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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Reverb pedals better than Fender Frontman 25R reverb?

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I am considering buying a reverb pedal, but am asking for some opinions. Would the pedal reverb simulation be an improvement over the reverb on the Frontman 25R for Surf?

If I do get a pedal, I am not sure which has the best "drip." I have researched the forums and many seem to have varied opinions about which pedal accomplishes this best (or closest). I am looking into:
BOSS FRV-1, EH Holy Grail, TC Electronics Hall of Fame, Digiverb.
If there are other better options, let me know. Before someone recommends a Fender Reverb tank that is definitely not economically feasible at this time, nor would it be "conducive to my good health", if you know "who" I mean... haha. I can get a BOSS FRV-1 new for $110.00, so that may be the favorite at this time. Thanks for your feedback.
Don

Honestly, this is every reverb pedal.

Boss FRV-1 is a pretty good bet and the best, in my opinion, of the ones you mentioned.

JakeDobner wrote:

Honestly, this is every reverb pedal.

Boss FRV-1 is a pretty good bet and the best, in my opinion, of the ones you mentioned.

Jake, would a pedal be an improvement over the Frontman's onboard reverb?

Every reverb pedal every made would be an improvement.

JakeDobner wrote:

Every reverb pedal every made would be an improvement.

LOL. I took one apart to replace a power jack for a guy & I didn't think they made pans that small but there it was.

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.

Don't forget to have a look at the Flint and Topanga. But as you're on a Budget I'd suggest to get a Surfy Bear! No digital reverb beats the Surfy Bear (sound- and price-wise) IMO.

The Hicadoolas

Don't forget to have a look at the Flint and Topanga. But as you're on a Budget I'd suggest to get a Surfy Bear! No digital reverb beats the Surfy Bear (sound- and price-wise) IMO.

+1 for that.

But if you are looking for a pedal , give the DigiTech Polara a try. (though it is more expensive than the FRV-1)

My 2 cents. . . .

JakeDobner wrote:

Every reverb pedal every made would be an improvement.

I can feel the joy you had while writing that as a warm tingling in my toes. Big Grin

I cannot recommend the Boss FRV-1 (hey where's FRV-2 already?), I just can't. As much as it's low priced, as much as it is actually playable and useful, it just doesn't love you back.
I plugged mine in recently, just to remember how bad it was. It robs you, half the guitar sound is gone. Loss of dynamics, even when bypassed. Bad buffers, bad hardware and bad programming.

I have it for For sale, in EU, if someone's interested. Dead Reverb

The bear does baby, the Surfy Bear does! Love.
You can have an amazing, luscious, analog reverb, with the original Type4 springs. It can cost you about $100-$120 for all the parts, and some hours of handwork.

Otherwise, it will be easier to categorize you choices by answering this - do you need more types than a spring reverb sound, and what's your budget limit?

Last edited: Mar 21, 2015 15:39:11

DreadInBabylon wrote:

JakeDobner wrote:

Every reverb pedal every made would be an improvement.

I can feel the joy you had while writing that as a warm tingling in my toes. Big Grin

I cannot recommend the Boss FRV-1 (hey where's FRV-2 already?), I just can't. As much as it's low priced, as much as it is actually playable and useful, it just doesn't love you back.
I plugged mine in recently, just to remember how bad it was. It robs you, half the guitar sound is gone. Loss of dynamics, even when bypassed. Bad buffers, bad hardware and bad programming.

I have it for For sale, in EU, if someone's interested. Dead Reverb

The bear does baby, the Surfy Bear does! Love.
You can have an amazing, luscious, analog reverb, with the original Type4 springs. It can cost you about $100-$120 for all the parts, and some hours of handwork.

The Surfy Bear isn't an option because I would have no idea how to build it and I would need a cabinet of some sort.

Otherwise, it will be easier to categorize you choices by answering this - do you need more types than a spring reverb sound, and what's your budget limit?

I only need the spring reverb sound for Surf. A pedal is my only option at this time, or stick with the reverb on the Frontman 25R. Budget about 125.00

DreadInBabylon wrote:

JakeDobner wrote:

Every reverb pedal every made would be an improvement.

I can feel the joy you had while writing that as a warm tingling in my toes. Big Grin

I cannot recommend the Boss FRV-1 (hey where's FRV-2 already?), I just can't. As much as it's low priced, as much as it is actually playable and useful, it just doesn't love you back.
I plugged mine in recently, just to remember how bad it was. It robs you, half the guitar sound is gone. Loss of dynamics, even when bypassed. Bad buffers, bad hardware and bad programming.

I have it for For sale, in EU, if someone's interested. Dead Reverb

The bear does baby, the Surfy Bear does! Love.
You can have an amazing, luscious, analog reverb, with the original Type4 springs. It can cost you about $100-$120 for all the parts, and some hours of handwork.

The Surfy Bear isn't an option because I would have no idea how to build it and I would need a cabinet of some sort.

Otherwise, it will be easier to categorize you choices by answering this - do you need more types than a spring reverb sound, and what's your budget limit?

I only need the spring reverb sound for Surf. A pedal is my only option at this time, or stick with the reverb on the Frontman 25R. Budget about 125.00

The Boss is your best option. It's not the best pedal out there, but it gets the job done. Surfy Bear is the better option if you're handy around the house. Try and find a used one. Half the Surfy Bear builders probably have one lying around.

Well, I bought the BOSS FRV-1. Hope it is better than the Frontman's spring reverb.

gdhow62 wrote:

Well, I bought the BOSS FRV-1. Hope it is better than the Frontman's spring reverb.

Within the context of a math equation, yes it will be.

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.

Badger wrote:

gdhow62 wrote:

Well, I bought the BOSS FRV-1. Hope it is better than the Frontman's spring reverb.

Within the context of a math equation, yes it will be.

A positive number is always more than a zero.

JakeDobner wrote:

Every reverb pedal every made would be an improvement.

Congrats on your improvement Don!
Many players find this pedal very useful, I'm just a home player with intricate tastes.
Enjoy!

DreadInBabylon wrote:

Many players find this pedal very useful, I'm just a home player with intricate tastes.
Enjoy!

I actually wish I hadn't parted with my FRV-1. With a trem pedal and a couple of cords it made my '65 Champ a very nice little grab & go package. I'll continue to scout for one on the cheap locally as I kinda miss it. Most of the lesser pedals in the non-boutique category have a bunch of pre-delay or high-frequency krappola artifacts on the side.

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.

I used a fender frontman 65r for awhile. The reverb was pretty bad. I replaced the short pan w/ a full sized one. It just barely fit in the cabinet, but it made a world of difference.

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