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Hey Gavin,
Thanks for the lowdown on the F1 picks.
Just wanted to add your good advice. I also have a cheapo digital guitar
processor unit (DOD FX7), and while the effects are a mixed bag, it is
excellent for plugging in a guitar and CD player and jamming along with
headphones. And I can do this after the kids have gone to bed. I've been
doing this pretty regularly for a while, although this week I have been
slacking, but it has helped my playing quite a bit. I've been jamming along
to Satan's Pilgrims 1st CD "At Home With". Fun, fun, fun.
See ya,
BN
> -----Original Message-----
> From: windanseabeachboy <>
> [mailto:]
> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 2:47 PM
> To:
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Some Beginner Advice...From a Novice Poster.
>
>
> There's a lot of excellent players on this site, and they have helped
> me immeasurably. I started playing guitar just 8 months ago, and I am
> almost ready to start a band. My playing is solid, if not creative,
> and I can cover many of the 1st Wave Surf Music. I just wanted to
> contribute some advice for beginning guitarists and first-time surf
> guitar players.
>
> To begin, equipment. I have a performing rig and a practice rig. The
> practice rig is absolutely the cheapest way to get an awesome surf
> sound and will allow you to "demo" all the classic amps and effects
> used in instrumental surf. Outlay: less than $500!
>
> Start with a used 50s Reissue Made-In-Mexico Strat (about $350 on
> Ebay). A standard Strat or even a Squier Strat will work okay, too. Or
> splurge for a used Jaguar or Jazzmaster (about $425-700 on EBay).
> Combine that with either a Behringer V-Amp simulator or Line 6 Pod.
> Both have multiple classic amps, including Fenders, and a good
> simulation of the spring reverb that's essential to the surf sound.
> Prices vary from $129 for the Behringer to $225 for a used POD. Add
> another $50 for headphones - yes, no amp needed!
>
> Get a 1/4 to 1/8 conversion plug at Radio Shack that enables you to
> connect the V-AMP or POD to a CD player's headphone jack with a
> standard guitar cable into the POD or V-AMP input. Now, you can play
> along with your surf rock CDs. Total cost: about $529!
>
> One especially good "Cheat" book is "Surf Guitar" by Roy Zimmerman and
> published by Hal Leonard. The tabs are pretty good, and mostly made
> from the actual recordings. It has some songs with lyrics, but mostly
> it's all surf instro. The only bad thing is, it doesn't have a CD, so
> you have to acquire the music piecemeal by buying many of the reissued
> CDs. Rhino Records is a good source of both original albums and
> compilations.
>
> Another book that's widely available is the book "Surf Guitar,"
> featuring music from the band "The Torquays." Their approach is very
> old-school traditional, and a bit harder to play than the music in the
> other book. This book/CD is best suited to experienced players who
> want to pick up the nuances of surf sound quickly. It's not for
> beginners. but an intermediate player can learn from it quickly.
>
> Once you progress, you may wish to upgrade your gear for live playing.
> Here's a reasonable amp/guitar/reverb unit that gets pretty close to
> the original surf sound at much lower than vintage prices. Start with
> a Fender DeVille 2 x 12, or Fender Deluxe 1 x 12 Amp ($325 to $475
> used). If the reverb isn't deep & wet enough for your taste, either
> pop for a reissue Fender Reverb unit ($375), or the cheaper Leilani
> tube/spring reverb pedal (about $150). The V-AMP and POD can be used,
> but it's a real pain to set either up for stage performance. They are
> great for recording, however.
>
> On guitars, it's a toss up. The Strat works good, but a Jag or
> Jazzmaster is more highly regarded among the people on this site.
> Generally, the best prices are on the Jap reissues, which can be had
> for about $500 used.
>
> Very soon, I hope to record a few of the tunes I've mastered so that
> you can hear what they sound like.
>
> Finally, the people on this site have been invaluable. Some of the
> best surf players drop in to share their insights, and I thank all of
> them for helping in the development of a fledgling but devoted surf
> guitar player.
>
> Thanks to All! Best wishes,
>
> Gavin
