The SolidGoldFX Surf Rider is a line of spring reverb pedals from the Montreal, Canada builder SolidGoldFX. The original Surf Rider was a boutique pedal loved by many guitarists, and the line has run through several versions: the Surf Rider Deluxe, the Surf Rider III, and the current Surf Rider IV, a ground-up redesign revealed in May 2022123.
None of the Surf Rider pedals use a real spring tank. They are digital emulations of spring reverb, which is what lets the Surf Rider IV pack three distinct tank sounds plus modulation into a compact enclosure. Premier Guitar's review of the original put it plainly: though it is not a true spring reverb, "the device recreates the tone and response of a spring unit with remarkable accuracy," in a box that fits on your pedalboard and does not have to be handled with kid gloves4.
Three digital spring tanks with flutter modulation
The Surf Rider IV's core is a set of three spring reverb tank emulations, selected by a central three-way toggle switch16. Each is modeled on a specific vintage reference point from the builder's own collection:
| Mode | What it emulates | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Reverb-O-Rocket (left) | Shorter spring tanks of a '62 Reverberocket and tape units like the Space Echo | Small, tight tank; adds depth and space without soaking the rig, emphasizing the warmth of the guitar13 |
| Super Reverb (center) | Early silver panel 4x10 Fender Super Reverb | Classic 60s surf rock spring reverb: wider tails that bounce back and forth with a metallic twerp13 |
| Fantasy Reverb (right) | The SGFX "fantasy tank" | Spring reverb pushed to physically impossible limits: exaggerated decay, floppier springs, thicker body, longer trails13 |
Delicious Audio describes the Super Reverb mode as the effect of the original version and the most sought-after by guitarists: a splashy, drippy effect with wider tails and a metallic character, the spring reverb found in 4x10 Fender amps from the '60s2.
On top of the tanks sits a Flutter modulation of the reverb trails, which SolidGoldFX says is switchable between momentary and latching operation via an internal DIP switch1. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley notes you can also adjust an internal DIP switch to apply the modulation by default whenever you engage the effect6.
The controls
The Surf Rider IV keeps its surface simple: four knobs and the tank toggle. MusicRadar lists the dials as Decay, Dwell (Speed), Body (Depth) and Level6.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Decay | Sets how long the signal bounces back and forth in the spring tank; fully up, the signal clangs, twerps and bounces with a huge tail2 |
| Level | Controls the volume of the reverb (wet) signal2 |
| Body (Depth) | Sets how chunky the reverb is; turned down, the reverberations cut through the mix2 |
| Dwell (Speed) | Adjusts the speed of the flutter modulation26 |
The single footswitch is multi-function: SolidGoldFX says it switches the pedal on and off when tapped and engages the flutter modulation when held down1.
The Surf Rider IV drops two features of the previous version III: the boost footswitch and the expression pedal input. Gearnews reports that the smaller housing is the reason8. Players who want footswitchable reverb boost or expression control of depth need to look at the older Surf Rider III.
Power and bypass
The Surf Rider IV runs on a regular 9V DC power supply, center negative, with a 2,1 mm barrel plug and a current draw of approximately 65 mA1. That is a standard pedalboard supply, but the draw is worth noting if you are budgeting an isolated supply's current per output.
Bypass is switchable between trails and buffered operation, selected by an internal DIP switch1. With trails on, the reverb tail rings out naturally when you switch the pedal off; with the buffered setting, the effect cuts immediately. Earlier versions differed here: the Surf Rider Deluxe used true bypass switching3.
History and versions
The Surf Rider line goes back to the original boutique pedal, which SolidGoldFX described as its best-selling spring reverb emulation3. The timeline of the line:
- Surf Rider (original): The boutique spring reverb emulation pedal that established the line; reviewed by Premier Guitar at a street price of $2254.
- Surf Rider Deluxe (2012): A relaunch announced November 30, 2012, inspired by early 60s Fender reverb tanks, with a reverb boost switch, an internal trim pot for dual reverb level settings, an expression pedal input for on-the-fly depth adjustments, and true bypass3.
- Surf Rider III (circa 2014): Added a Resonance toggle with an internal trimpot for the low setting, a Bypass and a Boost footswitch, and an expression pedal output for external depth control. Pedal of the Day's Mike B called it "one of the favorite reverb pedals we've had the privilege of reviewing here at Pedal of the Day," praising its "subtle, deep, warm, soaring, springy, lush" sound, while wishing it had stereo ins and outs910.
- Surf Rider IV (2022): The ground-up redesign, revealed May 13, 2022, in a smaller housing with the three tank emulations, flutter modulation and switchable trails, at $209 USD / £189 GBP87.
There is also a limited-edition variant: the Surf Rider IV Spring Reverb Shermy Limited Pink Edition, designed in collaboration with Shermy Freeman in a Galaxy Pink colourway. Each purchase includes a Surfrajettes sticker and a personal thank-you note from Shermy11.
SolidGoldFX has since branched into other reverb territory with the Ether modulated ambient reverb and the Counter Current dirty reverb, but the Surf Rider remains the company's spring reverb line.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's 2021 review of the original Surf Rider, tested with a Rivera-era Fender Concert, a Mojave Dirty Boy and Overloud's TH-2 amp modeling software, found it recreated spring tone and response with remarkable accuracy, and recommended it for players whose only obstacle to vintage spring reverb tone is the hassle of tubes and maintenance. The reviewer's caveat: skip it if "more contemporary and programmable digital reverb is essential to your sound"4.
"Lots of options to choose from in this pedal, and the reverb is just beautiful."
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
ProGuitarShopDemos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Questions
Is the Surf Rider IV a real spring tank or digital?
It is digital. The Surf Rider IV digitally emulates the classic spring reverb effect rather than moving real springs, which is what lets it fit three different tank sounds in one compact pedal and survive life on a pedalboard without special handling.
Does the Surf Rider IV have reverb trails when bypassed?
Yes, optionally. Bypass is switchable between trails and buffered operation via an internal DIP switch, so you can choose whether the reverb tail rings out or cuts off when you switch the pedal off.
Does the Surf Rider IV have an expression pedal input?
No. The smaller Surf Rider IV drops the expression input and the boost footswitch that the previous version III had. On the III, an expression pedal could control reverb depth on the fly.
How do you turn on the flutter on the Surf Rider IV?
Hold down the multi-function footswitch to engage the flutter modulation; tapping it switches the pedal on and off. An internal DIP switch sets the flutter to momentary or latching, and another can make modulation the default whenever the effect is on.
Where is the SolidGoldFX Surf Rider IV made?
SolidGoldFX builds its pedals by hand in Montreal, Canada, and the Surf Rider IV is made there. The company covers its products with a three-year warranty against defective parts and faulty workmanship for the original owner.
Is the SolidGoldFX Surf Rider a real spring reverb?
No. Premier Guitar's review of the original Surf Rider notes it is not a true spring reverb, but found it recreates the tone and response of a spring unit with remarkable accuracy, in a box that fits on a pedalboard.
Sources (11)
- SURF RIDER IV, SolidGoldFX
- SolidGoldFX Surf Rider IV Spring Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-12
- SolidGoldFX Launches Surf Rider & Electroman Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2012-11-30
- SolidGoldFX Surf Rider Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2011-10-18
- SURF RIDER IV, SolidGoldFX
- Solid Gold FX's fresh drip serves up a totally redesigned Surf Rider IV modulated spring reverb pedal, MusicRadar, 2022-05-13
- SolidGoldFX launches Surf Rider IV modulated spring reverberator, Guitar World, 2022-05-16
- SolidGoldFX Surf Rider IV: More compact, more surf?, gearnews.com, 2022-05-13
- SolidGoldFX Surf Rider III Reverb, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2014-12-08
- SolidGoldFX ElectroMan Analog Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2016-01-15
- SURF RIDER IV SPRING REVERB, SolidGoldFX
