Amp Head for Surf?

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Jay 77

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Hey guys, I'm working on getting an instrumental surf project off the ground and would love to find a 30-40 watt (ballpark) head that would do classics and modern stuff alike. I'd love the sound of a DRRI but I'm not a fan of combos, and if I can spend far less than a grand that would be pretty fantastic too. I was thinking that maybe a Tech 21 Blonde pedal into an EHX Magnum 44 might get me there on the cheap. What do you think? Suggestions?
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

You need reverb. :) The Tech 21 Blonde is really good but has no verb. Look for old Bandmaster Reverb heads, I believe they are 45 watts I believe but a little harder to find then std. Bandmasters which have no verb.
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

Andrew Lamprecht said:
You need reverb. :) The Tech 21 Blonde is really good but has no verb. Look for old Bandmaster Reverb heads, I believe they are 45 watts I believe but a little harder to find then std. Bandmasters which have no verb.
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I'm not concerned with the verb so much, because I can always use a pedal (not that it wouldn't be nice to find a head with verb already built in). I have a Holy Grail right now, and a Boss FRV-1 would also fit the bill if need be.
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

Just get an old Twin and convert it to a head...you'll still be in less than a grand (old Twins are pretty cheep!) and it don't get much more surf than a Twin Reverb!
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

What ever Dick Dale used (I think it was some sort of Fender).
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

Jay 77 said:
Hey guys, I'm working on getting an instrumental surf project off the ground and would love to find a 30-40 watt (ballpark) head that would do classics and modern stuff alike. I'd love the sound of a DRRI but I'm not a fan of combos, and if I can spend far less than a grand that would be pretty fantastic too. I was thinking that maybe a Tech 21 Blonde pedal into an EHX Magnum 44 might get me there on the cheap. What do you think? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

If you are serious about getting a wicked surf sound then there is no substitute for a real spring reverb tank equipped fender amp.
If you can stretch it, perhaps you can pick up a super reverb and get it installed into a head cab (given that you said you dont like combos). That will give you the 40 watt range you mentioned, with the full, fat and warm sound of a real deal PTP fender amp in a head format. Remember tho that most of those famous surf records by dick dale etc were recorded with combos (in his case it was usually a twin reverb). One advantage of combos is the open backed cab which gives a wider spread of sound and less bass end "thump" that closed back cabs give you. If you want to have less headroom then the deluxe reverb is the obvious choice.
There are always alternatives in the the guitar world to replicate famous sounds, from using digital modelling gear, pedals and a myriad of other devices, but if you ever get the chance to use the "real thing" you'll find how rich enjoyable and downright inspiring they are to use.

A tech 21 blonde, ehx magnum and a holy grail?
Well yeah i guess it will work, and please don't think i'm trying to piss on your parade, but if you actually try the real thing you'll hear what i'm talking about.
Sometimes the most obvious solution is the best even if it costs a little more.
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

Definitely a Fender. Bandmaster, Super Reverb, Showman, Twin, Tremolux, Pro or Vibrolux Reverbs. Clean headroom is key, and the reverb and tremolo. Heck, even a Bassman with pedals.

Don't forget some of the 70's and '80s Fenders like the Rivera-era models. Newer Fenders like the Tonemaster and Super Sonic would work.

Of the Mesas, the F-Series and the Lonestar Classic would work well and give excellent versatility.
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I've played Twins before and never got on with them. I loooooooove the sound of a Deluxe Reverb. I'm well aware that nothing will compare to the right thing, but since I'm not working at the moment and the mortgage is my priority I have to consider the low cost options for when it comes time. Once the project makes some money (and I'm working a steady job as well), the DRRI is on the radar. I'll just have to suck it up and get used to combos again.

Again, thanks!
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

Jay 77 said:
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I've played Twins before and never got on with them. I loooooooove the sound of a Deluxe Reverb. I'm well aware that nothing will compare to the right thing, but since I'm not working at the moment and the mortgage is my priority I have to consider the low cost options for when it comes time. Once the project makes some money (and I'm working a steady job as well), the DRRI is on the radar. I'll just have to suck it up and get used to combos again.

Again, thanks!
Click to expand...

Since you're on a budget, if you can find one on Ebay, you should look into a Fender Dyna Touch Princeton 65. They had that great classic Fender clean, especially with single coils, and very touch sensitive. Built in reverb wasn't bad either.
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

The Supersonic series clean channel is based off a Dlx rev......both a 22W and 60W head available....then there's the drive channel which is supposed to be nice too.
 
Re: Amp Head for Surf?

Won't an early silverface Bassman fill the bill, considering the OP is willing to use pedals for reverb?
 
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