DRIP DRIP DRIP! Unboxing the Surfy Bear spring reverb + comparing it to a Fender 6g15 outboard unit

In my opinion this is the best alternative to a fender outboard unit for surfy, drippy, springy reverb on the market. Huge thanks to Surfy Industries for sending me one to feature in my ongoing reverb shootout videos.
Check it out here: www.surfyindus...
Or on Reverb: reverb.grsm.io...
*****************************
60CH on Patreon: / 60cyclehumcast
Affiliate links help keep 60 Cycle Hum going, Click and then buy whatever you want and we will get a cut of your purchase:
Buy a Shirt - teespring.com/...
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.ne...
Amazon: amzn.to/2PaUKKO
Reverb: tidd.ly/3XhHcAy
Guitar Center: guitar-center....
Musicians Friend: musicians-frie...
zZounds: www.zzounds.co...
Thomann: thmn.to/thopro...
StewMac: stewmac.sjv.io...
StringJoy (save 10% with code HUM): stringjoy.com/...
Seymour Duncan: seymour-duncan...
Pro Audio Star: proaudiostarco...
Ebay: ebay.to/2UlIN6z
+++++++++++++++++++++
Social Media Stuff:
Facebook: / 60cyclehum
Discord: / discord
Instagram and Twitter @60cyclehum
TikTok: / 60cyclehum
Hire us for Demos and other marketing opportunities
60cyclehumcast...
#60cyclehum #guitar #guitars #shameflute
+++++++++++++++++++++
Social Media Stuff:
Facebook: / 60cyclehum
Discord: / discord
Instagram and Twitter @60cyclehum
TikTok: / 60cyclehum
Hire us for Demos and other marketing opportunities
60cyclehumcast...
#60cyclehum #guitar #guitars #shameflute

[@profile2047]

This is absolutely backwards, but after seeing this and the other “shootout” videos I bought a surfy bear, never having played the guitar before because I have looooved this sound for decades. So I THEN bought a guitar and started playing in the mornings before work, after work and all weekend for the past three years. So this thing got me to play guitar and it changed my life. Stopped drinking and everything to focus on learning.

[@narta11]

I bought a few reverb pedals from your shootouts. Then I bought the surfybear last year and didn’t have to watch anymore of your videos. 😉

[@ravenslaves]

I'm not usually impressed with a lot of gear these days. But I'm geeking out pretty hardcore over this one. Real reverb, spring, plate, large culvert, is always my go to favorite. Digital and Bucket Brigade Chips are a necessary (not so) evil. So this unit hits it on all cylinders. ...plus the name..."Surfy" ...I'm sold.

[@SurfyIndustries]

Thanks for the video, Ryan! Glad you got the foam figured out. 😂 🌊🎸 if someone wants a smaller one, we have our new SurfyBear Compact!

[@60CycleHumcast]

i bet you were pretty nervous when i started playing and it didn't sound right, lol.

[@darrellm3410]

Costs of these units?

[@SurfyIndustries]

@@darrellm3410 You can check on our web site www.surfyindustries.com

[@JordanBMR]

Darrell M 539.99

[@darrellm3410]

Wow. I seen 350.00 on reverb

[@monkeyplusplus]

I recently had the pleasure of trying out all their stuff at a stomp box expo in Portland. The folks were super nice, and their products are really fun to play through. Cool to see them get exposure!

[@thecaveofthedead]

I doubt anyone could tell the difference in a blind test. And then the ease of carry and robustness. This should be the new gold-standard for surf guitar players.

[@cgavin1]

These are great. A few things I feel worth mentioning (negatives sadly). #1 The metal pan doesn't have any kind of lacquer finish on it and so it scratches very easily. The matte black is not powder coat, just black paint and so was covered in marks after a few hrs use which peed me off to be honest. Cheapness like this I cannot abide! #2 The Mix and Dwell knobs basically provide two settings (dry or wet) and nothing below 3 on the dial at all. I measured my pots with a multi meter and compared them to the schematic and found they were within 10% tolerance. Some googling reveals this has been a bug bear on all outboard reverb units forever. I wish they had fixed it though. I also find the use of cheap asian mini pots distasteful for the money. I wish they had used full size pots with custom tapers. #3 They didn't put the internal gain trimmer on an actual pot OR make the trim adjustable easily from the outside. In fact they did the worst of all scenarios and put the trim pot on the inside face of the board so you have to literally disassemble the entire thing to adjust it. That sucks. They spent money on totally useless to most people jacks for external footswitches and 2nd mixer pedals etc but didn't spend another 15 cents on a mixer mini pot. Frustrating if I want to use lower/higher output pickups or put boosts or high gain pedals in front but still get a full rich mix and dwell straight in with a 5k strat. #4 The use of a center positive 12v external power supply. That just makes it a nuisance to the majority of people who will be using a switching pedal power unit of some kind. It also introduces unnecessary expense in the form of the adapter and the packaging etc which could have been spent on better features and functionality. Overall I like the sound (the most important thing) and I find it works well enough but the cheapness of the finish on the case (especially) really leaves me cold.

[@JoshBattershell]

I got my surfybear metal a few moths ago and absolutely love it. I also have the surfy trem and love the harmonic trem setting on it as well. Use both into my 68 reissue twin and couldn’t be happier.

[@KipCount]

Been thinking lately about flipping my Topanga and getting a SurfyBear Metal. This may be the video to push me over the edge. Thanks for doing this one! It came along at the perfect time for me.

[@staccami]

Hi, just curious if you did replace Topanga by the Surfybear? If so, are you happy? I am in the same situation, need to be pushed over the edge...

[@KipCount]

I did and I am thrilled with the decision. I don’t miss the Topanga at all. Still loving the SurfyBear Metal as much as the day I got it! Just no comparison.

[@joshmccool5705]

A better test would have been to put each in a true bypass circuit. Even in bypass the Fender unit still has preamp/buffer circuitry in the path which changes your base guitar tone. You basically have both units' preamp sounds stacked when the Fender is bypassed and the Surfybear is on, which is most likely effecting the Surfybear's sound in this shootout.

[@andrewtesta3850]

I’ve wanted one ever since they came out and after watching this video on repeat for an entire year I finally pulled the trigger and It’s better than I could’ve imagined. Thanks Ryan!

[@DavidHBurkart]

The Surfaris would have loved this Reverb... as do I, but definitely more than I care to spend for a Reverb. First rate Drip though!

[@JEmilioJNava]

they can still do ... the band is active

[@DavidHBurkart]

@@JEmilioJNava that is awesome!

[@PhilLament]

6! 6 6! The reverb of the beast!

[@emilienbialecki448]

"there it is" YES EXACTLY

[@derekirving]

personally I like the Fender RI better, there's more air and lightness to the springs. (I've had both)

[@pb12661]

yeah but they don't make them any longer and used ones are way over priced. And, historically, they are prone to break downs and they're big and bulky. So, for the price, reliability, and convenience these pedals are a no brainer. IMO

[@elliotvernon7971]

I have one of these - it has replaced all my other reverbs.

[@darrellm3410]

How much it cost

[@JordanBMR]

Darrell M 539.99

[@darrellm3410]

It's nice. Definitely sounds great.

[@elliotvernon7971]

I’m in England - it cost me £275, same price as a Strymon Flint over here.

[@DavidHBurkart]

You can find them on Reverb (no pun intended) for about $350 lightly used. Going to keep scanning the used market. If I can find one for about $225, I will pull the trigger

[@leightnite3056]

I think this ones a no brainer! You can feasibly gig the bear, and to me, sounded so WET!

[@justleavemealone]

You didn't stack them? Disappointment... 😪

[@samuel.langhorne.clemens]

Finally found a vid that compares surfy to a tube driven tank! Great comparison, and I enjoy your personality and presentation style!

[@joeykelly5642]

I think you found the one, Ryan. Search over.

[@skepticalbystander]

God I want one of these! Verb is my faves

[@bitchboysi]

7 7 7 is always the ultimate combination...

[@oscaralvarez714]

That sounds AMAZING

[@notplaying2379]

I shall and must have one!

[@edcollins9377]

As for you young man, your best sound was when you were demoing that Caline DCP-09 Tiger Shark Pedal. That Fuzz was you and I hope you put it on your #1 Affordaboard!!!!!

[@Robert-xn3jb]

I got one of the last DIY kits and it is freaking awesome. You need this.

[@dakistle]

Thank you for this. I think my wife is finally partially okay with buying one.

[@machiela]

bought the kit a few months ago and drowned. i'm a ghost.

[@stephenksiazek812]

👍👻

[@TM1861]

I love my Surfybear unit! Enjoyed your comparative video!

[@davelewis4215]

Ryan, I’ve eventually got the Limited Blue edition Metal version from GAK. Should of bought one ages ago.Absolutely love it 👌👍

[@GunsNRoosendael]

YES!

[@triplesevensix291]

777...Weird. Do you even have a beach near you to go surfing? Did you ever see those old Fender ads for the Jazzmaster & reverb tanks where you see the guy surfing on his board while playing his guitar? The tagline was you wont want to leave yours behind either. So cool. Cheers Ry. Stay safe with all this virus panic too. Have a sound weekend man.

[@60CycleHumcast]

TRIPLESEVENSIX yes I surf, I even shape my own surfboards.

[@triplesevensix291]

Cheers man. Surfs up. I have a friend out in California & she always puts that in the letter/parcel when she writes me. Stay safe with all this virus stuff. God bless.

[@djay6651]

That thing has some serious drip.

[@SurfThrashGuitar]

bought one, because of this video

[@szabolcsmezei4088]

This shirt is on point, the best I've seen you sport. The reverb is whipping AF too!

[@waynehughes2793]

I’m sold. My headphones thought the surfybear was at least equal if not better than the Fender for way less money.

[@Sam-tj4ci]

Probably the best drip I’ve ever heard in a spring reverb pedal. I’ve seen you do a bunch of spring reverb pedal demos so I wanna ask- is there a specific personal reason why Fender style spring reverbs and the drip sound is so appealing to you? Or is it just the fact you like it and it’s no deeper than that?

[@60CycleHumcast]

its the classic sound for a very specific genre and for years the fender unit was the only way to get it. I get excited whenever there is a new option on the market.

[@MonoLake02]

Travel Plaza , well he does have a Hawaiian shirt on...

[@DavidHBurkart]

@@MonoLake02 ...and he is in a surf rock band

[@spottedsaint957]

@@60CycleHumcast does this unit include a towel along with the rest of the "swag"? I'm a big fan of your videos. You put out a lot of content that other channels don't or won't. Great job!

[@jmdean_]

Listen to the man play -- what's not to love?? Isn't that pretty much why we all chase the guitar tone we hear in our heads -- 'cause we simply like it? Were you looking for a philosophical explanation for spring verb lol?

[@livefromadive6751]

Stomping pedals stuck to the Surfybear may cause spring splash. That maybe be a problem for some people and not others. You could build a board that goes over the blank space of the Surfy bear without touching it

[@60CycleHumcast]

Live From A Dive it’s not very sensitive, you have to give it a good shake to get a crash.

[@livefromadive6751]

@@60CycleHumcast then velcro on the logo it is.

[@peteroosterwijk7024]

I got mine today and what a cool thing. what a sound. better than my tc electronic oceans 11. the drip that I want.

[@60CycleHumcast]

its the exact drip you want for surf guitar

[@peteroosterwijk7024]

@@60CycleHumcast jep, the best way👍👌👍

[@WarrenBey]

Skip to 4:00 to actually hear it. Miserlou 7:14

[@shawnadams1693]

Awesome vid, thanks Ryan!!

[@peterbright8125]

My surfybear arrived today...WOW!

[@60CycleHumcast]

Congrats!

[@mcadder]

Are you using it before the amp or in the effect loop?

[@johanjulin9566]

Tack!

[@timwhitlock3500]

Really wanted to get the Surfybear but it was too much of a stretch. Now I'm a little sad when I hear my Oceans 11 but it will have to do. 😪

[@samwisegrangee]

“Boba Fets” 😂

[@jazdosanjh1566]

I came here to see why mine sounded terrible. Foam! Lol

[@briandowling8372]

My amp has a spring reverb (Vox AC15) but I still want this... is that bad?

[@Sam-tj4ci]

Brian Dowling definitely not. The AC15 spring sounds nice but imo (and many others agree) nothing can replace that luscious Fender spring reverb. There’s no other sound like it and the drip is just added character

[@60CycleHumcast]

no, its a different kind of reverb.

[@briandowling8372]

@@60CycleHumcast Yeah I get that... i guess there's no such thing as too much reverbs, right? looking at the compact one now

[@SurfyIndustries]

Once you hear outboard reverb, you can't unhear it and ya want more!

[@jamesskaggs7691]

Actually, the Fender sounds warmer to me! 🥴 Also, if you mount pedals on the Surfy Bear, you’re going to crash the springs every time you stomp a pedal on or off! 🤔

[@60CycleHumcast]

James Skaggs it’s not that sensitive, you gotta shake it pretty good to get a crash

[@SurfyIndustries]

You are correct with this unit about the warmth of the sound. Consider the SurfyBear Metal is true bypass (the reason of the volume knob) and this makes it a little bit brighter. The exact replica of the Fender 6G15 sound is the SurfyBear Classic. Please check on our web site. Remember also that these are analog units, the reverb pan and its quality can affect the sound dramatically. This is an Accutronics pan by default.

[@TheNocturnalEvil]

Hmm, instead of replacing the tubes with FETs what if you replace them the with sub-miniature tubes? Has anyone tried doing so?

[@edcollins9377]

I prefer the ICE PICK SETTING on my reverb pedal!

[@zazoomatt]

SWEET ! Hows YOUR Hearing..............Geezzzzzzzzzzzz Fantastic.

[@MrKatzzz]

The longest minute of my life 😭

[@montag4516]

That's exactly what my wife said immediately after consummation on our wedding night.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Surf city, baby! Now........work on some actual surf numbers, Moon Doggie!! 🌊 🌊🏄🌊🌊

[@Mournblade7]

Could you compare the production unit to your kit, Ryan? I'd like to hear the differences there

[@MOSLATOV]

Playing the classic and metal at NAMM; did you notice any diff? Is the classic brighter? Thanks!

[@fuckgoogle8661]

Do you like this better or do you prefer that tool box kit you got from them better?

[@miguelalegria3614]

This really is a pretty neat pedal board.

[@televisionpilot3551]

Awesome video brother

[@darrellm3410]

My ears think the surfy bear sounds better

[@nicksomma]

your wallet does too

[@Enniob]

Sounds amazing definitely getting one

[@zakpolakov]

You already sold me one of this!

[@N0Camping4U]

do a drip shoot out between a jazzmaster and jaguar with the same reverb settings

[@60CycleHumcast]

ok, ill do it

[@stephenksiazek812]

GREEEEEEEEETINGS! Oops, me bad. Wrong channel.

[@60CycleHumcast]

Stephen Ksiazek suddenly I feel the overwhelming urge to apologize for something.

[@stephenksiazek812]

@@60CycleHumcast I was just having some fun, I'm the one to apologize. 👍😓

[@60CycleHumcast]

Stephen Ksiazek lol, I’m making a joke about Chapman doing those apology videos awhile back.

[@blindgravy13]

Put it on your Big Pedal Pedalboard

[@bioklastik1062]

I've just recently purchase one of these, but I am thinking about taking it back. I can't get it to do the drip unless I turn the tone way up. When I do that though, it is way to bright and tinny sounding. I'll work with it just a bit more before I decide..

[@davidaustin6423]

What is that green guitar over your right shoulder?

[@The2ndProtectsTheRest]

Ryan, have you messed with the SurfyBear Compact at all? I’m tied between the metal and compact but don’t know if they sound the same or not. What say you?

[@darrellm3410]

Two questions... are you going to do comparisons to the lunch box surf bear unit and fender RI? 2nd question... how much it cost

[@60CycleHumcast]

ive featured the toolbox one in video in the past, it has a mod tank in it right now which sounds different than the accutronics tank you would find in a fender so im not going to do anything with it at the moment.

[@ssabdica3471]

The 6G15 still sounds so much better to my ears. Maybe you could run an eq pedal before or after the Surfybear to match the brightness?

[@stuartpowell255]

Yes!!!!!

[@BarbesDub]

yeahhh , after watching your videos :) i just command it !! : it's time to dub with surfybear metal reverb dbl :) before i was using as a spring effect : holy grail , Mam vsr3 ( germany ) , UK spring reverb Accessit from 80's but not killer

[@kashesan]

How fun is that!

[@topopops]

Dan electro spring king is really good for the price

[@Arikashirukashi]

i think the Surfybear is drippier than Fender. But Fender is clearer than Surfy...

[@mastabad2]

Hey Ryan-would this pair well with a 68 PRRI? What are you playing this into?

[@SunofShasta]

Will this sound good through an Orange?

[@SwirlyWhirlyXYZ]

666: The Number Of The Aqua-Beast

[@wishinghand]

If I wanted to learn surf rock idioms, what resource would you suggest?

[@garrettcopeland2516]

What I need to know is where can I get that shirt!

[@60CycleHumcast]

i bought it in hawaii, so go to hawaii

[@darrellm3410]

Does it CHUG.... lol

[@christopherrusch]

please post the video of you put this on your pedalboard

[@christopherrusch]

putting*

[@60CycleHumcast]

Oh I will

[@Shtave]

Hey Ryan, what pickups are in that guitar?

[@DemiAndHisSyndromes]

Hello! Could you please tell what strings gauge and pick do you use? I found it hard to do a fast surfy tremolo picking with a thin pick and thin strings...

[@60CycleHumcast]

I usually use 11s and heavy picks

[@DemiAndHisSyndromes]

@@60CycleHumcast thank you very much!!

[@danielvidal962]

They are shipping international? Southamerica?

[@wednesdaystore4774]

could you really use it as a pedal board??? like could you blur song 2 pedal stomp it without it going mental??

[@samuelstacey2309]

Hahaha love the reference, I’ve always loved that part of the Song 2 clip where he stomps the shit out of that RAT distortion pedal as the chorus breaks and just after he has stomped on it there is just this billow of smoke that rushes over the ground/pedal. Looks SO SICK! Sorry I know it’s off topic. Pedal sounds amazing, still think the metal enclosure makes it sound slightly more tinny and harsh compared to the fender but believe the difference in enclosure could most probably cause the slight difference. I will be looking for a surfybear classic for that reason. They all sound great though, I’m honestly blown away.

[@N0Camping4U]

what's the verdict? What's the most / best drippiest of every pedal + surfy bear?

[@60CycleHumcast]

surfy bear is the best 'pedal' imo, but if you compare pedals that simulate a spring instead of having a spring, I still put the oceans 11, true spring and f-stop at the top as my favorites.

[@tildenkatz9454]

@@60CycleHumcast what about the Audio Source True Spring? I feel you were unfair to it (just bought myself a Surfybear tho😂) cheers man

[@60CycleHumcast]

@@tildenkatz9454 how was I unfair to it?

[@tildenkatz9454]

@@60CycleHumcast its hard to tell from videos but i think it had the closest drip to an actual spring unit, I was almost sold but still wanted the real thing

[@60CycleHumcast]

@@tildenkatz9454 it’s pretty great. Currently in my top 3 for digital drip

[@greenvelvet]

What is that pedal, after that tank?

[@Komissar13]

More importantly, where’s the shirt from?

[@60CycleHumcast]

Komissar13 I bought it in hawaii

[@Komissar13]

60 Cycle Hum I’d love to know what the tag says ! That’s awesome!

[@60CycleHumcast]

Komissar13 I’ll check it in a bit and let you know

[@dclipper8052]

Modern springs have way too much decay length.

[@nathandouglasmusic]

Im sold...anybody know how it sounds in the fx loop?

[@diondost7041]

I'm almost certain I want this reverb unit, only thing I can't find out anywhere is if you can "crash" it by stomping your foot on it, like kicking an original fender tank. Does anyone know?

[@60CycleHumcast]

you would have to kick it pretty hard. but if you balanced on something that let you jolt it back and forth it would crash.

[@diondost7041]

@@60CycleHumcast Good to know! Thanks :)

[@mcadder]

Are you using it before the amp or in the effect loop?

[@60CycleHumcast]

Always before.

[@mcadder]

@@60CycleHumcast Thank you for your swift reply! I got a litte starstruck since I've recently found your channel and have watch it every day now for a couple of weeks. Its so good! Greetz from Sweden!! ...also I must ask, are you really using it infront even on heavy distorion?

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

Oh look a pedal board that has an effect my amp has.

[@nichtimmer9134]

Dude! it give not to much reverb rb rb rb b b . . . .. .. .. ....... No! It must be as long as the song, ...my songs go longer than 10 minutes 😂😂😂 ...no joke, reverb cannot be to long, thats a lie from music industrie ;) ...i love to use plate reverb! 5secounds of pure deep reverb! Do out the guitar signal and only use the reverb channal!!! YEAH!!! Im in love with it, would i have a girlfriend, im sure she would stolen my reverb and hide it becouse i have only eyes for reverb XD

[@samwisegrangee]

Maybe I’m just bitter for finding about them late, but I can’t pay $450 for something I could’ve gotten last year as a DIY from them last year for less than $100. (Especially when their site still has it featured but not listed in their store.)

[@60CycleHumcast]

Samuel Granger the one I’m using is $350, the compact is $350 too.

[@samwisegrangee]

60 Cycle Hum that helps soften the blow!

[@samwisegrangee]

60 Cycle Hum that helps soften the blow a little! Now they just need to offer a discount with the promo code 60CYCLEDRIP 😂

[@quadroph0eniX]

@@samwisegrangee :D bout the DIY it's worth noting it's just the electronics so, comes/came without the spring itself - and the case.

[@kolchak357]

I prefer the Fender sound. But maybe because it is what I’m used to hearing. 🤔

[@DMSProduktions]

Makes me feel very WET!

[@seanhershey3390]

ok... its great... but it takes up a ton of room & is 350.00...I dig my Topanga & RVT ..& my fender amps..cool though

[@bradpittiful7288]

350 bucks,,,geez

[@t05393]

Look up how much a Fender vintage or even reissue costs! This is a deal!

[@bradpittiful7288]

when 350 bucks is out of reach...that fender is way beyond reach

[@60CycleHumcast]

i bought my fender RI for $400 years back, im kind of surprised how expensive they are now.

[@bradpittiful7288]

wow thats a great deal!

[@60CycleHumcast]

it felt like a normal deal at the time, and the original tank on it was bad so i had to do some work on it. but still, it feels like a great deal now.

[@markferguson3745]

Keeps looking up, like he expects intervention by God.(He already took the power away- once.) What did you DO , Ryan? Hearing sh*t like a metronome, under the floor? Seriously though,- great pedal.Resisting the urge, trying to stay with the Topanga, not drop 300+ $ on another pedal. It's too good is ALWAYS the problem.