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My amps don't have their own reverb, so I need a pedal or a seperate head/cabinet. I want to get something with a proper spring, as I'm not really interested in a digital emulation effects at this point.
Pedal-wise, there's three main contenders and one dark horse I'm trying to choose between atm. Cab wise, I do kind of fancy a Fender Spring tank, but I've heard mixed things about quality and haven't had the chance to try one out yet, plus im not sure what other options are out there.
Pedal's:
1. Demeter Reverbulator
2. VanAmps Sole Mate or Sole Mate Jr
3. Carl Martin (Headroom?) I think
4. Danelectro Spring King
I'm not looking for an OTT splashy, surf reverb type thing (although I wouldn't mind having the optiion). I want something to use as an (almost) always on, subtle effect to add a bit of space/ depth + I love a clangy sounding lead guitar. Also, I want this mainly for recording purposes rather than peformance.
Given that there's hundreds of posts out there on the latest and greatest in digi-spring reverb emulation. I wanted to find out if anyone here is using any of the above units, or maybe a seperate spring tank/head unit type thing, and if you could offer any feedback or recomendations based on experience?
I don't mind spending the cash to get a good quality product, but if the Danelectro Spring King or a less expensive unit has potentially got the goods I'd give it a whirl.
I quite like the idea of the sole mate Jr's modular approach. Being able to mod the spring tank and potentially have it seperated from the effects board seems useful, but does it pan out this way in application? Not sure. Hoping you guys can shed some light before I go shopping.
Thanks a lot.
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Comments
I am interested in the forum wisdom on this as well. Been mulling over the exact same thing. Eventually concluded that I want the Vanamps, but finding one for a reasonable price in the UK is not that easy...
Well, in truth what I really want is the Victoria Rerverberato, but really cannot justify the cost for the subtle reverb I will probably use it for...
I am currently making do with a HOF, and whilst it does not sound like a tank it must be one of the the best value for money pedals out there. So many different tones and all pretty good.
I was 99% sold on the Headroom when I used to use two Pro Jrs, but ended up getting an amp with reverb, so didn't bother in the end. I thought the headroom was a great pedal, though. I've never had the pleasure of actually playing through a Solemate or Demeter but I would imagine they are fairly similar. I haven't played a Spring King for a few years. I thought it was funky at the time, but never kept it around long. Sorry that was vague!
I think you need to try a Fender Spring - I wouldn't ever gig with one though, personally. Too big, too noisy, too expensive etc etc. Love the sound of them, though.
You could also think about one of these...
http://www.tube-tone-engineering.co.uk/Redneck_reverb.html
I don't have any experience, but I do have a 5e3 clone from the same comapny which is really excellent. Might be cheaper than importing a Vanamps?
I know you're not interested in digital, but I use a Malekko Chicklet which has no bells or whistles - it only does a spring emulation, and does it really well.
Thanks for posting.
Yeah, the Vanamps one does seem like a well balanced cost/quality option. But availability isn't great and I've heard mixed reviews.
A mate of mine was telling me that an artist he greatly admires, used the vanamps exclusively on a record that he recently assisted on, and he gave it a resounding thumbs up.
It does sound very cool and atmospheric on said record, probably more of a darker reverb sound. I now feel more assured about the potential of the vanamps products, having listened to a professional application.
I want to like the Carl Martin; it would be much easier to get hold of, and is in the same ball park cost wise. Im sure it's a well built unit, but I've always been left a bit cold by the sound of their other products. So, i'm still on the fence.
@gjonesy
Thanks for that. I hadn't considered that as an option.
I'm not handy in any way whatsover as it goes, but I just might contact a builder here on the forum for a quote on knocking something up.
Cheers!
Very interesting mate. Had never seen that before.
Could be a winner, and I am almost tempted to buy it right now, just wish I could find a review or something..
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
There is a Reverbamate in Electro Doncaster (or was at last check) so if you have a two input amp you might be in luck.
I heard the Dano one had noise problems and was not what it could be.
What I like about the Carl Martin is the lockdown function so you don't get transport-related issues.
So in answer to the OP's original question, no idea.
Im still confused on which way to go tho
Seems like, in my requirement for a real spring im swimming against the tide. So few products to choose from and all pricey imports...
Im not anti digital as a player. I just thought it'd be great to have a nice analogue unit for recording purposes, looking at grabbing a wem copicat for the same reason.
ProGuitarShop Andy is a good pedal salesman tho isn't he? Got me wandering about that subdecay... I think Wunjo stock them. Maybe i should take a trip to the danish street of woe and bankrupcy at the weekend and try one.
Wunjo aren't in my good books at the moment tho. Was shopping for strat there recently and they were giving me the hard sell on a custom shop within 15/20min of having it in my hands. They made me feel rude for not purchasing it, i didn't like that. So i didn't go back even tho the guitar was a contender.
If i go there to demo a pedal i worry ill end up buying it out of politeness :P
Check out the Boss FRV reverb too - again, very mixed reviews (including some *very* strong opinions from some people who I don't believe have ever heard amp reverb, let alone a Fender Spring unit), but I think it sounds very good. It's noisier than the Spring Theory, but if you want some drippy sproing - which I believe is the correct audio term - it's a cool pedal.
The new Catalinbread Topanga looks pretty tasty.
The other one that looks really nice is the Strymon Flint. Tremolo and Reverb (including emulation of the gorgeous Fender Harmonic Tremolo circuit as used in brownface amps).
I've never heard one 'in the flesh' but the demo's I've heard and seen always made it look really cool.
My personal favourite reverb is still my Rub-a-Dub circuit I built up from a 1776 FX PCB.
It uses a Belton brick (like the hermida audio reverb) and they sound great.
I won't "need" (lol, tremolo and need) it until 10th May.