Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

[bungalowbill]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

It was kind of a loaded question. I'm looking forward to augmenting my Marshall with a Fender with more headroom, and I'm trying to decide between a Deluxe-sized amp and a Super Reverb- or Vibrolux-sized one.

However, I've been listening to The Dillengers the last couple days. Rick Rosano gets a great sound out of non-traditional gear: Peavey Classic 20s (EL84s I believe) and for tremolo, a Keeley-modded Boss TR-2. Sacrilege! :biglaugh:

There are many paths to the same destination.

My old Blackface Deluxe Reverb was awesome for surf.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

if you want clean cleans that keep up with your marshall you'll need at least a super reverb, again twins are CHEAP right now. It's awesome.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

people seem to be afraid of twins. I say take advantage. They are all time amps!

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

Y'know.. for a long time I've been wanting another amp for "Fender cleans". I've been kinda figuring I'd find myself an earlt silverface Bassman head, for use with a DIY 1-12 cabinet that matches my current combo. My thinking was that 1) a head would be easier to mix-n-match with other stuff, 2) I already have tremolo on my pedalboard and don't need it from the amp, and 3) I'm not much of a revrb guy, and wouldn't miss it.

However, recent listening to some surf stuff and Television's Marquee Moon reminded me that reverb really is part of the whole Fender thang. So if I'm going to augment my little Marshall with something "Fender clean", it should have 'verb. A Super Reverb is probably about perfect (I doubt a Deluxe would be really clena compared to my 18 Watter) but you guys are right - Twin Reverbs are a deal. Once we get our house and legal problems resolved, I think I'm going to look for one.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

nice one....they even come with a volume control!

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

Well, volume controls aren't necesesarily effective, y'know.... On a non-master Marshall for example, there's only so much the volume control can do, if you need to have the amp in its sweet spot.

However, in this case (a clean Fender) then yes, I agree. The volume control would be an effective means of turning a Twin down to Super or even Deluxe levels, as long as I wanted NO dirt from the amp.

I have actually owned a Twin in the past, but it was a long time ago. It was a '72-ish silverface with a master volume but WITHOUT the pull-pot for boost.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

Nope.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

Nope.

hmmm...as of yesterday they are required for me to make surf music! cos my marshall sure wont do it, and i blew up my 6v6 amp!

 

[Baltar]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

When I thing surf music, I think big Fenders, Dick Dale's Showman, for example. Twin Reverbs. Super Reverb at the very least. Of course, I'm talking blond or blackface. When I think surf, I don't think tweed.

any 12" or 15" equipped blackface reverb will do the job.
that specific sound is imo depending on two factors...
- the hollow, but still dry bathroom reverb
- the loosely harmonized power section, which is a vital part of the blackface sound.
tweed amps are responding differently, that's why they don't cover that certain knock, even when using a decent reverb unit.
not quite sure about brown/blonde amps. if unsure at chasing, take a look at the schematics. all those who's pi is groundreferenced by 47 or 100r will do the job

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

could a classic 50 pull it off?

having owned a supertwin, i'd want about 6 6L6s for surf.
wish i still had that amp. i don't miss moving it though

 

[eggman]

Re: Are 6L6s Required for Surf?

Howdy,

To answer the OP's question: No, and tall players aren't required in order to have a winning Basketball team-but it would be alot easier if one did.