Pipeline

The Chantays, 1963. Solo by Bob Spickard, Brian Carman.

Low-string melody and descending glissando made this top-ten hit one of the best known surf guitar sounds.

Pipeline builds its whole identity around a few striking guitar ideas. The main melody sits on the low strings, giving it a dark, rolling feel, and the famous descending glissando, a fast slide down the neck, sounds like a wave curling and crashing. Reverb drenches everything, turning the clean guitar into a wet, shimmering surf sound. The arrangement is simple and precise, with piano and bass helping to create a hypnotic, oceanic atmosphere. It became one of the defining surf instrumentals and has been covered many times. Listen for the descending slide at the start of each section, and notice how the low-string melody stays steady and calm beneath the splash of reverb.

Pipeline by The Chantays is featured in our Surf (#2) list. The solo is played by Bob Spickard, Brian Carman and the song was released in 1963.

In our lists

• Beyond the Canon — #5
• The 25 Greatest Surf Guitar Songs — #2

Sources