Pedals for surf music?

synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4446
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Oct 19 2023 07:56 AM

Samurai wrote:

How do you like that Saturn VI?

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Oct 19 2023 08:27 AM

-

Last edited: Feb 01, 2024 02:42:48

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2238
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Oct 19 2023 09:31 AM

synchro wrote:

Samurai wrote:

How do you like that Saturn VI?

After a couple of weeks of playing and recording I think this is the surfiest sweetest boost ever) I was a heavy user of One Control Sonic Blue Twanger and EP booster for many years, but now they sit on the shelf.

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2238
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Oct 19 2023 09:38 AM

Tqi wrote:

I'm just shocked that two of these pedals are not Surfy Industries! You almost had a Bjorn/Lorenzo clean-sweep!

Yep, and they have won it in honest tests with really good rivals!

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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SixStringSurfer

Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1401
Memphis, TN
United States

Posted on Oct 19 2023 01:22 PM

IMO, the Blossom Point pedal makes a massive difference in sound/tone. I can't even play a black/silver panel amp without it these days.

—

MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2348
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Oct 19 2023 03:56 PM

Bonedigger, Surf is such a varied, broad genre of music, containing many diverse sub-genres, that there is no way to adequately answer your question without more info. Even within traditional surf, there is the question of heavy reverb, or little to no reverb. Example: the split of Paul Johnson and Eddie Bertrand in the Bel-Airs. How about the largely American use of reverb, versus the echo used by the Shadows, Atlantics, and so many Scandinavian bands? How about the crunchy sound of the Link Wray acolytes? Ironically, the glorious crunch of the brownface Fenders, and the wild sound of the BrownFace's harmonic tremolo (approaching uni-vibe territory) is really pretty far removed from the ultra-clean sound desired by many trad surf enthusiasts. Traveling from there, through the 2nd wave and into modern surf bands, there is legitimate use of almost every effect under the sun at some point or another. At the furthest extreme, Jim Thomas, of the Mermen, currently uses 3 massive pedalboards, including loopers, rack units, and multiple volume pedals, going into an array of largely tweed Fender clones, not the cleanest of Fender's 50's-60's amps. The Surf Kings are comparable to the Mermen, in the use of many effects. The Insect Surfers get out there with phasers and other non-traditional surf effects.

Essentially, it depends on what sounds you're going for. In my opinion, there is no right or wrong effect, as long as used in a creative way that works. Ultimately, it depends on your artistic vision, and what specific sounds take you there. As the others have said, you may need nothing more than what you already have. For more, a good starting point is adding echo (big can of worms: Binson Echorec-style, analog delays, digital delays, Roland Space Echo style, Echoplex style, etc, etc etc.) a boost, and/or Overdrive of some kind (perhaps the Surfy Brownfacer?). I'm not generally wild about modulation effects, but the use of phasers by the Insect Surfers is really something to hear. Eric Penna (Trabants/Insect Surfers) and Jono Jones (Pollo Del Mar/Frankie and the Pool Boys) judicious use of a wah-wah is creative and absolutely appropriate. How about fuzz? do you want to go into spaghetti western soundscapes, Davie Allan biker tunes, and the like?

Anyway, figure out what it is that you want to do, let your ears guide you to what effects take you there. Experiment. Nothing is definitive. This quest could very well be a moving target that changes from time to time. There are no absolutes.

—

Bob

Last edited: Oct 22, 2023 02:07:41

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WoodyJ

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1544
Bethlehem, GA
United States

Posted on Oct 21 2023 03:55 PM

Wow, VERY well said, Bob!

—

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4446
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Oct 21 2023 08:47 PM

Nice thoughts, Mr. Reverb. What we heard in the Surf music of 1962 was, in part, because that’s what was available in 1962. I happen to like reverb and tremolo, so those are the effects I use, along with a Blossom Point as the last stop before the amp. It’s a nice homage to the sound of Surf, as it existed 60 years ago. But there’s nothing wrong with some of the newer effects. Chorus (which is actually vibrato with the dry signal mixed into the wet signal), Flanging and Phase Shifting, all have their place, and can sound good. I remember when Chorus pedals first came out, and I was pretty enthusiastic about them.

As I see it, it comes down to a matter of degrees, overusing effects, even reverb, can detract, but used tastefully, effects can be very, well, effective.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

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

Last edited: Oct 22, 2023 00:14:54

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Skiltrip

Joined: Mar 09, 2014
Posts: 92
New York
United States

Posted on Nov 01 2023 01:00 PM

Been using this lately. The "light overdrive" slot is currently being rotated out (Plumes, Pantheon, and Lightspeed all being considered, but liking the Plumes right now).

—

Guitarist for Northern Tides from Hudson Valley, NY.
Northern Tides on FB

Last edited: Nov 01, 2023 13:14:01

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synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4446 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Oct 19 2023 07:56 AM Samurai wrote: How do you like that Saturn VI? — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Oct 19 2023 08:27 AM - Last edited: Feb 01, 2024 02:42:48 Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2238 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Oct 19 2023 09:31 AM synchro wrote: Samurai wrote: How do you like that Saturn VI? After a couple of weeks of playing and recording I think this is the surfiest sweetest boost ever) I was a heavy user of One Control Sonic Blue Twanger and EP booster for many years, but now they sit on the shelf. — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2238 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Oct 19 2023 09:38 AM Tqi wrote: I'm just shocked that two of these pedals are not Surfy Industries! You almost had a Bjorn/Lorenzo clean-sweep! Yep, and they have won it in honest tests with really good rivals! — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
SixStringSurfer Joined: Sep 23, 2014 Posts: 1401 Memphis, TN	Posted on Oct 19 2023 01:22 PM IMO, the Blossom Point pedal makes a massive difference in sound/tone. I can't even play a black/silver panel amp without it these days. — MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website. Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2348 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Oct 19 2023 03:56 PM Bonedigger, Surf is such a varied, broad genre of music, containing many diverse sub-genres, that there is no way to adequately answer your question without more info. Even within traditional surf, there is the question of heavy reverb, or little to no reverb. Example: the split of Paul Johnson and Eddie Bertrand in the Bel-Airs. How about the largely American use of reverb, versus the echo used by the Shadows, Atlantics, and so many Scandinavian bands? How about the crunchy sound of the Link Wray acolytes? Ironically, the glorious crunch of the brownface Fenders, and the wild sound of the BrownFace's harmonic tremolo (approaching uni-vibe territory) is really pretty far removed from the ultra-clean sound desired by many trad surf enthusiasts. Traveling from there, through the 2nd wave and into modern surf bands, there is legitimate use of almost every effect under the sun at some point or another. At the furthest extreme, Jim Thomas, of the Mermen, currently uses 3 massive pedalboards, including loopers, rack units, and multiple volume pedals, going into an array of largely tweed Fender clones, not the cleanest of Fender's 50's-60's amps. The Surf Kings are comparable to the Mermen, in the use of many effects. The Insect Surfers get out there with phasers and other non-traditional surf effects. Essentially, it depends on what sounds you're going for. In my opinion, there is no right or wrong effect, as long as used in a creative way that works. Ultimately, it depends on your artistic vision, and what specific sounds take you there. As the others have said, you may need nothing more than what you already have. For more, a good starting point is adding echo (big can of worms: Binson Echorec-style, analog delays, digital delays, Roland Space Echo style, Echoplex style, etc, etc etc.) a boost, and/or Overdrive of some kind (perhaps the Surfy Brownfacer?). I'm not generally wild about modulation effects, but the use of phasers by the Insect Surfers is really something to hear. Eric Penna (Trabants/Insect Surfers) and Jono Jones (Pollo Del Mar/Frankie and the Pool Boys) judicious use of a wah-wah is creative and absolutely appropriate. How about fuzz? do you want to go into spaghetti western soundscapes, Davie Allan biker tunes, and the like? Anyway, figure out what it is that you want to do, let your ears guide you to what effects take you there. Experiment. Nothing is definitive. This quest could very well be a moving target that changes from time to time. There are no absolutes. — Bob Last edited: Oct 22, 2023 02:07:41 Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1544 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Oct 21 2023 03:55 PM Wow, VERY well said, Bob! — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005) The Hula Hounds (1996-current) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4446 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Oct 21 2023 08:47 PM Nice thoughts, Mr. Reverb. What we heard in the Surf music of 1962 was, in part, because that’s what was available in 1962. I happen to like reverb and tremolo, so those are the effects I use, along with a Blossom Point as the last stop before the amp. It’s a nice homage to the sound of Surf, as it existed 60 years ago. But there’s nothing wrong with some of the newer effects. Chorus (which is actually vibrato with the dry signal mixed into the wet signal), Flanging and Phase Shifting, all have their place, and can sound good. I remember when Chorus pedals first came out, and I was pretty enthusiastic about them. As I see it, it comes down to a matter of degrees, overusing effects, even reverb, can detract, but used tastefully, effects can be very, well, effective. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Last edited: Oct 22, 2023 00:14:54 Top
Skiltrip Joined: Mar 09, 2014 Posts: 92 New York	Posted on Nov 01 2023 01:00 PM Been using this lately. The "light overdrive" slot is currently being rotated out (Plumes, Pantheon, and Lightspeed all being considered, but liking the Plumes right now). — Guitarist for Northern Tides from Hudson Valley, NY. Northern Tides on FB Last edited: Nov 01, 2023 13:14:01 Top

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Pedals for surf music?