SamDBL
Joined: Sep 19, 2016
Posts: 225
Tampa
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Posted on Sep 25 2016 08:04 PM
Two part question:
I currently have a tone I'm happy with using either the reverb from my 76 super or twin reverb amps, or my pro reverb (all its good, tube driven spring reverb)
I am curious how this type of reverb stacks up to the surfy bear unit?
Also, which amp of the three models I mentioned is the most 'stereotypical' surf amp (disregarding the fact that most are blackface)? I would assume the super.
And, I really dig my pro reverb. It's a 1970, and much closer to blackface specs. Has anyone of note (or even, non-note worthy) ever used a pro reverb for surf?
— Guitarist for Black Valley Moon & Down By Law
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Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 12:53 AM
I loved the onboard reverb of my 74 twin, until I got a surfy bear. The difference is huge. Try it.
As for the best amp for surf... I think the consensus is you break your back with the heaviest amp you can get your hands on, and when you turn 50 you trade it all in for a Quilter and some lightweight neodyn speaker. 
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 01:20 AM
The Twin Reverb has the surfiest onboard Reverb among vintage amps but they also made a later boutique style amp with 3-knob Reverb.
But a tank, either a tube of Surfy Bear (sonically identical) before the preamp stage will produce more drip and less trails.
— Squink Out!
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2532
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 05:01 AM
I am currently running a 1970 Twin and 67 Bandmaster in stereo. The Bandmaster gets the Surfy Bear and the Twin is using the onboard but I have the reverb return plugged into the normal channel of the twin so I can control the tone. This mod is very drippy but it does trail a bit and tends to overdrive easier than the other amp. It works way better than the standard reverb setup for drip and surf in general.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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surfing-matze
Joined: Apr 12, 2010
Posts: 99
Germany
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 05:49 AM
I guess it depends on the year, they're made.
a 70 pro might be very close to blackface, yes. I had a 70 TR which was nice sounding and had gr8 onboard reverb. Regarding the super: some like 10"s and prefer to 12" speaker. But that is personell preferences...
a tank will sound different. You'll lose some of the high end and win some other high end (some say, a tank works a little bit like a treble booster). Drip is much easier to get with a tank than with onboard reverb.
All I said is just some observations I made with some amps / tanks and is not necessarily valid for other amps / tanks / ears ;)
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 06:40 AM
Gilette wrote:
As for the best amp for surf... I think the consensus is you break your back with the heaviest amp you can get your hands on, and when you turn 50 you trade it all in for a Quilter and some lightweight neodyn speaker.
 You made my day.
To the topic, all the amps you mention are fine amps in themselves & have great onboard reverb, but are less likely to give you what you're looking for in terms of reverb. An external tank with multiple controls does that. Whether you build a Surfy Bear, or get a RI tank or Gomez... they are apples & oranges if you're looking for a "stereotypical" sound. As example: My Vibrolux has lovely onboard reverb but I use it for some ambience by itself or when using external delay or echo. A tank is a different animal & the difference is apparent when playing through it.
— 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.
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cambeezy
Joined: Jun 26, 2007
Posts: 398
Cleveland, Ohio
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 07:15 AM
Gilette wrote:
... and when you turn 70 you trade it all in for a Quilter and some lightweight neodyn speaker.
fify! 
Now ...
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SamDBL
Joined: Sep 19, 2016
Posts: 225
Tampa
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 09:09 AM
This would be a very useful comparison video, if anyone ever wanted to do one. Outboard reverb units vs. good amp reverb vs. commonly used pedals. I may one day get the outboard unit. But I'm so hesitant because it's such a large chunk of change. And I feel like I'm doing good with my old fender amps. Maybe I just don't know what I'm missing because I haven't heard the options side by side.
— Guitarist for Black Valley Moon & Down By Law
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TomH
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 765
Oberlin, Ohio, USA
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 09:44 AM
My Pro Reverb, with AA165 blackface circuit, has a lot of drip in the reverb. It's a great amp for surf. My reissue Deluxe Reverb also has strong reverb, although not as wet as the Pro Reverb.
For most gigs, I use one of my two outboard Fender reverb units with either amp; however, for some gigs, I don't bother with the outboard and I use the onboard reverb. Depends on the audience or the songs we have in our set list.
I also have a Surfy Bear. It's very wet, but it's different than the Fender reverb units. Not as warm and it can get a bit harsh at higher settings, which the Fender reverb units don't do.
Then, my band mate has a Topanga. The Surfy Bear is much wetter than that, or any other reverb pedal I've heard, and it drips more.
My order order of preference is:
1. Fender reverb unit
2. Fender amp onboard reverb
3. Surfy Bear
4. Reverb pedal
Note that 1-3 have springs. 4 doesn't.
Last edited: Sep 26, 2016 09:46:25
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2532
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 01:05 PM
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Sep 26 2016 10:47 PM
Björn's 2016 build of his Surfy Bear is an improvement over the earlier version. A bandmate with a very discerning ear swore it was sonically identical to his G-spring (Gomez clone of Fender 6B15 unit). The previous build lacked an input gain trimpot and the new version allows adjustment to find the sweet spot avoiding harsh overdrive.
There is no need to spend upwards of $400 if you don't have an intellectual obsession with the Fender.
— Squink Out!
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