3 or 4 guitar players. I respectfully disagree with Johnny Mosrite's opinion that Jim Thomas sounds thin, at times, live. Even when he is not looping, he has, in my opinion, a HUGE sound. In the dozens of times I've seen them, I can't say that I've ever heard Jim Thomas sound thin, by any stretch of the imagination. Of course he plays though a mountain of gear, including about 7 or 8 red knob Showmen heads, and a big rack of effects. A lot of people here don't consider the Mermen surf, but you should check them out to learn about how big a trio can potentially sound. There's a lot of footage of the Mermen on You Tube, and over 100 band-sanctioned live shows for free down load at Archive.org. There are about 6 or 8 Surf Soasters shows at Archieve.org, also.
— Bob
Last edited: May 25, 2014 13:20:39
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JohnnyMosrite
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 909
New York City area
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Posted on May 26 2014 08:42 AM
Robbie,
Take a listen to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YpXwi2zbaE
Pretty thin soup in my opinion; but perhaps not to you.
I can only agree that we disagree.
J Mo'
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TidalWave
Joined: May 06, 2014
Posts: 22
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Posted on May 26 2014 11:01 AM
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May Birthdays 
