eddiewagner
if you get that thang down, you can sell some to the pickers here no problem. you have really found out someting. that is very cool!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160267193604&_trksid=p2759.l1259

Wow, someone is already trying to make money on this mod. Lame. And look, they're using my clips to sell it. I'm reporting this shiz - for using my music, obviously. I can't do anything about the mod ripoff.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

Hey Uma,

I've been shopping around for the best reverb solution for my needs, and the Spring King with your mod is looking really really good. The SK was already topping the list for my list of pedal reverb options, but after hearing that middle part of your sound sample I think I'm sold.

Anything you'd change or do differently if you were doing the mod from scratch again? You mentioned a lower value feedback pot; any idea what value you think would work better?

I still have to decide if I'd rather put the money toward a build-it-yourself reverb tank kit, but the cheapest those seem to start is $400-500. I just feel like it'd be silly to have a reverb tank worth more than the amp it's feeding into (Vox Valvetronix AD30VT).

Okay, made some changes on my Spring King - now I'm using a 10k pot for delay time (which stays within the realm of slap back at all positions) and a 50k pot for feedback, in series with a 15k resistor. I found that to be more satisfying that the toggle switch. At max feedback then, it's still getting 15k resistance, which is stock. I had forgotten how much feedback there is in the stock setting. It actually masks the real reverb quite a bit. So anyway, I can go from that stock value all the way down to no delay at all, which is what I set it to most of the time. I like this version of the mod the best so far.

I'm working on another mod that should make it even cooler - we'll see if it turns out.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

DRG
Great project, UmaFloresta. I'm doing all within my power to persuade someone on eBay to ship a Spring King to me overseas. If you do make that mod with the vacuum tube sticking out of the top, please post a pic!

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

Chopper
My poor SpringKing, raped and held captive by an evil scientist
Just kiddin' Uma. I think its cool
Hey, if theres a place to read about dissecected reverb getters its here

Cool your sharing this info about a fairly popular pedal! Definite difference in sound from the original.

Your Spring King now has acute Stockholm Syndrome - it actually wants to be modded some more, and then says "thank you sir, may I have another?"

Hey, thanks for selling it to me. It's been fun exploring its inner workings a little, with my limited knowledge. I use it for every song now.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

See what you've done? I've just ordered a Spring King from a guy at ebay. I'll start heating my solder...

(Why do I do this? ...I already have a '63 Fender Reverb unit... I don't know, but I can't help it... )

Thanks a lot for the info!!!!

Beto Derrumbe

http://www.myspace.com/losderrumbes

Last edited: Aug 28, 2008 12:37:39

Of course I want!! - Please, please, please...!!!

http://www.myspace.com/losderrumbes

Could you send them to me also ?
I did your last one with great success!

Thanks!
h8bit

I'm just going to go ahead and post the mod:

This time what I did was hook it up to an external spring - the Accutronics 4AB3C1B, the same type used in the Fender 63 outboard reverb. All you need to do to hook it up is drill a couple of holes in the case, and install two RCA (phono) jacks. You can get those at Radioshack. Then you find the two pairs of green and black wires, that go from the PCB to each end of the springs. Here's a photo:

image

You cut those wires, strip the ends, and solder them to the RCA jacks, going from the PCB to the jacks. The green end is the signal, the black end is ground. If you want to still be able to use the internal springs, you can send those wires to a 4PDT toggle switch, available at Small Bear electronics. You just need to be careful to keep the wires from drooping down over the springs and muting them. If you need a diagram for wiring to a switch, let me know.

Anyway, once the jacks are in your Spring King and the wires are soldered in there, you can get two ordinary RCA cords (or a single stereo cord with two plugs on each end) and run them from the Spring King to the Accutronics reverb pan. They come with RCA jacks already in place. If you plug them in and get no reverb, try reversing them - if they're backwards you'll get no reverb.

The Spring King is compatible with any spring reverb tank with an input impedance of 8 to 10 ohms. If you want to try different tanks, go to the Accutronics web site and find out how to read the codes on the tanks- codes tell you how many springs there are, reverberation time, input and output impedance, etc. Anyway, the big improvement on this mod is that the 4AB3C1B tank has longer springs and a longer reverb time, and a nicer drip. I really like it. But, it's big! About 17 inches long. What I'm going to do with mine is house it in a bread box so it's portable. Plus I can kick it easily. A cheap tool box would also work, or if you're handy with wood, you could make a wooden enclosure for it. Just use some rubber washers and whatnot when mounting to somewhat insulate it from external vibrations.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

Okay, just for fun, I made a comparison of the stock small tank and the big tank, and also what it sounds like with both tanks at once in parallel. I still prefer just the big tank alone.

The settings on all three clips are no delay, and Volume, Tone and Reverb cranked all the way up.

Big Tank:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6892083

Small Tank:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6892074

Both Tanks:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6892091

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk