Surf rock -- 1962 -- Dick Dale + the Del Tones -- Misirlou

[ultralite001]

The rise of the Fender Stratocaster...

[surfered]

1. The Ventures

[ultralite001]

2. Can't go wrong w/ the Ventures...

They were the drivers behind the popularity of the Fender Jazzmaster... The Jazzmaster's
dual-circuit design allowed guitarists to switch between rhythm + lead tones seamlessly.
Wide, flat single-coil pickups produced a warm, full sound ideal for surf melodies. The
floating tremolo system enabled smooth, subtle vibrato effects, adding an extra layer of
expression when playing.

[JohnnyRingo]

3. I just heard this song a couple days ago

Now I'm pleased I got to hear it again.
This time I was at my desk playing with my switchblade. Seemed like the thing to do.

Thanx for posting

[ProfessorGAC]

4. I Dig The Middle Eastern Feel

Lots of locrian mode.
One of the other guitar players is using a Strat, too. The 3rd guitarist is using what looks to be a Jazzmaster, but might be a Jaguar. I never got a good look at the pickups.
While Dick did his part for the Strat, I think the rise of it started with Buddy Holly 4 or 5 years earlier.
It took rock & roll, because the country guys weren't switching from their Teles.

[ultralite001]

5. One of my favorite stories about the Strat Telecaster...

I can imagine all the bitching + complaining... ['cuz I'm short + have such tiny hands]...

"The Telecaster sounded great but wasn’t especially comfortable to play because its squared-off body dug into the player’s body and picking-hand forearm. Guitarist Rex Gallion is often credited with suggesting that a solid-body guitar didn’t need squared-off edges since it didn’t have an internal sound chamber, and with asking Leo himself, “Why not get away from a body that is always digging into your ribs?” The Stratocaster was consequently given rounded edges and deep body and forearm contours that made it remarkably comfortable and added to its sleekness."

More great stuff here...
https://www.fender.com/articles/behind-the-scenes/the-history-of-the-fender-stratocaster-the-1950s

[ultralite001]

6. Paul Johnson (The Bel-Airs) performs Mr. Moto (1961) on Art Fein's Surf Party in 2022...

Paul Johnson, co-founder of The Bel-Airs, has been a significant contributor to the early surf music scene
w/ hits like “Mr. Moto” + "Volcanic Action”. Johnson’s innovative playing style helped shape the surf sound
of the 1960s.