Product
Schaller Reverb Unit
Vintage spring reverb goodness. Made in Germany in the 60s - spartan Teutonic cool - very Krautrock.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Compact, German 1960s reverb unit with a sound we like.
Another vintage spring reverb that took part in the Soundgas Springathon (see YouTube demo below).
Description
This is a Schaller Reverb Unit, made in Germany in the 60s – spartan Teutonic cool – very Krautrock.
Serviced, in excellent condition and very good working order.
Some crackle when turning some pots is possible on occasion when it’s not been used for a while – a few swift turns of the pot should clear it – this machine is currently crackle-free.
=====
The evolution of digital reverb left springs in the doghouse for many years – players and engineers were only too happy to be rid of the noisy and imperfect mechanical reverbs of the past. Springs were confined to recreating the sound of classic dub reggae and surf guitar. However, following decades of sonic perfection, there was a yearning for something different, something old. Tom Elmhirst mixing Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson and Adele employed Pioneer hifi springs for a signature retro sound. Grammy Award-winning Nashville artists and producers (and up and coming engineers/producers in London) sprinkle fairy dust over guitars using Germanium transistor-based Telefunken Echomixers . Today’s dub producers, ever searching for that authentic sound, seek out the Grampian Type 636 reverb employed by Lee Perry at Black Ark (and by Pete Townshend in the late 60s for his guitar distortion, and Joe Meek before that). Using and abusing characterful and cranky spring reverbs is an antidote to an era when anyone with a laptop or digital guitar pedal has access to every modelled algorithm and space imaginable.
Try using a little tape delay before sending to a spring reverb, or use a digital/plug-in reverb and send the wet output from that to the spring to add character.
Soundgas Springathon YouTube demo below – 14 springs go head to head… Taking part we have, in order of appearance: Carlsbro Reverb; Laney Supergroup; Allsound FH36; Telefunken Echomixer; Airline Valve Reverb (unserviced); Pioneer SR-202W; Pioneer SR-202; Pioneer SR-101; Sansui RA-500; Roland Space Echo RE-201; Schaller Reverb Unit; Grampian Type 636 battery unit; Grampian Type 636 mains powered; Vermona Retroverb.
Condition
Excellent.
Voltage Information
220/240v unit. A step-up transformer will be required for use on 110/120v supplies. Please ask if you need advice on what to use. We do not recommend using cheap, generic Chinese mains transformers.
Tax
For sales in UK/EU, this item is on the margin scheme for second hand goods. VAT-free sales are not possible for this item.
The Soundgas Springathon:
TESTIMONIALS
Just Listed
RECENT BLOG ARTICLES
Update on the Next Soundgas Auction
Your early look at a sale which amounts to a roll call of dream synths and rare and exotic electronic instruments, and also includes over 60...
PUBLISHED: 13th Sep 2023
Soundgas Auctions Website Launched
Our first live sale - The first Soundgas Recording, Instruments & Studio Equipment Auction takes place on Wednesday 26th July at 16.00 BST / 11.00 EST
PUBLISHED: 11th Jul 2023
SEE THE NEW
GEAR FIRST
OUR GUARANTEE
We stand behind our gear with a guarantee of your satisfaction - see the FAQ section above for full details and buy with complete confidence.
SHIPPING DISCOUNTS
When buying more than one item you only pay the shipping on the item with the highest shipping cost. Calculated automatically at checkout.
NEED HELP?
Get in touch via the contact page. We know & love our gear and we want to ensure you get something that matches your needs (that, and we just like talking gear).