What's a Good Vintage Spring Reverb?

soupking · 2nd January 2007, 01:00 AM

Hi everybody,

I'm trying to research spring reverbs. I'm trying to find one that would work really well to give me a vintage Reggae reverb sound.

Any suggestions?

max cooper · 2nd January 2007, 01:20 AM

Fisher SpaceXpander:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...space+expander

A more basic choice would be an AKG reverb tower.

Steve MacMillan · 2nd January 2007, 01:24 AM

You are most likely looking for a vintage analog spring reverb, but the McDSP Revolver convolution plug-in has some great spring impulses.

STeve

pramrod · 2nd January 2007, 01:25 AM

Master Room, Space Xpander Fisher, AKG BX5,10,20. all cool, all vibey. akg's are the cleanest of the 3 imho. the 20 is a great reverb... enjoy pram

blackwatch · 2nd January 2007, 01:30 AM

Great answer Max

SpaceXpander is The dopest reggae spring sound

The Fisher Doc in Staten Island is the source for your repair or part needs

http://www.fisherdoctor.com/

here is a pic of my SpaceXpander preamp

soupking · 2nd January 2007, 01:50 AM

That's good to know guys. I almost bought the Space Expander on eBay, but Jim Williams said he thought it sounded like crap. I thought I'd take a chance on it, but after buying a pair of v72s from a professional long distance business, I'm more skeptical about online gear.

Knowing where to repair it would be essential. I'm going to give the Fisher a chance.

Thanks guys!
-soupking

sleestack · 2nd January 2007, 01:54 AM

What is the SpaceXpander ? How does it work?

lozion · 2nd January 2007, 01:59 AM

Soupking, if you can find a Furman RV1 (or RV2-stereo), go for it, I paid mine 100$
and it rocks, has 3 band eq and limiter at the input... Dont let the Furman name stop you. You can smash it for Tubby style thunder again and again!

Really cool for snares...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Furman-Spri...QQcmdZViewItem

picksail · 2nd January 2007, 02:19 AM

We used to have a Fairchild 659 Stereo Spring Verb that was pretty funky.

They can be had pretty cheaply if you can find 'em.

Chris Parsons · 2nd January 2007, 02:45 AM

I second the Furman RV-1 or RV-2. Just think Mr. Bungle's "California"....NUF SAID!

gainreduction · 2nd January 2007, 09:54 AM

The Great British Spring. Looks like a bazooka, sounds funky.

dlmorley · 2nd January 2007, 10:02 AM

AKG BX series. The best in my opinion is the BX25 which I use. Fabulous.

jaguarmusicboy · 15th January 2007, 04:44 AM

Anyone have any experience with Fairchild 659/659A spring reverb unit? Sound any good? Do they hold up? Difficult to get serviced?

People go crazy about anything with the name FAIRCHILD written on it. My experience has been that some of it is AMAZING and some of it is space junk. I have no experience with this unit so if anyone else does please chime in. How does it stack up against the usual suspects for springs: the AKG family (obvioiusly the BX15-25 series are larger and not in the same league), Soundcraft, Orban 111b, Mixmaster, mix-mix, ... I'm sure I'm forgetting something. I'm looking for a quality spring - not looking for dirty trashcan sounds or lots of noise and easy overload.

Steffmo · 15th January 2007, 04:49 AM

Orban 111D Stereo Spring

RusRant · 15th January 2007, 05:12 AM

Yeah, I second the orban. Haven't used one much, but cool unit.

picksail · 15th January 2007, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguarmusicboy

Anyone have any experience with Fairchild 659/659A spring reverb unit? Sound any good? Do they hold up? Difficult to get serviced?

Look above.

Sounded cool. A little funky

It's built like a tank and takes up way too much rack space. (8 spaces for the unit and 2 spaces for the remote)

Never had it serviced.

RoundBadge · 15th January 2007, 06:54 AM

Someone gave me an Orban 111 ages ago,,sounds cool and blows away the impulse version in TL Space..
can be had for peanuts

dlmorley · 15th January 2007, 09:25 AM

btw: I got my D&R spring for €50. It has 12 springs inside. For me, it's the god of budget springs.

ezrecords · 15th January 2007, 10:37 AM

I purchase my second hand tube works springs reverb, it becomes with 12 springs, 2 tubes and the original design by mr butler. It costs to me 100 dollars and I really fall in love with that unit

picksail · 15th January 2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezrecords

I purchase my second hand tube works springs reverb, it becomes with 12 springs, 2 tubes and the original design by mr butler. It costs to me 100 dollars and I really fall in love with that unit

We had that one too.

Only thing that sucked were the unbalanced I/O.

But for $100...

beats workin' · 15th January 2007, 11:43 AM

i have 3 springs- each have their own character-
1. BX20- best for not percussive stuff. really dense and spacious.
2. Intersound PRV-1 surprisingly good unit. really sits back in the mix even when you've added quite a bit. you don't notice it until you take it out. has eq.
3. Airline tube unit- very dark with a short reverb time. great between a guitar and amp, or as a specdial fx in a mix. nice that the very time is shorter than a usual spring.

i love altiverb for the most part, but the springs don't come close to the real thing- although the EMT 244 and 250 are great sounds.

david

pan60 · 15th January 2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezrecords

I purchase my second hand tube works springs reverb, it becomes with 12 springs, 2 tubes and the original design by mr butler. It costs to me 100 dollars and I really fall in love with that unit

i have one of those as well.
it is not to bad.

polimorfos · 15th January 2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupking

That's good to know guys. I almost bought the Space Expander on eBay, but Jim Williams said he thought it sounded like crap.

That's like saying don't buy a Fuzz Face, it sounds like crap...it's all distorted!

The SpaceXpander is THE sound of Dub.
For a more versatile spring reverb, the "Great British" sounds fab...

softwareguy · 15th January 2007, 04:40 PM

It's not vintage, but the Demeter is definitely a flexible, great-sounding spring reverb.

Jebus0000 · 15th January 2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lozion

Soupking, if you can find a Furman RV1 (or RV2-stereo), go for it, I paid mine 100$
and it rocks, has 3 band eq and limiter at the input... Dont let the Furman name stop you. You can smash it for Tubby style thunder again and again!

Really cool for snares...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Furman-Spri...QQcmdZViewItem

I'm using an RV-1 and I find it really noisy. There's a hum (actually more of a buzz) that I can't get rid of and it has me looking for a better, quieter option. Does yours buzz? wondering if it's just my unit.

C/G · 15th January 2007, 06:00 PM

Just don't get an old Fostex one. Noisy and dark = crappy. I bought a used Accutronics Accuverb a short while ago of the TapeOp used section but it has not shown up yet and I paid for it before X-mas.

I'm starting to think I got ripped off.

pan60 · 15th January 2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

Just don't get an old Fostex one. Noisy and dark = crappy. I bought a used Accutronics Accuverb a short while ago of the TapeOp used section but it has not shown up yet and I paid for it before X-mas.

I'm starting to think I got ripped off.

that sucks let hope it shows.

mishkayoung · 22nd June 2008, 04:19 AM

Hello,

I have a Master Room Reverb XL-305 which has been in my recording studio unused for over 12 years now. This unit has been used on a tremendous of records from the Jefferson Starship to CSN and has been transferred from studio to studio for a number of years before it finally ended up here.
The unit is in EXCELLENT condition, but I really don't know what it's worth and if there is any gear heads out there in the world who would like to have a unit like this that comes with plenty of history.

Thank you for your time,

melonmachine · 22nd June 2008, 04:04 PM

I have a Master Room MR3. Absolutely gorgeous. THe first time I put it on my voice I thought "I'm the Everley Brothers." The I listened closer to my voice......
They don't go cheap although cheaper than a plate.
Also maybe too smooth for reggae but worth listening to.

lozion · 22nd June 2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebus0000

I'm using an RV-1 and I find it really noisy. There's a hum (actually more of a buzz) that I can't get rid of and it has me looking for a better, quieter option. Does yours buzz? wondering if it's just my unit.

old thread back alive... Yeah it does buzz a little and I know a guy posted a thread about balancing the unit to see if it would improve the box... Not sure what came out of it.
I can deal with the buzz as I dont boost the hi eq on it...

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2nd January 2007, 01:00 AM	#1
soupking Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,553	What's a Good Vintage Spring Reverb? Hi everybody, I'm trying to research spring reverbs. I'm trying to find one that would work really well to give me a vintage Reggae reverb sound. Any suggestions?

2nd January 2007, 01:24 AM	#3
Steve MacMillan Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 174	You are most likely looking for a vintage analog spring reverb, but the McDSP Revolver convolution plug-in has some great spring impulses. STeve __________________ macmandigital.com

2nd January 2007, 01:30 AM	#5
blackwatch Gear maniac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 173	Great answer Max SpaceXpander is The dopest reggae spring sound The Fisher Doc in Staten Island is the source for your repair or part needs http://www.fisherdoctor.com/ here is a pic of my SpaceXpander preamp Attached Thumbnails

2nd January 2007, 01:59 AM	#8
lozion Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,315	Soupking, if you can find a Furman RV1 (or RV2-stereo), go for it, I paid mine 100$ and it rocks, has 3 band eq and limiter at the input... Dont let the Furman name stop you. You can smash it for Tubby style thunder again and again! Really cool for snares... http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Furman-Spri...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ "The secret in life is to have no fear" Fela Anikulapo Kuti My Page

2nd January 2007, 01:20 AM	#2
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,819	Fisher SpaceXpander: http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...space+expander A more basic choice would be an AKG reverb tower.

2nd January 2007, 01:25 AM	#4
pramrod Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: CATSKILLS Posts: 287	Master Room, Space Xpander Fisher, AKG BX5,10,20. all cool, all vibey. akg's are the cleanest of the 3 imho. the 20 is a great reverb... enjoy pram

2nd January 2007, 01:50 AM	#6
soupking Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,553	That's good to know guys. I almost bought the Space Expander on eBay, but Jim Williams said he thought it sounded like crap. I thought I'd take a chance on it, but after buying a pair of v72s from a professional long distance business, I'm more skeptical about online gear. Knowing where to repair it would be essential. I'm going to give the Fisher a chance. Thanks guys! -soupking

2nd January 2007, 01:54 AM	#7
sleestack Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 734	What is the SpaceXpander ? How does it work?

2nd January 2007, 02:19 AM	#9
picksail Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Hollywood Posts: 3,325	We used to have a Fairchild 659 Stereo Spring Verb that was pretty funky. They can be had pretty cheaply if you can find 'em. __________________ Stewart Cararas Seventh Level Productions Myspace Profile Discogs _________________________________ The new is necessarily abstract - Rudolf Borchadt

2nd January 2007, 02:45 AM	#10
Chris Parsons Lives for gear Join Date: May 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 635	I second the Furman RV-1 or RV-2. Just think Mr. Bungle's "California"....NUF SAID! __________________ ****A proud user of 44.1/24**** http://www.pineforeststudio.com

2nd January 2007, 09:54 AM	#11
gainreduction Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,660	The Great British Spring. Looks like a bazooka, sounds funky. __________________ "You always get more than you paid for at gearslutz" - Jules

2nd January 2007, 10:02 AM	#12
dlmorley Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 3,092	AKG BX series. The best in my opinion is the BX25 which I use. Fabulous.

15th January 2007, 04:44 AM	#13
jaguarmusicboy Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 36	Fairchild 659 (controller) 659A (spring tank) reverb combo. Anyone have any experience with Fairchild 659/659A spring reverb unit? Sound any good? Do they hold up? Difficult to get serviced? People go crazy about anything with the name FAIRCHILD written on it. My experience has been that some of it is AMAZING and some of it is space junk. I have no experience with this unit so if anyone else does please chime in. How does it stack up against the usual suspects for springs: the AKG family (obvioiusly the BX15-25 series are larger and not in the same league), Soundcraft, Orban 111b, Mixmaster, mix-mix, ... I'm sure I'm forgetting something. I'm looking for a quality spring - not looking for dirty trashcan sounds or lots of noise and easy overload.

15th January 2007, 04:49 AM	#14
Steffmo Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Haven, CT Posts: 1,158	Orban 111D Stereo Spring

15th January 2007, 05:12 AM	#15
RusRant Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 583	Yeah, I second the orban. Haven't used one much, but cool unit.

15th January 2007, 06:54 AM	#17
RoundBadge Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Los Angeles ,Ca. Posts: 5,980	Someone gave me an Orban 111 ages ago,,sounds cool and blows away the impulse version in TL Space.. can be had for peanuts

15th January 2007, 09:25 AM	#18
dlmorley Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 3,092	btw: I got my D&R spring for €50. It has 12 springs inside. For me, it's the god of budget springs. __________________ New-ish CD "Ghosts" Ursa Major Studios

15th January 2007, 10:37 AM	#19
ezrecords Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 190	I purchase my second hand tube works springs reverb, it becomes with 12 springs, 2 tubes and the original design by mr butler. It costs to me 100 dollars and I really fall in love with that unit

15th January 2007, 11:43 AM	#21
beats workin' Gear addict Join Date: May 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 481	i have 3 springs- each have their own character- 1. BX20- best for not percussive stuff. really dense and spacious. 2. Intersound PRV-1 surprisingly good unit. really sits back in the mix even when you've added quite a bit. you don't notice it until you take it out. has eq. 3. Airline tube unit- very dark with a short reverb time. great between a guitar and amp, or as a specdial fx in a mix. nice that the very time is shorter than a usual spring. i love altiverb for the most part, but the springs don't come close to the real thing- although the EMT 244 and 250 are great sounds. david

15th January 2007, 04:40 PM	#24
softwareguy Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 413	It's not vintage, but the Demeter is definitely a flexible, great-sounding spring reverb.

15th January 2007, 06:00 PM	#26
C/G Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,803	Just don't get an old Fostex one. Noisy and dark = crappy. I bought a used Accutronics Accuverb a short while ago of the TapeOp used section but it has not shown up yet and I paid for it before X-mas. I'm starting to think I got ripped off. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Colin G. http://www.myspace.com/generalsandmajors

22nd June 2008, 04:19 AM	#28
mishkayoung Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	Master Room XL-305 Hello, I have a Master Room Reverb XL-305 which has been in my recording studio unused for over 12 years now. This unit has been used on a tremendous of records from the Jefferson Starship to CSN and has been transferred from studio to studio for a number of years before it finally ended up here. The unit is in EXCELLENT condition, but I really don't know what it's worth and if there is any gear heads out there in the world who would like to have a unit like this that comes with plenty of history. Thank you for your time, Last edited by mishkayoung; 22nd June 2008 at 04:20 AM.. Reason: spelling

22nd June 2008, 04:04 PM	#29
melonmachine Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 67	I have a Master Room MR3. Absolutely gorgeous. THe first time I put it on my voice I thought "I'm the Everley Brothers." The I listened closer to my voice...... They don't go cheap although cheaper than a plate. Also maybe too smooth for reggae but worth listening to.