Photo of the Day

(This review submitted by Carol, aka mom_surfing. Big thanks to Carol for submitting the first review for this site!)

I have been playing guitar for 7 years and concentrating on surf instrumentals for almost the last 2. I am just someone who has a passion for playing and play at least 2 hours a day. I've been on a quest these last two years to find the 'perfect' surf guitar, asking a lot of questions and opinions of others and trying out different instruments. My first guitar was/is an American standard strat. I also have a PRS custom 22 (definitely not surf) and happily stumbled onto a ventures model MIJ jazzmaster. I have fairly small hands and long fingers and found the neck on the jazzmaster a little fat up past the 12th fret, but what a nice tone it has, especially for rhythm. My search for an in-stock jag, white with the red tortoise pick guard, or any jaguar for that matter, yielded none. I had to order one. Fender didn't have any in stock so I patiently waited four months for it's arrival. And, it was well worth the wait. Fender ships these from the factory with 10's, so I had the tech set it up with 11's before I took it home. He commented on what a nice instrument it was and said he did very little to it (one little shim) and a slight truss rod adjustment. To my eyes the workmanship is A+. My primary sound set up is a fender deluxe reverb and a RI outboard reverb (I also have a twin reverb but it's too heavy to drag around, so it's my back up). From the first few notes i played i knew it was the sound i've been looking for! With so many switch combinations it's easy to find the right 'voice' for leads and rhythm. The neck is comfortable in my hands. I know we all play differently and hear things differently, but for me I feel I've finally found the 'perfect' surf guitar. It was money well spent.

The Double Crown On The Rocks Podcast is back! I tried doing a show last year, but gave up after 5 shows because it wasn't turning out very good with the equipment I had at the time. I now have an iBook with Garageband 3 and doing good-sounding podcasts is a snap now. I hope to do at least one new show each week. This week's show features two tracks from The Nebulas' brand new, self-titled CD. Check it out at:

http://doublecrown.blogspot.com/

or

http://www.dblcrown.com/podcasts.html

I will be working on getting it up on iTunes as well.

Thanks,

Sean
Double Crown Records
www.dblcrown.com

Here is part 2 of my Exotica 2005 show report, dug out from the archives of the SG101 Yahoo Group. Enjoy!

In order to seed our show report database, I thought I would dig out my Exotica 2005 show reports that I had posted to the SG101 Yahoo Group last summer. So, in case you missed it, here is part 1 of my Exotica 2005 report. It has been edited slightly to correct some minor factual errors.

We are proud to announce the release of The Nebulas' 3rd full-length CD!!!

The Nebulas - S/T CD - #DCCD24 - $12.75

Double Crown is gearin' up for the release of the new CD by The Nebulas, which comes out next week just in time for their upcoming shows with Satan's Pilgrims! Fifteen amazing tracks, a little faster and a little rawer than what you're used to from this band. Make sure your speakers are in good working order now, cuz this disc is gonna test your hi-fi like it's never been tested before! You can get more info about this great band at www.thenebulas.com or http://www.myspace.com/thenebulas

Tracks: Retribution - Logan's Run - Kalashnikov - Nebulomp - Chummy Jigger - Morpheus - Dragunov - El Boracho - S.O.S. - All Your Base... - Uhura - Bus Stop - Von Schlieffen Plan + Two Bonus Tracks!!!

You can order this, or any Double Crown CD on their own for $12.75 + shipping, or you can join the Double Crown Music Club for $35.00 to get this and the next 3 CD releases (US Music Club Price. $40 for Canada. $45 Rest Of The World). Coming later this year is a CD-EP from The Madeira and Seasonal Favorites: Volume 2 CD.

FREE SHIPPING IF YOU PRE-ORDER THIS CD PRIOR TO MARCH 10TH!!!
If you send a Paypal payment to: records@dblcrown.com, just send $12.75 - no need to add anything for shipping. If you order online at www.dblcrown.com, use the coupon code: NEBULAS and you will not need to pay for shipping. This offer expires March 10th, the expected arrival date of The Nebulas new CD. At that point we will ship all pre-orders, as well as copies to all of the
Double Crown Music Club members. You can also send cash/check/money order to the address below.

Ordering Information

--We accept cash, checks and money orders, payable to Double Crown Records, Paypal payments sent to: records@dblcrown.com, or online with your credit card.
--Please list alternates whenever possible. If we are out of stock, please specify whether you want a credit or a refund.
--Washington residents must add 8.2% sales tax. (subtotal x 1.082)
--Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery.

Mail Your Order To:

Double Crown Records - P.O. Box 4336 - Bellingham, WA 98227-4336 USA

Since its inception, Surf Guitar 101's legions of players have engaged in heated debate about gear. Suffice it to say, everyone has an opinion. However, newbies often want a simple answer to the question, "What do I need to get going?"

Below, I lay out the answers, based on the classic traditional surf sound of the Sixties. Whether you want to nail the sound with vintage gear, or whether you are on a budget, you'll find useful guidelines here.

Mahalo! Surf's up!

Gavin "Windansea Beach Boy," and a true surf guitar gremmie.