zunrj5
Joined: Jul 16, 2015
Posts: 246
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 11:41 AM
When I moved to Boise I thought I might be SOL when it came to “music stuff”, especially since I was coming from Nashville. After a while, though, I discovered some really talented people doing great work right here in my back yard; specifically, Chris of Idaho Flyer Musical Instruments. After having some work done on my Gomez Surfer, we started scheming over a couple of new mods to his Stanford Reverb, a suped-up take on the Princeton. I was after something small for recording and for gigs where the Surfer just isn’t viable (I’m looking at you 2nd floor venues with no elevator or load-in parking). This led to the Surfy Stanford.
Aside from the 15” JBL and its hot rodded 23 watts, it has a “Surfy Bear” built into the input 2 side BEFORE the preamp! I’ve now had a few hours of playing time through it and this little guy shines. Going through input 2, this thing really surfs without the need for a tank, which is handy for home, back up, and grab and go type situations. As expected it will need to be mic’d in a full band setting, though at our last rehearsal it did quite well on its own with some of the quieter songs.
Ok... finally to the pics. Keep in mind this is still technically a prototype and is still due to get a couple of tweaks to the cosmetics.
Separate foot-switch inputs for Trem and Reverb (for a Drip Switch, of course). Also, the tone, mix, and dwell controls are hidden on the back.
The Surfy Bear module tucked into the chassis
I still plan to gig with a tank going into input 1, but it’s nice to know I have a legit back up that’s better than any digital pedal I could carry. I’m not affiliated with Idaho Flyer but I wanted to recognize a great builder who’s receptive to crazy ideas and is easy to work with!
Idaho Flyer Musical Instruments
— -John
The Seatopians 2017-
The Seatopians on bandcamp
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Ariel
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 1555
Israel
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 01:10 PM
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gatorfiend
Joined: Aug 08, 2015
Posts: 214
Gainesville, Florida
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 03:31 PM
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2252
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 04:12 PM
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zunrj5
Joined: Jul 16, 2015
Posts: 246
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 08:48 PM
Thanks guys! I’m really looking forward to gigging it at the end of the month!
I forgot to mention the bias trem sounds really great! The speed and intensity both have a nice range to them.
— -John
The Seatopians 2017-
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Surfadelphia
Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 403
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 10:10 PM
That's an inspired idea. The Surfy board tucks in there quite nicely. Who'd of ever thunk that you could get a full blown tank sound into a small combo? Small builders are just a pleasure to work with.
Last edited: Mar 09, 2019 22:12:12
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2532
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 05:40 AM
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Pablomago
Joined: Mar 23, 2017
Posts: 85
Fort Collins, CO/Moonstone Beach, CA
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 02:28 PM
I like that. Ballpark estimate on the price?
— All opinions expressed by this poster are well thought out and based on actual experience and/or scientific experimentation, except for those which are knee-jerk reactions or good sounding fantasies.
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Workweak
Joined: May 28, 2017
Posts: 9
Burlington, VT
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Posted on Mar 11 2019 05:50 AM
That’s awesome! There’s nothing like a good grab and go surf amp. I often wish I had a more compact solution than dragging my amp, cab, Surfy Bear, and pedalboard to gigs.
— Guitarist for Wolfhand and The Donner Beach Party.
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zunrj5
Joined: Jul 16, 2015
Posts: 246
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Posted on Mar 11 2019 08:54 AM
Pablomago wrote:
I like that. Ballpark estimate on the price?
I think it would probably be in the $1700-$1800 range. This one was a bit of a proof of concept and Chris used some parts I already had on hand (JBL & Surfy Bear Kit).
— -John
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1299
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Mar 12 2019 05:17 AM
Great concept. I was thinking of doing something similar to an old champ circuit I have lying around
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4127
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Mar 13 2019 08:54 AM
Very interesting. I love the idea of a small amp with a larger speaker.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4052
Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Mar 13 2019 09:29 AM
As a long time Princeton and Princeton Reverb lover I really dig this build.
The built in Surfy Bear is brilliant!
Cheers,
Jeff
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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zunrj5
Joined: Jul 16, 2015
Posts: 246
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Posted on Mar 18 2019 09:52 AM
Thanks guys! I’m on vacation right now but I’ll be gigging it for the first time this Saturday. I’ll let everyone know how it goes and try to get some video or sound samples up soon.
— -John
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zunrj5
Joined: Jul 16, 2015
Posts: 246
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Posted on Mar 20 2020 10:55 PM
Hey everyone, I just realized I never posted an update on the amp’s performance. So at almost exactly a year later what’s the verdict? Well, in the past twelve months I’ve recorded with it, toured with it, and played it multiple times a week and I’m still extremely happy with the setup.
I do gig with other amps too but this one holds its own very well. On our tour last summer I used it in leu of my Gomez Surfer on one or two occasions and it performed flawlessly. It’s also one of the two guitar amps used on our debut album “Underwater Ally” (shameless plug) from last year. For live and recording I still use an outboard and plug into input 1, but it’s nice to know if the tank dies I have a great sounding backup onboard and ready to go. However, where it has really shined over the last year is as a practice amp at home or for quiet practices with the band. It’s nice to be able to plug in one cable and go!
Here’s a shot of the recording setup. The Stanford on the left and my VVRI on the right...
— -John
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Last edited: Mar 21, 2020 08:39:07
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Surfadelphia
Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 403
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Posted on Mar 22 2020 12:27 PM
Would love to hear some sound clips. With the on board Surfy Bear I would be tempted to leave the outboard tank home....but it's always good to have a back up.
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