April Birthdays 
I know there's a lengthy thread on the Surfybear FET Reverb; long have I stared in awe at the many custom builds there.
However - from my point of view as a non-soldering, no-time-having reverb fanatic, this new pre-assembled pedal from Surfy Industries warrants its own thread. For one thing, I can focus solely on how it sounds, and how well it's crafted - without discussing the tank/wiring/housing variables so awesomely seen in the history of all the custom builds.
HOW I LEARNED SURFY BEAR STARTED MAKING PRE-ASSEMBLED PEDALS
Long story short, I followed this site's thread about Bjorn's FET reverb from afar for several years. While heavily desiring a real spring reverb of my own, and respecting his approach to the circuit, I knew that this project was a bit much for my skillset and/or free time.
(I never got a Fender 6G15, but did acquire an amazing Gomez G-Spring, which is my spring reverb benchmark. Still, I wanted another unit that I could take out to a gig, without worrying about anyone spilling beer on the G-Spring. I was thinking about picking up a Fender reissue and taking a hit in sound quality... but that was not to happen...)
I idly went to Bjorn's site a few weeks ago, only to be directed to a new site for a new company, Surfy Industries. I realized that Bjorn and Surfer Joe had joined forces.
It was with great surprise and interest, indeed, that I realized they now offer a PRE-BUILT Surfybear, called the Surfybear Reverb Pedal:
http://www.surfyindustries.com/surfybear
Its form factor looked cool. The logo design pleased even this notoriously picky designer. And, best of all, I could try the Surfybear sound without soldering my fingertip to a potentiometer.
HOW I GOT MY OWN SURFYBEAR REVERB PEDAL
(BUT ALMOST GOT WASHED AWAY BEFORE PLAYING IT)
When I learned of this product, no units were available, and no pre-orders were being taken - so I kept checking their site, day after day, until the units were again available. I wondered whether their server traffic would reveal persistent visits from central Florida. 
I ordered one as soon as I could. I found during the process that PayPal was accepted (good, because I don't know the first thing about USA/Swedish exchange rates).
My correspondence about the power supply - and wishing them well on their business ventures - was answered swiftly, thoroughly and politely.
My Surfybear Reverb Pedal arrived on time, BUT the dreaded Hurricane Irma was threatening my state of Florida - and on the day I received it, I could only think of preparations, work, and/or the possible destruction of my home.
Despite this existential dread, the build quality and form factor of the untested Surfybear Pedal impressed me.
After the hurricane passed, I found that we were spared its worst winds and suffered no damage to our home (unlike many who were less fortunate). However, our power was out for two long, sweltering Florida days (again, no big deal, because others are STILL without power five days later, in the uncompromising heat). But you'd better believe I imagined happier days, with power for A/C and amps and REVERB.
I FINALLY had a chance to get an AC adapter, plug in and try the Surfybear, the night before last - and since then, I have been listening to that night's Jazzmaster/P-Bass/Jaguar recording tests.
SO, HOW DOES IT SOUND?
The unit is quiet, the reverb is glassy, the controls are useful. I am one happy Surfy Industries customer!
I know a lot of the sound comes from the selection of pan, though I don't have any real experience in mixing/matching my own. I can only say that this configuration has a different timbre and different decay characteristics than I'm used to from my Gomez G-Spring. It sounds very good - make no mistake.
I consider any difference a good thing, since my main use of surf guitar is in recording (unlike many of you, perhaps). Having two different-sounding reverb tanks is better than two that sound a lot alike, since I'm trying to make my one-man band sound like two dudes with two different rigs, playing at once.
I am almost loath to compare the Surfybear's sound to other units, as if I expected something more or different. It's really good, by any standard that I know.
Maybe I should say that I was looking for another spring reverb, one that I can take with me and not worry about as much... hopefully, with a good sound of its own. So far, the Surfybear Reverb Pedal is tailor-made for those needs, with no fuss and no muss, and maybe a little less onstage worry than I'd feel for my now-irreplaceable Gomez.
I only wish for more time to test/play/emote/create through this beautifully constructed unit. Today, I felt I had to write and let you all know that, for me, it's a keeper!
I will write more specifically, when I can, about the pedal's reactions to different instruments - and maybe even share some of my own questionable playing - but let me just say that SURF'S UP when it comes to inspiration and fun!
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT IT
- the sound(s)!
- the usability and feel of the controls
- the build quality feels good and heavy duty
- the Tolex is cool; the black plastic sides are cool
- there is A STURDY WINDOW IN THE BACK to see the springs
- it comes with a case, custom-made for the shape of the pedal!
- it comes with a cool silver sticker with the Surfy Industries logo
- the on/off switch is soft-touch. I love this during quiet moments of recording in our small house... not that I usually turn the reverb OFF!
- It's not just for surf... roots reggae, and all of my originals, sound amazing through it, too! (Try it on a P-Bass and see if you agree)
THE ONLY THING I'D CHANGE ABOUT IT
- U.S. customers should probably get a U.S.-style power adapter. The voltage of the provided power supply is OK, just the prongs need converting to the right shape. Full disclosure: I knew this was the case when buying, thanks to good communication from Surfy Industries, so it wasn't a big deal - but there was a day (before the hurricane) when I wanted to try the pedal but couldn't. On that day, gasoline and drinking water were impossible to find, so I wasn't able to go AC adapter shopping. That's my only gripe, if you can call it that, and it was easy/cheap to find a different 12v 1 amp adapter once stores reopened.
Great job, Surfy Industries! I wish you the best success with this product!
Last edited: Sep 15, 2017 15:53:39
It makes me really happy after all the work we have invested (and still do 
say modeled after the coveted Brownface lower gain models. Sure, these already exist in one shape or another, but with Bjorn and Lorenzo's surf sensibilities it sure would be something special. 
