Menu
I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want an axe that is
made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender Telecaster, but don't
know if the two single pickups will give me the optimal sound that I'm
looking for?
Can anyone with more experience give me some advice? Thanks in
advance....
The Creature
I've seen a number of people use Telecasters, though
it isn't the most common surf guitar. The "best" is
subjective, but the most popular are Fender Jaguars
and Jazzmasters and Mosrites.
Richard
--- creature_features_fan
<> wrote:
> I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want
> an axe that is
> made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender
> Telecaster, but don't
> know if the two single pickups will give me the
> optimal sound that I'm
> looking for?
>
> Can anyone with more experience give me some advice?
> Thanks in
> advance....
>
> The Creature
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
Hi.
To pick just one I prefer the Jazzmaster.
Cheers
Jon
on 28/3/03 16:33, creature_features_fan at
wrote:
> I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want an axe that is
> made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender Telecaster, but don't
> know if the two single pickups will give me the optimal sound that I'm
> looking for?
>
> Can anyone with more experience give me some advice? Thanks in
> advance....
>
> The Creature
I agree with Richard - "best" is *very* subjective. Yep, Jags, JMs, and
Mosrites are very popular - don't forget the Strats, too! There are other
manufacturers that make guitars that appeal to the surf crowd - like
Danelectro and DiPinto. I'm sure you can coax some great surfy sounds out
of a Tele, but one thing it lacks is a trem mechanism. I couldn't live
without a trem trying to play surf stuff! Teles are twangy, though (and you
can get an aftermarket tremolo unit, like a Bigsby, installed on a Tele).
If I were to try and list the necessary guitar "hardware" for the surf
sound, I would say you gotta have: 1) single coils; 2) a tremolo; and 3)
flatwound strings. All of those components will contribute to the surf
sound - along with a healthy dose of splashy reverb (sold separately)!
Danos and DiPintos offer a few good, low-cost options if money is a factor
in your selection. I've got a Dano Hodad (with trem), and it sounds
awesome! I hate to fall back on the cliche, but it's not always what you're
playing as much as how you play it, too . . .
Hope these ramblings help some - good luck in your selection!
-Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 2:45 PM
Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] What is the best "Surf" Guitar
> I've seen a number of people use Telecasters, though
> it isn't the most common surf guitar. The "best" is
> subjective, but the most popular are Fender Jaguars
> and Jazzmasters and Mosrites.
>
> Richard
>
> --- creature_features_fan
> <> wrote:
> > I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want
> > an axe that is
> > made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender
> > Telecaster, but don't
> > know if the two single pickups will give me the
> > optimal sound that I'm
> > looking for?
> >
> > Can anyone with more experience give me some advice?
> > Thanks in
> > advance....
> >
> > The Creature
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
Fender Jaguar
Fender Jazzmaster
Mosrite Ventures model
Fender Stratocaster
Danelectro Hodad
Gretsch (with a Bigsby Tremolo)
there's the top 6 on my list
Dave P
--- creature_features_fan <>
wrote:
> I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want an
> axe that is
> made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender Telecaster,
> but don't
> know if the two single pickups will give me the optimal
> sound that I'm
> looking for?
>
> Can anyone with more experience give me some advice?
> Thanks in
> advance....
>
> The Creature
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
you might want to check out the pawnshops for a wacky old
guitar with a tremolo...that's a cool place to start
looking...who knows...maybe you'll find a gem!
dp
--- creature_features_fan <>
wrote:
> I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want an
> axe that is
> made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender Telecaster,
> but don't
> know if the two single pickups will give me the optimal
> sound that I'm
> looking for?
>
> Can anyone with more experience give me some advice?
> Thanks in
> advance....
>
> The Creature
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
A Teisco, Vox, Yamaha SVG, Craftsman or UNIVOX should be
able to pull it off. I had a real nice Coral guitar that
did the job. I agree with the idea that there is not really
a "best" guitar, and I too agree that a tremolo seems to be
crucial for my surf tone. Currently I play a Danelectro
Hodad, and I am absolutely pleased with its tone quality
and performance. I play through a fender RI reverb, and
sometime I play through an old St. George reverb.
dp
--- Dick Messick <> wrote:
> I agree with Richard - "best" is *very* subjective. Yep,
> Jags, JMs, and
> Mosrites are very popular - don't forget the Strats, too!
> There are other
> manufacturers that make guitars that appeal to the surf
> crowd - like
> Danelectro and DiPinto. I'm sure you can coax some great
> surfy sounds out
> of a Tele, but one thing it lacks is a trem mechanism. I
> couldn't live
> without a trem trying to play surf stuff! Teles are
> twangy, though (and you
> can get an aftermarket tremolo unit, like a Bigsby,
> installed on a Tele).
> If I were to try and list the necessary guitar "hardware"
> for the surf
> sound, I would say you gotta have: 1) single coils; 2) a
> tremolo; and 3)
> flatwound strings. All of those components will
> contribute to the surf
> sound - along with a healthy dose of splashy reverb (sold
> separately)!
>
> Danos and DiPintos offer a few good, low-cost options if
> money is a factor
> in your selection. I've got a Dano Hodad (with trem),
> and it sounds
> awesome! I hate to fall back on the cliche, but it's not
> always what you're
> playing as much as how you play it, too . . .
>
> Hope these ramblings help some - good luck in your
> selection!
>
> -Dick
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 2:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] What is the best "Surf"
> Guitar
>
>
> > I've seen a number of people use Telecasters, though
> > it isn't the most common surf guitar. The "best" is
> > subjective, but the most popular are Fender Jaguars
> > and Jazzmasters and Mosrites.
> >
> > Richard
> >
> > --- creature_features_fan
> > <> wrote:
> > > I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want
> > > an axe that is
> > > made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender
> > > Telecaster, but don't
> > > know if the two single pickups will give me the
> > > optimal sound that I'm
> > > looking for?
> > >
> > > Can anyone with more experience give me some advice?
> > > Thanks in
> > > advance....
> > >
> > > The Creature
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live
> on your desktop!
> >
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > .
> > Visit for
> archived messages,
> bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
...whoops I mean Yamaha SGV-300, check these two out on
ebay:
DP
--- DP <> wrote:
> A Teisco, Vox, Yamaha SVG, Craftsman or UNIVOX should be
> able to pull it off. I had a real nice Coral guitar that
> did the job. I agree with the idea that there is not
> really
> a "best" guitar, and I too agree that a tremolo seems to
> be
> crucial for my surf tone. Currently I play a Danelectro
> Hodad, and I am absolutely pleased with its tone quality
> and performance. I play through a fender RI reverb, and
> sometime I play through an old St. George reverb.
>
> dp
> --- Dick Messick <> wrote:
> > I agree with Richard - "best" is *very* subjective.
> Yep,
> > Jags, JMs, and
> > Mosrites are very popular - don't forget the Strats,
> too!
> > There are other
> > manufacturers that make guitars that appeal to the surf
> > crowd - like
> > Danelectro and DiPinto. I'm sure you can coax some
> great
> > surfy sounds out
> > of a Tele, but one thing it lacks is a trem mechanism.
> I
> > couldn't live
> > without a trem trying to play surf stuff! Teles are
> > twangy, though (and you
> > can get an aftermarket tremolo unit, like a Bigsby,
> > installed on a Tele).
> > If I were to try and list the necessary guitar
> "hardware"
> > for the surf
> > sound, I would say you gotta have: 1) single coils; 2)
> a
> > tremolo; and 3)
> > flatwound strings. All of those components will
> > contribute to the surf
> > sound - along with a healthy dose of splashy reverb
> (sold
> > separately)!
> >
> > Danos and DiPintos offer a few good, low-cost options
> if
> > money is a factor
> > in your selection. I've got a Dano Hodad (with trem),
> > and it sounds
> > awesome! I hate to fall back on the cliche, but it's
> not
> > always what you're
> > playing as much as how you play it, too . . .
> >
> > Hope these ramblings help some - good luck in your
> > selection!
> >
> > -Dick
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Richard" <>
> > To: <>
> > Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 2:45 PM
> > Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] What is the best "Surf"
> > Guitar
> >
> >
> > > I've seen a number of people use Telecasters, though
> > > it isn't the most common surf guitar. The "best" is
> > > subjective, but the most popular are Fender Jaguars
> > > and Jazzmasters and Mosrites.
> > >
> > > Richard
> > >
> > > --- creature_features_fan
> > > <> wrote:
> > > > I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want
> > > > an axe that is
> > > > made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender
> > > > Telecaster, but don't
> > > > know if the two single pickups will give me the
> > > > optimal sound that I'm
> > > > looking for?
> > > >
> > > > Can anyone with more experience give me some
> advice?
> > > > Thanks in
> > > > advance....
> > > >
> > > > The Creature
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Do you Yahoo!?
> > > Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live
> > on your desktop!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > .
> > > Visit for
> > archived messages,
> > bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > .
> > Visit for
> > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on
> your desktop!
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
danelectro hodads on ebay:
dp
--- DP <> wrote:
> A Teisco, Vox, Yamaha SVG, Craftsman or UNIVOX should be
> able to pull it off. I had a real nice Coral guitar that
> did the job. I agree with the idea that there is not
> really
> a "best" guitar, and I too agree that a tremolo seems to
> be
> crucial for my surf tone. Currently I play a Danelectro
> Hodad, and I am absolutely pleased with its tone quality
> and performance. I play through a fender RI reverb, and
> sometime I play through an old St. George reverb.
>
> dp
> --- Dick Messick <> wrote:
> > I agree with Richard - "best" is *very* subjective.
> Yep,
> > Jags, JMs, and
> > Mosrites are very popular - don't forget the Strats,
> too!
> > There are other
> > manufacturers that make guitars that appeal to the surf
> > crowd - like
> > Danelectro and DiPinto. I'm sure you can coax some
> great
> > surfy sounds out
> > of a Tele, but one thing it lacks is a trem mechanism.
> I
> > couldn't live
> > without a trem trying to play surf stuff! Teles are
> > twangy, though (and you
> > can get an aftermarket tremolo unit, like a Bigsby,
> > installed on a Tele).
> > If I were to try and list the necessary guitar
> "hardware"
> > for the surf
> > sound, I would say you gotta have: 1) single coils; 2)
> a
> > tremolo; and 3)
> > flatwound strings. All of those components will
> > contribute to the surf
> > sound - along with a healthy dose of splashy reverb
> (sold
> > separately)!
> >
> > Danos and DiPintos offer a few good, low-cost options
> if
> > money is a factor
> > in your selection. I've got a Dano Hodad (with trem),
> > and it sounds
> > awesome! I hate to fall back on the cliche, but it's
> not
> > always what you're
> > playing as much as how you play it, too . . .
> >
> > Hope these ramblings help some - good luck in your
> > selection!
> >
> > -Dick
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Richard" <>
> > To: <>
> > Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 2:45 PM
> > Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] What is the best "Surf"
> > Guitar
> >
> >
> > > I've seen a number of people use Telecasters, though
> > > it isn't the most common surf guitar. The "best" is
> > > subjective, but the most popular are Fender Jaguars
> > > and Jazzmasters and Mosrites.
> > >
> > > Richard
> > >
> > > --- creature_features_fan
> > > <> wrote:
> > > > I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want
> > > > an axe that is
> > > > made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender
> > > > Telecaster, but don't
> > > > know if the two single pickups will give me the
> > > > optimal sound that I'm
> > > > looking for?
> > > >
> > > > Can anyone with more experience give me some
> advice?
> > > > Thanks in
> > > > advance....
> > > >
> > > > The Creature
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Do you Yahoo!?
> > > Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live
> > on your desktop!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > .
> > > Visit for
> > archived messages,
> > bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > .
> > Visit for
> > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on
> your desktop!
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
Here's my ¢2:
Single coils are pretty much essential. But a Tele would be well down
on any list of choices. In brief:
Strats are cheap, plentiful, sound good and worked for many great surf
guitarists, including Dick Dale, The Shadows, The Crossfires, The
Dartells, The Fireballs, and many more. Not just any Strat will do,
however. Go for the 50s or 60s reissue models for the authentic surf
sound, which is twangy and plucky. Have it set up for heavy strings if
you want the driving Dick Dale sound. Hard to beat the Strats'
verstility, low-cost, and availability.
Most of the surf guitar enthusiasts on this site, however, would steer
your toward Jaguars and Jazzmasters. Which you choose is personal
preference; the JMs were a little noisier due to their broad pickups
and lack of hum-cancelling. Both have "issues" i.e. bad bridge design,
a trem that can only be used lightly, and of course, they are
expensive and hard to find. Jap reissues tend to be cheapest, American
reissues have a more authentic sound and hardware, and the vintage
ones are hard to find, expensive, and not always in good repair. If
you find a good one and can afford it, however, they are the Holy
Grail. The shorter scale neck on the Jag is easier to play if you have
small hands, like mine.
Other alternatives: vintage and even reissue Danelectros are cheap and
plentiful - I've found 'em for $100 in antique stores, with the
amp-in-case. But they are poorly made, and usually have issues too.
Better are the Reverend guitars - very similar to the Dannos, but much
better made. Look for single pickup "Spy" Model (really hard to find),
or the humbucker model with coil taps that allow you to get the
single-coil sound. The Reverends look really cool, BTW. Lots of used
ones in my area, but don't know about general availabity. Reverends
are now sold only from the factory via the Internet.
A lot of people talk about Mosrites. The true vintage ones are very
expensive, as collectors like them. The fact that the Ventures quit
using them after their contract with Mosrite ended makes me believe
they weren't so hot. There are lots of copies, including very good
copies of the early Ventures models that are still made in Asia. But,
let the buyer beware. I'd have to hear and play one before
recommending it.
DePintos are up-and-comers, and the prices are right. Worth a listen,
for sure. Very surfy in appearance. I'd love to have one as an extra
guitar. You can order them on the Internet.
Lastly, Gretsch hollowbodies. Great if you want to play surf and
rockabilly. Expensive, both as vintage and new, however. Be sure to
get one with a Bigsby. The ones with P-90 style single coil pickups
have the surfiest sound.
Teles - One of the Surfaris used a Tele, but they were sort of
proto-surf band anyway. The other guitarist had a Strat. Not a lot of
tremelo bending to their sound; trem has become the cliche of surf
music, particularly in surf guitar's later incarnations. Why anyone
would want to hack up a Tele to add a Bigsby when a Strat would be a
cheaper and better choice is beyond me.
We haven't mentioned amps and reverb tanks yet. This post has tons of
opinions, but most would agree the early 60s Fender amps and outboard
reverb tanks are the way to go. Several boutique amp companies make
great re-creations of these early amps: Victoria and Holland are
especially good. Fender's reissues also get high marks.
Whew!
All that said, it's the playing that makes the sound. If you can't
afford all the gear, start with what you can afford, read this site
for equipment tips, and gradually get caught up in the obsession with
putting together a dream rig.
Best of luck!
Gavin
--- In , "creature_features_fan"
<creature_features_fan@y...> wrote:
> I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want an axe that is
> made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender Telecaster, but don't
> know if the two single pickups will give me the optimal sound that I'm
> looking for?
>
> Can anyone with more experience give me some advice? Thanks in
> advance....
>
> The Creature
Well said Gavin.
At 10:20 PM 3/28/2003 +0000, you wrote:
>Here's my ¢2:
>
>Single coils are pretty much essential. But a Tele would be well down
>on any list of choices. In brief:
>
>Strats are cheap, plentiful, sound good and worked for many great surf
>guitarists, including Dick Dale, The Shadows, The Crossfires, The
>Dartells, The Fireballs, and many more. Not just any Strat will do,
>however. Go for the 50s or 60s reissue models for the authentic surf
>sound, which is twangy and plucky. Have it set up for heavy strings if
>you want the driving Dick Dale sound. Hard to beat the Strats'
>verstility, low-cost, and availability.
>
>Most of the surf guitar enthusiasts on this site, however, would steer
>your toward Jaguars and Jazzmasters. Which you choose is personal
>preference; the JMs were a little noisier due to their broad pickups
>and lack of hum-cancelling. Both have "issues" i.e. bad bridge design,
>a trem that can only be used lightly, and of course, they are
>expensive and hard to find. Jap reissues tend to be cheapest, American
>reissues have a more authentic sound and hardware, and the vintage
>ones are hard to find, expensive, and not always in good repair. If
>you find a good one and can afford it, however, they are the Holy
>Grail. The shorter scale neck on the Jag is easier to play if you have
>small hands, like mine.
>
>Other alternatives: vintage and even reissue Danelectros are cheap and
>plentiful - I've found 'em for $100 in antique stores, with the
>amp-in-case. But they are poorly made, and usually have issues too.
>Better are the Reverend guitars - very similar to the Dannos, but much
>better made. Look for single pickup "Spy" Model (really hard to find),
>or the humbucker model with coil taps that allow you to get the
>single-coil sound. The Reverends look really cool, BTW. Lots of used
>ones in my area, but don't know about general availabity. Reverends
>are now sold only from the factory via the Internet.
>
>A lot of people talk about Mosrites. The true vintage ones are very
>expensive, as collectors like them. The fact that the Ventures quit
>using them after their contract with Mosrite ended makes me believe
>they weren't so hot. There are lots of copies, including very good
>copies of the early Ventures models that are still made in Asia. But,
>let the buyer beware. I'd have to hear and play one before
>recommending it.
>
>DePintos are up-and-comers, and the prices are right. Worth a listen,
>for sure. Very surfy in appearance. I'd love to have one as an extra
>guitar. You can order them on the Internet.
>
>Lastly, Gretsch hollowbodies. Great if you want to play surf and
>rockabilly. Expensive, both as vintage and new, however. Be sure to
>get one with a Bigsby. The ones with P-90 style single coil pickups
>have the surfiest sound.
>
>Teles - One of the Surfaris used a Tele, but they were sort of
>proto-surf band anyway. The other guitarist had a Strat. Not a lot of
>tremelo bending to their sound; trem has become the cliche of surf
>music, particularly in surf guitar's later incarnations. Why anyone
>would want to hack up a Tele to add a Bigsby when a Strat would be a
>cheaper and better choice is beyond me.
>
>We haven't mentioned amps and reverb tanks yet. This post has tons of
>opinions, but most would agree the early 60s Fender amps and outboard
>reverb tanks are the way to go. Several boutique amp companies make
>great re-creations of these early amps: Victoria and Holland are
>especially good. Fender's reissues also get high marks.
>
>Whew!
>
>All that said, it's the playing that makes the sound. If you can't
>afford all the gear, start with what you can afford, read this site
>for equipment tips, and gradually get caught up in the obsession with
>putting together a dream rig.
>
>Best of luck!
>
>Gavin
>
>
>--- In , "creature_features_fan"
><creature_features_fan@y...> wrote:
> > I am looking to buy a new electric guitar, and want an axe that is
> > made for surf music. I kinda like the Fender Telecaster, but don't
> > know if the two single pickups will give me the optimal sound that I'm
> > looking for?
> >
> > Can anyone with more experience give me some advice? Thanks in
> > advance....
> >
> > The Creature
>
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>.
>Visit for archived messages,
>bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gavin Ehringer [mailto:]
...
> the JMs were a little noisier due to their broad pickups
> and lack of hum-cancelling. Both have "issues" i.e. bad bridge design,
> a trem that can only be used lightly, and of course, they are
> expensive and hard to find.
Well I believe JM's are a bit more noiser than say a Strat, but they do have
hum-cancelling abilities when you have both pickups on. They neck and bridge
pickups are reverse-wound/reverse polarity compared to each other. They also
have extensive shielding under the pickguard. Note that this is NOT true for
the Japanese reissues (at least the ones from the late 80's to 90's). They
had narrow strat-like pickups hiding in those wide pickup covers and both
neck and bridge pickups were identical.
>
> A lot of people talk about Mosrites. The true vintage ones are very
> expensive, as collectors like them. The fact that the Ventures quit
> using them after their contract with Mosrite ended makes me believe
> they weren't so hot.
True, they went back to Fender. However Nokie Edwards does play a Mosrite
signature guitar these days. It (Bob) Boggles my mind that a company in
Japan bought the Mosrite name and is cranking out guitars to feed the
massive demand of Japanese Venture fans.
> Several boutique amp companies make
> great re-creations of these early amps: Victoria and Holland are
> especially good. Fender's reissues also get high marks.
Man those Victorias are expensive! Are they worth it? I saw a Victoria
reverb unit that was something like $1000 plus some change. True it also had
tremolo, but jeez...I paid $235 for my Fender reissue unit.
Nice post Gavin!
Someone also mentioned the Reverend Spy. This looked to me like a cool
guitar, and I think Ferenc has one...? Ferenc? However I don't think
Reverend makes them anymore.
Get a guitar you like and can afford. I would look for:
* single coils
* a trem system
* get some heavy strings on it (try some flatwounds)
* mucho reverb (okay this isn't a guitar feature)
Let us know what you get!
BN
Thanks, Brian. My main experience with the JMs and Jags is with the
Japan Reissues, so thanks for pointing out the erroneous info on the
JMs hum-cancelling capabilities.
Yes, the Victorias are sooooper expensive, but they claim to be
faithful to the tweed-era Fenders in terms of components and
point-to-point wiring. They often come up on EBay for reasonable
amounts, althought the reverberatos are mucho expensive.
I found a Holland Amps distributor in Denver and hope to test drive
these amps soon...a full report with appear one day. Very reasonable
for hand-wired boutique amps.
Gavin
--- In , "Brian Neal" <bneal@z...> wrote:
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Gavin Ehringer [mailto:gavinehringer@m...]
> ...
> > the JMs were a little noisier due to their broad pickups
> > and lack of hum-cancelling. Both have "issues" i.e. bad bridge design,
> > a trem that can only be used lightly, and of course, they are
> > expensive and hard to find.
>
> Well I believe JM's are a bit more noiser than say a Strat, but they
do have
> hum-cancelling abilities when you have both pickups on. They neck
and bridge
> pickups are reverse-wound/reverse polarity compared to each other.
They also
> have extensive shielding under the pickguard. Note that this is NOT
true for
> the Japanese reissues (at least the ones from the late 80's to
90's). They
> had narrow strat-like pickups hiding in those wide pickup covers and
both
> neck and bridge pickups were identical.
>
> >
> > A lot of people talk about Mosrites. The true vintage ones are very
> > expensive, as collectors like them. The fact that the Ventures quit
> > using them after their contract with Mosrite ended makes me believe
> > they weren't so hot.
>
> True, they went back to Fender. However Nokie Edwards does play a
Mosrite
> signature guitar these days. It (Bob) Boggles my mind that a company in
> Japan bought the Mosrite name and is cranking out guitars to feed the
> massive demand of Japanese Venture fans.
>
> > Several boutique amp companies make
> > great re-creations of these early amps: Victoria and Holland are
> > especially good. Fender's reissues also get high marks.
>
> Man those Victorias are expensive! Are they worth it? I saw a Victoria
> reverb unit that was something like $1000 plus some change. True it
also had
> tremolo, but jeez...I paid $235 for my Fender reissue unit.
>
> Nice post Gavin!
>
> Someone also mentioned the Reverend Spy. This looked to me like a cool
> guitar, and I think Ferenc has one...? Ferenc? However I don't think
> Reverend makes them anymore.
>
>
>
> Get a guitar you like and can afford. I would look for:
> * single coils
> * a trem system
> * get some heavy strings on it (try some flatwounds)
> * mucho reverb (okay this isn't a guitar feature)
>
> Let us know what you get!
>
> BN
--- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> you might want to check out the pawnshops for a wacky old
> guitar with a tremolo...that's a cool place to start
> looking...who knows...maybe you'll find a gem!
> dp
1. 1960s EKO 500-4
2. Strat
3. Dano with single coil
Single coil pick-ups are a must.
Haven't owned a Jazzmaster...yet.
I have a surfin' pal who plays a tele with a Bigsby, and it sounds
GREAT!!!
Mike
The amp & reverb is as important as the guitar
Insect Surfers use(d) Flying Vs and SGs, and Teisco Del Rey has used
everything under the pawnshop sun.
Mike
> Insect Surfers use(d) Flying Vs and SGs, and Teisco Del Rey has used
> everything under the pawnshop sun.
>
> Mike
At least Insect Dave's SG has single coil's.... :)
Don't know what to say about the flying V. Where's Michael Schenker when you
need him?
Just kidding. I will be checking the Insect Surfers out thanks to everyones
recommendations.
BN
I don't think Dave plays an SG--its an Airline with P-90s, I'm pretty
sure. Looks like an SG, but it isn't. Not that it matters,much.
--- In , "Brian Neal" <bneal@z...> wrote:
> > Insect Surfers use(d) Flying Vs and SGs, and Teisco Del Rey has used
> > everything under the pawnshop sun.
> >
> > Mike
>
> At least Insect Dave's SG has single coil's.... :)
>
> Don't know what to say about the flying V. Where's Michael Schenker
when you
> need him?
>
> Just kidding. I will be checking the Insect Surfers out thanks to
everyones
> recommendations.
>
> BN
Hi All,
I agree that most "vintage" kind of guitars are great for surf when they
got a trem bridge.
But in my humble opinion, there is also the fact that the Neck and
Bridge pick ups should be used together in order to get the "Surf" tone.
I think that is the reason why most don't think of the strat as a true
surf machine, but it can be fixed easely.
This is a real nice diagram to alter all types of strats into "mean"
surf machines.
Indeed there is the issue of single coil vs. Humbucker, but when the
bridge and neck are used together and switched during playing from
Neck+bridge to bridge (for more high end sound) and back and forth (like
Dave Wronski does) you get a very interesting sound color in your
playing.
Btw I just love Dave's modified Jaguar, the man is an amazing guitar
player, saw him preform last night with Slactone in Turnhout-Belgium.
Jerry S. from Belgium
What has Dave Wronski done to modify his Jag? Do you know the details?
--- In , "Jerry" <jerry.soetewey@b...> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I agree that most "vintage" kind of guitars are great for surf when they
> got a trem bridge.
> But in my humble opinion, there is also the fact that the Neck and
> Bridge pick ups should be used together in order to get the "Surf" tone.
>
> I think that is the reason why most don't think of the strat as a true
> surf machine, but it can be fixed easely.
>
>
>
> This is a real nice diagram to alter all types of strats into "mean"
> surf machines.
>
> Indeed there is the issue of single coil vs. Humbucker, but when the
> bridge and neck are used together and switched during playing from
> Neck+bridge to bridge (for more high end sound) and back and forth (like
> Dave Wronski does) you get a very interesting sound color in your
> playing.
>
> Btw I just love Dave's modified Jaguar, the man is an amazing guitar
> player, saw him preform last night with Slactone in Turnhout-Belgium.
>
>
> Jerry S. from Belgium
Dave definitely plays an SG, with "soapbar" style Gibson single coils. He has an
Airline as an
infrequent backup guitar..
ferenc
ohsyrus wrote:
> I don't think Dave plays an SG--its an Airline with P-90s, I'm pretty
> sure. Looks like an SG, but it isn't. Not that it matters,much.
>
> --- In , "Brian Neal" <bneal@z...> wrote:
>
>>>Insect Surfers use(d) Flying Vs and SGs, and Teisco Del Rey has used
>>>everything under the pawnshop sun.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>
>>At least Insect Dave's SG has single coil's.... :)
>>
>>Don't know what to say about the flying V. Where's Michael Schenker
>
> when you
>
>>need him?
>>
>>Just kidding. I will be checking the Insect Surfers out thanks to
>
> everyones
>
>>recommendations.
>>
>>BN
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> .
> Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>
>
>
