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Reverb pedal for non-reverb amp?

Mike R.

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Joined
Jul 20, 2002
Messages
321
My Dr. Z Carmen Ghia combo has no reverb.

I would like to add a little reverb sometimes, so I am looking for some pedal based options.

I dont want to go crazy expensive, as it will be used lightly, nothing surfy or too deep.

Does anyone have any advice on where I should be looking?

Thanks in advance...
 

Tripower455

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May 15, 2003
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1,509
Believe it or not, Line 6 Verbzilla.........

I use one into my clean Hiwatts, and it kills..... I usually use the '63 spring setting with all the knobs set around the middle (which is probably what you are looking for......... Sounds pretty close to a Super Reverb to my ears and not pedally at all. It'll do the surfy thing pretty well too......

The only thing is that it is noisy if it is daisy chained with other pedals. I use an isolated power supply, and it's dead quiet.
 

Drawrein

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Jan 2, 2005
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1,075
- Holy Grail is a fav (so I hear, no experience)
- Boss RV-5 (unfortunately they put so much doink in the spring model I can't use it, I like the room, plate and hall however)

OMO, if you are real verb lover the pedals kind of tire after a while. You might want to save your bucks for a tube driven add-on.

D
 

mad dog

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Jun 6, 2006
Messages
440
I've been using a Fender outboard reverb unit for years, wonderful, lush sound (especially with a medium delay tank IMO.) But it's a pain to haul around, so I'm trying alternatives. Right now, the Dr. Scientist Radical Red Reverberator. Not cheap. got mine used, but it was still close to 200 bucks. Anyway, this is a cool pedal. Doesn't have the spring settings, but one of the room reverbs does it for me. Has volume and mix controls. In combination with analog delay, this makes for a tasty reverb sound, adds a certain tough edge to the sound that works well on stage. I still want to try the Solemate, but so far really liking the RRR.
 

Tripower455

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May 15, 2003
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I'm telling you, for $125, try the Verbzilla....... Do the GC 45 day return thing , but I'll bet you don't return it.

I am not a reverb freak, and but on my clean channel, it is almost always on. Put a decent compressor in front of it and it sounds awesome with my R4....

Into my Hiwatt, sitting right next to a '67 Super Reverb, the Verbzilla sounded really good.

I am pretty sure that Elliot E, is using one on his board, and his Tele sound during My Best Friend's Girl was very convincing.....
 

MK.II

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Jul 28, 2002
Messages
1,106
I haven't tried one myself yet, but I've been reading that the new T. C. Electronics Nova Reverb pedal is supposed to be very good. Supposedly studio quality reverb sounds in a stomp box. Sounds interesting to me. I've had a Fender reissue outboard reverb unit for years that gets used once in a while and rarely goes on gigs. It sounds great though. I've tried the Holy Grail (didn't keep it) and I still have an old Boss RV-2 that's decent but sounds too digital to me (it hasn't been used in years, don't even know if it still works!). I only use reverb for an effect (if I use any at all) because in a live situation I usually can't hear subtle reverb settings once the band kicks in.
 

radioscooter

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Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
698
I'm telling you, for $125, try the Verbzilla....... Do the GC 45 day return thing , but I'll bet you don't return it.

I am not a reverb freak, and but on my clean channel, it is almost always on. Put a decent compressor in front of it and it sounds awesome with my R4....

Into my Hiwatt, sitting right next to a '67 Super Reverb, the Verbzilla sounded really good.

I am pretty sure that Elliot E, is using one on his board, and his Tele sound during My Best Friend's Girl was very convincing.....

I've owned loads of Line 6 stuff. Still have an Echo Park pedal and the green mod pad. The sounds are great but I can always hear the modeling so if you really want an authentic sound - I'd say stick with real springs.

And um...I really don't think Elliott Easton originally used a Reverberator by Line 6 on My Best Friend's Girl. :)
 

marT

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Jul 18, 2006
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1,289
I have recieved a van amps solemate to go with my JTM45 however I wasn't around for the delivery so hopefully I'll get it tomorrow.

I'm sure I will have a mini review when I try it out. I am hoping it sounds ok through a distorted amp.
 

Tripower455

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May 15, 2003
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1,509
I've owned loads of Line 6 stuff. Still have an Echo Park pedal and the green mod pad. The sounds are great but I can always hear the modeling so if you really want an authentic sound - I'd say stick with real springs.

I agree, but the VZ gets pretty close for a pedal, and like the original poster, I am not using it for Dick Dale stuff (which, in a band situation, it would probably work fine for this purpose).

There is no doubt that a real spring reverb is gonna be light years better for recording etc, but if I read the question right, he is looking for a little reverb every once in a while, which is the way I use mine. I've thought about getting a standalone spring reverb unit, as they sound killer, but I just don't use it enough, and the dreaded L6 covers what I need.

It seems a little delicate to me (it's HEAVY!), but mine has held up on my board. I am pretty careful with my stuff, but I can see the tiny knobs breaking with a good kick. If I broke it, I would definitely get another one. As always, YMMV!

FWIW, I generally hate digital effects and I am pretty picky about my signal chain, as I love the sound of my amps. This is the only digital pedal I've kept on my board and it's been there for over 2 years now......

I A/Bed it, playing it into my Marwatt, next to my friend's '67 Super Reverb (on long term loan to me), and when it it just me playing, there is no comparison (I'm not sure ANY pedal will compare to the warmth of a tube driven spring reverb, especially with a touch of trem!), but as Phil says, "once the drummer comes in, what the fuck does it matter?"

And um...I really don't think Elliott Easton originally used a Reverberator by Line 6 on My Best Friend's Girl. :)

LOL........

You'll have to ask him....... :bug

As for the song, I heard him play it live a few weeks ago, and the Tele sounded awesome on all those rockabilly type licks...... :applaude
 

PixelBurst

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Apr 11, 2002
Messages
4,094
I say Verbzilla. I had the Holy Grail for a while and wasn't impressed. Order both from Musicians Friend and return the loser.
 

Mike R.

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Joined
Jul 20, 2002
Messages
321
Thank you for the responses and suggestions so far.

Everything mentioned looks interesting, I guess I will be auditioning a bunch of different reverb units for awhile!

Thanks again!
 

radioscooter

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
698
I agree, but the VZ gets pretty close for a pedal, and like the original poster, I am not using it for Dick Dale stuff (which, in a band situation, it would probably work fine for this purpose).

There is no doubt that a real spring reverb is gonna be light years better for recording etc, but if I read the question right, he is looking for a little reverb every once in a while, which is the way I use mine. I've thought about getting a standalone spring reverb unit, as they sound killer, but I just don't use it enough, and the dreaded L6 covers what I need.

It seems a little delicate to me (it's HEAVY!), but mine has held up on my board. I am pretty careful with my stuff, but I can see the tiny knobs breaking with a good kick. If I broke it, I would definitely get another one. As always, YMMV!

FWIW, I generally hate digital effects and I am pretty picky about my signal chain, as I love the sound of my amps. This is the only digital pedal I've kept on my board and it's been there for over 2 years now......

I A/Bed it, playing it into my Marwatt, next to my friend's '67 Super Reverb (on long term loan to me), and when it it just me playing, there is no comparison (I'm not sure ANY pedal will compare to the warmth of a tube driven spring reverb, especially with a touch of trem!), but as Phil says, "once the drummer comes in, what the fuck does it matter?"

I agree with all that. I'll have to check out the VZ again at home instead of in the store. I owned the big Matchless Reverb tank head and it fed my DC-30 until I moved to a Chieftain with reverb. It was super dark but to die for. I also had a Maestro and a Fender head tank (reissue) and thought they were both thin.

I love the Vanamps reverb. The one reverb I've tried that I thought was just the biggest pile of crap was the Holy Grail EH pedal. Sorry - talk about digital artifacting!


LOL........

You'll have to ask him....... :bug

As for the song, I heard him play it live a few weeks ago, and the Tele sounded awesome on all those rockabilly type licks...... :applaude

I knew you meant recently and live. I was just giving you some shit. :)
 

Ian Anderson

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Aug 5, 2001
Messages
1,331
Another vote for the Line 6 Verbzilla, very versatile and the '63 Spring Reverb setting is excellent. I personally think it sounds great by itself, but once it's in with the band you wouldn't know the difference.
 
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