This was interesting. I've wanted one of these for ages, as I'm a big fan of tremolo as an effect, and having a single compact pedal that did both trem and reverb, and specifically had harmonic tremolo, was really desirable.
Arrived yesterday and I compared it with the Neunaber Immerse and standalone tremolo pedal(s) I currently have.
Compared to the Neunaber, the Flint reverb algorithms seem a bit low bandwidth. Not as pristine as the Neunaber, not as clean at sitting under the unaffected tone, and the Flint adds a certain coloration and slightly honky low and mid-range feel that the Neunaber doesn't have. The Flint also feels like the reverb effect is sort of 'hyped' up (loudness wars style). The dynamic range of the Neunaber feels bigger somehow. it sounds like a studio effect, not a pedal.
Score 1 for the Neunaber.
And yet ...
The coloration and character that the Flint adds is really nice. There's something really evocative and inspiring about the tone. I was able to evoke old-school swampy sounds, and get that Motown/Muscle Shoals/60s/Ribot kind of sound, pretty easily. Which is not so easy with the combination of standalone pedals. I really like the sound.
Score 1 for the Flint.
Now I need to decide if the pristine/wet 'studio' kind of reverb feel that the Neunaber has is something I really need, and which might be meaningfully provided by a Digitech Polara or Boss RV-6 -- freeing some cash to spend on something else. Or whether I can do it all with just the Flint.
Comments
Score: draw
Comparing the Flint's harmonic trem to the SurfyTrem (built from the PCB kit), I think I slightly prefer the tone of the Surfy, but, and it's a big but, the Flint has a much wider speed range, which is a problem I have with the Surfy. It really doesn't (un-modded) go as slow as I'd like. I could live with the tone of either (and like both), but the flexibility with the speed of the Flint is a big plus.
Score 1 for the Flint.
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/57776/handsomerik/p1
I really like the harmonic trem. I think the thing I like most about it is how it gives me a lovely, subtle tremolo effect without upsetting the apple cart. With other trem pedals, I was forever adjusting this or that parameter to try to get the perfect sound. With the Flint, I just step on the pedal and it always seems to sound just right.
For me, it’s the least frustrating pedal I’ve ever owned. It just seems to sound exactly right every single time I step on it.
I guess thats an unusual review, and may not impress those who love to fiddle with their gear. But for me, the Flint has been perfect.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
On the EQ side, the Flint is much darker, and the range of the Colour control is broader, which is good. But getting the right combination of level/depth of reverb is harder, by a long way.
On the other hand, instant 50s/60s sounds from the Flint and much more character.
I tried to compare them (quick recording of same chords with plate reverb with the mix fairly low), but listening back I didn't quite get the EQ the same (which is hard anyway, as the Immerse is just naturally brighter):
The tremolo side is incredible and it's so quick and easy to dial in.
.
I have the Flint and like @BBBlues I keep it on the 70s setting and keep the colour in check for a lovely warm reverb. I set the trem side to '63 Tube with depth and speed to match Lynyrd Skynyrd's "I need You". It's sounds just like the Princeton on the record, sounds great.
The Flint spring reverb doesn't sounds as good as the real spring tank in my Mesa Boogie though, it's a bit too clangy.
What have you been doing to go through 4 of them!
https://robertkeeley.com/product/Abbey+Chamber+Reverb/
for me and I've tried a few
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.