tube reverb

[audiofun]

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on the premier tube reverb unit? Anyone play one? How do they sound? Anyone built a clone? I'm thinking of building one and was wondering how they compare to a fender outboard reverb ? Thoughts?

[RickshawRecords]

About 15 years ago, I built two tube reverbs based on schematics found in Aspen Pittman's Tube Amp Book.
I took the basic schematics, and combined features from a couple different Fender schematics, into one design that I though was pretty good. Back then, the parts were about $150USD, but now probably closer to $250. I still use the reverb in a surf band today, and I think it sounds great. The other was made for a blues guitarist, who sold/gave it to another guy, and I don't know where it is today.
I've never really photographed it, but you can catch a glimpse of it here:
http://www.surfreportwebsite.com/sur...images/10r.jpg
...and hear lo-fi sound samples here:
www.surfreportwebsite.com/surfreport/mp3.htm

- Rickshaw

[audiofun]

nice clip. I hope to build a premier reverb if i can find out what power supply to use. also this one uses less parts then a fender verb.

[neutron7]

Wouldn't that be a "spring reverb" ?
it uses a spring with a transducer at each end. when you kick it it makes a noise like thunder it made the typical "surf guitar" reverb sound.

[audiofun]

yes premier was a amplifier company. I am looking for a reverb for psychelic sounds.

[LongJohnny]

I had one one of those Premiere units for about a year, and thought it was pretty good. I then got a Fender unit, and put in some upgraded caps, and components, and the sound from the Fender Unit made me immediately sell my premiere unit.

I have since had a unit built by a local guy here who let me design it to my specs. I can get the new unit to self oscillate if I crank the feedback control on it.... This unit will be with me for life.

John

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally posted by LongJohnny
I can get the new unit to self oscillate if I crank the feedback control on it.... This unit will be with me for life.

Is that a requirement?, it's trivial to make a reverb unit do so, but it would normally be considered a bad design error?.

[LongJohnny]

I sell most of my parts to the effects pedal crowd. It was designed in to the unit. A lot of people want ways to make different feedback sounds, and this is one of them.

John

[rickl]

Originally posted by audiofun
Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on the premier tube reverb unit? Anyone play one? How do they sound? Anyone built a clone? I'm thinking of building one and was wondering how they compare to a fender outboard reverb ? Thoughts?

I've played around with three Premier units and they are not as wet as a Fender standalone unit.

These are very simple and you should be able to make one with little coin.

If you want to make it more 'Fender', use a FW rectifier (to boost B+), change the Rp on the input driver (6eu7?) to 100k (depending on what version this may be 180k or 220k). While these changes may not be 'Fender' it sounds very nice through a silver faced Bassman.

Some say to use log taper pots instead of linear pots.

I'm actually kitting up a reverb unit for the son. Sub a 12ax7 for the 6eu7, sub a 6v6 for the 6aq5 and use a FW rectifier PS.

1/2 12ax7 -> 6v6 -> 1/2 12ax7 is the current plan. I do have some 6k6gt (Fender) and a 6aq5 (Premier) tubes.

I think a simple Champ SE OPT to drive the tank will work. I have a Danelectro reverb power tranny, Fender Acutronics tank, most resistors and Orange drops to keep the cost down. And only one input jack.

If you are planning to build a clone, keep us up to date. I'd like to know how it goes.

rick

[CHRIS CLEM]

I always thought the Premier reverbs were a little thin sounding compared to the Fender reverbs,and the stand alone Fender units with the 3 knobs are far better then the ones built in the amps.I worked for Standel amps "remember them they had great reverbs"in the early 70s and one of the tricks we would do when we were playing around,was to connect 2 reverb spring cans together "can't recall now how we did it series or parallel,I'm no tech",but the sound I remember was so much fuller,it was a night and day difference.You might want to give that a try,if yours sounds to thin.