The Surfy Bear Fet Reverb

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

The Surfy Bear Fet Reverb

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SandBug Joined: Feb 22, 2016 Posts: 442 California	Posted on Apr 10 2016 02:31 PM Thanks, stratdancer! I had a lot of fun getting into the project. I was totally inspired by this thread, seeing so many super cool variations. Top
bjoish Joined: Jul 06, 2010 Posts: 596 Stockholm	Posted on Apr 10 2016 04:09 PM Looks very nice, SandBug!! Really like that color Did you paint the toolbox? Top
SandBug Joined: Feb 22, 2016 Posts: 442 California	Posted on Apr 10 2016 05:01 PM Thank you, Bjorn! Yes, i used turquoise Rust-oleum spray paint which i found was very close to what i know as Sonic Blue. Top
JObeast Joined: Jul 24, 2012 Posts: 2762 Finknabad, Squinkistan	Posted on Apr 10 2016 07:47 PM Nice looking build! Noticing you put flanged knobs to match your amp's, and that they are the kind with set-screws. I bought brown Fender cupcake knobs also with set-screws and wish I could find lookalikes that are push-on for those split shaft potentiometers the Surfy Bear kit uses, because the set-screw knobs always come loose. What is a good source for appropriate vintage-style knobs in push-on design? SandBug wrote:* Big thanks to Bjorn, Stratdancer and all the trailblazers that shared their experience on this thread. I finally got to hear my Surfy Bear reverb recently, it sounds amazing! WOW!!! I bought the pre-assembled PCB kit a few months ago. I gathered all the components and put together a toolbox enclosure before the board even arrived. I got the kit even though i had never soldered anything before, i felt encouraged by this thread to try to learn then put together the unit. ha But after a few fails on the Velleman beginner LED kits i gave up practicing soldering. I couldn't wait. I just paid a local amp repair specialist to solder everything together. I still plan on learning to solder though. I had never played through any other outboard reverb unit before, only heard recordings of the real fender units, but damn, the Surfy Bear NAILS the sounds that i was looking for. It gives such a springy, splashy, drippy, sweet sound. Reminds me of how The Astronauts and other classic bands sound. A beautiful sound. It's so clear and rich in tone. I can see why tone connoiseurs really love it. Totally natural sounding. Lush and harmonic. I even put the unit in front of my solid state Sunn Beta Lead running into an Ampeg 8X10 and i think the end result is still 100% surfy. The Surfy Bear is beyond cool. I usually use it with my Fender Quad Reverb and it's just perfect for me. I'm extremely pleased with mine. Will be making more in the future and giving them out as gifts to my close friends and family. — Squink Out! Top
SandBug Joined: Feb 22, 2016 Posts: 442 California	Posted on Apr 10 2016 09:15 PM Thanks, JObeast! I went with this look since i couldn't find a nicely petinaed piece. JObeast wrote: "...the set-screw knobs always come loose. What is a good source for appropriate vintage-style knobs in push-on design?" Yes, good point. I don't know. I looked all over but i only saw ones that were taller and smaller than the ones i was looking for. I suppose one could fill in the gap on the pot shaft with an epoxy putty so the shaft doesn't get so deformed from the set-screws. I'll try that. My knobs haven't fallen off, yet. I'll have to do some more hardcore twiddlin'. Last edited: Apr 10, 2016 21:17:15 Top
Corey_Y Joined: Dec 30, 2015 Posts: 162 Poland, Ohio	Posted on Apr 11 2016 11:12 AM Your toolbox build looks great SandBug, cool paintjob! Top
stratdancer Joined: Dec 11, 2013 Posts: 2533 Akron, Ohio	Posted on Apr 11 2016 11:30 AM Hey, is that a small drawer at the bottom of your box? That would be nice to have. A good place to keep picks, smokes, chewing gum for the bass player and "reefers" lol — The Kahuna Kings https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447 https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases Last edited: Apr 11, 2016 13:36:53 Top
SanchoPansen Joined: Jan 04, 2011 Posts: 1588 Berlin L-Berg	Posted on Apr 11 2016 11:32 AM Or an emergency pan — The Hicadoolas Top
SandBug Joined: Feb 22, 2016 Posts: 442 California	Posted on Apr 11 2016 12:44 PM Thank you, Corey . I'm looking forward to seeing yours completed, the wood work looks great! stratdancer, that's a great idea! but no, it doesn't have a drawer, it's the paneling on the tool box. If i was a metal worker then i'd totally do that on my next builds. SanchoPanchen, I agree! I've been strongly considering making my next one with a slightly larger enclosure to fit several pans connected to a rotary switch for maximum pan versatility. I love the brilliantly small design of the PCB, it allows for so many cool housing possibilities. For my brother, I even considered making a "Doctor Who" t.a.r.d.i.s. shaped enclosure that would hold a pan standing up vertically. Just wouldn't have been practical though. Reverb+Doctor who. Why not?... Last edited: Apr 12, 2016 11:51:15 Top
JObeast Joined: Jul 24, 2012 Posts: 2762 Finknabad, Squinkistan	Posted on Apr 11 2016 07:24 PM I typically use the extra space in my Craftsman toolbox for carrying cords, straps, power strip and wallwart-encompassing power supply to practices. I like the idea of alternate pans with a rotary switch but right now my old Gibbs pan sounds fine. — Squink Out! Top
SandBug Joined: Feb 22, 2016 Posts: 442 California	Posted on Apr 11 2016 08:19 PM JObeast wrote: I typically use the extra space in my Craftsman toolbox for carrying cords, straps, power strip and wallwart-encompassing power supply to practices. I like the idea of alternate pans with a rotary switch but right now my old Gibbs pan sounds fine. For sure I want to acquire a good Gibbs pan, but i must say for now i'm very content with this new Korean made accutronics. Top
tikijon Joined: Mar 29, 2016 Posts: 3	Posted on Apr 17 2016 01:41 PM Just got my Surfy Bear board. I chose a TAD pan which which I ordered from Banzai Music because their shipping to US was reasonable. A heads up for California residents that want to order this pan. The abbreviation for California is CA, which internationally is interpreted as Canada. The shipping label said United States of America (in German) but the Germany post office failed to read that and sent the package to Canada. Banzai finally got the package rerouted but anyone from California going this route should ask Banzai to spell out California. Think I will duplicate Sonichris' build using a Harbor Freight tool box and save 20 hours of woodworking and Tolexing. Top
wfoguy Joined: Dec 11, 2011 Posts: 2127	Posted on Apr 17 2016 02:38 PM I finished my last build today. This one is for the music room. I think the vertical pan sounds different than the horizontal in my other one. Is it just the difference in pans? Top
CrazyAces Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4052 Nashville, TN.	Posted on Apr 17 2016 02:52 PM wfoguy, That is an awesome, artistic build! Which pan sounds better to you? Cheers, Jeff — http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic Top
SilverFlash Joined: Jul 14, 2015 Posts: 478 Near Atlanta, GA	Posted on Apr 17 2016 03:07 PM wfoguy, Wow, that is a cool build! — -Tim MyYouTubeChannel My Classic Instrumental Surf Music Timeline SSS Agent #777 Top
Badger Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin	Posted on Apr 17 2016 05:08 PM CrazyAces wrote: wfoguy, That is an awesome, artistic build! +1 Very cool. — Wes SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. Top
eddiekatcher Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2775 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Apr 17 2016 05:27 PM Hey WFO.......wanna do some vintage go kart restoration? Avant Garde reverb unit. I dig the crinkle paint! That has the be most overbuilt reverb unit handle on the planet. I actually am pretty lucky with that. I have a bud close by with a computerized tubing bender. Nice. VERY nice! ed — Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? Top
Badger Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin	Posted on Apr 17 2016 05:44 PM eddiekatcher wrote: That has the be most overbuilt reverb unit handle on the planet. MILSPEC Able to withstand EMP, nuke air-burst and, of course, salt water. — Wes SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. Top
wfoguy Joined: Dec 11, 2011 Posts: 2127	Posted on Apr 17 2016 06:42 PM Thank you for all the very kind comments, guys. Jeff, I just know it sounds different. Not knowing how many freight drivers tossed each one and not having a collection to compare to, I'm at a loss for an answer. Eddie, if you and I were close, I believe we'd do lots of things together. Top
stratdancer Joined: Dec 11, 2013 Posts: 2533 Akron, Ohio	Posted on Apr 18 2016 05:17 AM wfoguy, That is coolest so far! — The Kahuna Kings https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447 https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases Last edited: Apr 18, 2016 05:17:16 Top

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