Wow what an amazing find Mel. Most collectors just dream about stories like this.
@giulioluzzardi7632 Жыл бұрын
Coolest viddy and story, these groovy vibes are echoing around the Globe in 2023 and beyond!!
@melbergman4449 Жыл бұрын
Grazi! Glad you enjoyed it.
@HomebrewMusic2 жыл бұрын
Bob Demmon was my Band Teacher in the mid seventies. I remember him setting up a slide show for us of his Astronaut days. On another occasion he invited a few of us into his home (we had just -lovingly- TP'd his house) and I recall the gold records on the wall of his den. All of the guitar players in town looked up to him and it was a treat when you got the opportunity to hear him play. There are a number of very active musicians to this day who were inspired by him to make a place for themselves in music.
@RoadOutWest6 ай бұрын
I love your passion. Really cool story.
@fredsampson2 ай бұрын
Great story and super clean tracks. Thank you!🙏
@ansias773 жыл бұрын
Simply amazing...a huge Astronauts fan here from Spain. I love that these awesome pieces ended up in your hands, a true and enthusiastic fan. Congrats
@Fox-862 жыл бұрын
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!
@jsurfinreverbchristmassurf35603 жыл бұрын
Just got your vid from KZfaq today. Got a modern Jazzmaster. Dr. Z Reverb tank and been.learning the astronauts music in.my. retirement.You.r.truly.blessed.2.be the custodian of these wonderful instruments.Your. video made my day.
@stilllife4u3 жыл бұрын
Happy For You !!!
@johnnybartlett34263 жыл бұрын
Well done, Mel!!! Your Jazzmaster looms large in your legend! Long live the Astronauts!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Hooray for Everyone!
@marcosmossi39203 жыл бұрын
woooww!!!...amazing!!!
@mrc0ff33 Жыл бұрын
How cool is that! Wonderful story and I'm happy for you!
@melbergman4449 Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. Glad you dig the story.
@elpapulosfantasticosreverb67532 жыл бұрын
The best
@wattheheck60102 жыл бұрын
Mr. Mel, thank you for posting this amazing story AND letting us HEAR that Jazzmaster+Showman amp reconnected back to the future style! We are from the same surfer sound era, except my beach was the shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. I still have my original vinyl Astronauts Everything is A-OK from Club Baja that got me hooked on that Fender reverb signature sound. I stumbled on your video while working on a personal 6,000+ music video project that includes The Astronauts' recordings from 1963. As an inner city kid, I took 3 city buses to get to high school. My last bus stop was in front of a music store where I dreamed and drooled wishing I could buy one of the electric Fender guitars in the window. It alluded me. You are a lucky young man, Mel.
@JackTheSkunk Жыл бұрын
I thought I was a fan but you got me beat by a country mile. When I was a young impressionable teenager I loved their sound (not the surf LP though) and those album covers probably sold zillions of guitars and amps for Fender. I bought me a white Jaguar....wish I had it today. Saw the band at a goofy fashion show (!) in Miami way back when. Got to meet Rich and Jim.
@arthurrobles70883 жыл бұрын
That’s a great story sounds great 🎵😉
@Ilikemercichocolate53 жыл бұрын
I'm from Switzerland and i love the Astronauts and Surf Music.
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
I'm not neutrall- I love Switzerland!
@alfredbbp3 жыл бұрын
omfg!!!!!!! amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! best surfrock tone ever heard in my life!!!!!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thank Leo Fender for that.
@JavaGert2 жыл бұрын
Hi Mel! What a great story! And you are not a geek! Just like you I absolutely love the Astronauts sound! As far as I know NO OTHER band used TWO reverb-units and created this fantastic sound! Of course I envy you those great buys, I am living in Denmark, Europe and in the same year, 1963, I for the first time heard those weird sounds: "Baja" the first single here and "Misirlou"/ Dick Dale, also the one and only single released here in Denmark by Dick. I was hooked for ever and only later did found out about the reverb-unit! Thanks also for a great medley! I wonder when they played in Japan, when you look at the photos there are no reverb-units and no Showman-amps, hmm, how did they get their sound then ??
@hoffersmusic815 Жыл бұрын
Excellent, I love your passion and excitement. You've secured some rock 'n' roll history in that amp.
@jamesgretsch48943 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. Love The Astronauts. Bought some vintage guitar magazine about 1997 and saw their picture and thought how cool they look so I bought their CD and was blown away. I bought an Olympic White AVRI 62 Jazzmaster new because I love The Astronauts. Now it is nicely aged and looks vintage. By the way at the Pasadena City College swap meet I bought the vinyl album too. Congrats on being able to buy the amp and borrowing the guitar. That is a treasure to me and you. I love Jazzmasters. Bob Bogle from The Ventures said the Jazzmaster is the best guitar ever made and he doesn't understand why it isn't more popular. He said that about 1997. It was an interview in one of the guitar mags. Even tho I love Jazzmasters I still like Mosrite better. Thanks for your video!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I remember that VG issue.
@Gretsch6120 Жыл бұрын
I totally get it! Hope you catch the big one!
@KYoshi-nf1em2 жыл бұрын
Richie was my favorite player back in 60's. Didn't he play a Jaguar ? I went to their concert in Japan, still remember the reverb sound..
@brettbarton19853 жыл бұрын
My mother had the 'Surfin' with the Astronauts' LP - that's what started my love for these guys!
@GeorgeASanger3 жыл бұрын
Mel, Bob Demmon taught me to play on that guitar (and his jazz bass). It checks out against pictures I took of it in his house. You FREAKED ME OUT with this video!!! Come visit me in Coronado sometime, we can jam and geek out. I got some things to show, too. Bob had a Bass VI I ended up with... :D
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Wow. Outstanding! I will do that next time i am in SD. Thanks George!
@GeorgeASanger3 жыл бұрын
@@melbergman4449 I messaged you on Facebook, we can touch base that way if you like. As Bob was archiving his vinyl to 1/4" tape, he ran me a cassette of "important" songs, and that, and "Astronauts Orbit Kampus" were my first band's bible, in a way. In an archive in Texas there is a 1974 picture of my band in Boulder with our equipment piled around the van, trying, as you say, to "be those guys." It was important to us. "What would Bob do?"
@rapidotlussoguitar3 жыл бұрын
This is wonderful. I love the passion and energy driven enthusiasm. I too was smitten if not cursed by this band. I must continue watching. ♥️
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much.
@rapidotlussoguitar3 жыл бұрын
@@melbergman4449 It was great to watch Mel. Being from rural Derbyshire UK I discovered the Astronauts and walked miles just to look at a jaguar in a guitar shop window. It was there for years. Great story 🙂
@TheGuitarsadist3 жыл бұрын
Mel gret story and it was a pleasure talking to you today up at Bitter Creek, will be sending you a few picture or posting them up on the COndor site, anyway loved the conversation and the stories and just general Chit-Chat. On this video loving the story as back up to when you were talking about dash to get the amp and also love the playing, great Reverb going there, that may be my next bucket list to find me an ole Fender Reverb head or maybe give Dr Z's unit a try since I have a love for his Amps and use his Ez-G 50 quite a bit (which has pretty good Reverb in it. Hope you get back out soon and sharing the tunes with your fans. Tim
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tim!
@curtisphilumalee1447 Жыл бұрын
Little late to your party but that is a hellva story. This is what dreams are made of. Thank for sharing.
@fernandopardo16943 жыл бұрын
WooooW, Hey Mel, love the story, the amp, the guitar and the Astronauts meddley! The world needs more Mel Bergman! Saludos my friend!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Fernando!
@sharonlatham70463 жыл бұрын
Hey nice to see a fellow Astronaut fan. I saw them twice in Colo. Springs between 68 and 70 when they were supporting their AOK album and Traveling Man. They played their version of the Ramsey Lewis tune In Crowd and they floored me! Have been trying to find that on one of their albums, but no success. Thanks Tom (am using my wife's computer).
@tbirdtim3 жыл бұрын
Definite thanks for sharing. I love old Fender gear. It’s Fender or forget it with me!
@dacho51133 жыл бұрын
the greatest story never told! Thanks fot this Mel!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Hey Dacho! Gracias.
@dickchiclet55473 жыл бұрын
There’s that tone. Fantastic Mel!
@baronvonmike3 жыл бұрын
Well done, Mel!! Thanks for telling me about this vid.
@martyneff40083 жыл бұрын
When You Said You Didn't Care About Claptons, Gilmore, and Kurt Kodine's Guitar.........I said.....I LOVE THIS GUY. I play in one of Oregons only Surf Bands...I'm into The Ventures like you are The Astronauts...I Love The Astronauts Too
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks Marty. Make no mistake I am into the Ventures as well. Check out the new Ventures Documentary here: www.amazon.com/Ventures-Stars-Guitars-Don-Wilson/dp/B08N5V3Y4X
@martyneff40083 жыл бұрын
@@melbergman4449 I have you on video on my computer of Venturesmania playing He Never Came Back on your blue Mosrite
@AgentZ72 жыл бұрын
Bob Demmon man, I've heard that dude was a boss. The kind of teacher whos class you were excited to go to and do well in. 😎
@uglybeat13 жыл бұрын
LOVE IT!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks Joe
@stevenslames3053 жыл бұрын
Hi Mel I lived in Colorado when the Astronauts started They were playing in a store to promote the band they also played at my High school. I have a signed picture from the band to me with all of their signitures and their first album with signitures. They were great and talented band. I play guitar myself and was fasinated how well the Astronauts could sound just as good live as well as studio which alot of bands like the beach boys could not. My fender strat color and pick guard was inspired from the Astronauts. My name is Steve Slames
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Great story Steve
@phillyman50002 жыл бұрын
That's so cool that you have the actual Fender amp from The Astronauts!! I have some vintage amps/guitars as well.....69 Gibson Duo Metalist guitar amp, 1976 Fender Bassman 100 head with a vintage 2x15" Fender Bassman speaker cab!! Have a nice 1960s Favilla Ukulele, 1960s Kay Mandolin, 1973 Fender P Bass, 1987 Fender Strat, 1970 Fender Musicmaster Bass(shortscale), 1980 USA Fender Bullet Bass and a 1990 Gibson Thunderbird bass! I did have a 1974 Gibson Les Paul (bought new in 74 when I was a kid) but stupidly sold it about 17 years ago!! LOL Oh well, really enjoyed your video! Wishing you much health and music in the coming years!! :)
@LordWellfleet3 жыл бұрын
Mind ... blown.
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Well, that didn't take much!
@Rich9153 жыл бұрын
Had it for years...! Great stuff 👍
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Indeed!
@courtneyschamach11723 жыл бұрын
Wow, how cool, thanks for sharing that!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
My pleasure.
@elpapu54123 жыл бұрын
this is the most awesome thing I have ever seen in YT, fucking great!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks Papu!
@christiandenny77173 жыл бұрын
Congratulations! That’s so awesome!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@dougpaulin48263 жыл бұрын
Holy reverb! You are the coolest Mel!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Hi Doug. Hardly the coolest. That distinction belongs to Vanilla Ice.
@TheWorldOfAnders3 жыл бұрын
Wow Mel what a story 😊👍That amp is in good hands now. It so beautiful that it ended up with a true fan and player so it get used. Its so cool that you let the guitar and amp play together. That sound is amazing. Best wishes from Anders in Sweden 👍
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Thanks Anders!
@mariocarpinteri27003 жыл бұрын
Hi Mel I think I have an autographed copy of that album live at the Baja . It looks like you a. Big fan abs I also love surf music since I was a kid listening yo the ventures . I have been out of work abs going through all my vinyl . If your interested I can send images of this album ? My name is Mario
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Sure . I’d love to see it!
@wallymarx96463 жыл бұрын
No way! What a story. Astronauts rule. I bet that guitar was in the Speedy Gonzalez clip.
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Didn't think of that. I looked at the clip. and it looks like the two Jazzmasters have the early cream knobs and neither appear to have a bound neck. My head hurts.
@johndogwater Жыл бұрын
Man that's completely wild! I can't even imagine what it's like to have a piece of history in your hands like that. How does the amp compare to your other showmans, I'm curious! Thanks for sharing.
@melbergman4449 Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. Regarding how does it sound, let me say that I have owned about a dozen different Showman's over the years. And I can say, with no hyperbole, that this is the best sounding one out of the bunch. Maybe there was some voodoo going in 1961 that explains it. The other two I currently own are 1962's. While they sound great, they just don't have the same "It" factor, sound wise. I really feel blessed to be able to play this amp!
@manu.brader3 жыл бұрын
Siiii.... Como no amar este sonido legítimo del Surf.. Gran video motivador. Gracias por compartirlo.
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Gracias!
@harvey1954Ай бұрын
The Astronauts weren't really a a surf band. Yes, they did surf music, but only because that was popular at the time. By 64 they are onto other stuff including pop sides due to Snuff Garrett producing. I was put off by their clean cut appearance, but once I heard them I was sold on their sound. Their material was weak in some place. They could have really benefited from a songwriting base. "Know My Rider" is great if you can find the single. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/breKYJqkmMiakqc.html
@jamesgretsch48943 жыл бұрын
Sir, are those roundwounds on the guitar? Sort of sounds that way but in the 60s they were using flatwounds I am sure.
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Yes they are roundwounds. I use Flatwounds on most of my own guitars. I am guessing these strings haven’t been changed since Demmon passed.
@earial Жыл бұрын
Wow! Absolutely awesome! Thanks for uploading this! Do you know of there's any live footage from them playing instrumentals? It seems that's unfindable!
@melbergman4449 Жыл бұрын
And I forgot the Firewater scene from "Surf Party"
@melbergman4449 Жыл бұрын
Sorry, this is backwards. Check the "speedy Gonzales " clip as well. I don't know of any live footage from back in the day.
@earial Жыл бұрын
@@melbergman4449 Thanks! I know the film scenes, but I was wondering if there was any live footage. It seems there are only vocal recordings, but I'm so curious what they sounded like live.
@Diogenes13603 жыл бұрын
> Thank you Mel !!!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Sure thing.
@robertfair177011 ай бұрын
If you ever interested is selling one of the showman's hit me up...
@TheSurfites3 жыл бұрын
Totally bitchen story and a great sounding medley!
@melbergman44493 жыл бұрын
Glad you dug it
@GeorgeASangerАй бұрын
A picture turned up this year of me playing that guitar in a HS band concert. I think the band was doing a medley from Jesus Christ Superstar or something. And Bob let me play the good gear. He was always doing that kind of thing for kids. And yeah, by the way, since being re-inspired by you and your video, I bought a fresh copy of Astronauts at Club Baja, and then inevitably proceeded on a manic binge of obtaining blonde amps!! :D kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b6eCpcJ1pre5l2w.html