derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 660
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Posted on Apr 13 2021 08:40 AM
Any one compare both of these? I've owned vintage and reissue Fender Reverb Units so I dig what they do. I've also owned a Surfy Bear Metal but didn't care for it a bit dark and cavernous to me. I'm currently using Oceans 11 and I've had various pedals (true spring, frv1, topanga, etc)
Decided I want real spring again, I'm not a surf player more of a 50's rockabilly/rock n roll player so I'm in the reverb mix/dwell/tone at 4 - 5 type of player. Just not sure I want to pay current reissue prices or lug a reissue reverb unit around however I'm demanding better then a pedal emulation. At this point it's a Surfy Bear Compact or finding a reissue reverb unit for a reasonable price.
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Nitro
Joined: Mar 05, 2021
Posts: 6
Sacramento Area, CA
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Posted on Apr 13 2021 06:51 PM
There are tons of vids/sound clips online (60 cycle hum had a Reverb shootout not long ago that had a ton). There are even a few here on this site.
You can't go wrong with either. Some say the Surfy Metal is better than the Compact. I'd say go for the Metal if you don't mind the size.
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Apr 14 2021 10:46 AM
I have what is effectively the surfy bear classic and a 63 re-issue. The 63 reissue is my preferred reverb, but it is a big unit. It's not especially heavy though, it just takes up more space.
The surfy bear is pretty much similar but slightly smaller. The tube reverb tank is useful for getting an overdriven tube sound if you use a solid state amp, as the unit is all tube.
Sound-wise they are very similar, so other factors determine which you prefer. I prefer the long spring tanks, so the compact wouldn't interest me so much. Either is better than a pedal, in my opinion.
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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spskins
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3791
tn
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Posted on Apr 14 2021 11:08 AM
"I'm not a surf player more of a 50's rockabilly/rock n roll player so I'm in the reverb mix/dwell/tone at 4 - 5 type of player.---"
...then the Compact should be perfect for you by nature of the shorter springs. If you keep the Decay control turned down, it should fit your playing style really well.
— http://www.satanspilgrims.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Satans-Pilgrims/8210228553
https://satanspilgrims.bandcamp.com/
http://www.surfyindustries.com
Last edited: Apr 14, 2021 11:09:25
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MelWaldorf
Joined: Mar 03, 2006
Posts: 648
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Posted on Apr 16 2021 03:44 PM
I've got a vintage Fender Reverb, a modern 6G15 clone, a surfy bear kit, and a surfy compact. The surfy bear kit uses the same 17" pan as the 6G15s, and sounds very similar. The surfy compact is different, but you can dial in a tone in the surf zone should you so desire. You'll hear the difference when you're playing alone, but get into a band situation and they'd be very touch to distinguish.
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dannylectro
Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Posts: 373
Orange, CA
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Posted on Apr 17 2021 04:18 AM
I personally hated the Surfybear Compact. It kept having noise issues so I decided to sell it. I also felt that it colored my tone too much in a negative way when engaged. I prefer the pedals you have versus the Compact. A real tank is the best but mostly for players wanting wetter reverb settings.
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