Favorite surf guitar

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Favorite surf guitar

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gatorfiend Joined: Aug 08, 2015 Posts: 214 Gainesville, Florida	Posted on Mar 09 2019 03:42 PM The Spy Gun! Top
andreuthegiant Joined: May 27, 2007 Posts: 254 Madrid, Spain	Posted on Mar 12 2019 01:57 AM my avri Last edited: Mar 12, 2019 01:58:29 Top
MikeyD Joined: Feb 11, 2008 Posts: 22 Land-Locked in Virginia	Posted on Mar 20 2019 06:21 PM Your text to link here... — Hacking away at Surf Rock since '87! Top
skandhi Joined: Apr 15, 2018 Posts: 23 OBX, NC	Posted on Mar 23 2019 10:42 AM Went to a Guitar Center the other day and saw this thing. A JJOYE Starlette...didn't get a chance to play it but it sure looks like it could play some surf! Also a saw a 60s Hagstrom, and both of these guitars were strung up with flatwounds. This is why I can't go to music stores...whenever I see anything I remotely like, I want to buy it all. Thankfully(?) I did escape without spending any money! Edit: in case anyone does want to buy it, here's the link: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/In-Store-Used/Used-JJOYE-Starlette-Custom-Red-Sparkle-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar-115138424.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItrDLoM2Y4QIVmZOzCh1noQPeEAQYASABEgIMX_D_BwE Last edited: Mar 23, 2019 10:46:36 Top
BillAqua Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1054 Chicago IL.	Posted on Mar 23 2019 11:25 AM Gretsch 6119 with HiloTrons — "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there" https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/ https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/ Top
ElectricLimnology Joined: Nov 20, 2017 Posts: 110 Southeast MIchigan	Posted on Mar 25 2019 11:57 AM After years of trying out a succession of Strats and a few Jaguars (never did come across a JM I could afford that I liked enough to buy) I rather impulsively acquired this Gretsch. It's been with me for a little over two months, through many band practices and a little recording. I never thought a semi-hollow body guitar with weird humbuckers would be my sound, especially for surf, but this is it. — The Vicissitones Diesel Marine The Rasputones Top
abdul_tom Joined: Dec 04, 2006 Posts: 251	Posted on Mar 28 2019 06:16 PM ElectricLimnology wrote: After years of trying out a succession of Strats and a few Jaguars (never did come across a JM I could afford that I liked enough to buy) I rather impulsively acquired this Gretsch. It's been with me for a little over two months, through many band practices and a little recording. I never thought a semi-hollow body guitar with weird humbuckers would be my sound, especially for surf, but this is it. I think the HiLoTrons are single coils, are they not? Top
Bill_Ashton Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 124 Massachusetts	Posted on Mar 28 2019 06:49 PM Nice Gretsch! And an appropriate color as well The p'ups sure look like HiLo'trons, but may not be on that series. When using a single pickup, does the guitar locate AC hum like a direction finder? If she's always quiet, then most likely they are hum-bucking. I say this as there was a wicked looking three-p'up they had, looking all the world like she had HiLo'trons, but they were really humbucking... — Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most... Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4428 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Mar 28 2019 08:36 PM ElectricLimnology wrote: After years of trying out a succession of Strats and a few Jaguars (never did come across a JM I could afford that I liked enough to buy) I rather impulsively acquired this Gretsch. It's been with me for a little over two months, through many band practices and a little recording. I never thought a semi-hollow body guitar with weird humbuckers would be my sound, especially for surf, but this is it. I play Gretsch almost exclusively. I use Supertron or Duo-Tron pickups, which are strong, but very focused. I’ve had some nice Strats, a nice Jaguar and all sorts of other guitars, but none have suited my needs better than the various Gretsch I own, including creating a clear, bright and powerful sound for Surf. Many people find the sound surprising. Bill_Ashton wrote: Nice Gretsch! And an appropriate color as well The p'ups sure look like HiLo'trons, but may not be on that series. When using a single pickup, does the guitar locate AC hum like a direction finder? If she's always quiet, then most likely they are hum-bucking. I say this as there was a wicked looking three-p'up they had, looking all the world like she had HiLo'trons, but they were really humbucking... “Super Hilo’Tron™ humbucking pickups”, taken directly from the Gretsch website. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4428 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Mar 28 2019 10:59 PM I hit post too early. Gretsch makes some great guitars for a twangy sound. I bet this is a great sounding axe. Congrats. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
cosmonaut Joined: Apr 02, 2019 Posts: 339	Posted on Apr 03 2019 03:10 PM Jazzmaster. I've had a jag, jazzmaster, mosrite, strat. Jazzmaster ticks every box for me. I'm currently saving up for that 60s daphne blue version. Top
DrippinReverb Joined: Apr 03, 2019 Posts: 14 Earth	Posted on Apr 03 2019 06:44 PM Jaguar. Just ticks every box of what a proper surf guitar should have. Plus, .12's or higher gauge flatwound strings on Jags just make the guitar sing and roar! Last edited: Apr 03, 2019 18:48:26 Top
DrippinReverb Joined: Apr 03, 2019 Posts: 14 Earth	Posted on Apr 03 2019 06:49 PM andreuthegiant wrote: my avri Great looking Jazzmaster! Which gold guard is that off of? The MIM J Mascis or the MIJ? Top
SurfMania Joined: May 17, 2019 Posts: 54 Monterey Park	Posted on May 25 2019 09:21 PM andreuthegiant wrote: my avri Very nice. What year is that? I also have an AVRI. It's a 2003 that I got brand new back then. It's Oly White but turned a bit yellow over time. Is your Oly White? It's hard to determine. The gold pickguard looks sensational on yours. I have a tortoise shell on mine. I posted the photo of it some years back at the Offset Guitar website and some said I got a good pickguard. They said some of the tortoise shell guards look different than mine. I have flatwounds on mine, do you? Top
SurfMania Joined: May 17, 2019 Posts: 54 Monterey Park	Posted on May 25 2019 09:25 PM I didn't go thru all the posts but the first few pages and this last page, not many people posted their favorite surf guitar is a Mosrite. My favorite used to be the Jazzmaster for surf and then Mosrite, then Strat. Yes, Strat. It changes a lot. I finally realized after owning so many different guitar that it doesn't matter the guitar, but preferably a single coil guitar and good playing. In that case any guitar sounds good and can be my favorite surf guitar, whether I am playing or someone else live or on record. I know Mosrites sound different from Jags and Jags different than Jazzmasters and Jazzmaster than Strats, but after having so many guitars any single coil guitar sounds great as long as the playing is right. But yes I know, people have their favorites. Right now just from a playing stand point and the tone I am liking my Mosrites the best but not for just surf, but overall. But if there was a specific surf guitar, it doesn't matter as long as the single coils are there and playing is there. Top
SurfMania Joined: May 17, 2019 Posts: 54 Monterey Park	Posted on May 25 2019 09:25 PM SurfMania wrote: I didn't go thru all the posts but the first few pages and this last page, not many people posted their favorite surf guitar is a Mosrite. My favorite used to be the Jazzmaster for surf and then Mosrite, then Strat. Yes, Strat. It changes a lot. I finally realized after owning so many different guitar that it doesn't matter the guitar, but preferably a single coil guitar and good playing. In that case any guitar sounds good and can be my favorite surf guitar, whether I am playing or someone else live or on record. I know Mosrites sound different from Jags and Jags different than Jazzmasters and Jazzmaster than Strats, but after having so many guitars any single coil guitar sounds great as long as the playing is right. But yes I know, people have their favorites. Right now just from a playing stand point and the tone I am liking my Mosrites the best but not for just surf, but overall. But if there was a specific surf guitar, it doesn't matter as long as the single coils are there and playing is there. Top
SHADOWNIGHT5150 Joined: Jul 14, 2013 Posts: 345	Posted on May 25 2019 10:37 PM My jazz tele that ive modded with mastery bridge and trem and Novsk noiseless pups Top
Sonic_Blue Joined: Feb 22, 2019 Posts: 190	Posted on Jun 06 2019 06:28 PM We have a late contender! Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1544 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Jun 06 2019 09:28 PM This one was an accidental purchase that I came across at a local vintage shop and just could not pass it up, given the super reasonable asking price. I guess this has become my favorite surf guitar, at least for now. 2000 AVRI Jaguar in Candy Apple Red, looks almost new front to back and seems to be be the best-sounding of the 2 other AVRI Jags I've had in the past. I've also discovered that I prefer roundwounds on offset Fenders. — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005) The Hula Hounds (1996-current) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
CarpathianWhips Joined: Jun 30, 2019 Posts: 4	Posted on Jun 30 2019 02:08 PM Hi Fellars and Felines, New member hailing you. I'm more of a rocknroll, 60's psych punk, 70's punk, garage, British Invasion and Brit pop practitioner here but I love surf and spaghetti western sounds, as well as 50's rockabilly and rebel rocknroll come think of it. Here are the instruments I'd press into service for surf. ...and if I had to get into a spaghetti shootout, I'd reach for this Last edited: Jun 30, 2019 14:20:22 Top

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