Ska Guitar Tab

Howdy-Ho ska fans! What we got right here is the Biggest and Best ska guitar tablature site on the internet.

I’m not just talking ’bout third wave (though we’ve got that too) We have *Everything* from two-tone to ska-core and everything in between.

78 thoughts on “Ska Guitar Tab”

  1. setting amp right
    Ben

    Hey im just startin a Ska band, im playin guitar, and i was wondering if there is a specific way to set the amp up to get a good ska sound, ive been playing around with it but i cant seem to get it right
    help please

    Ben

    1. Re: setting amp right
      Billy

      i feel to get a good ska tone on most amps would be to set the bass – 3/10 mid 5/10 treble 7(or 8)/10
      depending on what kind of guitar you have with what kind of pickups, this should sound about right.

    2. Re: setting amp right
      Franz

      Well depends what amp you have. I start off with having my gain, bass, mid. and trebble at the mid point (5, so that dials are facing vertically up) then adjusting it slightly until i get a good sound. On my Ibanez amp its fine at those settings, while on my Marshall i put the bass up slightly and put the trebble and mid down slightly.

  2. reel big fish tab needed!!!!
    matt

    does any1 know where i can find the tab of what are friend for by reel big fish??? if u do, can you email it 2 me plz…. thx… matt(www.notyetrock.tk)

    1. Re: Reel Big Fish
      Adam

      : Does anyone know where i can get the tab for Reel Big Fish’s cover of hotel california. If u do Please let me know

      Uh…thats not rbf chief….can’t remeber who but its not rbf

      1. Re: Reel Big Fish
        Bob

        Thats the Ska DaddyZ, of SDZ or whatever theyre calling themselves now. I talked to their guitar player and he said theyre pretty annoyed how people think its someone else doing that and not them.

    1. heres the actual words!!!!!!!!!
      LincolnHWYdubber

      The Replica of Brad’s Brown Guitar Here’s the info I think you’ll find helpful if you decide to make a replica of Brad’s brown
      guitar like I did. The info of the spec of Brad’s guitar came from Maximum Guitar Jan 1998. If you do decide to make the guitar I suggest that you buy a book on making a guitar. I used a book called ‘Make your own electric guitar’ by Melvyn Hiscock, but there are a few more to choose from. I also found
      some good FAQs on making a guitar on the internet. Try a place called http://www.Harmony-Central.com. I bought most of the parts for the guitar from a place called the internet music supply company at http://www.aim-corp.com/ims. They were the cheapest I could find and they had just about everything I needed. The writing in italics in the equipment list means I bought it from IMS and give the price and product code etc. Some parts for the guitar I bought from a supply shop called Pincotts in the
      UK. Equipment list: This is a list of what I used or where noted what Brad actually had. Body: Swamp ash, universal pickup route, tremolo routing strat body. Brad’s
      guitar was actually made of Honduran Mahogany but you can’t but pre cut
      mahogany strat bodies. I don’t have the equipment of skill to cut one out myself
      so I bought a pre cut one. I chose swap ash I its supposed to have similar tone to
      mahogany. I-SBAO-U STRAT(TM) BODY, SWAMP ASH,UNIVERSAL PICKUP
      ROUTE, TREMOLO ROUTING, NO FINISH – $138.45 Neck: 22 fret maple strat neck with ebony fretboard. This is exactly the same as
      the neck on Brad’s guitar! I-SEO STRAT(TM) NECK, EBONY
      FINGERBOARD, 22 FRETS, NO FINISH $134.90 Bridge: Schaller chrome Floyd Rose licensed tremolo. All I know is that Brad
      had a Floyd rose licensed tremolo. I don’t know the make but there all very
      similar. This bridge came with all fixing hardware, string bar and locking nut:
      however the locking nut the come with it is NOT the right size for the 22 fret strat
      neck so I had to order one separate. The size locking nut you will need is 1-
      11/16”. I-SB-290 SCHALLER FLOYD ROSE(TM) LICENSED
      LOCKING TREMOLO, BRIDGE CHROME – $181.05 Tuners : Gotoh SG-38 in chrome. Brad had Gotoh tuners on his guitar and the
      SG-38 are the only one that look like them, so there are almost certainly the
      same. I bought these from a shop in the UK called Pincotts. Pickups: The only pickup I know for certain that Brad had was a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge position. Everyone I talked to including Seymour Duncan said that with a JB in the bridge position the best pickup for the neck is a Seymour Duncan Jazz. For the middle I choose a DiMazio Red Velvet as is it goes well with the other two. Make sure if you order them buy phone you get black as other colors are available. I bought the pickups from a local guitar shop. Other Parts: Most of the other parts used are either general parts or Strat parts. The jack socket, knobs, 5-way switch, neckplate and spring cover were all strat parts. Also required were a volume and tone pot, black sheet of .90 pickguard material and some chrome shielding tape. That’s most of the stuff you’ll need but I may have forgotten something, but I’m sure you’ll be able to get hold of the stuff you need.
      How I made it Here are some note and tips on how I made the guitar to help you. First thing is to route the body for the tremolo as the Floyd rose goes both up and down. As I used a swamp ash body it’s was quite soft and the job was easily done with a chisel. Next thing is to route the neck for the locking nut again this was done was a chisel, just be sure to get the nut the correct height. When making the pickguard I made two test pickguards out of strong card to make sure it fitted well and looked good. I then used the card as a template to cut it out in plastic. For the finish on the guitar I used a mixture of mahogany and a rosewood wood dye to get the right color. I then used Danish oil to seal and protect the wood. This oil acts like a thin varnish and is much better than tinned varnishes. That’s about all you need to know. If you have any other questions just email at [email protected]. Also if you have made a copy of Brad’s guitar I would love to see some pics of it. I the reason I made this guitar is because I love Sublime so much and I really miss Brad. He’s been such a big influence on me I built this guitar out of respect for
      him. See ya round.

      1. Re: heres the actual words!!!!!!!!!
        Simon

        Sounds like a beautiful guitar!

        The only thing I would add to that is, whilst on my own internet-travels to find a brown stratocaster-type body, I came across http://www.kavanaghcustoms.co.uk, they DO provide pre-cut Mahogany bodies to order, I got in touch with them and had my body within a couple of weeks built to my specs (so no problems with having to route for floyd rose – they do it for you), so give them a try next time!

        Cheers!
        Si

    2. yeah, its DubSouljah's webpage, just type it into Google!!!
      LincolnHWYdubber

      : there is a site somewhere on the web that has the direction for building brad nowells guitar. Does anybody know what site that might be or have the directions?

    3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... andy
      andy

      there is a site somewhere on the web that has the direction for building brad nowells guitar. Does anybody know what site that might be or have the directions?

  3. Here's some help for you guys.
    Kneifel

    Okay Okay, for those of you who don’t know me I am Kneifel. I have only been playing guitar for about half a year, Saxophone for 5 years, but I am a big SKA buff. Here’s some help on how to get a genuine SKA sound, ala 3rd wave or core.

    1.) Guitar is not a major instrument in 3rd wave SKA. I have noticed this with the fact that the only big part they play is chord progressions, let your brass do the work. In core Guitar is the main instrument.
    When playing 3rd wave SKA it is best to palm the downstroke and play the upstroke on beats 1 and 3, or 2 and 4. This means when you downstrum run your palm over the strings with the pick then release when you come up. This gives you a sort of *X*X*X*X*X sound: (*=Sound X=Mute)
    Next come SKA chords. There are Chords that sound good, and chords that you make sound good. Three chords that sound good are:
    A Major
    D Major
    E Major
    Play them in this order muting the downstroke and playing the upstroke: A D A E A, each chord for 1 bar (ala Suckerpunch by Five Iron Frenzy.) These chords also sound good if you, on the D major, alternate your pinky finger on the High E string on the 3rd fret. This also goes if, on the E major, you alternate your pinky finger on the G string on the 3rd fret. Experiment other major chords and some minor, most work.
    For you Less than Jake buffs, or if you like the Bosstones try powerchords using E F# G# and B for some smooth core sounds.

    2.) Okay Okay Okay, if you have a SKA band organize your horns, for someone playing the Saxophone for 5 years I know that it’s hard to get that smooth SKA sound. The SKA sound CAN’T be written in tab for the Brass and Sax. Let your Brass section transpose the 3 notes of the chords you are playing in any SKA song. These notes are used for improv solos and horn parts. Complete the scale using the notes you know and and try using 1 3 and 5. Simple, not really, I still haven’t mastered it. Stay with the chord progressions or you’re gonna reek.

    Sorry if this didn’t help, and good luck on getting to the top.
    Remember, SKA is not a verb!

    ~Kneifel

    1. Re: Here's some help for you guys.
      PieMan

      Aha, just the kind of advice I was after.

      After watching ska bands play live, I’d assumed you created the deat note with fret-muting. Time for some new practice. Cheers.

  4. Tips for a new ska band
    Trombone Rick

    Hey, I just started a ska-core band and I need some tips. Right now I am just writing songs with power chords, which comes out as a Less Than Jake sound. I need some tips on writing cool horns tabs to the kind of music I’m writing on guitar. Any help would be appreciated

    1. Re: Tips for a new ska band
      Pickles

      I play trombone, and i know what we love. Try to make the brass as loud as possible with lots of sliding up and down, not to hard, but so it sounds really hard.

      1. Re: Tips for a new ska band
        chris

        yo dude, i play trumpet and what we like is (in general) a combonation of really showy, high stuff and long notes behind a building chorus/verse. use brass as punctuation but also as a solid backup to vocals etc.

  5. These sound like sca chords
    Tyler

    Hey all, I just think that these sound like sca chords. Play with up stroke.
    1.–12– 1 –2– 1. –7– 1 –*–
    2 –13– 2 –3– 2. –7– 2 –14-
    3 –14– 3 –3– 3. –8– 3 –14-
    4 –**– 4 –*– 4. –*– 4 –12-
    5 –**– 5 –*– 5. –*– 5 –*–
    6 –**– 6 –*– 6. –*– 6 –*–

  6. reel big fish
    eduardo puentes

    This band is like my mother´s pussy, very suddoring, all of you are a son of fucker mothers. I think that, and what´s your problem? Call me 4500781- Bogota (Colombia) –

  7. chords yall
    Skacow

    heyheyhey! i’m in desperate need of some basic ska chords and maybe even a couple simply progressions for guitar to get me started. if anyone feels like helping a guy out then email me please!

    1. FORGET MY LAST FOLLOW UP, HERES THE CHORDS
      KEITH

      KEITHS SKA CHORDS
      Basic Bar Chords:
      E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D#
      e–0–1–2—3–4—5–1—2–3–4—5–6—
      B–0–1–2—3–4—5–3—4–5–6—7–8—
      G–1–2–3—4–5—6–3—4–5–6—7–8—
      D–2–3–4—5–6—7–3—4–5–6—7–8—
      A–2–3–4—5–6—7–1—2–3–4—5–6—
      E–0–1–2—3–4—5–x—x–x–x———-
      Minors:
      Em Fm F#m Gm G#m Am A#m Bm Cm C#m Dm D#m

      E–0–1–2—3–4—x–x—x–x–x—x–x–

  8. "Lincoln Highway Dub" Sublime
    Triplejadogg

    There is a little bit of guitar plalying in this song, I know it’s similar to santeria but I can’t figure it out. I want to know if anyone has a tab to the little solo at the end of the song. thanks

    1. Re: "Lincoln Highway Dub" Sublime
      Double J

      : There is a little bit of guitar plalying in this song, I know it’s similar to santeria but I can’t figure it out. I want to know if anyone has a tab to the little solo at the end of the song. thanks

      I’m sorry but i don’t but i love the guitar in that song. if you ever find the tab can you please send it to me? thanks

      1. Re: "Lincoln Highway Dub" Sublime
        chris in canada

        : : There is a little bit of guitar plalying in this song, I know it’s similar to santeria but I can’t figure it out. I want to know if anyone has a tab to the little solo at the end of the song. thanks

        : I’m sorry but i don’t but i love the guitar in that song. if you ever find the tab can you please send it to me? thanks

        This is s great song. I figured it out one day, but I’m not sure how to tab it on to the site. It is basically the same solo as Santeria, but the stuff that is’nt is just played in a little scale between the scond and fifth frets. It’s pretty much immpossible to play this song exactly the same though ’cause Brad was just improvising. later….

        1. Re: lincoln highway dub
          crazy cracka

          : hey, this song is so great(if it didn’t have that weird intro i would listen to it on repeat over and over)–if any of you get the tabbing, please e-mail me–thanks
          : : : There is a little bit of guitar plalying in this song, I know it’s similar to santeria but I can’t figure it out. I want to know if anyone has a tab to the little solo at the end of the song. thanks

          : : I’m sorry but i don’t but i love the guitar in that song. if you ever find the tab can you please send it to me? thanks

          : This is s great song. I figured it out one day, but I’m not sure how to tab it on to the site. It is basically the same solo as Santeria, but the stuff that is’nt is just played in a little scale between the scond and fifth frets. It’s pretty much immpossible to play this song exactly the same though ’cause Brad was just improvising. later….

          1. Re: lincoln highway dub
            ADRIAN

            WHY DONT YOU GUYS JUST DOWNLOAD GUITAR PRO, CRACK IT, AND WRITE OUT THE SOLO ON THAT. HOMMIE WAS RIGHT EARLIER, THE SOLO IS NOTHING MORE THAN MAD IMPROV SKILLS ON THAT SCALE. SANTERIA JUST HAPPENED TO MAKE IT BIG CUZ HE ADDED TO IT. Y’ALL KNOW HOW TO REACH ME IF YOU NEED Q&A. LATER

    1. Re: reel big fish
      Tom Piggott

      alright, i need the guitar tab to take on me by reel big fish, with the part at the beginning (trumpet) played on the guitar cos it sounds PHAT like that! Cheers…

    1. Re: chords
      Phil the ska head

      yo its not that hard bro’s u just take a bar chord and play that with an upstroke
      or u play the three high strings with an up stroke its pretty simple there isn’t a real SKA chord

  9. ska guitar
    ryan

    i need to learn how to play ska guitar. i know they are bar chords muted and unmuted. mabe theres more, when i do it it sounds wrong. any tips?

    1. Re: ska guitar
      Hank

      To get the twangy sound you need play realy close to the bridge and sca beats tend to be regaeish. It hits on the and of every beat so its 1 play 2 play three play…. If you know music theory you get the picture. If you dont you should learn it. Sca is a 16th note beet so it goes 1 e& a 2 e&a 3 e&a 4 e&a… Its hard to explain unless you know theory. If you know chords and how to mute it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if you dont know theory. threory is what you should be concerned about. Its better then the last advice at least.

  10. i want to know how to start punk ska
    abe

    i always wanted to have a cool band and i want to try punk ska maybe so if you can help me send me some tips or something thanx

    1. help me please
      Brittany

      Hey I have recently started writing music and I am interested in writing punk but I need a little help with writing it. If you could give me some tips on writing the lyrics and music behind it that would ROCK!

  11. guitar/amp config
    Drew

    I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of a guitar/ amp configuration aaron barret used on turn the radio off. I know he used mainly ibanez guitars and marshalls, but I want to know what models he used. Thanks.

  12. reel big fish
    Wayne Lincoln

    Do you have the guitar tab for the reel big fish song "thank you for not moshing" – i need it desperately
    thanks
    from wayne

      1. Re: reel big fish
        itzy

        : :I need trumpet and trombone tabs for The Reel Big Fish song,I want your girl friend to be my girl friend . PLEASE help me out dude!!
        : Thankz Jay–

        1. Re: reel big fish
          Baker

          dude i have the tabs for the trombone i want youre girlfriend to be my girlfriend too, and i also have sellout and everything sucks. dude i can give you theese tabs but i want something in return. if you have any other tabs for reel big fish songs for the trombone ill trade you.

          .——–baker

  13. Chords and Tone
    Aaron Bowen

    To anyone who cares or knows~

    I just recently have gotten into ska and I want to learn all the chords used to make up ska… so if anybody knows of a site where I can find this please e-mail me. ALSO I would like to know the tone setting used to play ska because i just can’t seem to find the right tone on my amp and guitar. Thanx a bunch.

    1. Re: Chords and Tone
      chump

      : To anyone who cares or knows~

      : I just recently have gotten into ska and I want to learn all the chords used to make up ska… so if anybody knows of a site where I can find this please e-mail me. ALSO I would like to know the tone setting used to play ska because i just can’t seem to find the right tone on my amp and guitar. Thanx a bunch.

      1. Re: Chords and Tone
        chump

        Sorry, I accidentally posted the last message by mistake. I’ve really been wondering how to setup my amp to make the chanky ska sound. I heard some bands actually use a pedal, but I don’t think you have to..I know most of the cords use the last 4 strings with and upstroke. A lot of bands use similar cords so If ya look over their tabs you could find some.

        : : To anyone who cares or knows~

        : : I just recently have gotten into ska and I want to learn all the chords used to make up ska… so if anybody knows of a site where I can find this please e-mail me. ALSO I would like to know the tone setting used to play ska because i just can’t seem to find the right tone on my amp and guitar. Thanx a bunch.

        1. Re: Chords and Tone
          Pete

          Hey! Well, i find the actual guitar you use makes a hell of a difference to the sound u make. I found the ideal guitar and setting for ska is a fender strat (or squire if u aint got much money!) with the little pick up lever thingy set to 2nd up from bottom (Gives more of a valvy sound)

          Also try using a valvestate 2000 from marshall as an amp. The equaliser should be set to a bright clean effect with the bass half-way, the mid. one-third up. and the high end two-thirds up.

          Depending on whether you want light ska or ska-punk you could have light distortion or none. Dont overdo it or the rest of the band wont sound right.

          I dont know if this works for anyone else, but it works best for me!

          Thanx, Pete.

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