Strymon Flint vs. Strymon Blue Sky

[Vanzant]

Hey folks, I am almost ready to pull the trigger on a reverb pedal. Sticking with Strymon, I have narrowed it down to these two pedals, the Flint and Blue Sky. I am curious to know which one you would choose and why. Also, there is a poll, so go ahead and cast your vote.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

How are you fixed for tremolo? That's half the reason to go Flint.

 

[Vanzant]

How are you fixed for tremolo? That's half the reason to go Flint.

I don’t have a tremolo, so that would be an added feature. Really just looking for the best sounding reverb.

 

[Mark the Moose]

1. Do you need a tremolo?
2. How much do you tweak reverbs, as opposed to set it and forget it.

I’ve had fancy reverbs and found I zeroed in on the one I like, set it where I liked it and never touched it again. On the flip side, I change delays all the time. Thus I need the variety and presets of a higher end delay but need my verb to be as small and simple as possible. Maybe you’re similar, maybe you’re the opposite.

 

[Vanzant]

1. Do you need a tremolo?
2. How much do you tweak reverbs, as opposed to set it and forget it.

I’ve had fancy reverbs and found I zeroed in on the one I like, set it where I liked it and never touched it again. On the flip side, I change delays all the time. Thus I need the variety and presets of a higher end delay but need my verb to be as small and simple as possible. Maybe you’re similar, maybe you’re the opposite.

For the most part I am like you, set it and leave it. But in a recording situation I might want to have more options.

As far as tremolo goes, I don’t have one, could be fun.

Really trying add a little life to my bassman.

 

[scooteraz]

I have the Flint, and it has both reverb and tremolo. And is an amazing effect. The Blue Sky is more “Reverby” if you will with no trem. But way more control over the reverb parameters. The Flint has great sounding reverbs and tremolos.


So, it depends, do you want a great super adjustable reverb, or do you want some great classic reverb and tremolo effects in one box? The answer to that answers which pedal to get.

 

[Texicaster]

I had both for a while. blueSky of course has more reverb options so if that's what you're after... But I found many of them not my style so leaned towards the Flint. Returned the blueSky.

I think tremolo and reverb play of each other. Even a hint of trem can color the reverb in a cool way. On amps with trem/reverb I tend to have trem on 1 or 2 and reverb on 3 or 4. So the Flint offers that option.

In the end I returned the Flint too as I got them for my Tweed Champ RI and neither added much I liked. I've gone into detail elsewhere but both seemed to override the killer tone of the Champ and negate it's natural reverb tone. it doesn't have reverb but something about it has that effect and both pedals erased that.... Still don't know how or why...

[EDIT]
For what it's worth I see blueSky's on local CL, between PHX and Tucson, quite often but never a Flint..... I think I've see three the past 2 months and they sat there for a while...

 

[ndcaster]

I don't have both, but I got the Flint because I wanted something to give me what I lacked with my no-reverb/no-trem amps. One and done.

The "hall" reverb, by the way, can be dialed back to create what I think is a really nice "room" reverb.

I'm looking at the BlueSky for vocals because, unlike the Flint, it has pre-delay and gives you more options for tweaking the EQ curve. It's probably overkill for my application, but ymmv.

If you're more into ambient sounds, the BlueSky also has modulated reverb and a "shimmer" setting. I imagine this would be useful in worship bands.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

If you're more into ambient sounds, the BlueSky also has modulated reverb and a "shimmer" setting. I imagine this would be useful in worship bands.

Send in the angels! On the enormous Big Sky, check out the Chorale setting -- click on the Chorale tab on the following linked page and listen to the Angry Mob audio -- satanist worship bands should find it useful too!

https://www.strymon.net/bigsky/

 

[Vanzant]

I don't have both, but I got the Flint because I wanted something to give me what I lacked with my no-reverb/no-trem amps. One and done.

This might be how I rationalize it...thanks!

 

[scooteraz]

This might be how I rationalize it...thanks!

Ohhhh....rationalize away. That is the TDPRI way....LOL

In fact, you could rationalize to the point where you get both! Just saying.

 

[Vanzant]

Ohhhh....rationalize away. That is the TDPRI way....LOL

In fact, you could rationalize to the point where you get both! Just saying.

nah, I wouldn't need two reverb effects, plus it would take up too much room, I would need a larger pedalboard...ohh wait, maybe that's what I should get...lol

 

[Paulie_Boy]

Reverb pedal? Well, at least it's not drugs. Or God forbid, distortion.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

Reverb pedal? Well, at least it's not drugs. Or God forbid, distortion.

One leads to t'other.

 

[Ian T]

I have a Flint, and it serves those non-reverb amps like your Bassman or a tweed Champ just perfectly.

My only minor gripe is that the reverb effect level is more reactive to my guitar volume than a real amp reverb. So when I boost volume for a solo sometimes the verb gets a bit much. If I dial it in for my solo volume, there isn't enough verb for quieter playing. I don't ever notice this being an issue when using reverb on my Fender amps, Vibroverb/DR/TR/Bandmaster Reverb.

If you are going to be spendy on Strymon pedals, maybe consider saving a bit more and getting a real outboard tube reverb as the ultimate compliment to your Bassman.

 

[scooteraz]

nah, I wouldn't need two reverb effects, plus it would take up too much room, I would need a larger pedalboard...ohh wait, maybe that's what I should get...lol

I knew you'd understand

 

[Jimmy Dean]

I have both. I really like both of them. I am using the Blue Sky with my bass rig & the Flint with my Quilter 101.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

I have Flint and BigSky and enjoy them both immensely. The Flint is the closest thing I’ve found to Fender combo amp style spring reverb and tremolo, so it’s a perfect compliment to the Fender models in my Helix. Also, it has the tastiest harmonic tremolo since the original Fender circuit. It is basically a masterpiece. Big Sky is of course better suited for over-the-top ambient washy awesomeness. In similar fashion I also have Brigadier and Timeline on the board. We have a lot of fun.

 

[ping-ping-clicka]

1. Do you need a tremolo?
2. How much do you tweak reverbs, as opposed to set it and forget it.

I’ve had fancy reverbs and found I zeroed in on the one I like, set it where I liked it and never touched it again. On the flip side, I change delays all the time. Thus I need the variety and presets of a higher end delay but need my verb to be as small and simple as possible. Maybe you’re similar, maybe you’re the opposite.

I find this to be true at my house. Delays set in a proper reverb setting can really create enhanced delay effects.