Best amp for surf music?

miageorge

Joined: Aug 02, 2024
Posts: 1

Posted on Aug 02 2024 01:47 AM

I have a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue and I like its sound but am looking for the best amp specifically for a total surf music/retro vibe. Ideally has reverb/tremolo built in. Interested in guitar pairing too, have a great partscaster and an Am Standard Strat. mcdtalks.com

Last edited: Aug 02, 2024 23:25:35

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chiba

Joined: Sep 02, 2022
Posts: 514
Central VA
United States

Posted on Aug 02 2024 08:41 AM

Probably better suited for the Gear section.

You'll get a wide variety of opinions. I use a Vox MV50BM live, which is a pedalboard-sized amp. I turn the gain all the way down and plug it into a small 1x12 cabinet. Not a standard choice around here, for sure, but it works great.

For recording, I use a RI '59 Bassman combo (4x10), a Supro Thunderbolt II (1x15), a Tone King Falcon Grande (1x12) and a Koch Twintone head into either a 4x10 or a 2x12 cabinet. Plus sometimes a RI Fender Tube Reverb unit. I don't think anybody around here would consider those "standard" surf amps, but I like them & use them to excellent effect.

—

--
Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available!

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Aug 02 2024 08:52 AM

miageorge wrote:

I have a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue and I like its sound but am looking for the best amp specifically for a total surf music/retro vibe. Ideally has reverb/tremolo built in. Interested in guitar pairing too, have a great partscaster and an Am Standard Strat.

Welcome Miageorge! If you are talking the classic drippy surf sound, I'd forego the amp reverb and get a standalone unit. The more affordable option being the Surfybear company's units. A Princeton is a perfectly good amp unless you're not getting enough volume for what you want to do. And many of us play with a Strat to great success (though I'm a Jazzmaster guy) Get a reverb unit and then see how you like your sound, it's often the missing ingredient in newer surf guitarist's rigs.

—

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

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dannylectro

Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Posts: 368
Orange, CA
United States

Posted on Aug 07 2024 07:07 PM

Brownface Fender Showman Amp.

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TheOutpost

Joined: May 26, 2020
Posts: 257
Highlands Ranch
United States

Posted on Aug 08 2024 09:59 PM

Personally i play a Supro and love it. what do you not like about the Princeton?

—

Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/
https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/
Music
https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/
Merch
https://the-outpost-7.creator-spring.com/

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4446
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Aug 08 2024 10:52 PM

A lot depends upon how you intend to use it. My favorite amp for playing at home is a Winfield Typhoon, which is a 5 watt amp with a front end circuit similar to an early Vox AC-15. Actually, I’ve played several outdoor shows on it as well, mic’d into a PA.

The ‘59 Bassman is a great amp, and a lot more powerful. Set the controls right, and you can hit a nice bright sound, with a lot of texture. A ‘62 Showman is the ultimate, but it’s not really going to his its stride unless you are in a large venue and can let it sing.

Actually, a Princeton is a great amp, and while the preamp circuit changed in ‘62, and again in ‘64, the power section employs a cathodyne phase inverter, which imparts an interesting character to the overall sound. One of my favorite amps employs a circuit very similar to a ‘62 Princeton, and it sounds great for Surf.

To echo Danny’s sentiments, assuming that the ‘65 Princeton RI meets your volume needs, I’d be looking at external reverb, and possibly external tremolo. The Surfy Bear reverb is well reputed, and probably as close to a vintage 6G15 tank as you will get, without paying a vintage price. I personally use a Source Audio True Spring pedal, which does a pretty decent emulation of a Fender tank, and also has three types of tremolo: optical, bias-varying and harmonic. Combined with a tap-tempo pedal, this works well for my needs.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2238
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Aug 09 2024 01:45 AM

There are a lot nice amps for surf, but my favorite for home recording is this one) So yes, a lot depends upon how you use it.

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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elmorto

Joined: Feb 23, 2018
Posts: 101
Oslo
Norway

Posted on Aug 09 2024 03:22 AM

Well, I think you can have great sounds with a lot of different amps. It really comes down to personal preference.

I love Vox Ac15, but my sound isn't very traditional. It has tremolo and reverb as well.

—

Beach Bomb - Black Surf from the cold waters of Norway!
https://beachbombband.bandcamp.com

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weird_oh84

Joined: May 24, 2023
Posts: 172

Posted on Aug 11 2024 07:37 PM

A lot of members here may poopoo it , but I’ve been having amazing success with the Fender Rumble 100 which is an affordable bass amp…..

miageorge wrote:

I have a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue and I like its sound but am looking for the best amp specifically for a total surf music/retro vibe. Ideally has reverb/tremolo built in. Interested in guitar pairing too, have a great partscaster and an Am Standard Strat. mcdtalks.com

Top

dirtysocks

Joined: May 08, 2024
Posts: 2

Posted on Aug 15 2024 03:51 PM

chiba wrote:

Probably better suited for the Gear section.

You'll get a wide variety of opinions. I use a Vox MV50BM live, which is a pedalboard-sized amp. I turn the gain all the way down and plug it into a small 1x12 cabinet. Not a standard choice around here, for sure, but it works great.

For recording, I use a RI '59 Bassman combo (4x10), a Supro Thunderbolt II (1x15), a Tone King Falcon Grande (1x12) and a Koch Twintone head into either a 4x10 or a 2x12 cabinet. Plus sometimes a RI Fender Tube Reverb unit. I don't think anybody around here would consider those "standard" surf amps, but I like them & use them to excellent effect.

I would consider the Bassman with a reverb unit in front of it to be a standard. I imagine that at a certain time the used tweed amps would have been considered "cheap" compared to newer brown panel amps.

In my current band I am running a Tonemaster Twin in the practice room. I am not using the attenuation much if at all and running a surfybear classic. It sounds good to me and my bandmates! In my previous band I used a tonemaster Super Reverb with the same surfybear.

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SamDBL

Joined: Sep 19, 2016
Posts: 244
Tampa
United States

Posted on Aug 15 2024 10:01 PM

I have a slew of 60's and 70's fender amps I cycle through. 'Best'? Depends on what you are going for. I'd say any Fender with a fair amount of headroom. A Twin, Super, Showman, Bassman... would get you the most typical surf sound. Almost more important would be the guitar pickup configuration and the outboard reverb.

—

Guitarist for Black Valley Moon & Down By Law

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miageorge Joined: Aug 02, 2024 Posts: 1	Posted on Aug 02 2024 01:47 AM I have a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue and I like its sound but am looking for the best amp specifically for a total surf music/retro vibe. Ideally has reverb/tremolo built in. Interested in guitar pairing too, have a great partscaster and an Am Standard Strat. mcdtalks.com Last edited: Aug 02, 2024 23:25:35 Top
chiba Joined: Sep 02, 2022 Posts: 514 Central VA	Posted on Aug 02 2024 08:41 AM Probably better suited for the Gear section. You'll get a wide variety of opinions. I use a Vox MV50BM live, which is a pedalboard-sized amp. I turn the gain all the way down and plug it into a small 1x12 cabinet. Not a standard choice around here, for sure, but it works great. For recording, I use a RI '59 Bassman combo (4x10), a Supro Thunderbolt II (1x15), a Tone King Falcon Grande (1x12) and a Koch Twintone head into either a 4x10 or a 2x12 cabinet. Plus sometimes a RI Fender Tube Reverb unit. I don't think anybody around here would consider those "standard" surf amps, but I like them & use them to excellent effect. — -- Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available! Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11053 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Aug 02 2024 08:52 AM miageorge wrote: I have a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue and I like its sound but am looking for the best amp specifically for a total surf music/retro vibe. Ideally has reverb/tremolo built in. Interested in guitar pairing too, have a great partscaster and an Am Standard Strat. Welcome Miageorge! If you are talking the classic drippy surf sound, I'd forego the amp reverb and get a standalone unit. The more affordable option being the Surfybear company's units. A Princeton is a perfectly good amp unless you're not getting enough volume for what you want to do. And many of us play with a Strat to great success (though I'm a Jazzmaster guy) Get a reverb unit and then see how you like your sound, it's often the missing ingredient in newer surf guitarist's rigs. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
dannylectro Joined: Aug 18, 2008 Posts: 368 Orange, CA	Posted on Aug 07 2024 07:07 PM Brownface Fender Showman Amp. Top
TheOutpost Joined: May 26, 2020 Posts: 257 Highlands Ranch	Posted on Aug 08 2024 09:59 PM Personally i play a Supro and love it. what do you not like about the Princeton? — Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/ https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/ Music https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/ Merch https://the-outpost-7.creator-spring.com/ Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4446 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Aug 08 2024 10:52 PM A lot depends upon how you intend to use it. My favorite amp for playing at home is a Winfield Typhoon, which is a 5 watt amp with a front end circuit similar to an early Vox AC-15. Actually, I’ve played several outdoor shows on it as well, mic’d into a PA. The ‘59 Bassman is a great amp, and a lot more powerful. Set the controls right, and you can hit a nice bright sound, with a lot of texture. A ‘62 Showman is the ultimate, but it’s not really going to his its stride unless you are in a large venue and can let it sing. Actually, a Princeton is a great amp, and while the preamp circuit changed in ‘62, and again in ‘64, the power section employs a cathodyne phase inverter, which imparts an interesting character to the overall sound. One of my favorite amps employs a circuit very similar to a ‘62 Princeton, and it sounds great for Surf. To echo Danny’s sentiments, assuming that the ‘65 Princeton RI meets your volume needs, I’d be looking at external reverb, and possibly external tremolo. The Surfy Bear reverb is well reputed, and probably as close to a vintage 6G15 tank as you will get, without paying a vintage price. I personally use a Source Audio True Spring pedal, which does a pretty decent emulation of a Fender tank, and also has three types of tremolo: optical, bias-varying and harmonic. Combined with a tap-tempo pedal, this works well for my needs. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2238 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Aug 09 2024 01:45 AM There are a lot nice amps for surf, but my favorite for home recording is this one) So yes, a lot depends upon how you use it. — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
elmorto Joined: Feb 23, 2018 Posts: 101 Oslo	Posted on Aug 09 2024 03:22 AM Well, I think you can have great sounds with a lot of different amps. It really comes down to personal preference. I love Vox Ac15, but my sound isn't very traditional. It has tremolo and reverb as well. — Beach Bomb - Black Surf from the cold waters of Norway! https://beachbombband.bandcamp.com Top
weird_oh84 Joined: May 24, 2023 Posts: 172	Posted on Aug 11 2024 07:37 PM A lot of members here may poopoo it , but I’ve been having amazing success with the Fender Rumble 100 which is an affordable bass amp….. miageorge wrote: I have a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue and I like its sound but am looking for the best amp specifically for a total surf music/retro vibe. Ideally has reverb/tremolo built in. Interested in guitar pairing too, have a great partscaster and an Am Standard Strat. mcdtalks.com Top
dirtysocks Joined: May 08, 2024 Posts: 2	Posted on Aug 15 2024 03:51 PM chiba wrote: Probably better suited for the Gear section. You'll get a wide variety of opinions. I use a Vox MV50BM live, which is a pedalboard-sized amp. I turn the gain all the way down and plug it into a small 1x12 cabinet. Not a standard choice around here, for sure, but it works great. For recording, I use a RI '59 Bassman combo (4x10), a Supro Thunderbolt II (1x15), a Tone King Falcon Grande (1x12) and a Koch Twintone head into either a 4x10 or a 2x12 cabinet. Plus sometimes a RI Fender Tube Reverb unit. I don't think anybody around here would consider those "standard" surf amps, but I like them & use them to excellent effect. I would consider the Bassman with a reverb unit in front of it to be a standard. I imagine that at a certain time the used tweed amps would have been considered "cheap" compared to newer brown panel amps. In my current band I am running a Tonemaster Twin in the practice room. I am not using the attenuation much if at all and running a surfybear classic. It sounds good to me and my bandmates! In my previous band I used a tonemaster Super Reverb with the same surfybear. Top
SamDBL Joined: Sep 19, 2016 Posts: 244 Tampa	Posted on Aug 15 2024 10:01 PM I have a slew of 60's and 70's fender amps I cycle through. 'Best'? Depends on what you are going for. I'd say any Fender with a fair amount of headroom. A Twin, Super, Showman, Bassman... would get you the most typical surf sound. Almost more important would be the guitar pickup configuration and the outboard reverb. — Guitarist for Black Valley Moon & Down By Law Top

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Best amp for surf music?