I'm trying to learn about reverb spring tanks. I've read the very informative article from Antique Electronic Supply:
https://www.tubesandmore.com/tech-corner/spring-reverb-tanks-explained-and-compared
But I am still curious about the choice of decay times. The recommendation is a long for guitar, medium for organ, and short for vocals. The Fender reverb springs are long, but I see some other manufacturers using medium for guitar. Anybody had the chance to compare?
https://www.tubesandmore.com/tech-corner/spring-reverb-tanks-explained-and-compared
But I am still curious about the choice of decay times. The recommendation is a long for guitar, medium for organ, and short for vocals. The Fender reverb springs are long, but I see some other manufacturers using medium for guitar. Anybody had the chance to compare?
If you produce 5000 amplifiers, it soon adds up.
Fender use long delay in their more expensive range, as do Marshall and Mesa Boogie etc.
All budget end amplifiers use the cheaper small spring tanks.
Fender use long delay in their more expensive range, as do Marshall and Mesa Boogie etc.
All budget end amplifiers use the cheaper small spring tanks.
It depends, besides taste, on the type of music.
The longer the sounds, the longer the reverb can be before the music turns into a mess.
What you can do is use more than 1 tank, they are cheap so....
For instance you can parallel several tanks to get very dense reverbs. Or put them in series for extra long reverbs. They don't need to be of the same length or number of springs.
Just make sure your driver is up to the task and use the same impedances for the tanks.
You can even remove springs for a less dense reverb, use tanks with 3 springs for this.
Fun things these reverb tanks, but I want my reverbs to "stick" to the sound. Basically, I want to hear one sound instead of the sound and a reverb. A tank doesn't do that, but so can't the most expensive reverb units/software, with 2 exceptions: Convoluted reverbs and Bricasti.
I think we are confusing terms. "Long decay" means the length of time it takes the springs to stop vibrating. NOT the length of the metal pan. You can get medium or long decay in both long and short pan sizes.
Also, a long decay is not the same as more decay.
4AB2C1B is a typical Fender pan. The fourth character is decay, and 2 is medium.. 4AB3C1B would be the same pan with a longer decay.
Also, a long decay is not the same as more decay.
4AB2C1B is a typical Fender pan. The fourth character is decay, and 2 is medium.. 4AB3C1B would be the same pan with a longer decay.
The "typical" Fender pan, I believe, is the 4AB3C1B--the one with the LONG delay rather than the medium delay.
My memory differs, but it is anecdotal. The reverb I have replaced the most is in the Blues Junior, the 28955, and it is a 2. I looked at a couple '65 reissue models and they do indeed use a 3. As does the HR DeVille. I found a greater number of 3 than 2 overall, yes.
I brought it up mainly to show the different types.
I brought it up mainly to show the different types.
My experience:
I had both medium and long decay type 9 spring units in a London Power Standard Amp running a quad of 6V6 outputs and a 12AT7 push pull reverb driver.
Tried each of the reverb pans for about 3 weeks and then had an afternoon with the customer where we swapped back and forth between the two.. WE eventually chose the long decay as better suiting folk, blues and classic rock styles.
For a shreader high gain amp then medium decay may suit better.
Cheers,
Ian
I had both medium and long decay type 9 spring units in a London Power Standard Amp running a quad of 6V6 outputs and a 12AT7 push pull reverb driver.
Tried each of the reverb pans for about 3 weeks and then had an afternoon with the customer where we swapped back and forth between the two.. WE eventually chose the long decay as better suiting folk, blues and classic rock styles.
For a shreader high gain amp then medium decay may suit better.
Cheers,
Ian
Thanks! That's just the sort of info I was looking for! Actually, I was thinking that you have a great idea there---the tanks aren't THAT expensive (~$20); I should maybe just buy one of each & try 'em. I actually have TWO applications---one for regular six-string guitar and one for pedal steel guitar. One application may fit better with a different decay time than the other.
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