Spring Reverb

[Jimmi Accardi]

I have an old "Sound Workshop" 2 channel rack mount spring reverb that sounds great on everything (except it can be a bit 'y' on drums).
It shines on vocals and gtr.
You might find one on ebay for not too much cash.

[ptbarnum]

the valvetrain spring thing is around $500, and, i think it sounds great

[montanasan]

I like my Orban 111B spring reverb. Got it on eBay for next to nothing.

[RobJB06]

AKG BX5 is pretty cool too

[dlmorley]

I LOVE my AKG BX25, but that's not going to be $300 alas.
I had a D&R Spring that was excellent (Orban too, but I preferred the D&R)

[BirdFLU]

The guy said "under $300." Sheesh.

I started looking for spring reverbs a few years ago because I liked them and everyone was dumping them dirt cheap. I don't know why because I haven't seen any spring reverb plug-ins. And you can't bang on a plug-in.

Here's what I have and I got them all of ebay for less than $50 each:

1. DOD R-840. Mono input, 4 band EQ. Sounds like a spring reverb should!

2. Electra EP-200. Mono input, single tone knob, but also has builtin analog delay. Kind of noisy (could just be my unit) compared to the other two. Reverb is very dark sounding.

3. Korg GR-1. Stereo in and out, 3 band EQ, and has a built-in gate which you can swicth off if you don't want it. Nice bright sound and the built-in gate really adds a lot of variety to the tone. This is my favorite spring reverb. Super hard to find.

Other models I've seen for under $100 pretty regularly are the Furman RV-1, Furman RV-2 (which seems to be two RV-1s in one case). A couple Tapco models, and a Fostex model that I forget the model numbers for. I'm pretty sure the Fostex one is stereo and it sounds decent. I've never heard the Tapco or Furman ones.

Keep cruising ebay and Craigslist and you'll get something before the spring reverb trend catches on.

[dlmorley]

I had the fostex and hated it unless you want that low fi thing (but not in a cool way IMHO)
Like I said, D&R Spring Reverb is a seriously underrated unit.
You can be lucky with most though. I only paid $400 for my BX25 but that was lucky.

[MeatPye]

Klark-Teknik DN50 is the one.

[backhair]

Originally Posted by BirdFLU

The guy said "under $300." Sheesh.
1. DOD R-840. Mono input, 4 band EQ. Sounds like a spring reverb should!

i recently picked up a dod r-845 for (which sounds like it's almost identical to the 840) and i'm really enjoying it. so far, i've mostly just run nylon string guitar and a tx81z through it , but it sounds great on both. fun and cheap - can't beat that combination.

i've forgotten the exact model number, but there is another box in the r-8xx series that has presets and predelay as well.

[DrDeltaM]

The German company Vermona makes one, think it's around 300 actually.
http://www.vermona.com/en/produkte/r...retroverb.html

[lazzaro]

PAiA - 6740K Hot Springs Reverb Kit, Hot Springs Reverb, 6740K

I haven't used this one, but I used the PAIA 4700(?)-series
modular spring reverb as my main spring reverb on many
demos, and 25 years later I still like the sound of it on
vocals as it comes off the cassettes. I can't vouch for
the noise floor ... maybe someone has built the kit above
and can comment. The nice part about the kit above
is that if you don't like the IC choices Craig made, you
can substitute as you build it. Good luck.

[SixAndChange]

Originally Posted by lazzaro

PAiA - 6740K Hot Springs Reverb Kit, Hot Springs Reverb, 6740K

I haven't used this one, but I used the PAIA 4700(?)-series
modular spring reverb as my main spring reverb on many
demos, and 25 years later I still like the sound of it on
vocals as it comes off the cassettes. I can't vouch for
the noise floor ... maybe someone has built the kit above
and can comment. The nice part about the kit above
is that if you don't like the IC choices Craig made, you
can substitute as you build it. Good luck.

I emailed them not to long ago asking for some information on the unit, this is the reply I recieved:


It's getting back to the busier time of the year so that's good! Thanks
for writing with an interest in the 6740K Hot Springs Reverb. This is
really just a bare-bones circuit-board, parts, and manual project-kit.
The manual is essentially a re-print of Craig Anderton's article from a
1980 Modern Recording issue, and not one of our usual step-by-step,
descriptive instructions with lots of illustrations, assembly manuals.
It is a simple circuit though--with the few resistors, capacitors,
diodes, and single IC soldered to the board, the spring tank wiring
modified and attached to the board, and a +and- 9 to 15v dc power supply
attached, you could spread things out on a piece of wood or cardboard
and input an audio signal and listen to the reverberated output through
an amp/speaker. All the necessary details to this point are described
in the instructions, it is just brief, with the expectation that you've
built a project in the past (and if it was from scratch, according to a
DIY magazine article this is a plus).

Also described in the manual is the way this unit would be connected in
a studio situation, on a mixer's reverb send and return patch points. A
photo on the cover shows Craig's two-channel proto-type for the project
with four tanks mounted on top of a metal chassis with two 1/4"
input/output connectors for each channel. A supplementary note and
illustration at the end of the manual describes the way the unit can be
applied to a guitar set-up by splitting the signal applied to the unit
and running the guitar and reverb splits to two inputs of an amp/speaker.

Here is some extra information I've prepared for this kit with more
details for use with guitar, or stand-alone use.

The 6740 Hot Springs Reverb project kit is just a building block
approach for a line-level spring reverb unit to be patched into a
mixer in a studio situation. It is only a small circuit board, a
handful of components and wire, and a couple of reverb spring tanks
provided as a companion to a D.I.Y. article from Modern Recording
and the manual is basically a reprint and not one of our usual
assembly manuals. Information for assembly of the board is
contained in the article text, schematic, parts list, and wiring
diagrams--it's just not the more informative step-by-step
instructions we usually provide. The completed assembly is a
circuit board wired to the tanks and 1/4" phone jack input and
output. It must be connected to a bipolar or dual-dc (+and- 9 to
15V) power supply and housed or mounted in an enclosure or
platform. The 9770R-12 is a power supply listed in our catalog that
can be used for the project.



The springs and their transducers are in a steel case, but the
bottom is open. The transducers in the reverb tanks are likely
spots for electromagnetic interference to get in and the signal is
weak like a mic so hum or other noise can be introduced without the
shielding afforded from being in a grounded metal chassis or having
good shielded wiring techniques applied. A metal plate could be
used to cover the bottom. The patch cables to the tank RCA Phono
connectors attaches the circuit ground to the tanks. Using the
expected line-level input signals helps to ensure an optimum signal
to noise ratio.



For use with guitar, some extras are needed. When putting it in a
amp/speaker, vibration and acoustic feedback should be anticipated
and a permanent installation should be tested in stages. The spring
tanks should be mounted to reduce this possibility (one spot may be
better than another, damping foam, felt or rubber might help in
isolation). For the tanks we provide, they are intended for a
wall-mount, connector-down installation, although its hard to hear a
difference when listening as the unit is tilted one way or the other.



A guitar signal should be boosted to be a line-level signal using a
preamp or direct interface or some effect that boosts or at least
buffers its signal. Then, since the 6740 is 100% reverb on the
output (no original signal remains, only the signal through the
springs), a mix function is needed. This can be accomplished by
splitting the boosted guitar output two ways and sending one to the
6740 and the other to a second, direct, input which could be a mixer
or multiple input amp.



If you don't have devices to do the split and mix, our TubeHead,
Stack-in-a-Box, Tube MicPreAmp, 9605K Buffer Amp, Spluffer or
similar could be used to boost the guitar and drive the split. The
CA18 is a simple mixer circuit that could be used to combine the
'effect' and 'straight' signals. These projects can be built from
Craig Anderton's 'Electronic Projects for Musicians' and 'DIY
Projects for Guitarists' books listed in our catalog. A home-stereo
receiver can blend the signals acoustically (ie reverb left and
straight signal right with blend via the balance control), or the
unit set to mono so both outputs get LandR signal and the line
output of a Tape Record/Monitor/Out connector.

[Da Mill]

I have a Bi Amp MR 140 which I do not use. At the time it came out it was touted as one of the few that could handle drums without "ing". If you are in the So. Cal. area I'd be willing to sell it or possibly work out a trade. I bought it new, always kept in smoke free environment, and it is in excellent condition. I would guess its value within the budget you've mentoned.

[simonv]

For guitars, look for the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail.
One of the best reverb box i've heard for guitars. Around 125$ bucks

[minus-sounds.com]

Originally Posted by RobJB06

AKG BX5 is pretty cool too

I have that also.
The AKG like is the top of the range. thumbsup

[Sounds Great]

I have the Orban stereo reverb. It has tons of character, I love it for vocals and guitar.

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by broadway252

Hello Slutz.

I'm in love with the production on the Amy Winehouse record, especially the use of spring reverb. I must have a spring reverb box. What are some of the best options out there? I posted this in the "low end theory" forum because I'm looking to find something under $300. Suggestions?

A Slinky and a phono cartridge?







PS... not that long before I finally got my first digital 'verb I bought a used Orban spring reverb. But I was not looking for that characteristic, super-funky spring sound. I wanted something vaguely like, you know, reverb. I hated it. Unfortunately, I let that disregard translate into a really stupid lapse -- out of room in my old, crowded one and a half room studio, I stored the thing on end for a couple years. The springs lost it, completely.

[alkooloid]

Don't forget the Peavey Valverb and Quad 8 RV-10.
I have both and they rock,k,k,k,k,k,k.

Also if you have a fender amp w/ verb, it's fun to reamp!

[Bob Ross]

Furman RV-1 is the only one in your price range that I've had any success with. Though it might be possible to find The Great British Spring on eBay for <$300.

I got spoiled when I had the Demeter in my studio for a while, not sure I could tolerate cheap spring reverb any more.

[audiovisceral]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Furman RV-1 is the only one in your price range that I've had any success with. Though it might be possible to find The Great British Spring on eBay for <$300.

I got spoiled when I had the Demeter in my studio for a while, not sure I could tolerate cheap spring reverb any more.

i was looking at the demeter and noticed it uses 6 springs per tank, whereas most verbs or raw tanks i find online are 2 or 3 springs per max. how does this kind of difference contribute to the sound of a unit? are the demeter 6 spring tanks as unique as they're seeming?

edit: 6 spring is 6 combined to make 3, nothing special

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by audiovisceral

i was looking at the demeter and noticed it uses 6 springs per tank, whereas most verbs or raw tanks i find online are 2 or 3 springs per max. how does this kind of difference contribute to the sound of a unit? are the demeter 6 spring tanks as unique as they're seeming?

I can't say whether it's a result of the 6 versus 3 springs, or Demeter's no doubt superior i/o electronics, or maybe just the fact that Jim had the luxury of being able to design a spring reverb in a time when spring reverb is a fetish rather than a necessity...

But it definitely struck me as unique in the sense that unlike most spring reverbs -- which as soon as you hear you think "ugh, spring reverb!" and unlike most digital reverbs which, in some instances as soon as you hear them you think "ugh, digital reverb!" and in a few instances you think "Mmm, a room!" (or "Mmm, a plate!") -- with the Demeter as soon as you hear it you think "What the...huh? That is so freakin cool...what the hell is that?"

It's all atmosphere/character/mojo. Can't explain it any other way.

[videoracer]

Forget the spring. Here ya go:
YouTube - DIY Plate Reverb - Build your own $10 plate reverb
ProSoundWeb | Building Your Own Plate Reverb: By Bob Buontempo pg. 1

[audiovisceral]

Originally Posted by videoracer

Forget the spring. Here ya go:
ProSoundWeb | Building Your Own Plate Reverb: By Bob Buontempo pg. 1

i'm actually planning to in addition to a spring. parts and more info at JCC & Associates - Home of the Ecoplate and plate reverb parts

[videoracer]

You know, the "$10" unit is really the beginning of something more along the lines of the other unit. If you look at it overall, add a few, and change a few components and you can probably make a pretty decent plate reverb for around $50.

[audiovisceral]

Originally Posted by videoracer

You know, the "$10" unit is really the beginning of something more along the lines of the other unit. If you look at it overall, add a few, and change a few components and you can probably make a pretty decent plate reverb for around $50.

the site has plans/parts for a full fledged updated ecoplate 2 you can diy for <$500. the $10 is neat, but too noisy. very cool though and i'll probably make one just for fun. it just needs a good cheap driver...

[videoracer]

>>the $10 is neat, but too noisy. very cool though and i'll probably make one just for fun.<<

That's partly my point. If you scale the other project to fit the dimensions of the aluminum plate, add better components, and seal it up effectively, it may wind up being where you want to go, for less.

[Dubious]

my buddy has the Orban.. 6 springs i believe.. VERY nice unit - roughly $300 these days (expect some tune up money too.. his needed a bit of werk)

I have the Tapco unit (4400?) its HUGE... independent 5 band eqs. It is pretty BOINING..if you've listened to ANY dub you've heard this reverb

its deffinatly an EFFECT... but the longer ive played with it the more i love it.. good fer reviving dead close miced drums.

the eq is pretty wild and drastic, and the unit is also really easy to overdrive.

[shaneoconnor]

i have found that sending drums to a plate plugin, or another OTB verb and then blending in some spring sounds amazing. recently i have been way into blending verbs together and creative less of a spacial strictness in my mixes.

[bgrotto]

master room xl 305!!