Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 24 2011 07:57 AM
According to Kustom, the Defender 50 has been replaced by the Defender V50. There are still a few unsold new D-50s around but they're getting hard to find. I actually had a chance to buy a used Defender 50 for $300.00 back when I ended up buying my Fender Stage 112SE. I was talked out of trying it and never gave it a chance. I really have to stop listening to blues players about tone.
For the around price of the V50, the Quilter MicroPro-200 is also an option. I can't wait to hear some surf music demos played on one of the production versions.
BigKen wrote:
Noel, yes, the Defender 50 1x12 combo. Tube goodness!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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ChazSurf
Joined: Nov 25, 2010
Posts: 191
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Posted on Nov 24 2011 03:19 PM
I did pick up a Defender 50 about a year ago, and I've been very happy with it. I'd been using an older Peavey Bandit 112, and I find that the Defender has a much richer sound.
There's just something about watching tubes glow...
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Bong-O
Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 139
Massachusetts, birthplace of Dick Dale
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Posted on Nov 24 2011 09:26 PM
Cmon guys...
Showman and reverb unit (Fender) !
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vintagesurfdude
Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on Dec 04 2011 12:17 PM
+1 Bong-O
I'm a newbie here, started playing surf in So Cal in the early 60's. For traditional surf tunes,best, but not the only choice, IMHO, is outboard reverb to a blonde (brown face) Dual Showman. That being said, I'm getting very authentic surfy tone playing a Strat or Jazzmaster thru a retubed (NOS RCA's) '63 RI Reverb into a '78 SF Vibrolux Reverb. IMHO, the outboard reverb is really the key. The RI appears to be a very reasonable substitute for a vintage unit. I highly recommend replacing the factory tubes (Sovteks and Groove Tubes) with NOS tubes, preferably RCA's, additionally the GT 6V6 should be replaced with an NOS 6K6.
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fenderfan
Joined: Jul 13, 2008
Posts: 782
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Posted on Dec 04 2011 03:33 PM
Hey Twinreverb - in the Downloads section, I have placed a song in which I used a Telecaster (more specifically, an Esquire, but I would be using the bridge pickup either way!), and you can see how that sounds to you. It's "Midnight Surf" by my band, the Royal Aces, and it's in the Gear Samples section.
Last edited: Dec 04, 2011 15:34:29
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BigKen
Joined: May 08, 2008
Posts: 253
Motor City Surfer
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Posted on Dec 04 2011 07:12 PM
I dont mean to hijack the thread, but, speaking of the Kustom Defender, I just ordered one. Cant wait! w00t!
— Fin Doctors
Crashmatics
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krupanut
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
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Posted on Dec 12 2011 04:09 PM
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Dec 12 2011 04:22 PM
How do you like it?
BigKen wrote:
I dont mean to hijack the thread, but, speaking of the
Kustom Defender, I just ordered one. Cant wait! w00t!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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jonfender
Joined: Mar 09, 2011
Posts: 273
Melbourne FL USA
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Posted on Dec 12 2011 04:24 PM
I can't imagine a best amp for Surfmusic............probably a Fender Super Reverb.....(otherwise Showman or Bandmaster w/reverb tank). I'm using a 65 Deluxe re-issue, but also have a 67' Ampeg Gemini I that sounds really sweet..(still all original). In the 80's, Don Wilson (of the Ventures) had a Kustom 50w reverb amp he used specifically for the glissandos in "WDR 64'", "Slaughter on 10th Ave." and the like.
Last edited: Dec 12, 2011 16:44:37
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Bilge_Rat
Joined: Apr 20, 2009
Posts: 320
Toronto, Ontario Canada
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Posted on Dec 12 2011 07:24 PM
A Dual Professional
— formerly SvD, bots.... member since 2006. Same game different name!
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shivers13
Joined: Jul 29, 2009
Posts: 2605
Boss Angeles, CA
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Posted on Dec 12 2011 09:15 PM
Bandmaster! Oh, the Vibrolux kicks ass too.
— BOSS FINK "R.P.M." available now from DOUBLE CROWN RECORDS!
www.facebook.com/BossFink
www.doublecrownrecords.com
Last edited: Dec 12, 2011 21:19:55
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BigKen
Joined: May 08, 2008
Posts: 253
Motor City Surfer
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Posted on Dec 12 2011 09:32 PM
Noel wrote:
How do you like it?
BigKen wrote:
I dont mean to hijack the thread, but, speaking of
the
Kustom Defender, I just ordered one. Cant wait!
w00t!
Okay.... now that you ask,
This Defender is probably the best kept secret in the tube amp world EVER!
I am not really a noob when it comes to amps... im an old guy thats been playing guitar seriously for 30+ years. I have a Fender Twin that I dont use too much anymore due to size and weight, and I can tell you that the Kustom Defender sounds BETTER hands down! The Kustom is the most responsive, best sounding tube amp I've ever played through.. period.
I'm not great at writing reveiews, so I'll just post sound clips in the form of full MP3 songs that I record with my band The Fin Doctors. Whatch out for them!
Kustom still builds high quality stuff. Hell Yess!
— Fin Doctors
Crashmatics
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tonewoods
Joined: Nov 21, 2011
Posts: 112
Orcas Island, Washington
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Posted on Dec 26 2011 07:01 PM
Bong-O wrote:
Cmon guys...
Showman and reverb unit (Fender) !
A Pro can be very juicey too...
— Download (for free!) "Overhead At Darrington"--fiddle tunes arranged for surf-style electric mandolin--by Bruce Harvie and The Sandfleas here...
Last edited: Dec 26, 2011 19:02:57
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tubesNtweed
Joined: Sep 07, 2011
Posts: 507
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Posted on Dec 29 2011 09:45 PM
Fender Twin Reverb (blackface). I play 99% 60's stuff (stones, garage rock, surf of course) and it is everything I could want from an amp EXCEPT overdrive but that's why I love it-it doesn't distort. Has tremolo and spring reverb (unless you're picky, it is a great reverb), bright switch and enough power for any gig that isn't Madison Square Garden. You don't have to shell out $1400 for a new one, I got my '65 RI for $700 used in mint cond. Aside from reverb tank preference, it's an all-in-one amp for almost any style that needs classic Fender clean tones. The Deluxe 'verb is nice but not enough headroom for most gigs.
Last edited: Dec 29, 2011 21:51:02
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11075
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Dec 29 2011 10:29 PM
tubesNtweed wrote:
Has tremolo and spring reverb (unless you're picky, it is a
great reverb),
— 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
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tonewoods
Joined: Nov 21, 2011
Posts: 112
Orcas Island, Washington
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Posted on Dec 30 2011 12:17 PM
Anyone here using a Versatone?
Just a lovely sounding amp for surf...
— Download (for free!) "Overhead At Darrington"--fiddle tunes arranged for surf-style electric mandolin--by Bruce Harvie and The Sandfleas here...
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casey
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 521
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Posted on Dec 31 2011 09:26 AM
My favorite is a mid-60's (blackface) Super Reverb. 10 inch speakers just sound better for lead to me, and seem more responsive. I have two 1966 models that are used together for outside jobs.
sleepwalk though two SR's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELQ4VhoBvwQ
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JohnnyMosrite
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 909
New York City area
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Posted on Dec 31 2011 10:03 AM
Best amp for surf.. for me it depends on what guitar I'm playing. A mid-60s Showman or Pro-Reverb is alway good for the tele,strat,jazzmaster sound that gets kind of boring to my ears after a while.
But for a Mosrite guitar, there were some great amps made in the 60s - the "also-rans" with Brand "F".
Best amp sound I have gotten recently is with the Magnatone ESTEY MP series. I have an MP-3 and the piggyback MP-5. The MP-3 is good for practice as it isn't all that loud,(the tone is fantastic) and the MP-5 has about the power of a bandmaster but with EL34 power tubes - with loads of clear headroom. What a sound!
And let's not forget SUNN amps. Coupled with a Mosrite guitar it delivers that classic edgy bite. And those amps crank. I realize that might fly against those who prefer the classic "F"-brand "surf sound" but life is meant for variety. And it is my ears - good, bad or indifferent.
I've mentioned it elsewhere on SG101 but to repeat.. I've gotten very close to the Ventures Live on Stage - 1965 album sound with a YAMAHA G100-II head on a matching Yamaha 4x12 cabinet. Obviously this isn't for small venues but I like knowing that my little arsenal has enough juice to fill any space from a living room to Rockefeller Center with sound.
J Mo'
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Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
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Posted on Jan 02 2012 04:47 PM
My blackface Bassman head isn't currently working, and I've never tried it for surf. Besides my mid 60's Ampeg Gemini, I have a 65 watt Music Man head paired up with a mid 60's Vox 2 12 cabinet which sounds pretty good to me.
— How's your digestion now?
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Jan 09 2012 11:18 PM
I like a little princeton reverb for recording. Something in 40-50W 6L6 powered with 2 x 12" speakers for gigging. And stand alone reverb (goes almost without saying dunnit?)
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
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