Spring reverb driver

[motterpaul]

I am changing this request because I did manage to find a circuit that does what I want - to drive and restore a stock spring reverb tank. The circuit I used is down below. It is a slightly modified version of the Craig Anderton version you can find online. I decided to try it because I like the way the grounding (especially between the pre-amps and the reverb unit) is laid out.

[Beaker]

Not quite true - the Surfy Bear is tried and tested and works great. And we already have a layout.

[tabbycat]

http://guitar-fx-layouts.42897.x6.nabble.com/what-are-you-gassing-for-this-week-this-year-this-forever-tp22194p22663.html

above link leads to some recent comments on this one

decent results reported with these:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=99803.0

http://sound.westhost.com/project34.htm

but the more options the merrier.

[motterpaul]

I didn't know about the surfy bear - that will be good backup plan if what I am looking for doesn't work out.

It turns out the tanks make a huge difference - as I said. I have a tank that happens to be compatible with the driver I posted, it is not a Fender, it is an Accutronics Type A style (to the best of my memory right now)

If you even look at the pictures of that Surfy Bear you can see what a complicated process this is. These tanks require more than 9v, and dual preamps for input and recovery, plus you want the mix controls. I actually found someone else who built a control line amp (16-volt swing using +9 and -9 with a Tl074), in & out, for the same tank I have.

That one is based on the Anderton layout which I had working for a little while - but it was actually sounding like an overdrive - plus I discovered I had something wrong on the power converter (a missing cut). Anyway, by the time I had done more research I found a different version of the same driver which I like better. So, I am building that. It almost worked before, and this one just makes more sense in terms of grounding, etc.

So, that is where I am at now. This same guy also posted the layout I am showing here, but it is different from the one he used.

FYI: My tAnk is actually an O.C. Electronics reverb made is Wisconsin in the 80s. I figured it was similar to the Accutronics A because of the length & number of springs.

This is the one I am working on now:

[Kinski]

I built and use the Surfy Bear with my 5E3 on a daily basis, and it's fantastic. I used a 4pdt switch to toggle between two different reverb mix pots. That way I can have a low/off reverb setting and a very wet setting. I used a bi-color LED so you know which pot is selected.

[Beaker]

The Surfy Bear has a suggested Accutronics tank, but is supposed to be pretty forgiving to quite a wide range of impedance values. And there is a PCB available - which is nice!

[motterpaul]

Thanks guys but I just got mine working.

MAN... I have to say a put a LOT of long hours into figuring this out, installing the loop in my amp (in such a way that it is hardly noticeable to collectors yet still keeps the amp serviceable in the sense that youu can take out the chassis. Plus, I took the reverb tank out of an old amp and found the right circuit to not only drive but also restore the reverb signal. That last part is the hardest part, by the way.

On this I have just a "Dwell" and  Mix" but I get more than enough reverb on the dwell (rattles the cage) but can also keep it controllable - so it is also well grounded and quiet.

I'm a happy guy, I always wanted a one-channel JCM800 but I always hated not having reverb, and it is really hard to get real reverb (that doesn't go unpredictable whenever you change effects) if you put it up front instead of in a loop.

Mission accomplished - and all DIY (no parts purchased - only recycled and my usual pedal-making gear).

EDIT: Ooops - except the loop, you can't find that circuit online, so I did buy it. And BTW they make the PCB in layers so it is very hard to trace. I could probably do it, but they have a good thing going so there is no sense in my ruining it for them.

[Kinski]

Awesome Paul! Glad you got it working! I'm a reverb addict, so I know the woes of not having any.

[motterpaul]

Thank you - not often I get KUDOS around here

I can tell you are based on your own system.

I am also a reverb addict in that if I don't have it, I need it. I'm not a surf guitarist, but I guess its all my studio years, if it's missing something is wrong. Just a touch, not a lot, but essential.

Here is the loop installed inside the chassis:



Here is the only indication any modification has been done to the amp at all:


Here is how the reverb will sit in the chassis (still temporary, but working).