Buildable Surf Amp

LinkJr

Joined: Mar 13, 2015
Posts: 30
United Kingdom

Posted on Nov 13 2020 07:03 PM

Hi guys need some help, i don't get to see or hear many of the great American Fender amps over here, so need to ask which of the available amplifier kits are suitable for pairing with outboard reverb for a vintage authentic sounding surf sound?

I know that tweeds arent up to it but theres a few blackface kits around.

And do any of the other brownface amps eg deluxe, bassman sound anything like a showman?

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Reverbenator

Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 261
San Diego, Ca
26 Security Pins

Posted on Nov 13 2020 07:33 PM

Checkout Mojotone Amps. They make all kinds of stuff. You may find something to your liking.

—

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

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LinkJr

Joined: Mar 13, 2015
Posts: 30
United Kingdom

Posted on Nov 14 2020 02:52 AM

Thanks for the advice Reverbenator, already checked them out but which can be made into an authentic sounding surf amp? Seems everyones after great tube amp overdrive these days just muddys up the outboard tank.

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DeathTide

Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1378
New Orleans
United States

Posted on Nov 14 2020 07:35 AM

Methinks you’ll have to go the non-kit way like this fellow:

https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/32657/

Not nearly as quick or convenient, but assuredly far more rewarding!

—

Daniel Deathtide

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cosmonaut

Joined: Apr 02, 2019
Posts: 339

Posted on Nov 14 2020 12:47 PM

I don't have the opportunity to crank a 80-120 watt clean amp anymore, so I built a Fender Princeton 6g2 brownface circuit. It's modified for tube or solid state rectification, and has a beautiful clean tone that pairs very well with my home-built 6g15. I built it to be a clean apartment surf amp, with a touch more headroom.

Kits are always much more expensive than just sourcing your components yourself, but you do get the circuit editor/designers wiring instructions with them.

someone used to offer a vibrolux kit (which i think is also a great surf amp) Haven't found anyone doing a brown bassman 6g6/6g6-b kit yet though. That would be a great choice. A brown 3x10 bandmaster could be a good choice too.

the issue with the showman is none of the reproduction chassis are correct, you'd have either incorrect pot placement, or you'd have to plug holes and drill new ones to fit a showman reproduction faceplate.

If you're fine wiring an amp kit yourself, going the extra few miles and sourcing the parts for exactly what you want to ME is extremely worthwhile. I started building amps for that very reason. So many resources online. The hardest parts surprisingly are getting the correct chassis, someone to punch out the eyelet or turret boards (unless you're wiring point to point), and in some cases with the Brown amplifiers, potentiometers that aren't available anymore.

Last edited: Nov 14, 2020 12:55:11

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Nov 14 2020 06:09 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 14:59:44

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OaklandA

Joined: Nov 01, 2017
Posts: 83
Arizona
United States

Posted on Nov 15 2020 12:16 AM

Allen Amplification has kits of a few Fender type amps. You should have some electronics experience though for these kits.

http://www.allenamps.com/

Last edited: Nov 15, 2020 00:17:52

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LinkJr

Joined: Mar 13, 2015
Posts: 30
United Kingdom

Posted on Nov 15 2020 03:31 AM

Thanks guys, can wire up an amp but im lacking sound experience with the brownface amps tone is it possible to get a passable showman tone out of any of the other more available amps?

@cosmonaut on the brown princeton do you not find the gain mudding up the reverb unit as you turn it up? Or by that time its too loud for home use? Ive seen demos of this amp on youtube and they all get its distorted tone easily.

@tqi thats helpful, have seen the size of a blackface showman head in real life looks small onstage it is massive! Looking for a more house friendly alternative.

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Nov 15 2020 09:24 AM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 14:59:55

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LinkJr

Joined: Mar 13, 2015
Posts: 30
United Kingdom

Posted on Nov 15 2020 01:11 PM

@tqi thanks for the insight, sounds almost exactly what i had in mind but redesign of a classic is beyond my expertise currently, you need to give that creation a name and make a ton ”Tqi 63’ Surfman”?

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Nov 15 2020 02:41 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:00:07

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da-ron

Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
United Kingdom

Posted on Nov 17 2020 04:39 AM

Personally, I would start with something smaller, a Princetown clone - but I guess the cost is mostly in the transformers, so you may as well go big as there's not much cost difference...

My advice would be to source the transformers first, then pick your build. The chassis can be made (make sure you use steel for amps), but you're generally limited in the UK for transformers. They are either unobtainable, very expensive or very, very expensive. A Fender Twin is not a very popular amp in the UK and can be found for around £600 if you're lucky? Whatever you pay, it will never be worth less than you paid, whereas a kit will only ever be worth the price of the parts, and the two are often not far apart.

Not trying to put you off - but check what transformers you can get in the UK first, then decide which amp.

Recommend Ampmaker as well. I bought my caps and passive componests from Farnell, who do really good mail order, also Rapid Electronics. Some power caps available from HotRox. Good Luck!

—

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

Last edited: Nov 17, 2020 04:41:19

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Toneschaser

Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
59 Calendar Pins

Posted on Nov 18 2020 11:56 AM

Stewmac sells high quality black panel Princeton and Deluxe reverb amp kits.
They are a little more expensive than others available but they do have the best customer service and instructions in the field.
Most kit sellers offer very little support if you hit a snag.

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Surfysonic

Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 530
Walkersville, MD
United States

Posted on Nov 18 2020 01:06 PM

I can't recommend Allen amps enough. I bought a second-hand Allen Encore head kit (already built) off of Reverb and paired it with a Tone Ring cab with a 1960s’ 15" JBL D140F speaker. The Encore has a combination of blackface and brownface functionality and tones. It has an onboard reverb unit (blackface-ish) but I can always turn it down to 0 to pair the amp with my '64 Fender Reverb Unit if I want.

David Allen has other models that don't have onboard reverb as well, making a pairing with an outboard reverb unit or pedal ideal.

David is a super nice guy - I reached out to him in the hopes of buying an Allen logo plate for my cab to match up with the Encore head. He was happy to help me out. I really appreciated his help for that.

Good luck!

—

The doofus formerly known as Snorre
Surfysonic on YouTube
World Famous Philistines: 2014 - 2015
K39: 2013 - 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9JADQ4ukw

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LinkJr

Joined: Mar 13, 2015
Posts: 30
United Kingdom

Posted on Nov 18 2020 01:58 PM

Thanks guys recommending places to buy kits, which kit is closest to recreating a vintage authentic surf sound when paired with an outboard tank?

Which buildable kit has got a tone most similar to a brownface showman i suppose is what I'm asking for.

Top

Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Nov 18 2020 04:55 PM

-

Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:00:47

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LinkJr Joined: Mar 13, 2015 Posts: 30	Posted on Nov 13 2020 07:03 PM Hi guys need some help, i don't get to see or hear many of the great American Fender amps over here, so need to ask which of the available amplifier kits are suitable for pairing with outboard reverb for a vintage authentic sounding surf sound? I know that tweeds arent up to it but theres a few blackface kits around. And do any of the other brownface amps eg deluxe, bassman sound anything like a showman? Top
Reverbenator Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 261 San Diego, Ca	Posted on Nov 13 2020 07:33 PM Checkout Mojotone Amps. They make all kinds of stuff. You may find something to your liking. — -Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- Top
LinkJr Joined: Mar 13, 2015 Posts: 30	Posted on Nov 14 2020 02:52 AM Thanks for the advice Reverbenator, already checked them out but which can be made into an authentic sounding surf amp? Seems everyones after great tube amp overdrive these days just muddys up the outboard tank. Top
DeathTide Joined: Apr 13, 2018 Posts: 1378 New Orleans	Posted on Nov 14 2020 07:35 AM Methinks you’ll have to go the non-kit way like this fellow: https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/32657/ Not nearly as quick or convenient, but assuredly far more rewarding! — Daniel Deathtide Top
cosmonaut Joined: Apr 02, 2019 Posts: 339	Posted on Nov 14 2020 12:47 PM I don't have the opportunity to crank a 80-120 watt clean amp anymore, so I built a Fender Princeton 6g2 brownface circuit. It's modified for tube or solid state rectification, and has a beautiful clean tone that pairs very well with my home-built 6g15. I built it to be a clean apartment surf amp, with a touch more headroom. Kits are always much more expensive than just sourcing your components yourself, but you do get the circuit editor/designers wiring instructions with them. someone used to offer a vibrolux kit (which i think is also a great surf amp) Haven't found anyone doing a brown bassman 6g6/6g6-b kit yet though. That would be a great choice. A brown 3x10 bandmaster could be a good choice too. the issue with the showman is none of the reproduction chassis are correct, you'd have either incorrect pot placement, or you'd have to plug holes and drill new ones to fit a showman reproduction faceplate. If you're fine wiring an amp kit yourself, going the extra few miles and sourcing the parts for exactly what you want to ME is extremely worthwhile. I started building amps for that very reason. So many resources online. The hardest parts surprisingly are getting the correct chassis, someone to punch out the eyelet or turret boards (unless you're wiring point to point), and in some cases with the Brown amplifiers, potentiometers that aren't available anymore. Last edited: Nov 14, 2020 12:55:11 Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Nov 14 2020 06:09 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 14:59:44 Top
OaklandA Joined: Nov 01, 2017 Posts: 83 Arizona	Posted on Nov 15 2020 12:16 AM Allen Amplification has kits of a few Fender type amps. You should have some electronics experience though for these kits. http://www.allenamps.com/ Last edited: Nov 15, 2020 00:17:52 Top
LinkJr Joined: Mar 13, 2015 Posts: 30	Posted on Nov 15 2020 03:31 AM Thanks guys, can wire up an amp but im lacking sound experience with the brownface amps tone is it possible to get a passable showman tone out of any of the other more available amps? @cosmonaut on the brown princeton do you not find the gain mudding up the reverb unit as you turn it up? Or by that time its too loud for home use? Ive seen demos of this amp on youtube and they all get its distorted tone easily. @tqi thats helpful, have seen the size of a blackface showman head in real life looks small onstage it is massive! Looking for a more house friendly alternative. Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Nov 15 2020 09:24 AM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 14:59:55 Top
LinkJr Joined: Mar 13, 2015 Posts: 30	Posted on Nov 15 2020 01:11 PM @tqi thanks for the insight, sounds almost exactly what i had in mind but redesign of a classic is beyond my expertise currently, you need to give that creation a name and make a ton ”Tqi 63’ Surfman”? Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Nov 15 2020 02:41 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:00:07 Top
da-ron Joined: Jan 02, 2009 Posts: 1307 The original Plymouth, UK.	Posted on Nov 17 2020 04:39 AM Personally, I would start with something smaller, a Princetown clone - but I guess the cost is mostly in the transformers, so you may as well go big as there's not much cost difference... My advice would be to source the transformers first, then pick your build. The chassis can be made (make sure you use steel for amps), but you're generally limited in the UK for transformers. They are either unobtainable, very expensive or very, very expensive. A Fender Twin is not a very popular amp in the UK and can be found for around £600 if you're lucky? Whatever you pay, it will never be worth less than you paid, whereas a kit will only ever be worth the price of the parts, and the two are often not far apart. Not trying to put you off - but check what transformers you can get in the UK first, then decide which amp. Recommend Ampmaker as well. I bought my caps and passive componests from Farnell, who do really good mail order, also Rapid Electronics. Some power caps available from HotRox. Good Luck! — http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/ Last edited: Nov 17, 2020 04:41:19 Top
Toneschaser Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 462 Ohio!	Posted on Nov 18 2020 11:56 AM Stewmac sells high quality black panel Princeton and Deluxe reverb amp kits. They are a little more expensive than others available but they do have the best customer service and instructions in the field. Most kit sellers offer very little support if you hit a snag. Top
Surfysonic Joined: Oct 17, 2009 Posts: 530 Walkersville, MD	Posted on Nov 18 2020 01:06 PM I can't recommend Allen amps enough. I bought a second-hand Allen Encore head kit (already built) off of Reverb and paired it with a Tone Ring cab with a 1960s’ 15" JBL D140F speaker. The Encore has a combination of blackface and brownface functionality and tones. It has an onboard reverb unit (blackface-ish) but I can always turn it down to 0 to pair the amp with my '64 Fender Reverb Unit if I want. David Allen has other models that don't have onboard reverb as well, making a pairing with an outboard reverb unit or pedal ideal. David is a super nice guy - I reached out to him in the hopes of buying an Allen logo plate for my cab to match up with the Encore head. He was happy to help me out. I really appreciated his help for that. Good luck! — The doofus formerly known as Snorre Surfysonic on YouTube World Famous Philistines: 2014 - 2015 K39: 2013 - 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9JADQ4ukw Top
LinkJr Joined: Mar 13, 2015 Posts: 30	Posted on Nov 18 2020 01:58 PM Thanks guys recommending places to buy kits, which kit is closest to recreating a vintage authentic surf sound when paired with an outboard tank? Which buildable kit has got a tone most similar to a brownface showman i suppose is what I'm asking for. Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Nov 18 2020 04:55 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:00:47 Top

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Buildable Surf Amp