Is surf bass playing considered good?

[Unemploid]

If you're playing in a surf band then play to suit the song. Does anyone think It's kinda cheesy? I kinda try to avoid sounding surfy when I'm playing and try practicing on other styles.

 

[Element Zero]

So, you’d wanna play slap lines in a surf band?

 

[RoadRanger]

^ D'oh !

 

[Matt Liebenau]

If you can play while surfing, I’m impressed...

 

[RustyAxe]

If your bass playing compliments the song and the rest of the band, then yes. If you wank out to demonstrate your virtuosity, then no.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

One of the things that put me off the Quilter Mini 101 amp was the "Surf" setting on the dial:

 

[Richland123]

 

[ZenG]

One of the things that put me off the Quilter Mini 101 amp was the "Surf" setting on the dial:

View attachment 2870032

What the hell is "Tweed"?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Apparently it's a nickname for a popular Fender amp.
Kind of like how guitarists call a '59 Les Paul with a burst scheme just a "burst".

 

[Coolhandjjl]

If you're playing in a surf band then play to suit the song. Does anyone think It's kinda cheesy? I kinda try to avoid sounding surfy when I'm playing and try practicing on other styles.

Surfy. Luv it!

What's the best bass for surfy?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

View attachment 2870034

Shocking!!

 

[GIBrat51]

Ideally, probably one of these Mosrites. Fender Jaguars, Univox Hi-Flyers, too - if you want the look and the sound... IMO, Surf is one of those genres where a short scale is particularly nice. Personally, I like my Dano DC59 bass, or even my Gretsch Broadkaster for those surfy bass moments; with flats, of course. Playing through a converted-to-bass vintage Rickenbacker TR-17 combo guitar amp works really nice, too. Lots of built-in Surf twang on tap..

 

[Unemploid]

View attachment 2870104 Ideally, probably one of these. Fender Jaguars, Univox Hi-Flyers, too - if you want the look and the sound... IMO, Surf is one of those genres where a short scale is particularly nice. Personally, I like my Dano DC59 bass, or even my Gretsch Broadkaster for those surfy bass moments; with flats, of course. Playing through a converted-to-bass vintage Rickenbacker TR-17 combo guitar amp works really nice, too. Lots of built-in Surf twang on tap..

Like one of these

gretsch g5123b

• Unemploid
• Dec 7, 2014

gretsch g5123b
ampeg ba-108

 

[Element Zero]

I guess I’m not understanding your question.

 

[GIBrat51]

Well, a Broadkaster Bass (they're guitars, now) is a G6119B, but... yeah, more or less...

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Surfy. Luv it!

What's the best bass for surfy?

Designed specifically for the genre:

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Designed specifically for the genre:
View attachment 2870140

What's the best surfy for metal I mean.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

If you're playing in a surf band then play to suit the song. Does anyone think It's kinda cheesy? I kinda try to avoid sounding surfy when I'm playing and try practicing on other styles.

Playing a surf style in a surf band would be correct. Chessy would be playing anything else.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

What's the best surfy for metal I mean.

Something with a lot of rust. Salt water and metal, well, you know.

 

[Oddly]

View attachment 2870034

That's not Glen Campbell, is it?

I'm not sure what you're asking either.
I personally like surf music, and have heard a lot of excellent tunes in that style, admittedly most of the bass parts tend to mirror the guitar, but it works.
Are you playing in a surf band, but not playing typical 'surf-style' lines?
Nothing wrong with experimenting, but there's a danger there of upsetting your fans if they're expecting something more traditional.