The Unique Guitar Blog: Brian Wilson - A Brief Tribute To The Beach Boys Original Bass Guitarist

The Beach Boys 1964

I was 12 years old in 1964 when I heard my first Beach Boy song; "Fun, Fun, Fun." I had not learned to play guitar yet, but I loved to sing. I sang in my church choir, also at the chorus in school. At age 12 girls were just starting to look interesting. The prior year most of my friends were boys, but now I had several special neighborhood girls that were good friends.

1960's Transistor Radio

Music was becoming interesting too. I had my transistor radio dial tuned into the best AM Top 40 station. The Beach Boys really piqued my interest because of their unique vocal harmony. I thought the falsetto voice was awesome. A few years earlier, in 1961, The Lion Sleeps used a similar blend; Falsetto, harmony background voices, and a baritone lead voice.

Beach Boys Cincinnati 1976

Over the years I have been privileged to attend four Beach Boy concerts. Brian Wilson even showed up at only one of them. Brian passed away this past week at age 82 on June 11th.

Pet Sounds Recording Session

In his prime Brian was gifted and said to be a genius. He was blessed with a not just a terrific knowledge of music, but in his mind he knew the sound he wanted right down to the instrumentation, arrangements, and the vocal harmony parts for the songs. The Beach Boys first recordings the songs he penned were fairly basic.

Brian worked with what was on hand. He taught his brothers, cousin, and neighbor kids how to play and sing them. His brother and friends learned to play guitar while he learned the bass guitar.

Brian on Pet Sound Session

When he decided that touring was too much of a strain, he left the concert circuit so he could write music for the band, produce it, and direct the studio players. Session players marveled that this 23 year old kid was always well prepared.

He wrote charts for them, helped with changes, and cobbled together musicians to play the various instruments that he heard in his head. Not many rock songs of that day included accordion, bass harmonica, mandolin, and even orange juice cups.

Brian on Bass

Brian was never a great bass player, but he learned the instrument well enough so he could create the sound he perceived for those early Beach Boys concerts and recordings. Much like many song writers, Brian wrote the music, and worked with various others for the lyrics.

1964 Beach Boy Concert

In the show I went to in the mid 1960’s Brian played a Fender Precision Bass. This was usually through a brown Fender Bassman or a brown Fender Dual Showman amplifier. Though he also used an Ampeg B-15 Portaflex bass amplifier.

1980 Beach Boys Concert

At the concerts I attended in the 1970's and 80's the backline consisted of Fender amps covered in white tolex. I am told at one time they were using Dumble amps.

50th Anniversary Concert

For their 50th Anniversary tour the guitar players used Fender Hot Rod Deville amplifiers.

Brian With Fender Precision Bass

Brian Wilson had quit touring in 1964, but returned for a few concert in the late 1970’s through the 1980’s. He was still using Precision Bass when I saw him at a concert in 1976 when he played bass, and sang Surfer Girl. The Beach Boys backline consisted of Fender amplifiers.

Sadowsky and Valley Arts
Bass Guitars

Later photos and videos show Brian playing a Sadowsky Precision style bass guitar and a Valley Arts California Pro Bass. He always plucked the strings with his thumb.

Carol Kaye

Carol Kaye, in her biography, mentions that Brian liked her to play bass guitar with a pick through a guitar amp, usually a Fender Super Reverb or Fender Concert amp and her Versatone Portoflex amp, to achieve a brighter sound on recordings.

Brian Wilson

Since childhood the Beach Boys have always been my favorite group. Their style has influenced so many bands, both current and past. During my school years I studied music, music theory, composition, and arranging, but honestly I learned so much by just listening to how Brian Wilson created his recordings, orchestrations, and harmonies.

I doubt we will see another man like him anytime soon. I send Love and Mercy to his memory, and to his family.

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