N is for… Nokie Edwards

While his guitar playing partner in The Ventures, Bob Bogle, sadly passed away in June 2009, Nokie Edwards is still touring with the band.

Born Nole Floyd Edwards in Oklahoma in 1935, Nokie played guitar with Bakersfield country legend Buck Owens in the late '50s before joining fellow guitarists Bogle and Don Wilson in The Ventures.

While Nokie is obviously best known for his surf guitar work, and later rock orientated playing, with The Ventures he can play some mean country guitar too - check this Steel Rag classic. His website is also home to the official US Nokie Edwards Fan Club.

N is also for… Neptune Bound

Neptune Bound: The Ultimate Danelectro Guitar Guide by Doug Tulloch is a cracking resource on Nathan Daniel’s well-respected guitars. Young surf guitarists loved Danelectro axes because they were affordable yet they sounded and played great. You can also do some Dano homework on this great History of Danelectro website.