BennyTheJet
Joined: Dec 22, 2017
Posts: 4
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Posted on Dec 23 2017 10:37 PM
Hello everyone!
I've been following this forum for a longtime now and was inspired to pick up a SB kit. With all the insight and advice on the forum I figured I could get this thing up and running.
Well, it hasn't gone so hot, guys. Not so hot at all.
My soldering skills are serviceable, and the diagram was easy enough to follow (in theory), but I've run into a few problems. First, my reverb tank didn't work. I'm pretty sure the output transducer died in the shipping process. I also think I over-researched - if that's possible - and created some hybrid wiring diagram using other peoples' builds and the diagram on the Surfy website. Needless to say, I'm a bit lost and looking for a little sage-like advice.
If anyone has a few moments, could anyone help me with a few questions?
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Should I get any sound if I'm plugged into the Surfy Bear (and into the amp) if I don't have the SB plugged into my reverb tank? I'm tank-less for a bit and am trying to figure out if that's my only issue.
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My multimeter indicates that I'm getting 12v (positive)from my power supply, but how might I check to see if the PCB is actually getting power when plugged in?
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The big one: I have everything soldered up, but I'm unsure if everything's where it needs to be. I don't want to post a million pics of to the board here, but if there is anyone that wouldn't mind taking a look at some pics of my wiring and giving me some quick advice, I would be forever indebted to them. I can email/PM or whatever is most convenient.
No problem if there are no takers on #3. It might only take a minute or two to look over, but the emotional damage of looking at my work might irreversible!
Thanks everyone & happy holidays!
Ben
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ldk
Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 369
San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Dec 24 2017 12:04 AM
— If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.
Last edited: Mar 18, 2024 17:28:57
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Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
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Posted on Dec 24 2017 02:30 AM
Ben, could you make some detailed pictures of your work? Most of the time it's just a minor issue.
Last edited: Dec 24, 2017 02:31:06
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Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
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Posted on Dec 24 2017 04:36 AM
To answer your questions:
1. Yes, The dry signal should come through.
2. Measure the voltage at the power leads on the board. If you don't want to put 12volts on it yet, set your multimeter to resistance and see if the there's an uninterrupted circuit between the center pin of the connector to the positive lead on the board and do the same from the ring of the connector to the ground lead on the board. Check if your power supply gives a positive at the center and negative at the sleeve.
3. Just drop the the pics in my mailbox and I'll have a look.
Last edited: Dec 24, 2017 12:57:20
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Rustan
Joined: Mar 02, 2010
Posts: 50
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Posted on Dec 27 2017 05:17 AM
Anyone who have done the C10 capacitor modification as described here?
http://www.surfyindustries.com/faq
What values on capacitors should be used?
What is the benefit of this mod?
Grateful if you want to share!
Last edited: Dec 27, 2017 05:18:02
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Mischa
Joined: Aug 29, 2017
Posts: 35
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Posted on Dec 27 2017 05:35 AM
This describes it pretty well: http://schematicheaven.net/mods/reverbunitmod.html
I have a selector switch for stock 220f, 390uf and 490uf in mine. Result is subtle but noticeable. Stock value is a good starting point. It depends on your tank, if it is (too) bright a higher value cap might help to add some low end to the wet signal.
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j_flanders
Joined: Jun 28, 2017
Posts: 162
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Posted on Dec 27 2017 06:30 AM
Mischa wrote:
I have a selector switch for stock 220f, 390uf and 490uf
@Mischa: pF (pico) NOT uF (micro) or F (Farad) as that would a million (1.000.000) times or a trillion (1.000.000.000.000) times too high a value.
Other than that, I did the exact same thing as Mischa, but I found the 390pF change too subtle, so I simply switch between the stock 220pF and the 490pF setting.
Higher than 490pF it gets too boomy sounding.
The C10 mod is also explained here: http://surfybear.weebly.com/blog/switchable-c10-capacitor-mod-for-fet-reverb
However, unless you want to cut low end from the wet signal, which is rarely needed or wanted, you don't have to cut traces as shown in the blogpost linked above. Capacitors in parallel add up, so you can simply add a second cap (valued around 270pF or so) on a toggle switch which adds 270pF additional capacitance in parralel to the stock 220pF to end up with 490pF.
For drippy surf reverb I never use the c10 mod setting, but for general 'hall sounding' spring reverb I always have it on as it sounds much more luscious, denser and fuller, but that's just me playing at home by myself outside of a band mix context.
When you do this mod based on the official Surfy Bear schematic, keep in mind that all the pot lug numberings are reversed (1 is 3 and 3 is 1, middle lug 2 is correct)
Last edited: Dec 27, 2017 06:34:37
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Mischa
Joined: Aug 29, 2017
Posts: 35
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Posted on Dec 27 2017 07:05 AM
Thanks for correcting me J.! Indeed, pf’s not uf’s... 
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ldk
Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 369
San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Dec 28 2017 07:55 PM
I've learned a lot since joining the forum a while back. Being always in search of Better Tone, I was really interested in the Surfy Bear reverb. Well, I got the reverb kit, and since I didn't like my tremolo pedal, I got the SurfyTrem kit, too, with the plan to put them in one box along with a Mod tank.
Making the box was the hardest part. Soldering up the boards was pretty straightforward, but took a while. I managed to short out the cable to the tank, so nothing worked to begin with. After sorting that out, things worked, but were noisy. A 2 amp 12v switching power supply fixed the hum.
Anyway, the sound is much better than with the pedals I used before. I'm really happy with it.
Here are some pics, inside and outside.
— If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.
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montereyjack66
Joined: Jul 23, 2014
Posts: 645
LA -ish
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Posted on Dec 28 2017 09:05 PM
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Delrin96mm
Joined: Dec 29, 2017
Posts: 161
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Posted on Jan 10 2018 01:59 PM
Post deleted by author.
Last edited: Mar 10, 2020 14:38:24
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Chippertheripper
Joined: Mar 11, 2011
Posts: 819
Semass
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Posted on Jan 10 2018 03:55 PM
Aces. It’s easy & you’ll be thrilled with the result.
Just make sure you get the polarity of the power supply and tip correct and everything else is gravy.
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Delrin96mm
Joined: Dec 29, 2017
Posts: 161
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Posted on Jan 11 2018 12:58 PM
Post deleted by author.
Last edited: Mar 10, 2020 14:37:43
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Ariel
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 1556
Israel
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Posted on Jan 11 2018 01:37 PM
Delrin96mm, go for it, you seem to have a methodical mindset and that's what you need. The stuff, you'll learn as you go along.
Don't get the cheapest soldering iron (nor a fancy one), you need one that heats up properly, for quick action.
Practice on some other through-hole boards first.
good luck, the Surfy-Industries things do sound incredible.
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Delrin96mm
Joined: Dec 29, 2017
Posts: 161
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Posted on Jan 11 2018 03:32 PM
Post deleted by author.
Last edited: Mar 10, 2020 14:35:29
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birdistheword
Joined: Nov 12, 2012
Posts: 3
Fort Worth TX
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Posted on Jan 11 2018 09:19 PM
Can anyone tell me what kind of bolts, and gauge of spring, to buy to mount the vertical pan? I can use quite a few things to do the job, but I would like to use the same as what is used in the Fender units.
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ZoukBoy
Joined: May 04, 2008
Posts: 81
Lubbock, Texas
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Posted on Jan 11 2018 09:28 PM
I ordered the kit today. Any suggestions of a cheap and easy to find case to build it in?
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FritzCat
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
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Posted on Jan 11 2018 10:17 PM
I used an old Craftsman toolbox a friend gave me. If I was going to do it again I'd use a wooden box a 3-liter bottle of wine came in, a pan fits just right.
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Chippertheripper
Joined: Mar 11, 2011
Posts: 819
Semass
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Posted on Jan 12 2018 06:28 AM
Tool box, tackle box, make one, the options are pretty limitless.
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SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 443
California
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Posted on Jan 14 2018 04:25 PM
Hi guys!
I'm in the midst of planning/building my first Surfybear reverb + tremolo combination unit. In the past I made several single surfybear reverb units and love them, and i have a pre-built Surfy trem pedal, love it too, but i really want to make a dual unit with both reverb and tremolo, as others here have done so well. I'm still learning the basics of assembling things like this so i apologize for the novice questions.
I've been closely checking out the awesome combination builds of Gilette, Kizzer, and others, but I'm still unsure about some aspects of combining reverb and trem into one unit. I hope the experts here can give me some guidance.
I have the kits, and i think i have all the needed parts so far. I just need some help with how to wire some specific connections.
Specifically regarding: How to get the power of one power source to two boards? Below i have a picture of how i think mine might work: by running the power from the light then to both the boards.
Another question i have is: Where's a good place to include a switch for true bypass if i only want to true bypass the reverb, but wish to keep the tremolo unaffected from the TB?
Not sure if it's possible with this order of reverb then trem. I was thinking then i might need a 3-way switch to be able to change the order of effects, but at that point i'm having a hard time visualizing where the 3-way switch would need to be placed. Maybe i'm in over my head here, but i wanted to see if it's less complicated than what i'm trying to grasp. Thanks in advance for any pondering and guidance.
And as if that's not enough, i'd like to try to do a dual mix pot. I looked at the mix pot mod schematic on the Surfybear FAQ page, but i'm not understanding it. I was hoping someone might draw, or otherwise explain it in layman's terms. Specifically, I don't know where the switch for going between two mix settings would be be put into the sequence.
I know these things have already been covered to a degree in this thread, but i couldn't find clear diagrams of those specific configurations. Maybe i just need to stare at them longer to understand.
This will be my 6th Surfybear build so far, and each one is better than the previous one, thanks only to this site. Surfguitar101 is a serious place to learn. I originally knew nothing about building these kits, i didn't even own a soldering iron! I'm so thankful for this environment of kind folks that have shared their experience. Again, thanks for any help or advice that may come, hopefully others could use this info as well.
Last edited: Jan 14, 2018 17:39:53
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