Best Amp for Surf Music

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Best Amp for Surf Music

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Twinreverb Joined: Dec 22, 2007 Posts: 216 Schenectady	Posted on Nov 21 2011 07:02 PM I was wondering what is the best amp for Surf music and would that amp cover some Rockabilly and British Invasion music from the 60's. How does a Telecaster fit into Surf music because I've seen PAPA Do Run Run play one. — Lou D Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11075 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Nov 21 2011 07:08 PM You need more specifics, there's lots of great amps. What matters is what's best for your needs. In terms of size, built in effects and what kind of venues. Nothing wrong with a Tele if it works for you, though it helps if it has a Bigsby on it. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac' Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Nov 21 2011 07:11 PM Here is a short list: Twin Reverb, Showman, Bassman, Bandmaster, Super Reverb, Pro Reverb, Vibroverb, Vox AC30, Marshall amp of sufficient wattage, et al. Telecasters dont' really fit into surf music, but they are perfectly sufficient for surf music. You just don't see many of them. Top
elreydlp Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA	Posted on Nov 21 2011 08:38 PM JakeDobner wrote: Here is a short list: Twin Reverb, Showman, Bassman, Bandmaster, Super Reverb, Pro Reverb, Vibroverb, Vox AC30, Marshall amp of sufficient wattage, et al. Telecasters dont' really fit into surf music, but they are perfectly sufficient for surf music. You just don't see many of them. Pretty good summation Jake! Top
flip Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 43 Los Angeles	Posted on Nov 21 2011 09:18 PM It's all about YOUR ears and the the sound YOU want. I like 1970's Ampegs myself. Very clean and warm without the brittle top end. Try different amps with your actual guitar. An amp might sound great with the jazz master hanging on the music store wall, but when you plug your ("yngwie malmsteen" fluorescent yellow, with .008's, and a floyd rose) strat in there its sounds like doodie. I think most people want an amp that doesn't crunch at really low volumes. — www.reverbnation.com/thetahitishuttleexperiment www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tahiti-Shuttle-Experiment/144705578903043 www.tahitishuttleexperiment.com Top
OzReverb Joined: Apr 28, 2009 Posts: 460 Victoria	Posted on Nov 22 2011 12:44 AM Try a search....I did, here you go... http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/5195/ http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/11561/ http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/5930/ http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/6017/ http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/16626/ http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/16626/ There's probably more, but my dinner's waiting — https://www.facebook.com/lostremoleros/ Top
Twinreverb Joined: Dec 22, 2007 Posts: 216 Schenectady	Posted on Nov 22 2011 03:17 PM I did have a Fender Twin Reverb and the bills were just to much so the amp had to go. I do have a 2009 Fender American Standard Telecaster its 3 tone Sunburst and a Maple neck on an Alder Body. I've looked at a DR Z Jaz 20/40 a reissue Fender 59 Bassman LTD, a reissue Fender Super Reverb and a reissue Twin Reverb. I do like the bottom end of the Bassman but there another Amp company that I have yo find out about Marsh Amps. They make clones of Fender amps like the Bassman, Twin Reverb, and Brown Face 63 Vibroverb Replica. With those amps there is only one draw back I'm in up state NY and they are in Florida and no music stores where I am stock those amps. I'm looking for Reverb and Trem and no Master Volume. I plan on buying the amp next Summer. — Lou D Top
AnalogSurf Joined: Aug 12, 2011 Posts: 133	Posted on Nov 22 2011 03:28 PM When I heard the Yamaha G100 212 I was sold... 1980s Solid State Unit with built in reverb. Poor mans version of the fender twin and survives road trips Ruiko Form the Why's with a Yamaha G100 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fl5l8BhAYQ Pete Analog-Surf Top
killbabykill34 Joined: Apr 03, 2010 Posts: 3201 Jacksonville, AL	Posted on Nov 22 2011 03:30 PM I used one of the Super Reverb Reissues recording our upcoming 7" and absolutely fell in love with it. It was punchy, with plenty of low end. The tremolo was also quite usable. — THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary. www.thekbk.com http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/ www.reverbnation.com/thekbk www.facebook.com/thekbkal Top
dboomer Joined: Jan 05, 2009 Posts: 262 Port Hueneme, CA	Posted on Nov 22 2011 03:42 PM Best amp for surf music? The one you play great music into Top
Surfabilly Joined: Apr 21, 2006 Posts: 852 Connersville, Indiana, USA	Posted on Nov 22 2011 03:44 PM I'll second Jake's mention of the Vox AC30. Set the reverb, tremolo and presense just right, and ya nail Link Wray's tone. And, of course, ya also get the British Invasion tones from it, as well. — Fast Cars & Loud Guitars! Top
AnalogSurf Joined: Aug 12, 2011 Posts: 133	Posted on Nov 22 2011 04:40 PM dboomer wrote: Best amp for surf music? The one you play great music into If thats to- me I have the Yamaha- Gakki G100 212 SN#505 Its not going to solve the worlds problems but they go on Ebay for $150-$200....Seem them alot a Used music shops too ! Ive seen to many stone faces when a Fender twin falls out of the back of the mini van... If this is going to be Circle the catalog then im out of this gig ! Pete Analog-Surf Top
tahitijack Joined: Nov 03, 2006 Posts: 693 San Clemente, CA	Posted on Nov 22 2011 06:32 PM I would add the Fender Deluxe Reverb and/or Hot Rod Deluxe to the list. — Happy Sunsets! Top
Las_Barracudas Joined: Apr 24, 2011 Posts: 1087 Surf City, NC	Posted on Nov 22 2011 08:44 PM Well, I don't think there is a "best" amp for Surf (too subjective), that said it's hard to beat a Fender tube amp imho though Vox comes close. My Fender VVRI really does a great job and is my current gigging rig. I have owned numerous Fender amps over the years and based on my experience here's how I would rate the ones I've owned for the Surf genre (1st place - last): Vibroverb RI Super Reverb RI Twin Reverb (silver-face, 70s) Vibro King Deluxe Reverb CVR Pro Jr Some of these amps are great for other genres though, like Blues, Rock, etc. And the TR & SR were about a toss-up for Surf. Just find a decent tube amp and make it work. Lot's to choose from now-a-days! — METEOR IV on reverbnation Last edited: Nov 23, 2011 08:56:55 Top
BigKen Joined: May 08, 2008 Posts: 253 Motor City Surfer	Posted on Nov 22 2011 10:37 PM I dont know if any of us on SG101 has had any experience with Kustom(tube) amps or not, but I played through a Kustom Defender 50w tube at Guitar Center recently. All I can say is W0W!! This amp is born to surf, and wont break the bank to do it! It comes with EL tubes, but you can switch to 6v6 if you like, easily... just flip a switch and youre good to go. Ruby reverb pan that sounds VERY good. The tone is outstanding, and it has alot of guts. Reminds me alot of my 70's Twin Reverb. — Fin Doctors Crashmatics Last edited: Nov 22, 2011 22:38:02 Top
Surfbones Joined: Nov 16, 2011 Posts: 106 Illinois	Posted on Nov 23 2011 10:00 AM I really like my mid-60's Ampeg Gemini. It has great tone, great reverb (no tank yet) and great tremelo. — How's your digestion now? Top
Noel Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.	Posted on Nov 23 2011 10:09 AM Do you mean the Defender 50 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/kustom-the-defender-50w-1x12-tube-guitar-combo-amp/482291000001000 or the Defender V50? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/kustom-the-defender-v50-50w-1x12-guitar-combo-amp/423623000001000 BigKen wrote: I dont know if any of us on SG101 has had any experience with Kustom(tube) amps or not, but I played through a Kustom Defender 50w tube at Guitar Center recently. All I can say is W0W!! This amp is born to surf, and wont break the bank to do it! It comes with EL tubes, but you can switch to 6v6 if you like, easily... just flip a switch and youre good to go. Ruby reverb pan that sounds VERY good. The tone is outstanding, and it has alot of guts. Reminds me alot of my 70's Twin Reverb. — This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. Top
killbabykill34 Joined: Apr 03, 2010 Posts: 3201 Jacksonville, AL	Posted on Nov 23 2011 10:10 AM BigKen wrote: I dont know if any of us on SG101 has had any experience with Kustom(tube) amps or not, but I played through a Kustom Defender 50w tube at Guitar Center recently. All I can say is W0W!! This amp is born to surf, and wont break the bank to do it! It comes with EL tubes, but you can switch to 6v6 if you like, easily... just flip a switch and youre good to go. Ruby reverb pan that sounds VERY good. The tone is outstanding, and it has alot of guts. Reminds me alot of my 70's Twin Reverb. This amp recently showed up on my radar. I am really not in the market for a new amp but always keep an eye out. I believe I might try one out next time I am near a Guitar Center. The price just cannot be beat. — THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary. www.thekbk.com http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/ www.reverbnation.com/thekbk www.facebook.com/thekbkal Top
BigKen Joined: May 08, 2008 Posts: 253 Motor City Surfer	Posted on Nov 23 2011 11:08 AM Noel, yes, the Defender 50 1x12 combo. Tube goodness! — Fin Doctors Crashmatics Last edited: Nov 23, 2011 11:13:08 Top
Twinreverb Joined: Dec 22, 2007 Posts: 216 Schenectady	Posted on Nov 24 2011 07:45 AM Las Barracudas I like those amps that you listed the one I didn't see was the reissue Fender 59 Bassman LTD. Now with amp you could use a Reverb and Tremolo pedal. Is the Tremolo and Reverb on the Vibroverb different then on the Twin Reverb and the Super Reverb? — Lou D Top

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