Take your pick

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Thanks Jeff! I actually bought it for display only because it is so cool but I insulated the inside with cardboard because it sounded so plasticky. after the mini speakers broke in, it sounds really good for a little practice amp. I lay on the couch watching TV and jam!

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Tqi wrote:

IvanP wrote:

I always record with both a Fender and a Vox... in the past couple of years to a '62 Bandmaster and again to AC30. Been trying to keep the volume more under control lately again...

This is how I ended up with my collection of Fender Vaporizers. I had modelling amps, with four modes that I switched between - AC15, AC30, Tweed Bassman and Blackface Twin. I could never decide whether I liked the Fender sound or the Vox sound, so I gave up and bought an amp with a Fender preamp and Vox power amp. Problem solved.

But then, if I didn't live in small terraced city-centre properties all the time, running an AC30 and a Bandmaster in parallel would have worked as a solution as well. Oh to be you. ;)

I played a Vaporizer once and enjoyed it. Fender has made some cool little amps in the last ten years or so. I gave my Excelsior to a nephew, with no regrets, but I wouldn’t mind having another. Wonderful tremolo.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Tqi wrote:

synchro wrote:

I played a Vaporizer once and enjoyed it. Fender has made some cool little amps in the last ten years or so. I gave my Excelsior to a nephew, with no regrets, but I wouldn’t mind having another. Wonderful tremolo.

I won't pretend they don't have flaws, but I do adore them. They're vulnerable to hum and microphonics, all from the reverb. Still great amplifiers, as were all the pawn shop range. A 2W micro amp like the Blackstar HT1, a 15" guitar amp like a Supro, a 9W single-ended amp and a Fender-style 2x10 combo with an AC15 power amp. Weird, weird designs.

And I agree with you on the Excelsior Tremolo. I never quite understood why people wanted to modify them. Problem is, I don't really have much practical use for that amp. I wouldn't mind a Greta though, to sit on top of the red Vaporizer and be a tube overdrive.

I had the same situation with the Excelsior. It was a great amp, but it didn’t really find much use. With a decent reverb pedal, it would be sorta surfish.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Tqi wrote:

synchro wrote:

With a decent reverb pedal, it would be sorta surfish.

It certainly works for the Surfrajettes!

Indeed so.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Surfer_Joe_1961 wrote:

Tqi wrote:

IvanP wrote:

I always record with both a Fender and a Vox... in the past couple of years to a '62 Bandmaster and again to AC30. Been trying to keep the volume more under control lately again...

This is how I ended up with my collection of Fender Vaporizers. I had modelling amps, with four modes that I switched between - AC15, AC30, Tweed Bassman and Blackface Twin. I could never decide whether I liked the Fender sound or the Vox sound, so I gave up and bought an amp with a Fender preamp and Vox power amp. Problem solved.

But then, if I didn't live in small terraced city-centre properties all the time, running an AC30 and a Bandmaster in parallel would have worked as a solution as well. Oh to be you. ;)

Edit: You know what? I've never posted amp porn ...in this thread. So, let's join that party. And here, you can see all six amps I own, along with a messy pile of cables and unused Amp Footswitches.

Nice gear ….but just as the old phone on the wall has now been essentially replaced by I-Phone technology, so will eventually the guitar amp be replace my modeling rack units played through PA speakers. I love the spring reverb in these units better than the Fender Tank etc....many studio players already switched over making recordings etc so it will only be a matter of time before the same system hits the stage.

I have mixed feelings on the matter. I think that technology has accomplished some amazing things. I have DSP based effects that surprise me every time I use them. I recently bought a Digital Delay/Hall Reverb unit that sounds better than I could imagine for a compact pedal. In fact, I have several reverb pedals which emulate Hall, Room, Cathedral, Plate and Spring reverbs and do a credible job of it. There’s no question in my mind that we can create some amazing sounds with modern effects. However, I have yet to hear an amp emulation the response of a tube amp.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

For me a rack and PA is the way to go - Where I live here DJ's work more than any band and most clubs here can't afford a real band with of all that equipment (or room for them). Next level of activity is solo acts - but they usually are acoustic players with a cheesy drum pedal'

The problem is yes a real amp and tank might be better maybe - but the overall sound is not balanced with the rest of the band it doesn't matter anyway. That's why DJ's are taking over. All the 300+ bands that come through here basically sound bad because the mix is horrible - DJ's sound better because its balanced sound through PA systems - I'm going to sound better too. Its all about the songs for me - I don't care how I get there I want it to sound good.

Basically most bands are putting them selves out of business because DJ's rock the place and sound great. Nobody plays Surf here and I live at the beach. So I might end out out of business just because nobody likes instrumentals - but I'm going to try - will let you know how bad it gets

Have to admit that SurfyBear sounds pretty good....I forgot about Surfer Joe as well - might have to change my username lol

Last edited: Jan 18, 2019 17:44:27

This may not be everybody's favorite surf amp but this is mine right now because it does everything. Dual Reverb Quilter Bear on a EV SRO 15 Cab.

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

Tqi wrote:

WoodyJ wrote:

Ok, I'll bite. What is it?

It is a ceramic cookie jar that Fender offered in their accessories page several years ago, either late 1990's or early 2000's IIRC.

I got it because I thought it might be a good backup to the Showman 1x15 bass amp I was using back then.

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)