derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 658
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Posted on Dec 25 2017 05:38 PM
I'm looking for a spring reverb pedal. Yes, I know a real tank is better (I've owned vintage and reissue Fender Reverb Units) - BUT in spring pedals, I've had the Flint, 3 x Topanga's and 3 x FRV1's. They all have plus and minuses. The FRV was a bit of a tone suck for me and a bit brash. The Topanga, I don't know I didn't like the trails and didn't think it represented the 6G15 as good as the Boss FRV. The Topanga seemed to disappear when guitar volume was reduced and the overall characteristics didn't jive for me - maybe I'm not setting it right or using the VOL correctly. Oh, and something was too digital sounding/studio reverb sounding in the tail.
So that leads me to the Wampler Faux Spring Reverb which I've listened to and seems to have better tails than the Topagna and sounded more Fender'ish to me (abeit combo sounding) but pretty realistic. Also interested in the MXR M300 reverb pedal.
At this point, it's either a Wampler Faux for around $150-$180 (compact and gets the job done) or $400-$450 Fender Reissue 6G15 (better tone possibly but more to haul around and go wrong)
** I sound mention I'm not a surf player but I do love that tone. Think Hollywood Fats, Jr Watson, Kid Ramos, Luther Perkins, etc - 50's inspired rock n roll rockabilly - OH I do dearly miss my 1964 Fender Reverb Unit it was a gem that I foolishly sold - been chasing that sound ever since. On on last side note, the surfy bear does look cool, but at that point I'd do reissue 6G15 - something about that tube preamp.
Last edited: Dec 25, 2017 23:13:58
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Chippertheripper
Joined: Mar 11, 2011
Posts: 819
Semass
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Posted on Dec 25 2017 06:41 PM
I‘ve gotta be honest, my favorite reverb in a pedal is the HOF. I’m currently using a mini with what’s called the “fats verb” TonePrint and it’s really on point for a pedal thus far. And half the price of the wampler to boot.
Borrow somebody’s local to you if you can, or download the ap on your phone before you go to the store to demo, so you can really play around with different profiles.
Sorry for skipping off your intent here, but the thing deserves an honest nod.
Edit: here’s the video for the tp, but it doesn’t entirely support my point. It has a nice initial bounce back, very much like a tank.
Last edited: Dec 25, 2017 19:04:26
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Surfadelphia
Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 407
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Posted on Dec 25 2017 06:42 PM
The better spring reverb pedals all seem to do a nice emulation of an in amp spring reverb to varying degrees depending on the pedal (the Strymon Flint sounds really good to my ears and the Subdecay Spring Theory was nice too w/ a bit more drip) but fall short when it comes to a legit sounding surf drip. The Boss FRV does the drip but has a few other issues that make it a no go for many. I've only heard samples/demos of the Wampler on You Tube, etc and it sounds ok, but really nothing special IMO. Unfortunately it is easy to fall down the rabbit hole with reverb pedals. I've been very happy with my Chinese made Tone Bakery Creme Verb 6G15 copy, especially after swapping out the 6V6 for a NOS 6K6. That unit's also pt to pt and you can't beat the price (under 350.00) but another poster here got a bum unit and I don't know if that's the exception or the rule. JRR Shop that sells them are great to deal with, you can always shoot them an email or call with any questions if you have any interest. If I didn't end up with the MIC unit, a turn-key Surfy Bear was looking/sounding pretty good to me.
Last edited: Dec 25, 2017 18:44:08
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derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 658
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Posted on Dec 25 2017 07:56 PM
The HOF and Fats Verb tone print, is not too shabby though I think the Wampler, Topanga and frv are better sounding. I think it’s cool that there is a Fats tone print - thanks for the suggestion
Last edited: Dec 25, 2017 21:57:53
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derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 658
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Posted on Dec 25 2017 09:53 PM
These Wampler samples have been my reference.
I will admit missing in every spring reverb pedal is (1) drip and (2) the 3D engulfing reverb sounds
https://youtu.be/FFEBx2lJvGA
https://youtu.be/3hUIUDVdb18
Last edited: Dec 25, 2017 21:58:20
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Dec 26 2017 12:42 AM
When we tested 20+ Pedals, lots of tanks and the SurfyBear at the Reverb Seminar at the SurferJoe Festival in 2015 the Wampler FauxReverb was the pedal that really surprised everyone. It sounded way better and closer to a tank than the other pedals. Unfortunately the recording of the seminar is lost...
— The Hicadoolas
Last edited: Dec 26, 2017 03:46:41
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2186
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Dec 26 2017 03:30 AM
Played with Wampler, Topanga and Flint in the shop and left it with Flint 
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
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Redfeather
Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 866
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Posted on Dec 26 2017 03:34 AM
Why not a Surfy Bear kit? It's the 6G15 sound for less than the price of the pedal!
Last edited: Dec 26, 2017 13:48:53
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Chippertheripper
Joined: Mar 11, 2011
Posts: 819
Semass
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Posted on Dec 26 2017 10:56 AM
Both of those clips sound like amp reverb to me. I could be way outta line, but it definitely doesn’t sound like a tank.
derekirving wrote:
These Wampler samples have been my reference.
I will admit missing in every spring reverb pedal is (1) drip and (2) the 3D engulfing reverb sounds
https://youtu.be/FFEBx2lJvGA
https://youtu.be/3hUIUDVdb18
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derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 658
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Posted on Dec 26 2017 11:09 AM
Chippertheripper wrote:
Both of those clips sound like amp reverb to me. I could be way outta line, but it definitely doesn’t sound like a tank.
derekirving wrote:
These Wampler samples have been my reference.
I will admit missing in every spring reverb pedal is (1) drip and (2) the 3D engulfing reverb sounds
https://youtu.be/FFEBx2lJvGA
https://youtu.be/3hUIUDVdb18
I'd concur, that the Wamper Pedal in those videos are more combo like reverb then outboard reverb tank.
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Ariel
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 1556
Israel
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Posted on Dec 26 2017 01:14 PM
Let us not forget that most of these pedals don't even CLAIM to be an outboard tank emulation. Those that do, fall short. Either way, Surfy-Bear yeah!
SanchoPansen wrote:
Unfortunately the recording of the seminar is lost...
Oh man  I was wondering about that. That's a shame.
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Toneschaser
Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
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Posted on Dec 27 2017 07:40 AM
Give the MXR a shot if you have the chance. Incredibly versatile and capable of the surf worthy sounds we are so critical about.
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grayn
Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Posts: 114
East Lancashire
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Posted on Apr 06 2018 06:33 AM
I've been using the Wampler Faux Spring Reverb for a year or two and love it.
Definitely gives you that drip and can mix well with onboard reverbs, too.
It's a class act and I've not heard better.
— http://soundcloud.com/graham-pike
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dragonsurfer
Joined: Apr 17, 2008
Posts: 128
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Posted on Apr 06 2018 02:30 PM
I've known Brian since before he started putting his name on his pedals. Watched him grow and come up with innovative pedals.
The Wampler Faux Spring Reverb pedal does do what it attempts to do and that is give a semblance of a sound of a spring reverb. If you think about it, designing something in the first place is not an easy task. One can start to feel entitled that as a buyer we only deserve the best on the first try. It amazes me how Brian can set his mind in Tron mode and concoct something with electronic circuitry.
Although not a tank and all it's charm, it's a "spring" in small foot print. Can't kick this though.
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Sonic_Blue
Joined: Feb 22, 2019
Posts: 190
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Posted on May 26 2019 05:18 PM
I compared my Wampler with my Fender Reverb Tank RI and it sounds incredibly close. There are some slight additional sounds from the Wampler but I like them! I love this pedal.
Last edited: May 26, 2019 17:18:56
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