Ultra-rare Hornby Skewes Reverb, dating from the 60s. Very orange. Groovy.
Ultra-rare, UK-made Hornby Skewes Zenta Zoom Reverb, dating from the 60s. Very orange. Groovy.
Hornby Skewes Zenta Zoom ZE-2 for sale in excellent condition and working order.
Serviced including recapping.
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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 (although unfortunately not the Zenta Zoom as we only found it in the studio after making the demos)…
In excellent condition with minor wear and signs of age to the face. The case is very good with scuffs and dings around the edges. See photos for more information on cosmetic condition.
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.
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.
Soundgas Springathon YouTube demo - 14 springs go head to head (although unfortunately not the Zenta Zoom as we only found it in the studio after making the demos)... 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.
We happened to have a stack of vintage spring reverbs all in one place so thought we'd put them all against each other & produce: The Soundgas...
PUBLISHED: 25th Nov 2015
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.
PUBLISHED: 14th May 2018
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
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
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