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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Blind comparison - 63 reissue tank vs. FRV-1

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Hi!

Following the pickup-game (http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/20693/), I have made another quick recodring, just out of interest. If you have a guess, you can send me a message.

It is two pieces, one quick and desperate shot a Jimi Hendrix song (I hope that there are not too many radical Jimi-Fanatics in this forum ...) and the arpeggio from "Istanbul, not Constantinople". I have tried to make the settings sound similar without spending too much effort, and it was simply recorded with my TASCAM.

The guitar is a Gibson Firebird Studio with M3 - RH 100/90 singlecoils, and the amp is a small Crate Palomino V16 with a Celestion Vintage speaker...

So - tell the difference ...
https://soundcloud.com/gisela-gramml/63reissuevsfrv1

yours
wolfi

http://www.surfgrammeln-san.org
https://www.facebook.com/BaluUndSurfgrammeln
http://greencookierecords.bandcamp.com/album/coming-out-soon-los-chicharrones-del-surf-10

my guess is for both samples: first springs then no springs.
LoeD

here comes the WEST SAMOA SURFER LEAGUE

Regardless of which one is which, the second sample on both sounds like shit. It is peaking in the wrong way and a little too much reverb.

My guess though, is that the FRV-1 is the first sample. I can't tell on the Hendrix one, but on the muting one, the 'splashes' appear to be firing randomly/after the initial picking attack was done. The second sample doesn't even have any splash, could just as well be onboard reverb. It actually does sound digital, sound really bad. But I'm guess it is the tank, just a tank that could benefit from new tubes and/or different settings.

So... to sum it up. I think the first one is the FRV-1, but it sounds much better than the second sample.

+1 to what Jake said!

The Hicadoolas

@Jake: as usual, there is some truth in all we say Very Happy
but your inbox is full, therefore I cannot tell you which part of your assessment is correct Big Razz
yours
wolfgang

http://www.surfgrammeln-san.org
https://www.facebook.com/BaluUndSurfgrammeln
http://greencookierecords.bandcamp.com/album/coming-out-soon-los-chicharrones-del-surf-10

First FRV1
Second RI tank

Okay folks, I took the liberty to do my own comparison.
I tried to set them up to sound the same, just to find out: it's impossible Wink
First of all one of 'em sounds more cavernous and narrow, the other more like outer space and open, regardless of the settings. You simply can't change this by turning the knobs, it's in their roots.
Also I tried to get a reasonable surf tone out of each. When I tried to make the pedal sound like the tank it started to sound weird and unnatural (and vice versa). I decided to make them both sound as good and as close to each other as possible. Sure you can get better sounds out of the tank or the pedal, but you have to make a compromise to do a useful A/B comparison, imho.
The pedal was powered by a VoodooLab PedalPower 2Plus. The RI tank has been modified with a TAD/MOD pan and a 6K6 tube. To give you an overview of the settings I simply made a picture...says more than 6-7 o'clock. Be aware that your unit may sound different with the same settings, as potentiometers tend to have a certain tolerance (+5%/-5% - correct me if I'm wrong, please).
Stuff used for recording (in this order): Hallmark 60 Custom (2013 model, stock - comes with 500k pots) String are GHS Boomers .010s (still stock) and I use Dunlop Nylon pics .88mm. Monster Rock cable. Boss '63 Fender Reverb (powered by the Pedal Power - see above). Short patch cable with Neutrik plugs. Fender '63 Reverb unit (TAD/MOD pan, 6K6 - also mentioned above). Summer cable. Marshall JMP-1 (yes, I use this for home recording as I can plug it into my mixing console directly via line out - no speakers required, won't get the neighbors upset with headphones). Behringer Xenyx X1222 USB mixing console (connected to my desktop computer). Program used for recording: EnergyXT.
Reverb A/B comparison
image

The Hicadoolas

hi!
well, for now, I will reveal my comparison. it is tnak first, then FRV. therefore, Torsten (=LöD) was right Very Happy

yours
wolfi

http://www.surfgrammeln-san.org
https://www.facebook.com/BaluUndSurfgrammeln
http://greencookierecords.bandcamp.com/album/coming-out-soon-los-chicharrones-del-surf-10

Sancho I'd guess the first samples are the pedal and the second ones the tube reverb. PM me the results!

What I find very interesting after both these comparisons is that it's really hard to tell which is which. On the other hand, when I played the pedal I instantly hated it and when I played the tank (esp. a triode kit one) I instantly loved it. Maybe the end result is very similar but the feeling you get when you play it is different.

https://zakandthekrakens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.dirtyfuse.com

hi!
well - the one thing i realised is that the tube reverb has some mojo to it ... to me, it really sounds more organic, with more harmonics. Or, in other words, the FRV-1 is sharper, more piercing...

still, i like the FRV-1 for its weight and the possibility to get a - well ... - bearable sound. I prefer semiacoustics, large combos and the tube reverb, but I will definitely not drag around approx. 45 kg of equipment all the timd Smile

yours
wolfi

http://www.surfgrammeln-san.org
https://www.facebook.com/BaluUndSurfgrammeln
http://greencookierecords.bandcamp.com/album/coming-out-soon-los-chicharrones-del-surf-10

RaistMagus wrote:

Sancho I'd guess the first samples are the pedal and the second ones the tube reverb. PM me the results!

+1 That would also be my guess!
To my ear the second samples are drippier and bouncier.

image

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