DIY reverb

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Member Since: Apr 26, 2002

My Dual Rec doesn't have reverb, and I've been looking into getting a digital reverb unit to run in the FX loop, but they're kinda expensive considering I don't use it all that much.

So I was thinking, what if I just got an old spring reverb tank out of a broken amp, and wired it up to run in my FX loop? Then my FX loop knob would just become a reverb knob, right?

Any idea if this would work or not?

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Oct 26, 2005 12:59 pm

yeah that definately is possible, but it'd be alotta work, and unless ya know exactly what to wire where, and how to mount it (spring verbs are very sensitive to vibration)....just seems like to much work to me, i'm sure ya can find a good reverb unit for around $100. check out Alesis microverb, nanoverb.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Oct 26, 2005 01:09 pm

Check out my article on DIY spring reverb. homerecordingconnection.c...tory&id=277

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Oct 26, 2005 01:41 pm

Loki - I checked that out. Only problem, is that this is mainly for live use, and I'd like to be able to turn it on and off via footswitch (which I can do with my FX loop).

WYD - I don't really think it will be that hard. Most reverb tanks I've seen seem to have an RCA in and out. I'm thinking if I get 2 1/4" to RCA cables I can rig it up pretty easily. And as far as mounting, I have some extra space in the back of the flight case my amp is in. It's one of those deals with the amp on the bottom, and a shock rack on top. There's plenty of room for a reverb tank in the rack. I'm pretty sure I could mount it in there no problem.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Oct 26, 2005 01:58 pm

Ah I see. Hmmm... I may be able to find some schematics for a reverb unit and price it. Don't know how good you are with electronics though.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Oct 26, 2005 04:38 pm

I think everyone's making this harder than it needs to be.

What I want to do is get an already made reverb tank (out of a broken amp, off ebay, whatever) and take 2 RCA to 1/4" cables, take one cable and run it from the OUT on my FX loop to the IN on the reverb tank, then take the other cable and run it from the OUT of the reverb tank to the IN of my FX loop, then just screw the reverb tank into the back of the rack case.

I don't really think I need schematics for a reverb tank or that it requires being any better with electronics than plugging my guitar into my amp.

Or maybe I'm way off bass.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Oct 26, 2005 09:21 pm

Or base...


Anyway, does anyone know if this will work?

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Oct 28, 2005 03:25 pm

no offense, but, I'm thinking you're off base.

I'd be inclined to believe that the signals are not the same. In a tube amp, there's a transformer driving the input of the spring tank, and a tube recovery section after the tank. That makes me think that the signal is way different than the line level signals going into and out of a FX device.

Also, I think that some spring reverb tanks have a small transformer inside of the shell itself. This would also probably make for different levels, i.e., voltages. I'd not monkey with that type of circuitry unless you've donoe your homework and have tested all the connecting parts for voltages, or can prove them to be compatible.

Also, different tanks are set for different impedance. Like one will be, say 2 ohms, where another will be, say 8 ohms (i'm making up numbers here). So that's another area that would introduce possibly dangerous variables.

I guess, one could be really lucky, and plug one in and it works, but I'd do the electronic math first, before possibly frying a chip in my FX section (I doubt you could hurt the tank with line level signal).

my .02$us

?cixelsid I mA
Member
Since: Jul 30, 2005


Oct 28, 2005 08:56 pm

I tk pjk is right, I smell major impedance issues here. Kinda smells like burning electronics.

jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005


Oct 30, 2005 03:13 pm

I smell smoke... kinda stinks...

What software are you using now, any? Have you tried any of the reverbs in it, or any of the multitude of free VSTs?

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Oct 30, 2005 07:05 pm

This isn't for recording, it's for live use.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Oct 30, 2005 07:40 pm

I use my VST's live lol

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Oct 30, 2005 07:42 pm

Oh, i'm looking at pulling my spring reverb tank out as well. If you ever do it, let me know you got on.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 30, 2005 08:23 pm

Johnny, I would think that matching the impedance would be the most important part. That and tha voltage being fed to the unit as well. I would suggest first getting on it with a volt/ohm meter and start checking the voltage it uses when running then after disconnecting it start checking the ohm load accross it. Then you can look at the impedance of the device your hooking it to is expecting to see.

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