Hey folks,

I finally found the time to compare the reverb units I own and demo them.
The units compared are:

• BOSS FRV-1
• Strymon Flint
• Fender RI tank (6K6, C10 mod, good 70s pan I pulled out of a Bandmaster Reverb TFL5005D)
• The Surfy Bear FET Reverb (R4 connected to a MOD 4AB3C1B)
• Gomez G-Spring

Initially I thought I'd use a looper and simply play a lick and switch to each reverb, so I won't play along to the reverbs 'character'.
But I don't have a looper and after asking on Facebook if anybody could borrow one, all I got was dissed by Ralf!
So I played each part by hand, that's why it's sometimes quite sloppy - it became pretty exhausting after some time.
Please forgive my bad playing, it is solely for comparison purpose. Reverb science, if you like.

What came to me as a suprise is that the best sounding reverb in this shootout (to my ears) is NOT my favorite reverb in a live situation.
Maybe because it has been recorded in a sterile (home) studio situation.

As I am aware that most people will favor one or another unit, I simply named the files A, B, C, D and E.
You can make your guess, which letter applies to which unit. Trust your ears! Choose what you like most.
I will solve the puzzle in a couple of days.

I also apologize that I couldn't throw in a real vintage unit. I simply do not have one!
Same goes for all the other pedals/clones out there (Topanga, Supernatural, etc.)

Hope you guys enjoy this little puzzle and maybe it is useful for some of you who are still looking for the 'right' reverb.
Here's a pic of the 'session'.

And finally - the link to the sound files:

Click here.

Cheers
Sancho

The Hicadoolas

Last edited: Jan 21, 2015 05:59:11

Fantastic job, Sancho!
Your playing is good, and this is by far the most detailed comparison yet. You know of course the Topanga is glaring in it's absence... IMO it's the best digital emulation by far.
It's really hard to nail the analog ones, since the sound depends so much on the pan itself. I guess the Gomez is Accutronics 4AB3C1B? And the Surfy Bear is attached to what?

From the hip:
A. Flint
B. SurfyBear
C. RI
D. Gomez
E. FRV1

BTW, if you have a PC+Soundcard setup, it's not so hard to re-amp, just use an available out with a buffered boost pedal.

Last edited: Jan 17, 2015 15:13:04

Thanks Ariel! You are right regarding the pan in the Gomez. The Surfy Bear is attached to a MOD 4AB3C1B. I did not notice any 'longer decay' with the MOD (some people complain about the long tail).

Oh, and you got 2 out of 5

Edit: I thought about using my PC as a playback device. Had to use it for recording, unfortunately. Maybe my laptop would work as 'looping' device. So laptop > reverb > amp > mixing console > desktop PC. Mmmh...

The Hicadoolas

Last edited: Jan 17, 2015 15:19:06

my brain hurts :)

Rick

Rick

Absolutely Ryan, me too!
Rick: sorry, didn't wanna hurt you
Ralf: If you are interested in time traveling, be here last monday!

The Hicadoolas

LaFleur wrote:

A,C and D are real tanks, so far

Don't want to spoil here

The Hicadoolas

Last edited: Jan 17, 2015 15:39:36

B is the only one I'm not a big fan of. It doesn't sound bad, more like the onboard from a Princeton Reverb.

Me, I gig with a Gomez but I'm more than happy using the reverb tank pedal in Logic Pro. I'm not on the chase for the perpetual 'perfect reverb', although using the modeling in Logic allows me to tweak to my hearts content.

My ear's not that discerning but have to play to at least honor all the work; damn Sancho, thanks!

FRV-1
Surfy Bear FET
Gomez
Strymon Flint
Fender RI Tank

When the puzzle gets solved I hope someone can take a minute (in case I forget) to crank that into the site's Reverb Wiki; there's a section for these alternate solutions.

Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel

DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.

Fantastic study! I would guess A,C,D to be real springs and they sound the best. I'm going to shoot the works that the Surfy Bear is C???

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Last edited: Jan 17, 2015 17:50:38

new guy here, kinda knowing what a reverb pedal is

just going off my music experience, and what I personally like:

I really like "D" - good depth, good brightness, good all around.
A would be my other favorite.

Last edited: Jan 17, 2015 22:31:47