SolidGoldFX Surf Rider
Reverb purists often point to amp reverb as being the pinnacle of spring reverb. That may be all well and good, but what if your amp just doesn’t have reverb? What if your amp’s reverb isn’t good? What if you want more options after a simple “level” control? It is time to ride the waves into the SolidGoldFX Surf Rider III.
How does it sound?
The Surf Rider III is the ‘verb sound that Fender’s engineers would have put into their Deluxes and Vibroverbs if they had access to today’s technology. Our finest ‘verb box gives you that familiar Level control but then adds a plethora of options, including a boost and some nifty resonance features that adds some juice to your tank without the springs.
The SolidGoldFX Surf Rider In Use
Versatility is the name of the Surf Rider’s game. The Level control is just the beginning, adjusting the amount of reverb in the total signal. The Surf Rider also offers a Depth knob that adjusts the intensity of the reverberations, for some hauntingly huge verbs that fill the room. The expression jack on the side overrides this control, should you feel so inclined.
The Decay control increases the size of the virtual reverb tank, opening up the pedal and giving you verb tones that go on seemingly forever. Speaking of tones, there’s a handy Tone knob that brightens or darkens the reverb signal, which helps tame harsh pickups or beef up flimsy ones. It’s especially helpful if the Surf Rider III is your only pedal—a splendid idea.
The Resonance switch unlocks the “drippiness” of the reverb tank, giving you a lot (upper position), a little (lower position) or none at all (center). Cracking open the Surf Rider III gives you a trimpot to set the lower level for just the right amount of splash.
The Boost section lets you boost or cut the reverb level. With the LED on, the pedal is in Hi mode, and off is Lo mode. There’s another internal trimmer that lets you dial in Lo mode. Surf’s up – see it here.
Controls
- Tone: This knob lightens or darkens the frequency of the reverb signal only, from dark and moody to bright and biting.
- Decay: Turning the Decay control up increases the decay time of the reverb signal, giving you access to huge, surf-inspired ‘verbs that linger seemingly forever.
- Depth: Increases the size of the virtual spring tank and the intensity of the signal. When connecting an expression pedal, you can control this knob hands-free.
- Level: Controls the volume of the reverb (wet) signal.
TOGGLE SWITCHES:
Res:
This is a three-position switch that alters the resonance of the tank. The upper position adds a high amount of resonance, while the lower position adds an amount that you set via internal trimpot (see “Under the hood” below). In the center position, the toggle adds no resonance.
UNDER THE HOOD:
Res (trimpot):
This trimpot allows you to adjust the amount of resonance in the reverb signal while in the “Lo” (bottom) position of the Res toggle.
Boost (trimpot):
When the Boost is in the off position (LED off), a portion of the reverb level is reduced. This trimpot lets you adjust how much is reduced to fine-tune the reverb signal.
AUXILIARY:
Input:
Instrument or other pedal goes here.
Output:
Amplifier or other pedal goes here.
Expression jack:
Connecting an expression pedal here gives you hands-free control over the Depth knob.
True bypass footswitch:
Turns the effect on and off.
Boost footswitch:
With the LED on, the Surf Rider III is in “Hi” mode, boosting the reverb signal. With the LED off, the Surf Rider III is in “Lo” mode, and a bit of the reverb level is reduced. You can adjust how much with the Boost trimpot (see above in “Under the hood”).
POWER:
The Surf Rider III requires a center-negative 9VDC power adapter with at least 53mA of current (not included). Almost all power supplies meet this requirement, but check yours beforehand.
DIMENSIONS:
4.67″ x 3.68″ x 1.18″ (119mm x 94mm x 30mm)