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FDP Forum / Fender Amps: Vintage (before 1985) / Vintage Jon's Surf Bug Trem Mod

Previous 20 Messages Next 20 Messages

amphead4
Contributing Member
******

Cincinnati, USA

Dec 1st, 2011 10:34 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
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 THERE
Dec 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, USA

Dec 5th, 2011 05:59 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
"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 Area

Dec 24th, 2011 03:57 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
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 Topic
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 Area

Dec 24th, 2011 08:11 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
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.
(This message was last edited by kblues at 08:12 AM, Dec 24th, 2011)

anteriorl5

USA

Dec 26th, 2011 01:52 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Since you've replaced the tube already, just replace the ceramic capacitors and the bug and you will have replaced all the suspect parts.

super mario
Contributing Member
****

USA

tone to the bone no other way
Jan 1st, 2012 02:47 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Not trying to hijack this thread but it does raise a question related the trem circuit on my '76 SFDR and the residual "tick" that I hear when the circuit is activated - will installing the Surf Bug or Black Widow cure the tick?

roadhog96

USA / CT.

Jan 1st, 2012 06:02 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I like to hear the answer on this one also. I believe they are built using the same design so my guess would be there will be no diffetence but then again this is just a guess.

plexi69

U.S.A.

HEY THERE, HI THERE, HO THERE
Feb 18th, 2012 03:12 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Sorry to resurrect this from the past, but I was wondering if anyone was able to get a Black Widow? I have not heard back from Austin Amp and wonder if anyone has.
Mudcloth,
Do you have any bugs for sale or know how I can obtain one? Do you know if these will work in the Brown face circuit? Thank you.

kblues

NYC Area

Feb 19th, 2012 10:11 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Weber sells them. I just recently bought 2.

plexi69

U.S.A.

HEY THERE, HI THERE, HO THERE
Feb 19th, 2012 11:38 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
How do you like the Weber version? Did you buy the Opt1 completed model or did you go the roll your own route? Thanks.

kblues

NYC Area

Feb 19th, 2012 03:37 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I bought the completed model but haven't used it yet.

Steve Dallman
Contributing Member
*****

Merrill, Wisconsin

Dangit! Hot weather.
Feb 21st, 2012 02:42 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I built my own for my 67 blackface DR. I used a rather large photo resistor I took out of a commercial yard light at work and a neon bulb. I covered it with a plastic cap off a soft drink bottle. It worked great, and didn't have the loading the original bug had.

amphead4

Cincinnati, USA

Feb 21st, 2012 03:22 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Steve, are those parts still available?

Steve Dallman
Contributing Member
*****

Merrill, Wisconsin

Dangit! Hot weather.
Feb 22nd, 2012 09:40 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
They were parts I had or found in a junk box at the manufacturing plant I worked at for 26 years. I just got lucky.

anteriorl5

USA

Feb 22nd, 2012 09:50 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Hey Steve, maybe it would be best if you went into production. Put me down for 3 or 4...

SpiroGiro

YorkshireUK

Apr 2nd, 2012 04:21 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
...is it possible for someone to demo this effect? I am not sure from what I am reading here if it enhances Vibrato in some capacity or just hard wires-in 'tremolo' across all settings??

plexi69

U.S.A.

HEY THERE, HI THERE, HO THERE
Apr 7th, 2012 09:27 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Will these type bugs work on the earlier brownface trem or are they strictly for blackface amps? Thanks.

vibrasonic

canada

Apr 8th, 2012 05:26 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Plexi69

The bug is for the BF and later fender amps. The bown and other amps like the vibrochamp and princeton had what they call bias vary or harmonic vibrato.

The BF-SF vibro champ and princeton always kept the bias vary circuit and never used the bug.

Previous 20 Messages Next 20 Messages

FDP Forum / Fender Amps: Vintage (before 1985) / Vintage Jon's Surf Bug Trem Mod

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