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Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 20:10:10

zak
... I use an overdrive in front of my reverb tank.

Before I raised the pups on my SGV-300 I was using a Boss Blues Driver, set clean, just to drive the springs in my tank harder. Is that your goal or is it tone?

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Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 20:10:20

surferXmatt
Who uses a non-traditional surf guitar rig?

I am wondering what people out there are using to play surf beyond the ideal "surf rig". I am talking guitars, amps, reverb unit and effects. Just interested to see how people get their own surf sound with out following the standard equation.

What are you really getting at? Are you trying to piece together a rig and save money? Are you trying to figure out a super-flexible rig that also nails surf sounds? See the answer to those about 20 other questions that come to mind when I see your question will result in a different answer.

See most Surf guys don't just want to play Surf music. They want to play Surf music through the "right" guitar, into the "right" effects, and through the "right" amps. So "the best" gear is almost always going to have Fender on the label, and it better be the "right" circuit in the amp and tank Kinda like asking an Eskimo what they like chew. The answer is going to be whale blubber... Nothing wrong with whale blubber by the way. If that's what you want to chew, and you take pride in it, by all means score a showman and a vintage tank. I'll be quite impressed. I think the stuff is not only amazing sounding but it's beautiful and historically significant too. The value WILL rise...

But those of us who have played other genres know you can get amazing sounds out of other gear. I've played through some tube preamps that sound amazing for a clean "fender" sound, and with a powerful poweramp you have unlimited head room. And they are alot more versatile. That's the direction I would look in if I were you and I'm interpreting your question correctly. Great preamp, power amp combo. Rack gear lacks the cachet of a classic combo or stack, but that doesn't mean it doesn't sound great.

On the cheap side I, and alot of others here have a Crate Powerblock head. You ride the gain control right and you get a great, loud, clean sound AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A REVERB TANK IN FRONT OF IT. Would I want to play jazz through it with no effects? No. But with a tank in front of it they sound great... Tanks in my opinion cover up a multitude of sins, from sloppy picking to solid state circuitry

Now nobody has, or probably will bring up the evil spirits of modeling technology. It doesn't "suck". It doesn't sound exactly like the real thing, but it doesn't "suck". If heaven to you is chewing whale blubber you have to hate it, but if you are openminded it can be very useful.

Speaking of weird, I played through one of the new Eddie Van Halen amps last week again. The clean channel has some charm to it. Too expensive compared to what you can get the "right" amp for, and I wouldn't even know what to do with the "gain" channel, but the point is if you look around you might be surprised by an amp that doesn't have Fender on the label.

IvanP

badash
Speaking of weird, I played through one of the new Eddie Van Halen amps last week again. The clean channel has some charm to it. the point is if you look around you might be surprised by an amp that doesn't have Fender on the label.

EVH amps are made by Fender.

I'll see your and raise you

maybe you could get a great surf rig without any Fender label on it with this:

image

I remember that I read in a guitar player mag that "pipeline" was recorded with no fender guitars

El Papu & los Fantasticos Reverberantes

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Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 20:10:41

Well, my question is not to piece together a cheap setup. The reason I asked is to see how people got their own unique surf tone. I am mainly trying to see who does not use the typical Fender equipment. Not necessarily the traditional surf tone.

I use Peavey amps and always have - their after sales service is so good in the Uk that coupled with the 3 year guarantee it makes it a no-brainer. Fender, on the other hand, don't seem to give a toss here (I'm still waiting for them to come up with a replacement power transformer for the other tank under my bed - getting on for two years now!)

I use a particular Peavey for surf, a Valveking 100w combo, and for other gigs I use either a Delta Blues Combo or a Classic 30 head through 2x G12H cab. We do occasional Surf numbers in that band too and this rig sounds pretty good for it too.

I do use a Jag (or SGV) and a tank for Surf gigs though - so that part is pretty traditional. The Delta Blues makes a pretty good surf amp for recording or smaller gigs - has that 'edgy' surf sound. Oh, and I'm another Crate Powerblock owner too - they are great for what they are - although I personally miss the compression when not using a tube amp.

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.

I've always been of the opinion that you can play whatever you like as long as the music is good. I think a lot of stuff gets a bad rap because either the band is not very good, or because we can't hear the band and they look like total goons in hawaiian shirts and with some Jay Turser and Crate.

So, good music will out.