FIRST IT WAS BECK, NOW IT'S "BLACKIE"...

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:48 am

Did I hear...surf guitar..stratocaster!? At the crest of the first surf music wave (some also consider this era to be the first punk wave that is music that moved young people and was somewhat antiestablishment as was surfing at the time that also inspired them to pick up and learn an instrument. Fenders were the guitars of choice at the time..not just for surf...take a look at the East LA band Little Willie G And The Midnighters and it was all Fenders as was the case for most players..who could afford one (as opposed to a ST George, Kent etc). The Strat turned out to be the perfect guitar for surf with a huge tone from the neck pup and the trademark quack from the 2/4 position (early strats had a 3 position switch so players would put the switch inbetween positions to get that 2/4 position out of phase tone). I digress (duh) I will agree with Paul that the design (look) of the guitar was a fantastic piece of industrial art...that it happens to be a beast of many tones is why we still see it in the hand of players of so many different styles.blues/rock/country ..for surf nothing comes close IMO. Hay Dale, where did you play...I was in the San Gabriel Valley played ib a surf band and surfed the Cliffs and Moonlight Beach..we opened for The Lively Ones a couple of times..

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 11:57 am

For 24K I'd be looking at cool original examples, rather than taking hero worship to this very expensive level.

The whole concept is beyond me.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:48 pm

Original 57 Strats go for 50K plus. Pocket change for some!

sharkboy · Post by **sharkboy** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:12 pm

"Original 57 Strats go for 50K plus. Pocket change for some!"

Boy, I wish I was wearing somebody else's pants! Maybe these things are just a tax on the obscenely wealthy.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:58 pm

My point is guys like Steven Segal collects guitars and 50K to him is pocket change

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:40 pm

Is there something wrong with being obscenely wealthy? Or, are you just saying, you wish you were obscenely wealthy?

I enjoyed Dale's Fender tales. I still don't particularly care for them, but that's just me.

Don't know, but I think it is Kenny Howes, who has said on countless occasions in response to what a guitar is worth. " It's worth what you're willing to pay." I suppose the same goes for the 'Blackie' knock-off. If you want it badly enough. Even at the absurd price of 24K. Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:50 pm

Nash relic strat..wayyyy better than a Fender $1500-$1800..do the math...the whole Fender custom shop/master built thing is way over the top. I had a masterbuilt Tele..played great but had a way less than perfect paint job..I think you had a look at this one Paul? Looked like the paint was not cured properly before the clear coats were applied. I found the axe for $1500 and resold for a nice profit and the new owner loves it..point is the first buyer payed close to six grand for the guitar...just what are you paying for?

sharkboy · Post by **sharkboy** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:02 pm

"Is there something wrong with being obscenely wealthy? Or, are you just saying, you wish you were obscenely wealthy?"

I wasn't making a statement one way or the other. I think I probably made it clear that that wasn't my own situation. In all honesty, I'm sure it would make many aspects of my own life a lot simpler if I was obscenely wealthy.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:23 am

Being wealthy doesn't make all your problems go away, it just replaces them with different, much more expensive problems (from what I've read ).

I originally thought of the Jag as the ultimate surf guitar, though at first sight I found it ugly, now I can appreciate it's qualities (my buddy Mike had a '64 for many years).
It wasn't the most versatile guitar, but not a one trick pony either.
Strats are beautiful & quite versatile, & definitely one of my favorites (and that of millions of others).

And I agree, the History of Surf music is fascinating. There's something about that particular sound that's instinctively attractive.
Please continue!

Question: Is there a relic version of Dick Dale's gold lefty Strat?
I'd think that one's even more iconic than Clapton's, except for the fact that Clapton is more famous.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:43 am

Maybe a new thread should be started about the History of Surf Music.. I'd put in my knowledge.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:56 am

I'll check with Peter and open a new thread if it's OK with him.

There's lots of interest, but what it has to do with Ricks is beyond me.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:47 am

It's all about the LOVE affair with a guitar and music...

freshmattyp · Post by **freshmattyp** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:51 am

I'd gladly contribute to a surf guitar thread. This one is just going to be a "Yes it is" "No it isn't" discussion.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:04 am

OK, Peter gave the go-ahead, so the new thread is UP in this topic section!

Looking forward to any and all contributions, links, and discussion.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:25 am

Lately, the only strats I've seen Clapton playing are shiney, fancy-painted new ones!