Sold out. We have ceased production of the Soundgas Type 636. See our other Soundgas 636 products here. Please contact us to be on the list for preowned units.
The Soundgas Type 636 brings the hallowed Grampian Type 636 Spring Reverb design into the 21st century; a future studio classic.
Description
We began building these in 2019 with the intention of making a run of ten or so units. Demand outstripped our expectations so we built more. However production is now ceasing to focus on new Soundgas products. There is one unit remaining. We have no plans to build any more now. These are the best units we have produced and are set to be future classics.
Hand-built in limited numbers incorporating vintage components, this is the only Grampian 636 inspired circuit available today that uses the correct microphone transformers and circuitry for an authentic sound. The Soundgas Type 636 features all the hairy sonic goodness of the original units with greater consistency, lower noise and more low end in a convenient and reliable rackmount unit.
The Soundgas Type 636 Spring Reverb brings the hallowed Grampian Type 636 into the 21st century. Whether you seek the ultimate dub reverb, the meatiest distortion, or achingly beautiful organic textures, the Type 636 has it by the truckload.
These units are hand-built to order in very limited numbers using NOS vintage/original parts where essential for an authentic sound. For the 2023 Soundgas Type 636 we are using a carefully selected new spring tank that for greater consistency and reliability which is proving very popular here. We’ve been building these for approaching four years now years and the design has evolved with each build, incorporating incremental improvements, the pinnacle of which is the 2023 Type 636.
The design is as faithful to the original as possible and delivers all the hairy sonic joy of the originals. Dr Huw’s 21st century re-invigoration of the 636 circuit does not extend to modern corner-cutting – far from it – the attention to detail evokes a bygone era when recording equipment was hand-built with care. The circuit boards have been lovingly hand-etched and deliver all the wild tones and textures without the extraneous noise and hiss of a neglected original. We only hand select and match NOS vintage British Germanium transistors for the circuit (this takes a great deal of time and expense to do right, but the sound is unmistakably glorious as a result). No corners are cut, no expense spared to deliver sonic excellence.
The Soundgas Type 636 is a Grampian with less noise, more low end and greater reliability, designed with the benefit of hindsight and decades of experience with the originals. We’ve taken the best from various eras of 636s and brought them together with a studio sensibility – accentuating exactly the flaws and foibles of the design that are so beloved by today’s users. Individual Grampian 636s all have unique sonic signatures due to age and construction and each hand-built Soundgas Type 636 will be a unique piece. We keep two Grampians in the Soundgas Studio because they have quite distinct characters (one has an original Gibbs tank, the other a later Accutronics tank, but the circuit designs are quite different also).
A true studio classic designed and built with love and attention to detail for today’s musicians and producers.
Over the past four years, Soundgas 636s have been helping shape the sound of some of the world’s most iconic artists, engineers/producers and studios. 636 series owners include:
Richie Hawtin, Ben Frost, Tom Rowlands (Chemical Brothers), John McBride (Blackbird Studios), Paul Epworth (The Church), Ed O’Brien, Chris Messina (April Base Studios/Bon Iver), Frank Wiedemann (Innervisions/Ame), Al Doyle (Hot Chip/LCD Soundsystem), John Mayer, Arthur Fielder, Shonky, Maribou State, El P (Run The Jewels), Mike D.
Very limited production – handbuilt entirely from scratch in our workshops in Crich, England.
Condition
Brand new!
Voltage Information
Switchable voltage for use anywhere in the world - it will be set up ready for you to use before we ship.
Tax
For sales in UK the price will include 20% VAT. Buyers elsewhere may incur VAT or other local taxes on import.
Video Demos
Later demos feature production prototypes in action to show the evolution of the look and sound – there’s the test unit missing the face-plate, plus some earlier initial test-firings of the prototype (built into an old Binson face-plate!).
Grampians: some history and technical information about these superb, legendary machines. If you are looking to buy a Grampian or have one to sell in any...
We now have the first working prototype of what will be known as the Soundgas Type 636. A faithful recreation/re-imagining of the original Grampian Type 636,...
Lords Of The Springs – Tony’s Premier Guitar Article
My first piece for Premier Guitar on the subject of vintage spring reverbs, with particular emphasis on less-common units: definitely firmly in Soundgas territory.
"Engaging with old gear can sometimes be filled with a lot of uncertainty, and I can't imagine what more could be done to reduce this aspect of it on top of the service you provide. Really phenomenal and I couldn't be happier."
Stephen Voinea
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David Wrench
"DREAM. COME. TRUE. My music has taken me around the world a few times...and if you are like me and absolutely adore vintage gear...Soundgas is the stuff of LEGENDS. It's the shop that people like us search for our whole lives- fantastic and rare selections, and the technical know-how to repair and or mod these vintage items to get them into shape to flow with your modern setup."
Tom Gossin
“If you are a vintage audio gear head then this is the place you have been looking for all your life. Pretty much any piece of classic or obscure kit that you are after is available here... But the clincher for me is that the gear they sell has been restored by their top techs (unless otherwise noted) which is really very important when dealing with, for example, synths from 30 years ago.”
Lincoln Barrett / High Contrast
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Thomas Tedesco
Grabbed a Roland RE-201 (early edition killer pre-amp) and Roland DC-50. Absolutely STUNNING. These guys truly live up to the hype. They are meticulous in caring for the gear. Also, I have a few guitar pedal and plug-in emulations of tape-echo sounds and after plugging in the real unit I can't tell you how insane the difference is. It is incredible. Especially that tone from the early pre-amp! I am totally amazed. I am in heaven :) They made it safely to Nashville from the UK and were packed really really well! Thank you so much!! Worth every penny.
Chance Allen
"Yes, sure, you can find a Space Echo on eBay, but you won’t find one like this — that’s certain. I am so pleased with my decision to buy from Soundgas, and suggest you stop your search now and just send them a message. You will undoubtedly find yourself writing an ecstatic review about yours in short time."
Ben Evolo
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Koko Hiras
Purchased a Juno-60 and it works beautifully. Having gotten one teched before, I knew it was worth paying a premium to get it future proofed and Soundgas does just that. Shipped professionally from the UK to USA. Appreciate their expertise and professional demeanor!
Eric Cullen
"Excellent equipment, wonderful service. I fully recommend Soundgas to anyone in the vintage gear market and I will definitely be a return customer. The gear itself was exactly as advertised and in great condition."
Hallam Kite
As good as it gets. Tony, Dec and team have been incredible, prompt communication, great advice and outstanding service. It really felt like my Polysix came from a loving home.
Ben Parm
"Soundgas provided the absolutely top service in terms of item quality as well as service and communication. Shipping was fast, packing was top notch. These people deserve the best reputation they already have. Many many thanks, guys."
Dupille Luc
“The perfect place to hear, learn about and then buy your most wanted piece of vintage music gear! I've not only managed to buy a rare piece of equipment I really wanted, but I have the guarantee it's been serviced, and I got it from people who are clearly passionate and knowledgeable about what they do, as well as super friendly and responsive by email. Thoroughly recommended!”
Colleen / Cécile Schott
"Finally, a company that tracks down all those brilliant curiosities that bring so much character and personality to a studio."
Matthew Herbert
"The packing job to get it over to the US was superb, and the sound and performance of my Space Echo exceeds all of my expectations. I hope to do business with Soundgas again in the future. Many thanks!”
Rhett Daily
"Soundgas has an unbelievable selection of the cool, old stuff that’s hard to find. Tony knows his stuff and goes out of his way to make sure the transaction is a smooth one. Thanks guys!"
Tucker Martine - Flora Recording
Fantastic. From initial contact to the product landing at my door the service provided was outstanding. Safe and secure shipping, quality serviced product.
Tom Johnston
“I have bought two Moog synths from Soundgas over the past year, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about their selection of vintage products, the level of service, diligent responses to email, and expedient shipping with copious protective packaging. Soundgas is an impressive operation. My synths also sound amazing! These folks have made my vintage keyboard dreams come true in short order!”
J Yates
Just wanted to say thank you so much for your pinch roller and echo tape. I've had a space echo for years, been sent to a shop in NYC and it never worked quite right. After installing the roller and tape, my echo works like a dream. Really incredible expertise you all have! Thank you.
Andrew Potter
"Soundgas offer a great service, sourcing esoteric gear that works great."
Tom Rowlands - Chemical Brothers
“Imagine the perfect eBay.... with everything you never knew you wanted… and you can rest assured that your vintage and rare wobbly sound device will turn up on time and in one piece and possibly in even better condition that when it left the workshop. Soundgas - literally amazing."
Josh Lloyd-Watson & Tom McFarland - Jungle
“The Space Echo made its way to me - it looks and sounds beyond dreams, thanks guys for your great service and communication.”
Julius Bonson
"When you are spending big money of vintage gear it's nice to have the confidence of impeccable service, sales and support... some of the best in the industry! Impeccable people, incredible equipment… my poor poor fiancé"
James DLR - Sofa Sound/Metalheadz
"Packed with love and care. A stampede couldn't have crushed this thing. Works great and sounds like a dream. I love you Soundgas."
Ben Van Vlissingen
“I purchased a completely overhauled vintage valve Binson Echorec 2 T7E modified with varispeed, wet-only output, and a new paint job from Soundgas in early 2018. Tony and his team did an amazing job during every step of the purchase”
Matt Morton
"808 is up and running. It’s hard to stop playing it. Like even to eat. Extending testing is quality control and the quality of your stuff combined with customer service is one of the reasons Soundgas is so successful in my opinion."
Brett R
“If not a new language, then at least a very challenging, old dialect that will take me some time to assimilate. I’ve been waiting a long time for the challenge. Thank you @soundgasltd, she’s a beaut...and nobody prepares and packs like you fine folks.”
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
I have been buying vintage stuff for a long time from resellers/stores/techs. I've never been so surprised and pleased after opening! Just received a Roland RE-201 and VX55 mixer, they look and sound amazing! Thanks to Tony/Declan for the service and the Soundgas team will be back!
We can't stop here, this is bat country! Our next auction (November 22nd) features some head-turning, show-stopping synths, however we also wanted to put the spotlight...
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