Amp Conundrum

synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4558
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Jul 11 2020 09:18 PM

My favorite Surf amp is a Winfield Tremor, which is quite similar to a Brownface Princeton. No onboard reverb, but your Surfy Bear would take care of that. The onboard tremolo is astoundingly good. It’s no a powerhouse, 15 watts or so, but it sounds dynamite.

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The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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Surfadelphia

Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 437

Posted on Jul 12 2020 11:35 AM

BrentD wrote:

That's not a bad idea. A Blues Jr. is a great amp - but my "guy who's bought a lot of equipment" brain says for the same price I'd probably take a DRRI 95 times out of 100.

There are circumstances where a BJr is the better choice, but that will depend on your specific needs.

I had a Blues Jr and they are good amps....sound pretty good and very portable. The only thing I didn't care for was they sound a little "boxey" due to the relatively small cab. If you like the classic "Blackface" sound, you can't go wrong with a Princeton Reverb or a Deluxe Reverb Reissue. The Silverface reissues are a bit cheaper and can break-up a little earlier and feature reverb on both channels. Both the Blackface and Silverface Reissues can typically be found used at very reasonable prices. There also seems to be a lot of love growing for the
new Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb amps. They are not tube but from what I have heard they really nail the Blackface tube tone, weigh next to nothing and have built in attenuators that actually can bring down the volume to home levels w/o killing the tone (and there are no tubes to prematurely burn out).

Last edited: Jul 12, 2020 11:36:00

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SilasFiction

Joined: Jul 07, 2020
Posts: 14

Posted on Jul 12 2020 12:42 PM

What do you guys think about Swart and Tone King? I keep looking at higher and higher end amps at this point since it would be nice to not keep upgrading. The Gremlin looks really cool but I've read some negative reviews as well. I think a fingerjoined cab made out of actual wood seems alot better than the particle board Fender uses these days. Its disappointing that they don't make nice cabs.

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revmike

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3859
North Atlantic
Canada

Posted on Jul 12 2020 12:50 PM

I've played through a Swart on several occasions, and it is a great amp. If you want to get that surf drip reverb effect you will need another reverb source (surfy bear, tank). The reverb on the Swarts I have played don't produce the surf reverb drip. Their reverb (Space) is very big, open and lush. They are amazing amps though.

Rev

—

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on Jul 12 2020 04:23 PM

Rev's right. If you are talking about modern mellow stuff or out there ambient surf, a Swart will work. It doesn't drip like a tank though.

They are really nice sounding amps! But don't keep climbing the price ladder. If you want a Champ, get a Champ.

—

Neptune Trojans

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SilasFiction

Joined: Jul 07, 2020
Posts: 14

Posted on Jul 12 2020 05:50 PM

I have the surfybear so I'm not even worried about onboard reverbs anymore, but will it make a big difference if I got something with a nicer cab? The deluxe verb is still like 1300 on reverb.com and probably too loud to play in our basement apartment. The Gremlin is a 5w that apparently plays as loud as a 15w and its only about 1k. Is the champ better than the deluxe reverb as far as fenders go??

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stratdancer

Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
United States

Posted on Jul 12 2020 05:53 PM

The Quilter Pro Block or any Quilter with a limiter control will produce outstanding surf at low volumes

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The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on Jul 12 2020 06:52 PM

Silas, where are you locate? Nobody in the US should be spending $1,300 on a Deluxe Reverb, but if you're overseas then any of the fancier amps like Swarts will probably have import duties.

—

Neptune Trojans

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SilasFiction

Joined: Jul 07, 2020
Posts: 14

Posted on Jul 12 2020 08:01 PM

I'm in the states, I'n just seeing deluxe reverbs listed at high prices generally

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Redfeather

Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 896
3 Download Pins

Posted on Jul 12 2020 08:11 PM

What about running that Brownfacer pedal through your KB300?

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SilasFiction

Joined: Jul 07, 2020
Posts: 14

Posted on Jul 12 2020 08:25 PM

I also have a custom tremolo pedal and the outboard reverb so I'm not too worried about having those built in, I just want something that sounds great, looks cool l, can play at high and low volumes without much compromise and is made of high quality materials that will last. I did just look and see that there are some cheaper dlx reverbs out there

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on Jul 12 2020 09:02 PM

Oh, yeah - a DRRI is only $1100 new and used can be had as low as $700. And a used Blues Jr. can be had at half that.

—

Neptune Trojans

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MadScientist

Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
United States

Posted on Jul 13 2020 08:38 AM

I'll still stand by my Blues Jr recommendation. I love mine and use it more often than I thought I would. Outboard reverb FOR SURE, as the onboard is pitiful at best.

That said... if you can find a Deluxe Reverb at a similar price, that would become my recommendation. I think they might be the most versatile amps out there. Blackface, reissue, Silverface... all great, and will do what you want.

—

Jamie
SSS Agent #181
Cartoons drenched in reverb!
The Mystery Men?
El Capitan & The Reluctant Sadists

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synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4558 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jul 11 2020 09:18 PM My favorite Surf amp is a Winfield Tremor, which is quite similar to a Brownface Princeton. No onboard reverb, but your Surfy Bear would take care of that. The onboard tremolo is astoundingly good. It’s no a powerhouse, 15 watts or so, but it sounds dynamite. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
Surfadelphia Joined: Sep 04, 2017 Posts: 437	Posted on Jul 12 2020 11:35 AM BrentD wrote: That's not a bad idea. A Blues Jr. is a great amp - but my "guy who's bought a lot of equipment" brain says for the same price I'd probably take a DRRI 95 times out of 100. There are circumstances where a BJr is the better choice, but that will depend on your specific needs. I had a Blues Jr and they are good amps....sound pretty good and very portable. The only thing I didn't care for was they sound a little "boxey" due to the relatively small cab. If you like the classic "Blackface" sound, you can't go wrong with a Princeton Reverb or a Deluxe Reverb Reissue. The Silverface reissues are a bit cheaper and can break-up a little earlier and feature reverb on both channels. Both the Blackface and Silverface Reissues can typically be found used at very reasonable prices. There also seems to be a lot of love growing for the new Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb amps. They are not tube but from what I have heard they really nail the Blackface tube tone, weigh next to nothing and have built in attenuators that actually can bring down the volume to home levels w/o killing the tone (and there are no tubes to prematurely burn out). Last edited: Jul 12, 2020 11:36:00 Top
SilasFiction Joined: Jul 07, 2020 Posts: 14	Posted on Jul 12 2020 12:42 PM What do you guys think about Swart and Tone King? I keep looking at higher and higher end amps at this point since it would be nice to not keep upgrading. The Gremlin looks really cool but I've read some negative reviews as well. I think a fingerjoined cab made out of actual wood seems alot better than the particle board Fender uses these days. Its disappointing that they don't make nice cabs. Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3859 North Atlantic	Posted on Jul 12 2020 12:50 PM I've played through a Swart on several occasions, and it is a great amp. If you want to get that surf drip reverb effect you will need another reverb source (surfy bear, tank). The reverb on the Swarts I have played don't produce the surf reverb drip. Their reverb (Space) is very big, open and lush. They are amazing amps though. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on Jul 12 2020 04:23 PM Rev's right. If you are talking about modern mellow stuff or out there ambient surf, a Swart will work. It doesn't drip like a tank though. They are really nice sounding amps! But don't keep climbing the price ladder. If you want a Champ, get a Champ. — Neptune Trojans Top
SilasFiction Joined: Jul 07, 2020 Posts: 14	Posted on Jul 12 2020 05:50 PM I have the surfybear so I'm not even worried about onboard reverbs anymore, but will it make a big difference if I got something with a nicer cab? The deluxe verb is still like 1300 on reverb.com and probably too loud to play in our basement apartment. The Gremlin is a 5w that apparently plays as loud as a 15w and its only about 1k. Is the champ better than the deluxe reverb as far as fenders go?? Top
stratdancer Joined: Dec 11, 2013 Posts: 2537 Akron, Ohio	Posted on Jul 12 2020 05:53 PM The Quilter Pro Block or any Quilter with a limiter control will produce outstanding surf at low volumes — The Kahuna Kings https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447 https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on Jul 12 2020 06:52 PM Silas, where are you locate? Nobody in the US should be spending $1,300 on a Deluxe Reverb, but if you're overseas then any of the fancier amps like Swarts will probably have import duties. — Neptune Trojans Top
SilasFiction Joined: Jul 07, 2020 Posts: 14	Posted on Jul 12 2020 08:01 PM I'm in the states, I'n just seeing deluxe reverbs listed at high prices generally Top
Redfeather Joined: Jul 30, 2016 Posts: 896	Posted on Jul 12 2020 08:11 PM What about running that Brownfacer pedal through your KB300? Top
SilasFiction Joined: Jul 07, 2020 Posts: 14	Posted on Jul 12 2020 08:25 PM I also have a custom tremolo pedal and the outboard reverb so I'm not too worried about having those built in, I just want something that sounds great, looks cool l, can play at high and low volumes without much compromise and is made of high quality materials that will last. I did just look and see that there are some cheaper dlx reverbs out there Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on Jul 12 2020 09:02 PM Oh, yeah - a DRRI is only $1100 new and used can be had as low as $700. And a used Blues Jr. can be had at half that. — Neptune Trojans Top
MadScientist Joined: Jan 17, 2008 Posts: 2188 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Jul 13 2020 08:38 AM I'll still stand by my Blues Jr recommendation. I love mine and use it more often than I thought I would. Outboard reverb FOR SURE, as the onboard is pitiful at best. That said... if you can find a Deluxe Reverb at a similar price, that would become my recommendation. I think they might be the most versatile amps out there. Blackface, reissue, Silverface... all great, and will do what you want. — Jamie SSS Agent #181 Cartoons drenched in reverb! The Mystery Men? El Capitan & The Reluctant Sadists Top

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