Menu
Nokie Edwards gave the punchy sound of the Precision Bass a big boost on the immortal instrumental "Walk Don't Run," a hit for The Ventures in 1960. (Edwards, originally the group's bassist, later switched to lead guitar). The tune was highly influential, especially among 1960s California surf bands–many of which were equipped top to bottom with matching Fender instruments.
In a 1997 article in Vintage Guitar Magazine, Peter Stuart Kohman wrote: "The surf/instrumental rock genres of the early 1960s were crucial proving grounds for the still-newfangled electric bass, and many of the seminal records in these two interrelated styles are also showcases for the Fender bass sound. You can't really imagine surf music without a Fender bass–this is not true of any earlier rock & roll style. During this era, the bass guitar went from optional to essential equipment and set up the electric bass for its dominant role in the British Invasion, folk rock, and all that followed."
Kohman goes on to pointo out that bassists in budding surf bands played different types of electric basses, including Harmony and Danelectro instruments, but it was a sign of success to have a shiny new Fender bass, usually in a custom color like Candy Apple Red or Lake Placid Blue. The musicians who played these flashy Fenders approached them like guitars rather than uprights, playing downstrokes with a flatpick and going for a tighter, more focused sound than the thud of an acoustic bass. The instrument's potential was just beginning to be tapped.
pgs. 56-57, by Jim Roberts. Contributed by Gavin "Windansea Beachboy" Ehringer, June, 2007.
There is more to this story, continue reading ...
Surfin Sundays Concert June 10th from 1 to 3 pm
Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum
411 Olive Ave Huntington Beach, CA 92648
SoundWaves & 60's Guest Legend Eddie Bertrand (The Belairs, Eddie & The Showmen)
After a lengthy hiatus venturing into various types of music Eddie Bertrand has decided to make a comeback to his old favorite surf music scene. He told me on the phone the other day his friends have been bugging him to pick his old guitar and get back to playing the music that made him popular. Eddie was friends with the late SoundWaves drummer Jim Rudnick who passed away very recently after losing his battle with cancer. The SoundWaves have been after him to play with them at the museum and he finally agreed. He was most humble when I told him not a Surfin Sundays gig goes by that he isn't mentioned or a couple of his songs played. He didn't think anyone even remembered him let alone play the songs such as "Squad Car" & "Mr. Rebel" that he created and made popular. Maybe some of you know but most of us don't that the siren on "Squad Car" was originally invented on the mouthpiece of a saxophone, not the guitar. He got interested in playing with the SoundWaves because he and Jim were close friends who clicked together like bread and butter.
HBISM has the exclusive on Eddie's grand comeback during his special legendary guest performance with the SoundWaves. We at HBISM are STOKED about Eddie's comeback and invite you to join us in celebration of his success and pay respects to Jim while enjoying great music and it's all free. Eddie is a great guy and we wish him well.
Has anyone had any experience with the new Eminence Commonwealth 12's or 15's?
According to one source (supposedly an Eminence rep ) they are meant to sound like the JBL E120.
Although familiar with the D120F and D130F, I 'm not familiar with the "E" series. What are the sound differences between "E" and "D" series?
How close do the Commonwealths come to the traditional sound of the D120F's and D130F's ?
How do they compare to the Weber High Power California D120F and D130F clones which I understand are very good. It is worth noting that the Commonwealths' have the traditional JBL 4 inch voice coil, high power handling capability (225 watts), and are less expensive than the Webers ( $135 and $150 each).
