Surfy industries SURFYTREM TREMOLO

The SURFYTREM TREMOLO is a pedal offered by the Surfy Industries brand.

This pedal is designed to recreate the famous “vibrato channel” effect of vintage Fender® amplifiers. This is not a digital simulation. The sound of the pedal is slightly enriched, slightly darker than the dry signal, and offers two distinct settings: BROWNFACE and BLACKFACE.

BROWNFACE
Imagine the distinctive sound of a 1961-1962 Fender® Showman® amplifier (second channel) with its beautiful, smooth harmonic tremolo. Often considered THE tremolo, imitated by many others over the years, but equal to none. The signal floats on a harmonic wave, rising and falling alternately. This can be compared to the effect of a rotating speaker in a Leslie system. This type of tremolo has a unique characteristic: its ability to dynamically adapt. When playing slow and expressive, it showcases its vibrant soul, producing a particularly rich and deep sound. If the playing becomes more aggressive and powerful, the effect almost fades away, preserving the full attack of the guitar. In this mode, the extreme dynamics of the tremolo adapt to the playing style, enhancing the sound without disturbing it.

BLACKFACE
In 1964, Fender® introduced the Blackface series of amplifiers, offering a cleaner, brighter sound compared to previous Tweed/Brownface models. They used another type of tremolo, well known since the 1950s, in which the signal oscillates alternately, creating an on/off sensation that produces a more distinct and perceptible effect. This technique is also called “amplitude modulation”. This tremolo especially stands out when needed, easily cutting through the mix with force. Although it's not as dynamic on slow melodies, it really frees up the guitar's sound when used, adding depth and length, especially in solos. This is a more common effect that can be used with less experience than harmonic tremolo.

NO REAL BYPASS
A real workaround for a vintage tremolo? Here, slightly adjusting the tone is part of the game, and we chose to keep it that way. We did not seek to create a new effect; our goal is to allow everyone to enjoy this sound without having to carry heavy and expensive equipment.