Spring reverb questions

Pilgrim · #1 11-06-2009, 03:15 PM

I play in a surf band and use reverb for everything that's surf music, currently about 60% of our sets. It fills out the sound nicely even on the fast numbers.

I'm currently using a Behringer DR100, which is a pretty great pedal for $30! I actually prefer it to the $150 Boss that it copies.

However, I'm thinking about taking a step up. I love the "plunk in the water" sounding reverb that you can get with a spring unit - it's the real deal to my 59-year-old ears.

I'm eyeing the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail, but it seems to come in two versions - there's the earlier Electro-Harmonix model and the newer EHX Holy Grail Nano Reverb model. The latter model sounded pretty darn nice in a couple of youTube demos.

Can anyone tell me if there's a difference between the old and new models? Has there just been a change in cosmetics, or are they different pedals?

ALSO - getting into reverbs with a spring tank, I'm also looking at the Van Amps Reverbmate or Sole-Mate. Has anyone used one of those? (I searched but these don't seem to have been discussed much.)
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bigchiefbc · #2 11-06-2009, 03:32 PM

If you want a real spring reverb tank in a pedal-sized enclosure, also take a look at the Little Lanilei Reverb. I had one for a while before I decided that I really wanted a more boomy hall reverb. But if you like the twangyness of spring reverb, it really is great sounding.

bongomania · #3 11-06-2009, 03:34 PM

I can't answer your specific questions, but I do love spring reverbs, and my favorites have long and multiple springs; IOW not pedals, even with real springs in them (though the pedals are cool too). I would go for an old (80's,90's) rack unit by either B.K Butler or Furman.

Also doesn't Demeter make one? If so, it would surely be expensive but lovely-sounding.

Pilgrim · #4 11-06-2009, 07:21 PM

The Little Lanilei Reverb has great reviews in terms of sound, but the service and support reviews at Harmony Central are the worst I've ever read! Sounds like a basically good unit made by one guy who can't keep up with service work...so if it ever fails, kiss it good-bye for six months to a year.

What about Holy Grail or Van Amps owners? Anyone around?

Pilgrim · #5 11-07-2009, 05:59 PM

Man, not many people must be using spring reverb...this is a slow topic.

scotch · #6 05-26-2012, 06:42 AM

Getting ready to start work on an instrumental surf-rock record & I'm shopping for the right reverb.

Generally, I don't like to record reverb on bass (and rarely use it live), but obviously this genre calls for it on the more traditional-leaning stuff we do (all originals inspired particularly by Japanese surf/eleki). Of course, I could rely on post-processing in the studio, but we are going for no-overdub 'band' sounds that we can recreate live.

I've tried the real spring in my Fender guitar amp, which is definitely the right idea & my TC Hall of Fame (which is perfect for modern ambient stuff, but the Spring mode just isn't drippy/wet enough).

I'm finding I need a more bright and drippy tone than is normal on regular electric guitar. But, need to maintain the lows!

Thinking of the BOSS FRV-1 : http://www.bossus.com/gear/productde...ProductId=1021

Would love to know what else y'all have used & how it worked out?

Smallequestrian · #7 05-26-2012, 07:02 AM

I'd recommend the source audio reverb pedal. It's got two types of spring reverb emulation, plus tone controls for the highs as well as the ability to control how much bass is in the verb as well as control over a few other aspects.

My band does some surf rock type of stuff sometimes and it seems to do the trick to my ears.

scotch · #8 05-26-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smallequestrian

I'd recommend the source audio reverb pedal. It's got two types of spring reverb emulation, plus tone controls for the highs as well as the ability to control how much bass is in the verb as well as control over a few other aspects.

My band does some surf rock type of stuff sometimes and it seems to do the trick to my ears.

Whoa! That's an instant contender! Bass eq control + output level? Nice!

edit: Will Cady really knows how to demo there stuff. Great job again, Will!

rsmith601 · #9 05-26-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Whoa! That's an instant contender! Bass eq control + output level? Nice!

edit: Will Cady really knows how to demo there stuff. Great job again, Will!

I know I am going to sound like a loser, but I actually watch Will's demo videos for entertainment sometimes!!

**VincentSalizeri** · #10 05-26-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsmith601

I know I am going to sound like a loser, but I actually watch Will's demo videos for entertainment sometimes!!

It's okay. Sometimes I do too. I feel bad about it later though.

8strings0hair · #11 05-26-2012, 08:42 PM

I have the Van Amps Solemate and love it. Sounds great. But it doesn't play nice with one of my amps (a loud pop when engaged), and heard from someone else who had the same problem. It also requires 12V AC which is a bit of a pain.

The new contender on the block is the Carl Martin Headroom reverb (same idea, real springs, but two switchable settings make it pretty cool). Also runs of 9V DC which makes it easier to power.

Two spring emulation pedals that get good reviews are the Solidgold FX Surf Rider, and the Subdecay Spring Theory.

calebbarton · #12 05-26-2012, 08:49 PM

Iv been using one of these for a while. Really great spring reverb. Subdecay Spring Theory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS_Hq...eature=related

Staredge · #13 05-26-2012, 09:24 PM

Reverb on a bass????? Bizarre. I don't know of any of the hardcore surf bands that run bass through reverb. I know on the guitar side that a Fender outboard tank is de rigeur, although the FRV-1 has gotten a lot of love. Used to be the Digitech Digiverb was the top pedal, until the FRV.

Staredge · #14 05-26-2012, 09:26 PM

Oh........ www.surfguitar101.com

Nev375 · #15 05-27-2012, 02:17 PM

If you can find one of these, I very highly recommend it.

The cons:

Little bit of loss of low end, but not bad. If you have a way to separate highs and lows and process them separately you're golden. Very possible to still use use it as-is if you don't require a ton of bottom end in your mix.

Tubes mean heat and there are 2 small 1" square vents in the top of the unit directly over the tubes to help vent. Unfortunately they are near the front of the unit so you neally need some open space above for airflow. (one of my tubes overheated and melted its socket... need to repair it.)

It's German so many units have the european power supply so you may need a power converter in your rack if you end up with one of those.

It will probably be expensive in the unlikely event that you find one. This particular model is not made anymore.

The pros:

It sounds incredible. Very warm and natural like one of those vintage Fender reverb units.

It's not noisy.

It has a super cool display tube to meter the input level. It looks like two green neon ribbons that squeeze together and meet in the middle along with the pulse of your playing. It's so unusual and admittedly can be distracting almost like having a lava lamp in your rack. Of course this is also irrelevant as the sound alone makes the thing worthwhile. But to not mention this amazing piece of eye candy would be a crime.

HDB Audio apparently became Vermona and they still make a couple reverb units. They also appear to have fixed the heating problem by making it a 2U and added features in this new and improved but obscenely expensive model.

http://www.vermona.com/index.php/en_retubeverb.html