Strymon Flint vs Surfy Industries - Doctor Guitar

[@ap7498]

Great sounds!!!

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thanks a lot

[@martinaudet5547]

pure awesomeness, thanks so much for this comparison. You're as real as it gets

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thanks a lot

[@caseyking8394]

Obviously there's nothing quite like a real tank but I do love the versatility of the Flint. Both selections of gear sounded great, I loved the playing.

[@BuddaGuedes]

All are great! The tank just had a magic!!! I actually prefer the surfy bear to any of my amps reverbs

[@fk1028]

I think if you want the dripping sound you need a real spring. That is why I ordered the 'large new bear'. They also offer a smaller one. Without the dripping 'requirement'. Many of the pedals are the same (boring!). I have a couple and the JHS reverb tank stands out. The only thing missing is the 'drip'!

[@BuddaGuedes]

I also have the small one and it’s very similar to the big one with a lot more features and two mix settings. But bigger is better

[@markferguson3745]

The Source Audio True Spring is hands down the best Spring emulation; they nailed it.And that pedal, like most of their stuff, can be easily programmed with a " NeuroApp" to do many other unique sounds.You want a spring verb in a steel garbage can, or a wooden crate, - it can do it.

[@ishancooper]

Such nice tones!! All inspiring sounds!!

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thanks 🙏

[@tweakrr99]

Great comparison! Listening to just the Strymon Flint it sounds pretty good, but then when you switch to the Surfy Bear the tank sounds so much better

[@BuddaGuedes]

It’s magical

[@Freakaboogie]

automatically hit the like button!! such a great idea for a video!!!

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thank you so much

[@unautomne1980]

Great and useful comparison, thanks! I had a huge dilemma when searching for a tremolo and a spring reverb to go with my little tweed Princeton. The Surfy trem has been my main tremolo for a couple of years, so I almost bought the Surfy bear unit to go along with it. But I realised I did not like what the Surfy trem buffer was doing to my tone: brighter and punchier. I tried the Flint: very good indeed, but I could not forget about the conversion AD/DA on the entire signal when using the tremolo. Probably silly from me, but the psychological effect is important too when you want to get inspired. Finally I've ended up with the White Whale from Crazy Tube Circuits: true springs, all analog and almost as compact as the Flint. Sure the reverb is not as sweet sounding as the Surfy bear, but it has a raw character that I love. And the tremolo is simply the best I've ever tried.

[@BuddaGuedes]

Great. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad it helped.

[@winstonsmith8236]

don't forget tot try the Carl Martin Headroom real Spring Reverb, 2 channels and it killed the Crazy Tube and Spaceman Orion fo me.

[@BuddaGuedes]

I don’t feel any change when off

[@billtice5057]

For a compact pedal size, it’s hard to beat the Catlinbread Topanga with its on board fet driver. It really sounds like the Fender Reverb tank.

[@BuddaGuedes]

I don’t really know that personally. Does it have tremolo?

[@GunsNRoosendael]

it doesn't have the wet drip though, but it does have a nice surfy reverb trail.

[@phladjki]

I don’t think it sounds at all like a fender reverb tank. the attack is totally wrong. there are plenty if pedals that wipe the floor with the topanga.

[@BuddaGuedes]

This is not meant to sound like a fender amp but like a fender tube reverb head. It’s my favorite reverb of all time

[@JohnJones22856]

Topanga wasn’t included here, you dolt

[@mcadder]

Do you like the Surfy Bear before the amp or in the FX-chain?

[@BuddaGuedes]

I like it before the amp because I almost never use overdrive on the amp

[@markferguson3745]

As Steve King noted ," Fun is fun, but done is done". The Flint is a good comprimise of the real thing, and as suggested, sometimes live mixes and application are different, but the Surfy pedals inspire like the real things.My first " effect" experience was with built in Fender and Magnatone trems and verbs; to some extent, it was actually those tube amps that kept me playing and engaged. I switched out to Surfy a few years ago, and the only piece of the picture I haven't tried yet is the Blossom Point(Brownfacer). I'm curious to see how it gets on with the Hudson Broadcast, especially running after. I'm wondering if it would be the subtle twist that would blend it all together? Great job as usual.Of all the British and American creators, there's no equivalent of this channel.

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thanks a lot for your comeback and kind words. Surfy Industries are killer. Every pedal is magic

[@AxisChemicals]

Hi Budda ! How are you ? What about surfybear metal (eventually with surfy pan installed or maybe not ...) VS classic ? Can't make a choice.

[@BuddaGuedes]

They say it’s more transparent but I prefere the classic. There’s some magic around it. I use the metal in the studio for vocals

[@AxisChemicals]

@@BuddaGuedes yes it's exactly that in terms of sound ! Did you I ever tried the surfybear studio ? Cool too for studio use ! The sound of the Studio is closer to the Metal one than classic but they all amazing units, even the small one if you gig ...

[@guillaumedestrebecq6821]

Oh la vache, j'aimerais bien faire une chaîne avec ce surfytrem, spring reverb, et un strymon delay celui auquel on peut câbler la pédale d'expression. Mais j'hésite encore entre le surfy bear reverb et electro harmonix holy grail max, quelqu'un a t-il utilisé les deux ?

[@tricko2286]

Nice video - I compared my 63’ Fender Tank against my Flint. Not surprisingly, they both sounded awesome. If you’re gonna play surf music & want the drips, nothing beats a real spring tank. That being said, the Flint does 95% of everything else, does it very well, and in a pedal format. In a mix, you can’t tell a difference. Have owned a ton of verb pedals including the Boss FRV1 63’ Reverb (awesome) but the Flint is the best pedal I have heard.

[@BuddaGuedes]

I also have the Boss FRV1 pedal and I really love it.

[@BuddaGuedes]

They are all very good, just different options. I just feel the surfy bear has a mojo that makes me play better.

[@BuddaGuedes]

I love the surfy bear

[@tgdkls5891]

Hi Budda. Love your videos. Which reverb do you think works best to get that Peter Green "drenched in spring reverb" tone? I can't seem to get that sound right. Thanks!

[@BuddaGuedes]

The surfy bear classic is just unbeatable

[@tgdkls5891]

Thanks👍

[@BuddaGuedes]

You’re welcome

[@45zapatero]

Surfybear has now a more compact reverb tank. So if space is an issue that version may be the perfect solution...

[@BuddaGuedes]

I know it. I’m just waiting to get mine and review it. And it has two settings footswitchable

[@45zapatero]

@@BuddaGuedes I have already heared it in my local guitar shop and I think it sounds really great. Some neat features also indeed : there are two mix controls and you can control the length of the reverb trail..

[@BuddaGuedes]

Denis Hermans that’s really great. I’m looking forward to play it

[@garypannone7755]

Great video, Surfy is killing it with both. Strymon is still great.

[@BuddaGuedes]

Surfybear is incredible

[@SilverParatrooper]

Great video Budda, loved the playing and demo of both pedals. I actually picked up a Flint last week and it is so inspiring. It is redundant for me on some sounds due to me having a Deluxe Reverb Clone ( I also have a Neunaber Wet Stereo) but man it is a great piece of kit to have. The tones just drip from it.

[@BuddaGuedes]

It’s very practical and versatile. I use the h situations with my Super Reverb that also has a great tremolo and reverb build in. It’s a great tool

[@SilverParatrooper]

Budda Guedes thanks for sharing your experience, I agree that the Flint’s Harmonic Trem is magical. I really love the pedal for what it does. While it is apparent it can’t really hold its own against the real tank it is voiced differently from what I can tell.

[@PhillipMoita]

Bom vídeo. Falta o um na comparação O van amps sole mate..

[@BuddaGuedes]

Eh eh a ideia não era composta todos os reverbs mas sim estes dois porque são utilizo.

[@jakelogan249]

I have a flint and a reverb tank. Think the flint is missing the overwhelming treble the tanks have behind the reverb. Agree with the flint being better in a mix...definitely depending on the room, but I think that has to do with the high end that’s missing from the flint reverb.

[@BuddaGuedes]

That’s right! There’s nothing like a real spring tank but the flint is also very convenient

[@herroglop7411]

Great sounds and great playing! the source audio is supposed to sound more like a Fender reverb unit, more drip. Are you thinking of doing a fulltone Catalyst video? Your sound with the Crossroads and the Fender jrs was awesome.

[@BuddaGuedes]

I’ll probably do a video on my studio pedalboard for 2020. Thanks by the way.

[@markferguson3745]

The Source Audio is the best emulation.

[@deano41.123]

I have been looking and am yet to try the Flint but I am looking at the Source Audio - True Spring but have reservations about it becoming obsolete too quickly, being digital and as it uses a smart phone app interface. Any thoughts on this?

[@BuddaGuedes]

Unfortunately I don’t know that pedal, but I think you’ll have at least a good 10 to 20 years of use.

[@markferguson3745]

So far so good.The TS is still master of the emulation domain.It's going to be hard to improve on.

[@jsurfinreverbchristmassurf3560]

I've got a doctors Z Reverb tank vacuum tube clone of a gc15 Fender.good.drips. Of course. But with the heat waves I want a solid state unit. Even in Cool Spring or fall weather the Reverb can warm up a room like to get a Cool Running surfy Bear. I agree you can't beat the spring sound. The Ocean's 11 is pretty good but the rest of the digital ones I feel like giving away...

[@BuddaGuedes]

🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@BuddaGuedes]

I don’t know if.

[@BuddaGuedes]

Ok. Will do so. Thanks

[@TheMBunk]

I own both, different tools both amazing

[@BuddaGuedes]

Agree. I also own both

[@shckltnebay]

Sounds like the Classic does a good job of maintaining unity level?

[@BuddaGuedes]

What do you mean?

[@SergioAureo]

Olá Budda, do you think the Flint would work well in front of an overdriven amp (mid gain). Right now I'm using a Line 6 HX Stomp for Spring reverb and tremolo in front of my Cornell Plexi 7 (which is a non master volume, plexi inspired amp). I actually think that the HX Stomp works well and would like to know if you think that the Flint would be a significant step up… Thank you. Um abraço

[@BuddaGuedes]

I’m not sure but line 6 usually has great effects so it’s probably not worth it

[@SergioAureo]

@@BuddaGuedes Thanks! Love your channel. Hope that all this situation that we are living goes away fast and that I can watch you play live soon. Cheers.

[@BuddaGuedes]

Me too!!! Thanks a lot

[@craiger2399]

In defense of the Surfy Bear... at least it's not as big as a vintage Fender reverb tank.

[@BuddaGuedes]

That’s right. And also not as heavy. It’s in fact very practical for what it is. And the tone....!!!!!

[@markferguson3745]

It's not heavy, - that's what I care about.

[@jakelogan249]

You’re a fucking legend

[@BuddaGuedes]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@boyan.guitar]

Can't wait to try a surfy bear in person. I think the shortcoming, from what I hear in demos, is in the tail. The surfy bear has way more and longer decay than the tank.

[@BuddaGuedes]

What tank are you talking about?

[@boyan.guitar]

@@BuddaGuedes I meant the fender tank. What's your impression? Surfy bear classic vs Fender tank? Have you compared them? How are they different?

[@BuddaGuedes]

Yes I did and I love the surfy classic!! A lot more decay and possibilities due to the dwell and tone. It’s the best reverb I’ve played

[@edwardssistershands]

The strymon instantly sounds clipped. It can't produce the highs.

[@BuddaGuedes]

I don’t agree

[@sebastienrobichaud6689]

Love your reviews! Good job! What is the guitar? Sounds great! :)

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thanks a lot. The guitar is my fender Strat Classic Player with Texas special

[@craiger2399]

Just a few seconds in and I learned that reverb is tone shaping. Your mids/high mids change in each unit. Crazy! I've never had a chance to a/b reverb so don't have the difference really demonstrating itself.

[@BuddaGuedes]

It’s crucial to your tone and to your perception of the tone!!

[@craiger2399]

@@BuddaGuedes It's been a year and a half, but I ended up getting the Surfy Bear Classic. Just unbelievable. I put it with all my amps, but especially my Pro Junior, which I rehoused in a Deluxe sized cab with a Jensen P12R. Due to the tone change, it now sounds much warmer. Perfection.

[@BuddaGuedes]

It’s my favorite!!!

[@drewpennell8362]

What’s the name of this song in the beginning? Or was that just you kind of noodling around? Either way super catchy

[@BuddaGuedes]

I was just jamming

[@zombillyboogie9370]

I’ve played my Gretch 6120 Brian Setzer signature through my Surfybear Tweed for going on five months now, and I love it. Speaking purely logical, a replica is never going to be better than what it’s trying to replicate. So if you’re trying to replicate a spring tank You’re not going to be better than a spring tank, right?

[@BuddaGuedes]

Kind of hard to beat! I love mines

[@hieronymus932]

For spring reverb, the Surfy beats the Flint hands down.

[@BuddaGuedes]

I also think so! Thanks for your comment

[@fk1028]

Not even close... Surfy Bear is the closest to the real thing.

[@BuddaGuedes]

Actually!! Surfy bear is the real thing

[@fk1028]

In 1965 I remember the Fender Reverb Tank was selling for $900 HKD ($150 USD). Could not afford that. All I can do is to just peek at that (Plus the Strat @ $200 USD) every time I passed by the music store. Today the same re-issued reverb tank selling for $2000-3000. Still cannot afford that. Now I see the SurfyBear claims it is a true replicate of the real thing (transistor in lieu of the 6V6 & 12Ax7?) and selling for $350. Order one right away. Since Fender defined the word 'Reverb' and anything other than that is just an imitation. The way the Surfy guys talked about their reverb tank, I guess the Fender Tank patent must have ran out and they can replicate them. Anyway, listen to the tone from the Surfy Beat bring me back to my good old Hi school days.

[@BuddaGuedes]

K W it’s the best reverb I’ve ever played!!’ You’ll love it

[@TheElrondo]

Anyone checked the Flint 2 for it's Surf qualities? Did they work on the drip?

[@BuddaGuedes]

I haven’t yet

[@TheElrondo]

@@BuddaGuedes Thank you for your response! I hope to see a demo somewhere soon, but mostly no one of the presenters look for the drip... Besides you and 60CycleHum.

[@BuddaGuedes]

That’s the great thing about a spring reverb to me

[@paulo-miguel83]

Boas Budda, na tua opinião Flint ou Hydra? :)

[@BuddaGuedes]

Flint

[@2006mateo]

Great demo. Great playing. To me the Surfy sounds retro and the Flint sounds more modern. The added distortion and longer 'drippier' trails seem to make the Surfy 'belong' to 1960s. Maybe the Surfy is capable of subtler stuff but because it is so good at the retro sounds it draws people to showcase those sounds. The Flint sounds like it would work better with a greater variety of modern styles. Great comparison.

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thanks a lot. The Surfy is just unbeatable to me, but the Flint is on one of my boards...

[@mattelder9147]

On sound I have to go with Surfy Industries

[@BuddaGuedes]

It’s magical

[@joaoriecken9598]

acho que o tamanho não importa quando se trata de drip 😅. Porem eu teria um strymon fácil!!🤣 amei o vídeo!!!!! abraço!

[@BuddaGuedes]

Eh! Eh!

[@ericcross7863]

Yeah......been a Flint user for awhile and I like its sound, both are good tho, killer playing Budda!

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thank you so much again Eric

[@_RLP]

Flint all the way for me. Just got one a week or so ago. Sounds killer when mixed with the amp's verb. Strymon and Catalinbread make the best reverb pedals ever. Ana Sounds is pretty otherworldly too, but it's a pedal that comes with an actual tank, so... As for the trem, the flint also kills it. On par with supro's trem if you ask me (harmonic, I mean.) .

[@BuddaGuedes]

Thanks a lot for your comment

[@jbf16falcon1]

Surfy by far!

[@BuddaGuedes]

I love it!!!

[@howardpoulin23]

I’m not into Surf music, but it sounds like surf music , either would work but Who really listens to surf?

[@BuddaGuedes]

It’s not a matter of surf it’s that reverb!!!

[@phladjki]

In defense of flint: it really sounds like there’s a light overdrive on the whole signal with the surfybear. That’s why it sounds “more alive”. If you ran the flint into a little drive i think it’s get that extra spice you’re hearing on the surfy.

[@BuddaGuedes]

But they’re one of the magic things of the surfy.