What's everyones favorite surf amp?

SolarIdolater

Joined: Mar 03, 2025
Posts: 11

Posted on Mar 09 2025 11:46 AM

I have a Fender Vibro Champ that sounds amazing. but i rarely use it. Partially because its a loud amp (prolly a tube going bad?) do all tube amps have a hum to them? maybe I just need to learn how to mic it properly. lol

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4570
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Mar 09 2025 02:26 PM

SolarIdolater wrote:

I have a Fender Vibro Champ that sounds amazing. but i rarely use it. Partially because its a loud amp (prolly a tube going bad?) do all tube amps have a hum to them? maybe I just need to learn how to mic it properly. lol

Hum can be bad filter caps or possibly other problems. Tube amps have a lot of heft behind the sound. It isn’t merely the power tubes, but also the inductive reactance of the output transformer. My most used amp is a 5 watt Winfield Typhoon and it’s surprisingly loud for a tube amp I can carry with one finger.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

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WoodyJ

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1549
Bethlehem, GA
United States

Posted on Mar 10 2025 11:06 AM

My home studio's current favorite amp.....

—

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025+

The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

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Sunny_Jake

Joined: Apr 05, 2025
Posts: 91
Yukon
Canada

Posted on Apr 05 2025 11:27 AM

I have a reissue '65 Fender Deluxe Reverb FSR "Blue Flower" edition with a Jensen P10Q speaker. Only 50 were made for North America. It's a great amp and I love it. Ultimately, I'd love a vintage Bandmaster or Showman head/cab with an external Fender Reverb - even if just for the classic look.

—

Landlocked surf rocker and leader of The Surfmasters from The Yukon.
Producer/Artistic Director of the Atlin Arts & Music Festival.
Proud citizen of the Métis Nation and certified citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Visit The Surfmasters on Bandcamp on Bandcamp!
Visit the Atlin Arts & Music Festival on Facebook or at our Official Website

Last edited: Apr 05, 2025 11:27:41

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RobinsonCrusoe

Joined: Aug 08, 2009
Posts: 55
Saarbruecken Germany
1 Calendar Pin

Posted on Apr 05 2025 12:47 PM

My custom Gender Champion 600 for home use.

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RobinsonCrusoe

Joined: Aug 08, 2009
Posts: 55
Saarbruecken Germany
1 Calendar Pin

Posted on Apr 05 2025 12:48 PM

Sorry Fender

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RobinsonCrusoe

Joined: Aug 08, 2009
Posts: 55
Saarbruecken Germany
1 Calendar Pin

Posted on Apr 05 2025 12:54 PM

Surfy Industries Surfyman into diy Lehle P-Split
into Quilter Pro Block 200,Quilter Tone Block
202 into Echolette Et4 Tone Ring with Quilter Steelaire, diy Tone Ring cab with Fender Eminence
Custom 15"...

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raylinds

Joined: Jul 05, 2019
Posts: 154

Posted on Apr 30 2025 01:46 PM

I play a lot of different styles (but surf is my favorite) So I got a Synergy Mogular system with a Fryette LXII amp. The synergy has interchangeable preamp modules with tubes that contain circuits from a variety of popular amps. I just got a T/DLX preamp module, which contains the circuit from a blackface Twin Reverb and another channel with a blackface Deluxe Reverb

The Fryette LX II is a two channel amp with 12AX7 tubes and 4 6L6 power tubes that puts out 50 watts per channel or can be bridged for 100 watts.

With a '63 RI Fender reverb unit in front of this setup and a Blossom Point, it makes a nice surf amp. I am awaiting the delivery of a SurfyMan preamp pedal to take it to the next surfy level.

Last edited: Apr 30, 2025 13:47:56

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spaghettisurfer

Joined: May 26, 2025
Posts: 6

Posted on Jun 06 2025 03:17 PM

Anyone rock a Princeton Reverb Reissue 65 with the 10" speakers? There is one locally for sale at a good price. Wondering if I should grab it.

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4570
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Jun 06 2025 08:35 PM

spaghettisurfer wrote:

Anyone rock a Princeton Reverb Reissue 65 with the 10" speakers? There is one locally for sale at a good price. Wondering if I should grab it.

It’s a great little amp.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

Top

Jojobaplant

Joined: Feb 17, 2020
Posts: 172
Achterhoek
Netherlands

Posted on Jun 07 2025 02:00 AM

^Fender Bandmaster 1968 in combi with Brownfacer, Surfy Bear Blue Metal, Pipeline Tremolo, Gauss Tape Echo. For midnight recording I use a quilter superblock US version, the already mentioned pedals as well as a Stereo Maker from Surfy Industries. I replaced the speakers in the cheap cabinet for Jensen C30 speakers, the same that were used in the Showman I think until 1963.

—

Albums:
_Introducing; Impala '59; De Favorieten Expres! (charity album); An Evening with; Herr Magnatech Bittet Zum Tanz; Europa

17-7-2025: 312 Magnatech Fans Can't Be Wrong (digital) ~september 2025 CD and Vinyl

Down at the Nightclub Records, Constituent Records, Sharawaji Records (formerly)

https://magnatech.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/magnatechmusic
https://www.magnatech-music.com

Last edited: Jun 07, 2025 02:08:18

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nismosurf

Joined: Mar 04, 2013
Posts: 78
United States

Posted on Jun 07 2025 08:00 AM

RobinsonCrusoe wrote:

My custom Gender Champion 600 for home use.

Hold up, I’m gonna need some more info on this thing!

J

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RobinsonCrusoe

Joined: Aug 08, 2009
Posts: 55
Saarbruecken Germany
1 Calendar Pin

Posted on Jun 08 2025 08:41 AM

It's basically a Fender Champ AA764 with
a solid state recifier,Champ 8w output
Tranny,Jensen C8r 8" speaker

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nismosurf

Joined: Mar 04, 2013
Posts: 78
United States

Posted on Jun 08 2025 09:09 PM

RobinsonCrusoe wrote:

It's basically a Fender Champ AA764 with
a solid state recifier,Champ 8w output
Tranny,Jensen C8r 8" speaker

Yes, but it’s clearly had some modifications. If the info is in another thread somewhere, I’d be happy to read it.

J

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SolarIdolater Joined: Mar 03, 2025 Posts: 11	Posted on Mar 09 2025 11:46 AM I have a Fender Vibro Champ that sounds amazing. but i rarely use it. Partially because its a loud amp (prolly a tube going bad?) do all tube amps have a hum to them? maybe I just need to learn how to mic it properly. lol Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4570 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Mar 09 2025 02:26 PM SolarIdolater wrote: I have a Fender Vibro Champ that sounds amazing. but i rarely use it. Partially because its a loud amp (prolly a tube going bad?) do all tube amps have a hum to them? maybe I just need to learn how to mic it properly. lol Hum can be bad filter caps or possibly other problems. Tube amps have a lot of heft behind the sound. It isn’t merely the power tubes, but also the inductive reactance of the output transformer. My most used amp is a 5 watt Winfield Typhoon and it’s surprisingly loud for a tube amp I can carry with one finger. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1549 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Mar 10 2025 11:06 AM My home studio's current favorite amp..... — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025+ The Hula Hounds (1996-2000) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
Sunny_Jake Joined: Apr 05, 2025 Posts: 91 Yukon	Posted on Apr 05 2025 11:27 AM I have a reissue '65 Fender Deluxe Reverb FSR "Blue Flower" edition with a Jensen P10Q speaker. Only 50 were made for North America. It's a great amp and I love it. Ultimately, I'd love a vintage Bandmaster or Showman head/cab with an external Fender Reverb - even if just for the classic look. — Landlocked surf rocker and leader of The Surfmasters from The Yukon. Producer/Artistic Director of the Atlin Arts & Music Festival. Proud citizen of the Métis Nation and certified citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Visit The Surfmasters on Bandcamp on Bandcamp! Visit the Atlin Arts & Music Festival on Facebook or at our Official Website Last edited: Apr 05, 2025 11:27:41 Top
RobinsonCrusoe Joined: Aug 08, 2009 Posts: 55 Saarbruecken Germany	Posted on Apr 05 2025 12:47 PM My custom Gender Champion 600 for home use. Top
RobinsonCrusoe Joined: Aug 08, 2009 Posts: 55 Saarbruecken Germany	Posted on Apr 05 2025 12:48 PM Sorry Fender Top
RobinsonCrusoe Joined: Aug 08, 2009 Posts: 55 Saarbruecken Germany	Posted on Apr 05 2025 12:54 PM Surfy Industries Surfyman into diy Lehle P-Split into Quilter Pro Block 200,Quilter Tone Block 202 into Echolette Et4 Tone Ring with Quilter Steelaire, diy Tone Ring cab with Fender Eminence Custom 15"... Top
raylinds Joined: Jul 05, 2019 Posts: 154	Posted on Apr 30 2025 01:46 PM I play a lot of different styles (but surf is my favorite) So I got a Synergy Mogular system with a Fryette LXII amp. The synergy has interchangeable preamp modules with tubes that contain circuits from a variety of popular amps. I just got a T/DLX preamp module, which contains the circuit from a blackface Twin Reverb and another channel with a blackface Deluxe Reverb The Fryette LX II is a two channel amp with 12AX7 tubes and 4 6L6 power tubes that puts out 50 watts per channel or can be bridged for 100 watts. With a '63 RI Fender reverb unit in front of this setup and a Blossom Point, it makes a nice surf amp. I am awaiting the delivery of a SurfyMan preamp pedal to take it to the next surfy level. Last edited: Apr 30, 2025 13:47:56 Top
spaghettisurfer Joined: May 26, 2025 Posts: 6	Posted on Jun 06 2025 03:17 PM Anyone rock a Princeton Reverb Reissue 65 with the 10" speakers? There is one locally for sale at a good price. Wondering if I should grab it. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4570 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jun 06 2025 08:35 PM spaghettisurfer wrote: Anyone rock a Princeton Reverb Reissue 65 with the 10" speakers? There is one locally for sale at a good price. Wondering if I should grab it. It’s a great little amp. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
Jojobaplant Joined: Feb 17, 2020 Posts: 172 Achterhoek	Posted on Jun 07 2025 02:00 AM ^Fender Bandmaster 1968 in combi with Brownfacer, Surfy Bear Blue Metal, Pipeline Tremolo, Gauss Tape Echo. For midnight recording I use a quilter superblock US version, the already mentioned pedals as well as a Stereo Maker from Surfy Industries. I replaced the speakers in the cheap cabinet for Jensen C30 speakers, the same that were used in the Showman I think until 1963. — Albums: _Introducing; Impala '59; De Favorieten Expres! (charity album); An Evening with; Herr Magnatech Bittet Zum Tanz; Europa 17-7-2025: 312 Magnatech Fans Can't Be Wrong (digital) ~september 2025 CD and Vinyl Down at the Nightclub Records, Constituent Records, Sharawaji Records (formerly) https://magnatech.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/magnatechmusic https://www.magnatech-music.com Last edited: Jun 07, 2025 02:08:18 Top
nismosurf Joined: Mar 04, 2013 Posts: 78	Posted on Jun 07 2025 08:00 AM RobinsonCrusoe wrote: My custom Gender Champion 600 for home use. Hold up, I’m gonna need some more info on this thing! J Top
RobinsonCrusoe Joined: Aug 08, 2009 Posts: 55 Saarbruecken Germany	Posted on Jun 08 2025 08:41 AM It's basically a Fender Champ AA764 with a solid state recifier,Champ 8w output Tranny,Jensen C8r 8" speaker Top
nismosurf Joined: Mar 04, 2013 Posts: 78	Posted on Jun 08 2025 09:09 PM RobinsonCrusoe wrote: It's basically a Fender Champ AA764 with a solid state recifier,Champ 8w output Tranny,Jensen C8r 8" speaker Yes, but it’s clearly had some modifications. If the info is in another thread somewhere, I’d be happy to read it. J Top

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What's everyones favorite surf amp?