What reverb pedal/unit should I get?

Buying an old magnatone amp without reverb. I like the Fender spring reverb sound. Is there a pedal/unit that comes close?

http://www.subdecay.com/spring-theory-reverberator

Always thought this pedal was really close!

The ProGuitarShop.com demos of the Malekko Spring (http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/index.php/all-effects-pedals/spring) are always fantastic (it's currently sold out in most places, though).

Congrats on the Magnatone, I'm mildly jealous!





I've heard great things about the Boss FRV-1(Fender spring reverb), but haven't actually used one, so take that fwiw.

Yes, the FRV-1 is outstanding for what you are looking for.

http://www.subdecay.com/spring-theory-reverberator

Always thought this pedal was really close!

I recently bought this for a small reverbless amp. I A/B'd it with the reverb in my Deluxe Reverb and was really impressed. With the dwell at 1:00 and the reverb level between 2 and 3, it was pretty much dead on - even in the decay of the trails. The reverb itself might be a tad thicker in the mids, compared to my Fender, but the character itself and sound otherwise was pretty darned close.

In the past, I've used a Mr Springgy and Spring Chicken, which both do a great job, but being belton brick based reverbs, they still have that certain belton characteristic to the sound. I've been a long time fan of the Springgy though in the past, but I think the Subdecay edges it out as far as an even more natural sound.

I have borrowed a Boss Fender FVR-1 from a friend because I am currently using an amp with no reverb or tremolo and I like to use both. My take on it is the reverb is okay, nothing like a real Fender, but it is passable. The tremolo is not good at all. I am not sure how to describe it, but it just sounds funky (not in a good way.) The pedal also has an overdrive function that I do not care for either. I will try it again at my next gig, but with unity gain setting and hopefully it will sound better to me.

My advice is there has to be many better pedals out there for reverb, but in a pinch it works okay.

I don't have reverb on my '57 Twin. I had bought a Boss FRV-1 reverb pedal & was never happy with it. I sold it & bought a TC Electronic Hall Of Fame reverb & really enjoy it. Has a lot of different modes. The Toneprint function works well with my iPhone. Can just beam a new preset to it. Mainly use just 2 settings though.

Anyone ever try one of these?

Little Lanilei Spring Reverb For Vintage Fender Tweed Deluxe Etc. Pedal | eBay

oops! here is the link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Little-Lanilei-Spring-Reverb-Vintage-Fender-Tweed-Deluxe-Etc-Pedal-/170838700341

here's another link
http://www.mahaffayamps.com/amplifier-effects-reverb.htm

had a little lanilei, wasn't crazy about it, kind of boxy-sounding and very sensitive to bumping. had a fender RI reverb unit, got tired of toting that thing around, and I thought it sounded kind of splatty into an overdriven amp. currently have an FRV-1, which sounds an awful lot like the fender outboard unit, for better and worse. (It doesn't have trem or overdrive, though, which makes me wonder what the poster above is talking about.) this thing beat out the holy grail for a spot on my board and will probably stay there forever. it definitely sounds "good enough" for everyday reverb purposes and will make appropriately weird noises if you adjust the dials in strange ways.

Eventide Space.

Hermida Reverb if you can find one. I paid $99 for it new and haven't looked back.

I have borrowed a Boss Fender FVR-1 from a friend because I am currently using an amp with no reverb or tremolo and I like to use both. My take on it is the reverb is okay, nothing like a real Fender, but it is passable. The tremolo is not good at all. I am not sure how to describe it, but it just sounds funky (not in a good way.) The pedal also has an overdrive function that I do not care for either. I will try it again at my next gig, but with unity gain setting and hopefully it will sound better to me.

My advice is there has to be many better pedals out there for reverb, but in a pinch it works okay.

That's the FDR-1...that one has a fake sounding reverb model with weird sproing sounds trying to emulate an actual spring reverb. The FRV-1 doesn't have that nonsense.

I had the FDR-1 for a bit...didn't hate it as much as most people do...if the reverb didn't do all that fake spring noise, I'd have kept it.

That's the FDR-1...that one has a fake sounding reverb model with weird sproing sounds trying to emulate an actual spring reverb. The FRV-1 doesn't have that nonsense.

I had the FDR-1 for a bit...didn't hate it as much as most people do...if the reverb didn't do all that fake spring noise, I'd have kept it.

Yeah, I tried those when they first came out. I thought they sounded terrible. Honestly, that whole Boss/Fender line was pretty bad.

Another vote for the FRV-1. I've A/B'd against my Twin and I can't tell the difference. In fact, the pedal has a dwell and tone control that are lacking on the amp. This pedal IS the Fender reverb sound!

Not that it means anything, but I wouldn't recommend a crappy pedal to someone on here.

The FRV-1 gets pretty much universally good reviews, and if I didn't already own two reverbs, it'd be high on my list.


The FDR-1, however, generally gets pretty bad reviews(for all the reasons listed)

Obviously, it depends on your guitar and your rig and, well, the sound you hear in your head. So, for some people, the FDR-1 might work. And, for those same reasons, it might not.

Personally, I dig the EHX reverb, but Hermida and Neunaber seem awesome. As does the Eventide, which is a little outta my price range.


This being said, I still think the FRV-1 would be a good fit

The ProGuitarShop.com demos of the Malekko Spring (http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/index.php/all-effects-pedals/spring) are always fantastic (it's currently sold out in most places, though).

+1 i just checked out this review, really nice sounds -- http://proguitarshop.com/malekko-omicron-spring.html -- close call between this and the holy grail... i am a sucker for pink tho :oops:

Find an EPiphone valve jr and buy the bitmo tube reverb kit

I've had a Boss FRV-1 for about a year now. It's very good. Don't go crazy with the Tone control, or it will get too bright.

Tech 21 Boost R.V.B. I had both the FRV-1 and HOF. The HOF spring was just ok for me. The FRV-1 nails what you are looking for. For me, I like the Tech 21 better, since I can tweak the reverb much more. I have it set up for spring and it sounds great.

Yes, as others pointed out, I was referring the FDR-1. Sorry about that. I should have pulled it out and looked at it again to confirm the proper name. I have no experience with the FRV-1.

Tech 21 Boost R.V.B. I had both the FRV-1 and HOF. The HOF spring was just ok for me. The FRV-1 nails what you are looking for. For me, I like the Tech 21 better, since I can tweak the reverb much more. I have it set up for spring and it sounds great.

Yeah...the Tech 21 is a great reverb...very tweakable...you can create your own reverb feel...good stuff...I'm a big Tech 21 fan.

Another vote here for the FRV-1. Really a versatile pedal. You can go from very subtle to splashy surf, and the tone knob gives a wide range of sounds.

Hermida Reverb if you can find one. I paid $99 for it new and haven't looked back.

Yup, Hermida all the way. I have the old one. Alfonso is great to work with too.