A friend over at another forum has a YouTube channel where he plays Pipeline reasonably well and mentions how he used modern gear to approximate the original drip sound.

This isn't a debate on it can or cannot or should not be done or whatever. He only did it for his enjoyment and sharing exploring modern gear and having fun.

But someone had left a comment (image below) that states the lead guitar had no reverb and it was only the rhythm with reverb. Along with that, the mentioned that they were somewhat intimately involved.

So is this story legit? And who might it be? It also shows how just playing your instruments is one aspect, but then adding production to create and build sound with a little going a long way can really make a difference.

Interesting stuff.

According to Bob Dalley's Surfin' Guitars (2015 Ed.) the guitarists in the band had early access to Dick Dale's very own reverb unit through some family connections to the Fender operation. Upon being so impressed by the sound, they used the funds earned from one their early shows for each of the 2 guitarists to buy a Fender reverb unit.
So, conceivably, they each had their units present when Pipeline was recorded thereafter. Clearly, there is the nice drip on the palm-muted rhythm/2nd guitar. I detect a bit of room ambience with the keys and the lead guitar. They are not completely dry. If the reverb unit was used on the lead guitar, it would have been set with low Dwell and Mix settings.
What I do hear, however, is a slight tremolo (Harmonic, perhaps?) on the lead guitar. When I perform the song, I always use a low intensity harmonic trem setting and it sounds better IMHO.

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

Grizmit wrote:

Hey.

hey

so1om wrote:

But someone had left a comment (image below) that states the lead guitar had no reverb and it was only the rhythm with reverb. Along with that, the mentioned that they were somewhat intimately involved.

So is this story legit? And who might it be? It also shows how just playing your instruments is one aspect, but then adding production to create and build sound with a little going a long way can really make a difference.

Interesting stuff.

I think the comment was left by Joey Geinice, who goes by Surfbeat around here. His bio on youtube mentions playing with the Deltones over the years.

According to Bob Dalley's book, and to what Bob Spickard told me directly, The song Pipeline (along with "Move It") was recorded twice early on, the first time at PAL studios, by Paul Buff (Frank Zappa later bought this studio) as a demo to be shopped around. After some effort, only Downey Records, which was part of Wenzel's records, showed any interest in the band or the songs, but for the deal to be finalized, the songs were re-recorded at Downey Studio. This is the famous version of the song. The song was recorded in stereo, but the single was issued in Mono. Some of the LP's are in stereo.

Bob Spickard has said many times that the song was recorded with his Barth guitar, and Brian Carman's Airline Harmony H-45, through single 12" Fender Bandmasters. He also has said that by that time they both had reverb units. I personally don't hear much reverb on the lead, if any, but I do hear some tremolo.

Apparently, that first version of Pipeline has been lost to time. The original demo was broken, and is unplayable. I asked Bob Spickard if the second version sounded any different that the first, to which he said, "no not really" which amazed me because the song and the mix is so unique, and I had always assumed the mix was an accident.

Downey Records released quite a few surf jems, and there is a compilation put out on Ace that looks pretty cool! http://acerecords.co.uk/the-downey-story-landlocked

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

Last edited: Jun 02, 2017 18:32:58

Sonichris wrote:

so1om wrote:

But someone had left a comment (image below) that states the lead guitar had no reverb and it was only the rhythm with reverb. Along with that, the mentioned that they were somewhat intimately involved.

So is this story legit? And who might it be? It also shows how just playing your instruments is one aspect, but then adding production to create and build sound with a little going a long way can really make a difference.

Interesting stuff.

I think the comment was left by Joey Geinice, who goes by Surfbeat around here. His bio on youtube mentions playing with the Deltones over the years.

According to Bob Dalley's book, and to what Bob Spickard told me directly, The song Pipeline (along with "Move It") was recorded twice early on, the first time at PAL studios, by Paul Buff (Frank Zappa later bought this studio) as a demo to be shopped around. After some effort, only Downey Records, which was part of Wenzel's records, showed any interest in the band or the songs, but for the deal to be finalized, the songs were re-recorded at Downey Studio. This is the famous version of the song. The song was recorded in stereo, but the single was issued in Mono. Some of the LP's are in stereo.

Bob Spickard has said many times that the song was recorded with his Barth guitar, and Brian Carman's Airline Harmony H-45, through single 12" Fender Bandmasters. He also has said that by that time they both had reverb units. I personally don't hear much reverb on the lead, if any, but I do hear some tremolo.

Apparently, that first version of Pipeline has been lost to time. The original demo was broken, and is unplayable. I asked Bob Spickard if the second version sounded any different that the first, to which he said, "no not really" which amazed me because the song and the mix is so unique, and I had always assumed the mix was an accident.

Downey Records released quite a few surf jems, and there is a compilation put out on Ace that looks pretty cool! http://acerecords.co.uk/the-downey-story-landlocked

Thank you for reposting the information. It's much appreciated.

so1om wrote:

Sonichris wrote:

so1om wrote:

But someone had left a comment (image below) that states the lead guitar had no reverb and it was only the rhythm with reverb. Along with that, the mentioned that they were somewhat intimately involved.

I think the comment was left by Joey Geinice, who goes by Surfbeat around here. His bio on youtube mentions playing with the Deltones over the years.

Chris, please be advised that the comment made by "Old Deltone" regarding HIS recall of the recording of Pipeline by Spickard & company, of which you opined was left by me - WAS NOT left by me. I have no idea how Pipeline was recorded.

There are a plethora of former guitar players who have played with Dick over the years, but based upon the subject matter and time frame which Old Del Tone referred to, Old Del Tone would surely have to be one of the original Del Tones, not us much later guys.

A few weeks ago I was with Ray Samra, Dick's first bass player and based upon his deteriorating health I doubt he would be taking the time to make the comment regarding knowledge of how Pipeline was recorded.

Check out Art or Barry as possible links as they were with Dick during that time frame.

I wish someone would ask how our records were recorded back then, but nobody cared about a bunch of Parker, AZ boys making noise at the River. We called our music River Music where we played at the Island A Go Go, not the far off sandy beaches of Balboa at the Voo. lol

Last edited: Jun 07, 2017 20:45:29