BrentD
Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
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Posted on Feb 11 2022 12:58 PM
So I think Fender actually did a really good job on the FRV-1, despite the popularity of some competitors. Nevertheless, there is certainly a harshness or shrillness that I haven't been able to dial out. Many of you are aware!
It dawned on me that the 6G15 is an entire unit, not just a reverb tank. It's got a (5-watt?) amp driving those spring transducers which creates a significant impact on tone. And I think most of us surf fans would recognize there's a little drive coming from a pushed 6G15 that's pleasant.
My mini epiphany: Fender modeled the whole unit, not just the drip. There's drive built into the algorithm.
So I tried an experiment. You could simply turn down your guitar, but for ease of use I put a volume box before my FRV-1 and dialed back maybe 15% or 20%. You could use any clean pedal with a volume control to do this I think, or build one with a pot and some jacks. I got a slick one with space graphics off Reverb for $25. Whatever works!
In any case, reducing the input gain to the FRV-1 seems to reduce the harshness a lot but retain the nice drip from the pedal. I believe the harsh tone is coming from overtones brought out by drive modeling. Same principle as distorting a bass guitar a bit to get it to pop in a mix. If you've got one of these, try it out and report back.
Cheers!
— Neptune Trojans
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Feb 11 2022 02:41 PM
Brent, have you tried lowering your pickups a bit? May be a simpler option.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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BrentD
Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
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Posted on Feb 11 2022 06:57 PM
Thanks for the tip, Danny. I'm lucky to have several reverb options, but recently encountered some discussion on the FRV-1 and was merely sharing something I tried and thought worked to a degree.
— Neptune Trojans
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4517
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Feb 12 2022 12:37 AM
That’s interesting. I had an FRV-1, which I foolishly sold when I bought my Catalinbread Topanga. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Topanga, but the FRV-1 had a charm of its own. Unfortunately, there was a metallic harshness that I didn’t care for. It sounds like you may have broken the code and found a good fix.
The 6G15 basically was a Champ driving the reverb, so your wet signal had been through a Class A, single ended tube amp before it ever reached the guitar amp. All I know is that the one 6G15 I played through was amazing.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2272
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Feb 12 2022 05:17 AM
I used it for several months and decided that the best remedy is to sell it and buy another reverb) I could do nothing with this harsh sound.
— 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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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4517
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Feb 12 2022 09:07 AM
Samurai wrote:
I used it for several months and decided that the best remedy is to sell it and buy another reverb) I could do nothing with this harsh sound.
When they first came out, it was somewhat an innovation and probably as close to a 6G15 as any pedal in existence. It had some drip and a degree of the feel of a tank, but it came off a bit metallic and harsh to my ear.
It’s really amazing, the degree to which pedals have developed over the last 10-15 years. I won’t argue that any pedal comes up to the standards of a good 6G15, because it’s pretty much impossible to capture that much lightning in a bottle. If you want a 6G15 and can’t find, or don’t care to pay the price for a vintage unit, I’d say to buy a Surfy Bear. However, some of the solid-state pedals out there these days are startlingly good. I use a Catalinbread Topanga, and love it. I also have a JHS Spring Tank and it too, has an excellent sound, if you spend the time required to dial in the settings. There are other good reverb pedals as well, and each has their own devoted following.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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BrentD
Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
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Posted on Feb 12 2022 09:51 AM
I've got a 6G15 RI but was digging around for a compact pedal to see if I could put together a super light rig. The Topanga still seems to be a winner but I did some experimenting with the Boss because I've got one laying around. I never sold it because the prices are insane and I figured I'd decide it was my fave as soon as I sold it.
— Neptune Trojans
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4517
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Feb 12 2022 01:13 PM
BrentD wrote:
I've got a 6G15 RI but was digging around for a compact pedal to see if I could put together a super light rig. The Topanga still seems to be a winner but I did some experimenting with the Boss because I've got one laying around. I never sold it because the prices are insane and I figured I'd decide it was my fave as soon as I sold it.
In my case, I must claim only a faint parallel. I have a reissue Fender Tube Reverb, which sounds good, but I won’t say that it’s as good as an original 6G15. I bought an FRV-1 about three seconds after they went on sale, then I became an early adopter of the Topanga. Unfortunately, I sold the FRV-1 and I do regret it. I’d love to have another, even if I used it rarely.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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BrentD
Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
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Posted on Feb 12 2022 02:42 PM
Yeah, mine is a reissue too. There's an original one nearby but the owner has a Vibrasonic too and doesn't seem to want to part with it (or the amp!).
— Neptune Trojans
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4517
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Feb 12 2022 03:20 PM
BrentD wrote:
Yeah, mine is a reissue too. There's an original one nearby but the owner has a Vibrasonic too and doesn't seem to want to part with it (or the amp!).
That 6G15 and a Vibrolux would make for a great combination.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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ArabSpringReverb
Joined: Jul 13, 2012
Posts: 490
San Diego CA
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Posted on Feb 14 2022 12:12 PM
BOSS made the FRV -1 not Fender . I didnt care for the harsh treble ..the rest I found to be fine . Yes there is some drive emulated as well which actually sounds natural but the quality of the treble is weird/ harsh ..I ended up usually turning the treble down almost all the way when I used the FRV-1 ( which wasnt often ) . I have better reverb pedal options and a few tanks so the FRV 1 was not being used and I donated it to a teenage surfer girl who wants to play surf guitar .
Last edited: Feb 14, 2022 12:13:00
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4517
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Feb 15 2022 12:54 AM
ArabSpringReverb wrote:
BOSS made the FRV -1 not Fender . I didnt care for the harsh treble ..the rest I found to be fine . Yes there is some drive emulated as well which actually sounds natural but the quality of the treble is weird/ harsh ..I ended up usually turning the treble down almost all the way when I used the FRV-1 ( which wasnt often ) . I have better reverb pedal options and a few tanks so the FRV 1 was not being used and I donated it to a teenage surfer girl who wants to play surf guitar .
As best I recall, there were three pedals which Boss came out with that were emulations of Fender products. The FRV-1, the Deluxe Reverb pedal and the ‘59 Bassman pedal. I owned examples of the first two.
Weird/harsh well describes the highs of the FRV-1. All I can opine is that they were going for a crisp, bright reverb and overshot the target. In every other way, I feel that it acquitted itself well.
The Deluxe Reverb pedal was interesting. It was basically designed to copy the control set of a Deluxe Reverb amp, but with the ability to overdrive, or keep it clean. I used one with a Jaguar, and it seemed to tame the top end a bit. The built in reverb was respectable, but not in the ballpark of a tank.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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dannylectro
Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Posts: 371
Orange, CA
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Posted on Feb 15 2022 04:49 AM
Samurai wrote:
I used it for several months and decided that the best remedy is to sell it and buy another reverb) I could do nothing with this harsh sound.
Agreed!
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