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FDP Forum / Fender Amps: Vintage (before 1985) / Vintage Jon's Surf Bug Trem Mod
(This message was last edited by roadhog96 at 03:14 PM, Oct 19th, 2011)
Here's what the lil bug looks like
(This message was last edited by roadhog96 at 06:25 PM, Oct 20th, 2011)
(This message was last edited by kblues at 08:12 AM, Dec 24th, 2011)
FDP Forum / Fender Amps: Vintage (before 1985) / Vintage Jon's Surf Bug Trem Mod
Next 20 Messages
coldirons
USAOct 18th, 2011 11:10 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Hi - looking to track down a Surf Bug trem device for a Blackface Twin Reverb. I know Jon passed away several years ago but wondering if any of the ones he made are still around anywhere?
anteriorl5
USAOct 19th, 2011 08:15 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I heard they were available, that his wife was involved in his surf bug business but when I emailed got no response. I need 3 of them!
roadhog96
USA / CT.Oct 19th, 2011 03:07 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Austin amplifier has a Black Widow that's suppose to replace the Surf Bug that has been discontinued.
mojohen
New York
"Time to get ready for the storm"Oct 20th, 2011 05:48 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
Topic
what exactly is the surf bug?
roadhog96
USA / CT.Oct 20th, 2011 06:12 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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A Surf Bug is a optoisolator which is what gives you the Tremelo effect on your Fender amp if it has one. There are a few others available and they all go by different names but do the same thing. The Surf Bug, I guess is no longer available.
roadhog96
USA / CT.Oct 20th, 2011 06:22 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Maybe that isn't what you wanted to know. When it's installed in the amp it looks like a Little bug with long legs and it gives you that vibrato effect that was so commonly used with Surfing music back in the 60's. There for the name Surf Bug.
Blue Strat
FDP Business Member
USAOct 29th, 2011 10:24 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Yep, Jon's wife, who is now a widow used to make the Surf Bugs. I assume that what's being sold as Black Widows are the same item with a different name.
Mike K
Mudcloth
Elgin, Tx. USANov 13th, 2011 12:13 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I can help a little here. I worked with Jon and Merlyn ( more like apprenticed) for a few years, on and off. He showed me how to make those surf bugs and I have one in every one of my Fender amps that uses that circuit. I only have one left.
Jon spent a long time trying to find just the right photo cell for the surf bug. He eventually found one that just killed it. Fantastic sweep with virtually no loss in signal. They where always better than the stock bug that came in those Fenders. Incidentally, it was the same bug used in his Vibrostomp foot pedals.
I also worked at Austin Amplifier for several months. The owner did a great job tracking down a similar photocell. The Black Widow, which it's called, is a little bigger in size, but it also has a great sweep with not much signal loss. Still better than stock. The name has absolutely nothing to do with Merlyn. Jon used to mark his with either a red dot or a gold dot. The red dot made it look a little like a black widow spider. The gold dots have the best sweep and no signal loss. The red dots are very good, just not quite as good as the gold.
I think the owner wanted to continue the tradition of naming it after some kind of bug.
amphead4
Contributing Member
******
Cincinnati, USANov 15th, 2011 06:08 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Mudcloth, do you think Jon's bug was better than the current Black Widows? Do you know what parts he used? IIRC, his site said they were hand selected.
I guess what I'm getting at is should we try to make one like Jon's or just accept the Black Widow as good enough?
Mudcloth
Elgin, Tx. USANov 15th, 2011 09:55 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
Topic
amphead4,
Jon's were the best out there, imo. The Black Widow is pretty close, still much better than a lot of stock Fender bugs. When we where testing photocells at Austin Amplifier, there were a few that were 95% as good.
I don't know the photocell that Austin Amplifier uses. That's their proprietary info. Even though I worked there and know the guys, it's just good business that they keep that to themselves.
Jon was very secretive about his photocell. I knew him for over 12 years, apprenticed with him, worked for him, and considered him a true friend and it was kept under wraps from me, as well. Again, just good business.
As far as I know, those photocells are with his Austone stock. There are no plans to carry this stuff on and out of respect for Merlyn, I don't ask about it. When and if she is willing and able, she will move on it or not.
Even when Jon was making them, one out of every 20 or so was a dud, one out of 10 was really good but not excellent. That's why he was so diligent when making them. The jig was built into a Fender Twin chassis hooked up to the scope. As soon as you finished heat shrinking, you'd flip the standby switch and you'd be able to see the sweep and the loss, if there was any.
Finding the photocell took a lot of trial and effort by both Jon and Cameron at Austin Amplifier. Buying a Black Widow is the way to go.
I was there yesterday working on my Bassman with the guys. Cameron said he needed to make some more, but he's snowed under with amps. I might go over there later this week and bust out 20 or so.
It's all about the loss. I've futzed with it now and then, trying photocells more or less at random. Finding one with a good sweep isn't the problem, it's finding one that has little or no loss of signal when you turn up the intensity.
Fritz_D_Cat
Contributing Member
**********
*
better living
through chemistry!Nov 16th, 2011 07:24 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Black Widow is hard to get. I've tried and tried and they never get back to me. I wanted to put 10 in the drawer for my DRRI's. Maybe you can help me with contact info, mudcloth?
anteriorl5
USANov 16th, 2011 09:35 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Same problem here...
plexi69
U.S.A.
HEY THERE, HI THERE, HO THERENov 29th, 2011 09:28 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Can an old priginal Fender "bug" be rebuilt or have the lamp bulb replaced? Thanks.
amphead4
Contributing Member
******
Cincinnati, USADec 1st, 2011 10:34 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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The aftermarket replacements like the Surf Bug use both a better lamp and a better resistor. Not much to save since Jon was improving on both parts.
plexi69
U.S.A.
HEY THERE, HI THERE, HO THEREDec 3rd, 2011 10:40 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
Topic
Who is selling the Black Widow and/or Surf Bug? Does it give BF amps the type of trem that the brownfaces have? Thank you.
amphead4
Contributing Member
******
Cincinnati, USADec 5th, 2011 05:59 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"Who is selling the Black Widow and/or Surf Bug?"
Answered above.
"Does it give BF amps the type of trem that the brownfaces have? Thank you."
Nope, it just optimizes what the BF trem can be.
kblues
NYC AreaDec 24th, 2011 03:57 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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How can I figure out if optocoupler in my amp is bad? I have changed the tube associated with the circuit and it didn't make a difference.
roadhog96
USA / CT.Dec 24th, 2011 07:29 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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How can I figure out if optocoupler in my amp is bad? I have changed the tube associated with the circuit and it didn't make a difference.
I think you may have already done that. First are you using a foot switch to operate it? It will not work without it or you could use a shorted RCA plug in its place.
kblues
NYC AreaDec 24th, 2011 08:11 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Yes, I am using a working foot switch and when it is engaged I can hear a slight amount of tremelo but even with the intensity knob turned up to 10 it is relatively faint. The speed knob works as well.
anteriorl5
USADec 26th, 2011 01:52 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Since you've replaced the tube already, just replace the ceramic capacitors and the bug and you will have replaced all the suspect parts.
Next 20 Messages
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