SolidGoldFX redesigns Surf Rider spring reverb pedal as Surf Rider IV
May 13, 2022 · 3 sources
SolidGoldFX has redesigned its Surf Rider spring reverb pedal, with the fourth-generation Surf Rider IV revealed on May 13, 202212. The Canadian maker's new reverb pedal arrives with three spring reverb tank emulations in a more compact enclosure with top-mounted jacks1.
The three tank voices are selected by a central toggle switch: Reverb-O-Rocket, Super Reverb and Fantasy Reverb3. MusicRadar reports that Reverb-O-Rocket is described as a "small and tight" spring reverb of the kind found on an early '60s tube amp combo, with Solid Gold FX citing the Ampeg Reverberocket as a direct inspiration1. Guitar World describes Reverb-O-Rocket as based on small tank reverb units found on old low-wattage combo amps3. Super Reverb is inspired by the Silverface Super Reverb for classic Fender drip1, and Guitar World describes it as bottling the '60s Fender sound that powered the surf movement3. Fantasy Reverb is Solid Gold FX's original take, with "floppier springs and longer tails"1; Guitar World describes it as having super long trails and "floppier" springs3.
The controls are Decay, Dwell, Body and Level12. Gearnews reports that Speed and Depth are available via the Body and Dwell knobs respectively2, while MusicRadar labels the knobs Decay, Dwell (Speed), Body (Depth) and Level1. Holding the soft-touch footswitch down applies flutter-style modulation13, and an internal DIP switch can apply the modulation by default when the effect is engaged1. Guitar World reports that an internal DIP switch selects between momentary or latching effect3, and that a further internal DIP offers buffered bypass or switchable trails, so the decay is heard after the pedal is disengaged3. MusicRadar describes the same switch as being for trails/buffered bypass1. Gearnews reports that the smaller housing eliminates the boost footswitch and expression input of the previous version III model2.
The Surf Rider IV is handmade in Montreal, Canada, and takes a 9V DC power supply13. It retails for $20913.
"Solid Gold FX has given its Surf Rider a total redesign with the fourth-generation reverb pedal arriving with a formidable trio of spring reverb tank emulations"