What is Surf Rock?

"Surf Rock" originated in the late '50s (mostly in Southern California) to serve as dance music. It is notably an instrumental genre, but many vocal surf acts did exist; these vocal acts are the ones that took most notice, such as the Beach Boys.

Musically, Surf Rock is a genre that, much like Rock & Roll, features fast tempos and is almost always played in 4/4. Traits of the instrumentals include major keys and tremolo picking patterns. Surf is just an evolution of '50s Rock & Roll.

Instrumental surf makes use of very sharp (precise) melodies, usually played on a guitar.

The surf sound is defined as much by the equipment and effects used as it is by the playing style. I prefer a clean sound as opposed to a distorted/crunchy one. Something that is not in any means debatable on the other hand, is REVERB. Advances is guitar effects gave musicians the ability to create new atmospheres with their playing. Dick Dale (essentially the founder of surf music) used reverb to create the illusion of being in the water, and used his playing to emulate the thrill of surfing.

A surf guitarist tries to get his (or her; I wouldn't want to offend any pretty ladies) guitar to sound like it's dripping wet. This can be acomplished in a few ways.

•  Using your amp's built in reverb: this most likely will not get you a genuine surf tone unless you're planning on spending a couple grand for a nice vintage Fender Reverb. Other amp's built-in effects aren't bad, they will get the job done if you play many diverse styles like I do.
• Effects pedals: These will do it. They're cheap (sometimes, but there's no need to get one that's too expensive, what are you trying to prove?), and they have a great sound, if you find a good one. Fender Reverb pedals are brilliant; you won't even notice that you're playing; you'll think you're listening to a Venture's record.
• For all those big spenders out there, who want to be a legitimate and well respected surf musician, there are Fender Spring Reverb Units.

So why is Fender so respected and used in this genre? Fender emerged in Orange County, California right around the time of Surf Rock. They made affordable guitars, that had a distinct sound, and they made a Spring Reverb Unit. Fender guitars (with the acception of the Telecaster) came with vibrato arms. These gave guitarists the unique ability to bend notes down, something that would help define the sound of Surf Rock.

The Jazzmaster and Jaguar are typically favored. Fender guitars are still to this day regarded as some of the best guitars for surf music.

They are not the only ones though, just try and avoid humbuckers. SINGLE COILS!

Obviously Fender basses are a very acceptable bass, particullarly the P-Bass.

Vocal surf acts usually incorporated the extensive use of harmonies, resembling the style of Barber-Shop. Example: The Beach Boys.