What kind of organs/keys were used on Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile etc.

[WWDWD?]

I'm trying to produce some music with a slight Pet Sounds vibe to it... but I'm also genuinely interested in the make and model of any organs the Beach Boys used throughout the mid-late 60s. Can anyone shed some light on the kinds of organs used on Pet Sounds (or any other album for that matter)?

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Hammond B3
Tack Piano
Harpsichord

[ghost]

The keyboards in I Know There's An Answer are the best I've ever heard. The interplay of piano & organ mixed in the mono along with the rest of the music is just unique. The way the organ comes in pure in the chorus is really something very special. This song has a real good groove to it I think, and is one of the most "Rubber Soul"-like songs. Basically I hear it and think - I could imagine Brian writing this in that Rubber Soul afterglow, when he wanted something of that tuned in feeling. Al Jardine asked during the sessions, "you don't think it's too folky shitty do you?"

[Sam_BFC]

Of course the much discussed Baldwin organ was the one used on Smiley Smile

[Iron Horse-Apples]

The keyboards in I Know There's An Answer are the best I've ever heard. The interplay of piano & organ mixed in the mono along with the rest of the music is just unique. The way the organ comes in pure in the chorus is really something very special. This song has a real good groove to it I think, and is one of the most "Rubber Soul"-like songs. Basically I hear it and think - I could imagine Brian writing this in that Rubber Soul afterglow, when he wanted something of that tuned in feeling. Al Jardine asked during the sessions, "you don't think it's too folky sh*tty do you?"

If you listen to Pet  Sounds Live at RFH, the person who shouts "yeah" at that point you just mentioned......

is me!

Honest.

Alongside the sax/clarinet harmonies that lie underneath the theramin in IJWMFTT, one of my favourite Pet Sounds moments.

[onkster]

There was a completely different organ used by Dennis on "All I Wanna Do".

And I bet it wasn't a Baldwin. (Sonic pun. Sorry.)

[FUN³]

There was a completely different organ used by Dennis on "All I Wanna Do".

And I bet it wasn't a Baldwin. (Sonic pun. Sorry.)

the baldwins appear to be larger organs (especially the black ones), and they look more professional. organ maintenance was important to the wood, and his audience. maybe he didn't need to use one, but im sure he tried it out once or twice. wish we had some photos from that session

[WWDWD?]

There was a completely different organ used by Dennis on "All I Wanna Do".

And I bet it wasn't a Baldwin. (Sonic pun. Sorry.)

the baldwins appear to be larger organs (especially the black ones), and they look more professional. organ maintenance was important to the wood, and his audience. maybe he didn't need to use one, but im sure he tried it out once or twice. wish we had some photos from that session

Oh dear.

[Jason]

There was a completely different organ used by Dennis on "All I Wanna Do".

And I bet it wasn't a Baldwin. (Sonic pun. Sorry.)

the baldwins appear to be larger organs (especially the black ones), and they look more professional. organ maintenance was important to the wood, and his audience. maybe he didn't need to use one, but im sure he tried it out once or twice. wish we had some photos from that session

Oh dear.

I haven't seen such an awesome amalgam of a Baldwin joke, potentially racially motivated penis analogy, and a "that's what she said" remark in one place. Kudos.

[onkster]

Mike once requested an organ during a SMiLE session, I believe, but was given a d*ldo instead.

[willy]

There was a completely different organ used by Dennis on "All I Wanna Do".

And I bet it wasn't a Baldwin. (Sonic pun. Sorry.)

the baldwins appear to be larger organs (especially the black ones), and they look more professional. organ maintenance was important to the wood, and his audience. maybe he didn't need to use one, but im sure he tried it out once or twice. wish we had some photos from that session

Oh dear.

I haven't seen such an awesome amalgam of a Baldwin joke, potentially racially motivated penis analogy, and a "that's what she said" remark in one place. Kudos.

Another Post Of The Year 

[DonnyL]

I keep clicking on this thread with genuine interest (and many others), only to find what i have been finding more and more on this board ...

May I suggest to the moderators that a new "funny ha-ha" sub-forum be added for those who are inclined?

This board is at risk of losing its relevancy rapidly !

[ghost]

I keep clicking on this thread with genuine interest (and many others), only to find what i have been finding more and more on this board ...

May I suggest to the moderators that a new "funny ha-ha" sub-forum be added for those who are inclined?

This board is at risk of losing its relevancy rapidly !

Everyone, stop enjoying posting lightweight stuff inbetween the serious discussions. This guy wants to be poker faced serious in our discussion of this VERY SERIOUS BAND.

[DonnyL]

I keep clicking on this thread with genuine interest (and many others), only to find what i have been finding more and more on this board ...

May I suggest to the moderators that a new "funny ha-ha" sub-forum be added for those who are inclined?

This board is at risk of losing its relevancy rapidly !

Everyone, stop enjoying posting lightweight stuff inbetween the serious discussions. This guy wants to be poker faced serious in our discussion of this VERY SERIOUS BAND.

My friend, I take no issue with lightweight discussion, but the tone of this board has gone beyond that on nearly every thread lately.

I've noticed that many of the "honored guests" are posting less often, and quite frankly, with good reason ... i believe that people should show a bit more respect for others who may not be as "loose".

And yes, I personally gravitate more toward the serious discussions -- after all, years from now, when folks are researching the group and utilizing the archives of these threads, there is a very large number of valuable, unique information.  I would hate to see the validity of this information questioned as a result of this "lightweight" kind of activity.

I'm not saying there isn't a place for it.  I'm merely suggesting that a place be designated specifically for it before it's too late.

and well, yes, I do believe the Beach Boys are a VERY SERIOUS BAND.

[ghost]

I keep clicking on this thread with genuine interest (and many others), only to find what i have been finding more and more on this board ...

May I suggest to the moderators that a new "funny ha-ha" sub-forum be added for those who are inclined?

This board is at risk of losing its relevancy rapidly !

Everyone, stop enjoying posting lightweight stuff inbetween the serious discussions. This guy wants to be poker faced serious in our discussion of this VERY SERIOUS BAND.

My friend, I take no issue with lightweight discussion, but the tone of this board has gone beyond that on nearly every thread lately.

I've noticed that many of the "honored guests" are posting less often, and quite frankly, with good reason ... i believe that people should show a bit more respect for others who may not be as "loose".

And yes, I personally gravitate more toward the serious discussions -- after all, years from now, when folks are researching the group and utilizing the archives of these threads, there is a very large number of valuable, unique information.  I would hate to see the validity of this information questioned as a result of this "lightweight" kind of activity.

I'm not saying there isn't a place for it.  I'm merely suggesting that a place be designated specifically for it before it's too late.

and well, yes, I do believe the Beach Boys are a VERY SERIOUS BAND.

The problem with creating a specialized area safe for us mental patients who like to enjoy the things we do even if it's validating facts and discussing music is that it removes all the actual spontaneity and fun out of the fun itself. If there's a special board just to be stupid it's meaningless - it loses all context. Much of the "lightweight activity" you've been picking up on your humor radar is contextual and would never just arise from the blank nothingness of board dedicated just to "it". Fans in the future will probably enjoy our forbidden laughter just as much as many already do now - and the serious fans of the future will complain about us fans of the past.

Honestly, I'll apologize for being one of the instigators here in derailing threads and such but I have to say I find it strange that people would get so uptight over things. Just skip the few posts made by the bone heads and buddy up with the heavy breathers in the rain coats carrying copies of bootleg Smile material.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I keep clicking on this thread with genuine interest (and many others), only to find what i have been finding more and more on this board ...

May I suggest to the moderators that a new "funny ha-ha" sub-forum be added for those who are inclined?

This board is at risk of losing its relevancy rapidly !

Everyone, stop enjoying posting lightweight stuff inbetween the serious discussions. This guy wants to be poker faced serious in our discussion of this VERY SERIOUS BAND.

My friend, I take no issue with lightweight discussion, but the tone of this board has gone beyond that on nearly every thread lately.

I've noticed that many of the "honored guests" are posting less often, and quite frankly, with good reason ... i believe that people should show a bit more respect for others who may not be as "loose".

And yes, I personally gravitate more toward the serious discussions -- after all, years from now, when folks are researching the group and utilizing the archives of these threads, there is a very large number of valuable, unique information.  I would hate to see the validity of this information questioned as a result of this "lightweight" kind of activity.

I'm not saying there isn't a place for it.  I'm merely suggesting that a place be designated specifically for it before it's too late.

and well, yes, I do believe the Beach Boys are a VERY SERIOUS BAND.

The problem with creating a specialized area safe for us mental patients who like to enjoy the things we do even if it's validating facts and discussing music is that it removes all the actual spontaneity and fun out of the fun itself. If there's a special board just to be stupid it's meaningless - it loses all context. Much of the "lightweight activity" you've been picking up on your humor radar is contextual and would never just arise from the blank nothingness of board dedicated just to "it". Fans in the future will probably enjoy our forbidden laughter just as much as many already do now - and the serious fans of the future will complain about us fans of the past.

Honestly, I'll apologize for being one of the instigators here in derailing threads and such but I have to say I find it strange that people would get so uptight over things. Just skip the few posts made by the bone heads and buddy up with the heavy breathers in the rain coats carrying copies of bootleg Smile material.

For gods sake don't apologize to him

Humour is a good way of dealing with the more antagonistic, confrontational side to this board, (though I'm capable of those traits myself).

Humour often diffuses situations, allowing people to back down and understand someone else's viewpoint. It can draw attention to more serious topics, often leading one to think upon more lateral lines. Satire can lead to a much deeper  appreciation of a subject.

And lets not forget, most importantly

We're all different.

DonnyO, I would no more dream telling you how to post than I would go to see you in concert, preferring as I do your arch nemisi, the Bay City Rollers.

Can you imagine how boring this thread would be if it was all pontificating pomposity and rows about meaningless semantics?

I expect a humorous, at the least gracious reply or no reply at all

[ghost]

For gods sake don't apologize to him

I just felt bad for having a good time knowing other people have a serious case of seriousness here.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

For gods sake don't apologize to him

I just felt bad for having a good time knowing other people have a serious case of seriousness here.

For gods sake don't feel bad

[monicker]

I'm thinking about what it would be like to be in a room with ghost and Iron Horse-Apples' avatars. That is, the actual owl and weird mutant baby. And i'm thinking the room would look just like the background of ghost's avatar. I am totally going to drive to the edge of town now.

Also, i just want to say that my mind was thoroughly blown when i first read that the keyboard in the middle eight of Please Let Me Wonder is a FARFISA. Was a Farfisa used anywhere on Pet Sounds, or on any other Beach Boys song for that matter? While we're on the subject, what are some other keyboard oddities used by them over the years? We have the  Rocksichord on Add Some Music and All I Wanna Do. The Tannerin. What else? What's playing on Wendy? Whatever it is, it sounds GREAT. Like a $5 thrift store toy Casio. And the solo itself is amazing; it reminds me a little of the solos in Wild Honey & Good Lord How She Boogalooed It. But noting sounds as amazing as whatever is on Take A Load Off Your Feet. What in the world is it? It sounds like they borrowed one of Sun Ra's instruments. I love how it pans too. Man, the production on that song is top notch. So is the writing and arranging. That song rules my life. I hate Beach Boys fans who hate this song. You have no taste.

 

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I'm thinking about what it would be like to be in a room with ghost and Iron Horse-Apples' avatars. That is, the actual owl and weird mutant baby. And i'm thinking the room would look just like the background of ghost's avatar. I am totally going to drive to the edge of town now.

The mutant baby is called Fanny, and is one of my daughters many dolls, so I am often in a room with her.

Yes, I've always loved both Al's contributions to that album. I'd have to listen again to the keyboard.

[DonnyL]

I'm thinking about what it would be like to be in a room with ghost and Iron Horse-Apples' avatars. That is, the actual owl and weird mutant baby. And i'm thinking the room would look just like the background of ghost's avatar. I am totally going to drive to the edge of town now.

Also, i just want to say that my mind was thoroughly blown when i first read that the keyboard in the middle eight of Please Let Me Wonder is a FARFISA. Was a Farfisa used anywhere on Pet Sounds, or on any other Beach Boys song for that matter? While we're on the subject, what are some other keyboard oddities used by them over the years? We have the  Rocksichord on Add Some Music and All I Wanna Do. The Tannerin. What else? What's playing on Wendy? Whatever it is, it sounds GREAT. Like a $5 thrift store toy Casio. And the solo itself is amazing; it reminds me a little of the solos in Wild Honey & Good Lord How She Boogalooed It. But noting sounds as amazing as whatever is on Take A Load Off Your Feet. What in the world is it? It sounds like they borrowed one of Sun Ra's instruments. I love how it pans too. Man, the production on that song is top notch. So is the writing and arranging. That song rules my life. I hate Beach Boys fans who hate this song. You have no taste.

Yeh, the RMI Rock-si-Chord is actually all over SUNFLOWER and SURF'S UP, and Brian can be seen playing it in the Whisky-A-Go-Go shots from '70.  Totally unique instrument, completely electronic (as opposed to electro-mechanical). (i've got one myself, took years to find it).

the organs on "wild honey" and "boogalooed" certainly are a transistor organ, likely a combo organ, not sure if it was a Farfisa or a Vox Continental.  Brian's Baldwin was technically a transistor organ as well, but of a different sort of ilk.  still, it was probably capable of a "cheesy" sound if need be, but i don't think you could get quite as thin and weedy as a true combo organ.

i'm not sure what was used on "take a load off your feet" ... again, could be a transistor organ on a particularly goofy setting, or maybe a moog synth.


(PS -- Sun Ra used a Rock-si-Chord extensively)