Billy Zoom "Little Kahuna" reverb & tremolo un

FritzCat

Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
9 Security Pins

Posted on Jan 24 2010 10:43 PM

Billy Zoom (guitarist for X, amp tech, etc) is now selling his reverb/tremolo units. Info here
Sound samples and faceplate pics toward bottom of page here. If only I didn't have 2 reverb units already!

Last edited: Jan 27, 2010 10:44:30

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surfin_bird

Joined: Jun 09, 2009
Posts: 267
Amstelveen [The Netherlands]

Posted on Jan 25 2010 03:51 AM

wow that looks very very tempting

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Member of the league of banana yamaha's !

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BillyZoom

Joined: Jan 26, 2010
Posts: 7

Posted on Jan 26 2010 09:39 PM

Is it possible to post some photos and sound files that aren't over a year old?
The new models are a lot cooler.
BZ

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FritzCat

Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
9 Security Pins

Posted on Jan 26 2010 09:44 PM

If you have them I'd love to see them!

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Ron-Rhoades

Joined: Aug 19, 2006
Posts: 958
Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii
United States

Posted on Jan 26 2010 10:35 PM

Fritz...your links pages read:
502 Bad Gateway
nginx
I'd like to them too

—

The TakeOffs
"Kauai's Only All-Instrumental Surf Band"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-TakeOffs/312866840587

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FritzCat

Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
9 Security Pins

Posted on Jan 27 2010 12:49 AM

That particular forum sometimes has connection issues, but it seems to be working at the moment.

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IvanP

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
United States

Posted on Jan 27 2010 08:38 AM

FritzCat
If only I didn't have 2 reverb units already!

Yes, you hate to see bad things happen to good people.

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Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

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LHR

Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
Costa Rica

Posted on Jan 27 2010 02:58 PM

I was always a big fan of Mr. Zoom's work with X. He frequents the Gretsch board. What troubles me though here is his attitude about what constitutes a good reverb. No way I am buying a reverb unit designed by man who talks this kind of crazy:

_The best Fender reverbs are the seventies models with the extra tube. The sixties models were just OK. The reissues aren't very good. I always thought the Premier units were pretty good. It's hard to beat the reverb built into the older Fender amps. The reverb on the newer amps like Blues Devilles, etc. sucks because they use a high impedance pan driven by an opamp instead of a tube. _

—

SSIV

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surfin_bird

Joined: Jun 09, 2009
Posts: 267
Amstelveen [The Netherlands]

Posted on Feb 02 2010 10:53 AM

ehhmm..
I can be wrong but didn't the real billy just passed by on this topic ?

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Member of the league of banana yamaha's !

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tubedogsurf

Joined: Dec 13, 2008
Posts: 103
Trinidad, Humboldt Nation
2 Contributor Pins

Posted on Feb 02 2010 11:27 AM

Yeah, that was him theatening to post more sound samples...lets hear 'em! Anybody have an opinion on having reverb AND tremolo in the same unit?

—

John Bishop
http://www.reverbnation.com/surfbound

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elreydlp

Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
11 Calendar Pins

Posted on Feb 02 2010 11:53 AM

tubedogsurf
Yeah, that was him theatening to post more sound samples...lets hear 'em! Anybody have an opinion on having reverb AND tremolo in the same unit?

I would say it makes a lot of sense.

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surfin_bird

Joined: Jun 09, 2009
Posts: 267
Amstelveen [The Netherlands]

Posted on Feb 02 2010 01:42 PM

Why dont he make his threats comes true,
I mean a pushpull button on an effect with the words pull for surf sounds way to good.
and if the tremolo and reverb work seperate and together good, it's worth the $750 i think.

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Member of the league of banana yamaha's !

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FritzCat

Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
9 Security Pins

Posted on Feb 05 2010 01:32 PM

More photos and a little more information towards bottom of page here

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Diggey

Joined: Sep 23, 2007
Posts: 571
State College

Posted on Feb 08 2010 01:22 PM

I bought one, and will post reviews and pix as soon as I get it and test it out.

—

Peace to you, not on you

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Toneschaser

Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
59 Calendar Pins

Posted on Jun 14 2012 09:36 PM

Anybody else have one of these? It's my secret weapon!

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JONPAUL

Joined: Apr 29, 2010
Posts: 2472
Venice, CA
United States

Posted on Jul 09 2012 04:28 PM

Still no more recent audio or video samples?

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Insect Surfers
The Tikiyaki Orchestra
The Scimitars
Lords Of Atlantis
Fiberglass Jungle - Surf Radio

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Toneschaser

Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
59 Calendar Pins

Posted on Jul 13 2012 07:24 PM

There's one on eBay right now for $850.

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Emilien03

Joined: Jul 16, 2008
Posts: 1377
Coyoacán, Distrito Federal
Mexico

Posted on Dec 03 2013 10:46 AM

TAKEN FROM HERE

Billy Zoom

The Little Kahuna is an all tube, high-end, Reverberation and Tremolo unit for electric guitar.

These units are designed and entirely hand built by Billy Zoom at the Billy Zoom Custom Shop in Orange, California.

Reverb section:

All tube circuitry
Real spring reverb
Custom tensioned springs
Constant-Current Pentode tube drive for super lush reverberation
Extra-heavy duty drive transformer
The Reverb Drive knob controls signal strength to the springs
The Reverb Depth knob controls signal strength from the springs
"Pull for Surf" feature on Depth knob boosts just the right frequencies for the ultimate Surf guitar "drip"
Tremolo section:

All tube circuitry
Tube bias type tremolo for deep, lush tremolo effect
Variable Q circuit for perfect tremolo at any speed setting
The Tremolo Speed knob provides extended speed range, from ultra slow to super fast

The Tremolo Depth knob selects just the right amount of Tremolo
Switching:

The Dual foot switch provides absolutely silent switching of Reverb and Tremolo effects
The switch housing is Powder coated, heavy gauge steel, with a 15 foot cord
Construction:

Cabinets are Dovetailed 7 ply Baltic Birch
Covered in Heavy NubTex in Blonde, Black, Brown, or Tweed
Stylish Plexi front panel featuring the Little Kahuna
Chromed steel caps on all eight corners
Steel reinforced handle
Heavy duty Glass/epoxy eyelet board
Entirely hand wired by Billy Zoom
Capacitors are high quality film type audio caps
The resistors are low-noise metal oxide, 2% tolerance, 1/2 watt or greater
Tube complement:

1 - 6BM8
2 - 12AX7's
Dimensions: 18 1/4"W x 5 1/4"H x 9 1/2"D

weight: 13 1/2 lbs.

—

When you have to shoot ... shoot! Don't talk.

"Los Grainders" > https://losgrainders.bandcamp.com
"The Strings Aflame" > https://thestringsaflame.bandcamp.com
"Planeta Reverb" > www.instagram.com/planetareverb

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BJB

Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 413
United States

Posted on Dec 03 2013 01:24 PM

Reverb + trem is a great idea! The trem has to come after the reverb, though, otherwise the reverb will wash out the effect.

Back in the 90's, Cesar Diaz used to build a reverb/tremolo unit but it used a photocell trem like the blackface/silverface amps. He also claimed that it produced 'vibrato' but I looked at his patent and there is no way that circuit produces pitch-shifting vibrato like a Magnatone or Vox. I would hope the Billy Zoom would have used a bias tremolo circuit but who knows.

—

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.

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FritzCat Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 685 Sonoma, CA	Posted on Jan 24 2010 10:43 PM Billy Zoom (guitarist for X, amp tech, etc) is now selling his reverb/tremolo units. Info here Sound samples and faceplate pics toward bottom of page here. If only I didn't have 2 reverb units already! Last edited: Jan 27, 2010 10:44:30 Top
surfin_bird Joined: Jun 09, 2009 Posts: 267 Amstelveen [The Netherlands]	Posted on Jan 25 2010 03:51 AM wow that looks very very tempting — Member of the league of banana yamaha's ! Top
BillyZoom Joined: Jan 26, 2010 Posts: 7	Posted on Jan 26 2010 09:39 PM Is it possible to post some photos and sound files that aren't over a year old? The new models are a lot cooler. BZ Top
FritzCat Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 685 Sonoma, CA	Posted on Jan 26 2010 09:44 PM If you have them I'd love to see them! Top
Ron-Rhoades Joined: Aug 19, 2006 Posts: 958 Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii	Posted on Jan 26 2010 10:35 PM Fritz...your links pages read: 502 Bad Gateway nginx I'd like to them too — The TakeOffs "Kauai's Only All-Instrumental Surf Band" http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-TakeOffs/312866840587 Top
FritzCat Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 685 Sonoma, CA	Posted on Jan 27 2010 12:49 AM That particular forum sometimes has connection issues, but it seems to be working at the moment. Top
IvanP Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 10331 southern Michigan	Posted on Jan 27 2010 08:38 AM FritzCat If only I didn't have 2 reverb units already! Yes, you hate to see bad things happen to good people. — Ivan Lords of Atlantis on Facebook The Madeira Official Website The Madeira on Facebook The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook The Space Cossacks on Facebook The Madeira Channel on YouTube Top
LHR Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle	Posted on Jan 27 2010 02:58 PM I was always a big fan of Mr. Zoom's work with X. He frequents the Gretsch board. What troubles me though here is his attitude about what constitutes a good reverb. No way I am buying a reverb unit designed by man who talks this kind of crazy: _The best Fender reverbs are the seventies models with the extra tube. The sixties models were just OK. The reissues aren't very good. I always thought the Premier units were pretty good. It's hard to beat the reverb built into the older Fender amps. The reverb on the newer amps like Blues Devilles, etc. sucks because they use a high impedance pan driven by an opamp instead of a tube. _ — SSIV Top
surfin_bird Joined: Jun 09, 2009 Posts: 267 Amstelveen [The Netherlands]	Posted on Feb 02 2010 10:53 AM ehhmm.. I can be wrong but didn't the real billy just passed by on this topic ? — Member of the league of banana yamaha's ! Top
tubedogsurf Joined: Dec 13, 2008 Posts: 103 Trinidad, Humboldt Nation	Posted on Feb 02 2010 11:27 AM Yeah, that was him theatening to post more sound samples...lets hear 'em! Anybody have an opinion on having reverb AND tremolo in the same unit? — John Bishop http://www.reverbnation.com/surfbound Top
elreydlp Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA	Posted on Feb 02 2010 11:53 AM tubedogsurf Yeah, that was him theatening to post more sound samples...lets hear 'em! Anybody have an opinion on having reverb AND tremolo in the same unit? I would say it makes a lot of sense. Top
surfin_bird Joined: Jun 09, 2009 Posts: 267 Amstelveen [The Netherlands]	Posted on Feb 02 2010 01:42 PM Why dont he make his threats comes true, I mean a pushpull button on an effect with the words pull for surf sounds way to good. and if the tremolo and reverb work seperate and together good, it's worth the $750 i think. — Member of the league of banana yamaha's ! Top
FritzCat Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 685 Sonoma, CA	Posted on Feb 05 2010 01:32 PM More photos and a little more information towards bottom of page here Top
Diggey Joined: Sep 23, 2007 Posts: 571 State College	Posted on Feb 08 2010 01:22 PM I bought one, and will post reviews and pix as soon as I get it and test it out. — Peace to you, not on you Top
Toneschaser Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 462 Ohio!	Posted on Jun 14 2012 09:36 PM Anybody else have one of these? It's my secret weapon! Top
JONPAUL Joined: Apr 29, 2010 Posts: 2472 Venice, CA	Posted on Jul 09 2012 04:28 PM Still no more recent audio or video samples? — Insect Surfers The Tikiyaki Orchestra The Scimitars Lords Of Atlantis Fiberglass Jungle - Surf Radio Top
Toneschaser Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 462 Ohio!	Posted on Jul 13 2012 07:24 PM There's one on eBay right now for $850. Top
Emilien03 Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 1377 Coyoacán, Distrito Federal	Posted on Dec 03 2013 10:46 AM TAKEN FROM HERE Billy Zoom The Little Kahuna is an all tube, high-end, Reverberation and Tremolo unit for electric guitar. These units are designed and entirely hand built by Billy Zoom at the Billy Zoom Custom Shop in Orange, California. Reverb section: All tube circuitry Real spring reverb Custom tensioned springs Constant-Current Pentode tube drive for super lush reverberation Extra-heavy duty drive transformer The Reverb Drive knob controls signal strength to the springs The Reverb Depth knob controls signal strength from the springs "Pull for Surf" feature on Depth knob boosts just the right frequencies for the ultimate Surf guitar "drip" Tremolo section: All tube circuitry Tube bias type tremolo for deep, lush tremolo effect Variable Q circuit for perfect tremolo at any speed setting The Tremolo Speed knob provides extended speed range, from ultra slow to super fast The Tremolo Depth knob selects just the right amount of Tremolo Switching: The Dual foot switch provides absolutely silent switching of Reverb and Tremolo effects The switch housing is Powder coated, heavy gauge steel, with a 15 foot cord Construction: Cabinets are Dovetailed 7 ply Baltic Birch Covered in Heavy NubTex in Blonde, Black, Brown, or Tweed Stylish Plexi front panel featuring the Little Kahuna Chromed steel caps on all eight corners Steel reinforced handle Heavy duty Glass/epoxy eyelet board Entirely hand wired by Billy Zoom Capacitors are high quality film type audio caps The resistors are low-noise metal oxide, 2% tolerance, 1/2 watt or greater Tube complement: 1 - 6BM8 2 - 12AX7's Dimensions: 18 1/4"W x 5 1/4"H x 9 1/2"D weight: 13 1/2 lbs. — When you have to shoot ... shoot! Don't talk. "Los Grainders" > https://losgrainders.bandcamp.com "The Strings Aflame" > https://thestringsaflame.bandcamp.com "Planeta Reverb" > www.instagram.com/planetareverb Top
BJB Joined: Jul 28, 2008 Posts: 413	Posted on Dec 03 2013 01:24 PM Reverb + trem is a great idea! The trem has to come after the reverb, though, otherwise the reverb will wash out the effect. Back in the 90's, Cesar Diaz used to build a reverb/tremolo unit but it used a photocell trem like the blackface/silverface amps. He also claimed that it produced 'vibrato' but I looked at his patent and there is no way that circuit produces pitch-shifting vibrato like a Magnatone or Vox. I would hope the Billy Zoom would have used a bias tremolo circuit but who knows. — If it ain't broke, fix it until it is. Top

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Billy Zoom "Little Kahuna" reverb & tremolo un