Hi Bjorn
is it possible with the old circuit to have a way to choose between 2 mix preset ,with a switch for exemple connected to 2 pots ,a simple derivative with a 2dpt position 1; one pot position 2 second pot
for surf thing mix high and for other stuff mix less ?
i study also to exchange my 2pdt switch on off for a 3ptt on bypass off

Cool build Charlie!

I have a question for those who have fiddled around with their build or just reverb units in general. I'm getting closer and closer to the sound I want out of mine (sounds really good on its own terms), but I find I'm really still not getting the pronounced "plink" style drip out of mine that I really want. I'm thinking about what I hear when I listen to old Dick Dale songs or any of the popular revival bands from the 90's. Is it the suspension of the tank that I'm missing? In order to save time, money and size I made a vinyl bag (with a cardboard and foam sandwiched base) to hold my pan. Is it using a horizontal mount tank instead of vertical? Any insight into this from people who've messed with different configurations? Maybe it's just a total different part of my tone/rig and I'm looking in the wrong place for answers? If I could only ever get the reverb sound I'm getting right now, I'd be able to make cool music and be happy, but I'd be even more excited if I could closer to that ever elusive perfect DRIP.

charlie_dont wrote:

Thanks!

My skills with the guitar are underwhelming to say the least. However, did you remove the foam that was around the springs on your tank? I didn't at first and it made a big difference when I did. Also, I notice a good deal more "plink" when I'm palm muting even a little. I'm still experimenting with mine a little. I'm wondering if heavier strings would have an effect as well?

Yeah, I removed the foam block that was in for shipping. I had a MOD tank in there first and it was a bit too dark (well, not dark, but really resonate on low frequencies, kinda "boomy") and had a really long decay. So I bought an Accutronics tank and that improved those issues and it had a bit more drip to it. However, I do know that traditional Fender 6G15 units have the spring mounted vertical tanks. I did more of a Fender combo style thing, I cut up a vinyl cover for an old guitar head I don't have anymore and made it into a vinyl bag, then sandwiched some cardboard and rigid foam (about the same thickness as the cardboard) together with double sided tape. So I have the pan and the base inside the bag and that rests inside the head shell I made (it's pretty much the exact size, so it holds in by friction). I did that to isolate it from shock, which works great. I can place the unit right on top of a loud head and cab, crank up the volume and not get feedback and I can still smack the tank to get a little crash sound If I want (not as extreme sounding as you usually hear though, it dies off pretty quick). So I'm thinking maybe shock absorption of my mounting method is killing some of that high end spring snap that contributes to the drip.

First thing I did was mess with the tone on my amp, the tone control on the Surfy Bear and play around with palm muting on high strings. It's there, but not as pronounced as I hear on most Fender units or even on the Boss FRV-1. I'm totally new to surf rock gear and playing though, I've learned a lot in the last year, but I'm doing everything in isolation (I don't know ANYONE that likes or plays this type of music in person yet) and on a really tight budget. I sold a lot of my big bad doom metal gear (my main music in the last decade) that I haven't used in a while to fund some budget/DIY gear. In a perfect world I'd just buy a bunch of sweet vintage Fender gear and be done with it. I don't like fussing over gear a lot, once I find something I like I set it and forget it pretty much forever.

When I think ultimate drip I imagine something more like the Astronauts; Dick Dale's signature is POWER, more than anything IMHO - roars and screams rather than plinky palm-muting (sure, he masters that too...)
His incredible expressive style, hot Strat with huge strings, massive forearms and a Karate-Surf pose, and Showman(s) set on 7+ with 2xdual tone-ring 15"ers. You can't sound like him, no one can.

When he plays, he's not a guitar man at all, he's Gene Krupa fighting lions.

Corey, you having the Surfy-Bear with an Accutronics Tank, a Fender clone (what speaker/cab, BTW?), I'd say you're pretty close. Everything to be able to make Surf music, for sure.

Your suspension scheme seems fine. Although I'd have done it much simpler, no need for a baggie.

I personally have not found significant difference between the horizontal and vertical Accutronics pans I have.
Why can't you get enough drip with the SB when settings above 555? For me, too much is within quick reach, with ANY pan (including a MOD). Surpasses the FRV-1 easily.
Increase the treble, the volume and hit your strings harder. At least a .012+ set. If you're already on flats, try rounds (though I get perfect drip with Pyramid .013's flats.)

Are you sure there's not something else in the signal chain that robs it of gain or affecting impedance? Cables all right? RCA's shielded? Good pickups? Solder points on SB PCB are small and shiny? Nothing more I can think of...

Last edited: Aug 29, 2016 14:59:36

That sounds like an awesome and fun journey you're having there, Corey.
I am too quite isolated in my quest, but managed to build a 15" tone ring cab with Weber speaker that rumbles the world. Your amp would appreciate something like that for sure.
(Bob from Beaverbottoms was a great source of help.)

Coincidentally, I too have a 2*GT12 cab (Carvin), and also find it... lacking, in terms of punch and depth. 'Spiky' should indeed be the name of the game here.

Corey_Y wrote:

...but I listen to a song like "Nitro" or "Night Rider" and I hear that sproingsproingsproing sound on the high end and I don't quite get it out of my own rig.

Yeah, you wouldn't. for the reasons we both stated above...
Also, when listening, remember that any recording, was being made in a specific acoustic space, with mics and a console and post-processing. In similar conditions, you would theoretically get those illusive characteristics with gear that's close 'enough'. Don't discount mic bleed from the cymbals as an overall contributor to the treble mess.

The Strat has light gauge strings on it (.10's?, not sure right now)

This too

The overdrive if engaged, while it may sound more powerful, actually adds saturation and compression that are the opposing natural forces of drip. Keep your transients! Try to use minimum drive and work the vol. to a sweet spot, or not at all, while trying to sound 'classic'. Most of the distortion you hear in recordings is post amplifier.

You can do a whole lot with your capable rig. Just wanted to make sure your Surfy-Bear behaves as it's supposed to.

Last edited: Aug 29, 2016 15:53:00

bjoish wrote:

ludobag wrote:

Hi Bjorn
is it possible with the old circuit to have a way to choose between 2 mix preset ,with a switch for exemple connected to 2 pots ,a simple derivative with a 2dpt position 1; one pot position 2 second pot
for surf thing mix high and for other stuff mix less ?
i study also to exchange my 2pdt switch on off for a 3ptt on bypass off

Sure, with a 2-pole toggle switch you can switch between two Mixer pots.
The problem is that you probably want a long cable and a footswitch. That can be complicated with that many wires. A long cable may also pickup hum and add capacitance.

i just want to change the on off Switch on the châssis no need of footswitch just put a 3 way instead off, bypass ,on
and for the pot how do you do for the same pot with 2 value cause if i Can avoid to redrill the châssis for it ,is double pot with push pull exist ?it Will bé cool to choose the seting for both and alternate between with the push pull

?

Corey, is the room you play in part of the problem? Acoustics in a space have played with my ears before. I can tell you that the Royal Aces Weber California 15" setup with his Quilter was very good. If I was to make a cab today, that is the speaker I would pick. That's on my own Santa list later.

Corey,
I think drip is also a lot in the right hand technique. You should be getting it from your current gear. Hard to explain the technique beyond palm muting.
I do get the easiest drip with my 62 AVRI JM (as compared to my TVL JM and Squier JM), but really it should be ok with what you have, I would connect the Jag to Surfy Bear, to amp (no other pedals), set on 6-6-6 and experiment with right hand, pick attack, thumb touching right after the pick (for extra drip).

As for speakers, it baffles me why people give up the idea of buying the real thing (JBLs) before even seriously looking for them. I have done most of the purchases on eBay and have never payed more than $150 (ever since I moved to the US, that is). Not sure where are you seeing 15" Webers or Eminence for sale for much less. Most of the time they are more expensive. Sure, if you're out of the US, the JBLs are harder to find, but here they are plentiful.

Good luck!
Ran

The Scimitars

8 Ohm is what you usually need, and I got several original cone JBLs for $125-150. I have a few 4 Ohm JBLs as well, obviosuly most of those are recones. All of those (D series, K series and various equivalents) have AlNiCo magnets.
Webers don't sound like JBLs, but to each his own. Good luck in your quest, as for drip, IMO all you need now is practice (not new gear).
Ran

The Scimitars

Last edited: Aug 29, 2016 20:49:59

Corey, the soundcloud track worked for me. It sounds like you're pretty close. Have you tried running straight from guitar > SB > amp? Maybe the extra pedals are attenuating the signal too much to push the SB?