I built a Surfy Reverb/trem unit. Mostly, I built both into the same box because I could, but also because I have times where I travel by plane to a gig, and I have to use a backline amp that might not have a tremolo. And, the Surfy unit is smaller and easier to pack than a full sized tank, which doesn't seem that big until you try to stuff it in a suitcase.

Last weekend, we played a gig where the promoter supplied the backline. And the contract stated we had to use it. But, I took my '63 Bandmaster combo, and my surfy box, knowing that if I did really HAVE to use the provided backline amp, I wanted good reverb, but also good trem.

In the end, I used my amp, and the surfy unit, and the trem on both at different times during the show. It worked great.

"You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"

Last edited: Oct 06, 2017 12:48:25

Hi LinkJR
The internal filters are very similar to the filters used in 'vibrato' channel of the Showman amp. But I would NOT go as far as to say that you can replicate the sound

Last edited: Oct 14, 2017 12:39:37

stratdancer wrote:

I experimented with boosting in front and found the EP Boost actually reduced the overall effect of the trem and tried the Super Badass which punched up the effect of the trem. When playing live I don't use the trem all that much but when I do I want it to cut through the band mix and stand out. The right boost very much accomplished that. Whatever Bjorn did in the filtering process of the circuit is very musical. I wouldn't want to be without!

I've found this exact thing. Has to do, I think, with the low-mid bump the EP Boost gives, even if turned down all the way. As good as it is, it is certainly not a completely transparent boost. I actually use it much less now & use (when at room volume) that exact MXR pedal, the SuperBadAss distortion which has phenomenally good tone controls.

I have one of the original assembled Surfy Trem pedals (from the SJSF that Lorenzo sent me) and have not played with anything internally, gain-wise & wouldn't know yet what I'm looking for anyway. With the MXR barely cracked (as to Gain) and the SurfyTrem BrownFace controls both at 9:00 it is a great way to get a good sound in a hurry at room volume - something unneeded if I was able to crack the Vibrolux up to 4 or more, which is lovely also. I definitely think the Surfy Trem lends a color to the sound even at very low intensity levels, and in a good way.

Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel

DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.

i am in the beguin of rehousing my surfy bear and puting the surfy trem with
a question is the surfy trem with the pot at 0 color the sound ? or like an amp no change of sound
i am hesitate to put a switch for activation ?,but it could be more user friendly cause if you use the switch and activate it, the trem will be set up
also as i have the old board for surfy bear ,my new housing will be half of the older but not as small as i want it idealy ,but i will put the power supply in and i can bring in a my bag for cable (one thing less to carry for rehearsal cause i have only 2 hands and it weight more than my quilter head )(and i recycle my old chassis with )
need to do some routing for corner and cut 2 boards for the up and the down

![image](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sg101.user.photos/bCryqsn8RzKmbiVJ01ieEw.JPG

Finally du to time and it beguin to be long and i need for the rehearsal of thursday i have put in my old enclosure ,at first it sound cool ,but i haven't try it really cause i have some debug to do ,du to pan rca bad mounted (nice noise !!!),a power connector old and needed to be change ect
....
the more than bug me is my drillingg one pot came very bad

Last edited: Feb 04, 2018 13:55:05

Thanks Mister Bear
will try at rehearsale to be sure ,but i find the surfy trem added after the reverb change a little the overall sound of the surfy bear ,not in bad way in fact it tames the very hight and warm up the reverb when not engaged
i have try the 2 modes and i have a big preference for the brown ,it is similar to my vibratrem marshall that i use in vibrato mode more than in tremolo mode
i find the black mode is more for rythm when pushed up and it is fun it cut the sound in part
Ludo

Sounds awesome Ludo!

Shielding is no problem if you use a metal chassis.

that power supply showed up the other day. it is significantly smaller than I expected. I'm going to re-house my whole SB setup, so this could take some time.

I got one! I just finished my Surfy bear kit and I have sound, tone, and mix but I don't have dwell. I get a crash when I thump my tank but no been in my amp. I tried flopping the RCA cables and the weird part is I get crash both ways but still no been in the amp. Anyone? I'm at a complete loss and would appreciate any help, thank you much@

Could you post some pictures of the board, pots and connectors?

....and I hate auto text correcting, lol