​

Official PCB board for my Spring Reverb! 310 mm X 200 mm. Large enough !

I try to push my limits as a PCB designer, I have been learning intensively for 2 years, almost every day. So I synthesize all the knowledge accumulated with the precious help of wonderful people and books, especially those from Valve Wizard. I use the development board he designed to bring my prototype to life. I ask him if I have the authorization to use it for my gear and my business. He says yes (maybe because in his "business" this PCB does not have the success it deserves)

. For me it was just "WOW", like a perfect balance between old school (point to point) and new school (PCB boards)

In fact, the "problem" for me is the time I spend building tube reverbs for "you". So with the number of mails on "my reverb" .... I decide to create a dedicated card, the specifications here:

​

 

Preamp

 

ECC81 + shielded input transformer for balanced XLR / Jack input. Unbalanced connection also available. DWELL control to vary the signal sent to the pilot stage. This step sends a very strong signal which helps vibrate the spring inside the tank. In Reggae Dub, we need it. Warm, rich and deep

​

 

 

Reverb Recovery Amplifier

 

Low noise 7025 tube / parallel stage + Mofset follower for better output impedance because the final output stage . The function of this preamp is to receive and amplify the pan / tank return. This stage is very important too

As an added bonus, I also put a notched passive selector to choose the reverb output texture with 3 Films capacitors .( call coupling capacitors )

 

Driver + high voltage transformer

 

6V6GT / 6K6GT  + Hammond transformer with 5K primary  or 8K Primary  choice with a 2 way selector .

Output Impedance is fixed at 8 ohms . ( Tank AB ) 

You can also put a speaker and use the driver stage  as a small amplifier ,You NEED a cabinet with a 8ohms Speaker  if used ( really cool for guitar / lead keyboard that need natural room characteristic .

Tips : if you have a talkbox ...you will try it for sure !

Last thing , a lightbulb compressor  is included ( On/Off ) .It " kill " some low frequency but can create a very cool effect on certains transient. In addition it s very cool to see the red light  flow arround the signal send  ! The Grampian reverb use a light buld too for information.

​

 

Power supply 

​

Maybe one of the most important part of any gears !  

I choose a Solid State Linear PSU with toroidal transformer shielded with 3 fuses protection and RFI shielded module.

The goal is to provide a very clean DC to the circuit .Especially for a Spring Reverb that have tendancy to be noisy . 

So i totally overkill the design in term of components , design and grounding sheme. 

8 smoothing capacitors that can handle more than 400VDC /  3W resistors for all plates distribution and DC distribution.

A CLC classique circuit revisited. That ensure a clean reverb sound with no buzz or hum . Like a good friend say , Hiss is hiss !  So yes a Spring reverb can hiss soon if you abuse on EQ and make bad gain staging . But if you respect some rules , it can sound very good / silent with flat value ( if tank is in correct condition and properly installed ) 

​

In addiction I choose a classic AC heater , because i join some little purist that claim that AC heater is just good for tube reverb sound . Placebo ? Don't know , but I keep it that way  I use heavy twisted cable  close to the chassis to keep hum minimal . 

The DC elevation is balanced via a trimmed resistor so I can tweak it to the good sweet spot point 

 

 .In my studio with gain staging respected ( OVU Calibration )  , the noise appear at -105dbfs in my daw ( that record the master output of the mixing desk ) . That's good  :) 

 

If you research a reverb with a tons of fx , filters , lfo, gate etc  , I think you need to look elsewhere , other units exist and are good ( I hope :) . I will never say « I have the best gears on the planet .I just make circuit like I do for me. And love the Tube sound for a lot of gears

​

For people want a unique / classic  reverb sound with that  tube sound witch  create some unique harmonic distortion, yes is it . The passive design in addition of high voltage is special . Is better ? Not for all fi sure :)  , but it’s a YES for me,  especially for that reverb effect. 

Fender call it the « surf » reverb , because of the overkill driver that rattle the springs in really unique way

Ok , the convenient is the price , that why I create this PCB board , to minimize the time spend to build . But I don’t cheat . Look the price of a fender 3 tubes  6G15 clone ( for guitar amplifier )  .Imagine you have this one with a tons of mods  + with 1 stage added  ( SRPP Tube line out and 2 transformer for input / output ) so just the price of components is just ....expensive .The work on chassis , wiring , build add a big factor in price . 

I will propose this board as a complete DIY Kit , except the chassis .

​

MORE INFOS / Prices / Contact me

A lot of demo is in my Facebook Profile HERE

and Audio 48khz 24Bits no master boost , no EQ or other Fx in the reverb path > DOWNLOAD

​

A similar reverb model is used in My Project with Marcus I and Horning Sound 

https://horninsounds.bandcamp.com/album/2000-years-showcase

​

​