DIY spring reverb from reverb tank

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jamievespa

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In a wild moment this morning on the way to work I accidentally won an old reverb tank I had been watching on eBay.

I've been looking at building some form of spring reverb out of an old verb tank for some time but I'm unsure as how to implement it as I'm rather at the basic stage of electronics but with a huge amount of enthusiasm.

Any advice on how to make this happen? Ideally id like to do an all in one box but I've been thinking about just running in and out using the direct out on a channel and then routing the signal back to another channel on the desk to mix the fully dry and fully wet signals...?

Thanks all
 
You need some kind of amp on either end. A simple opamp circuit will work. The spring normally have a low impedance input and high impedance output. The PAIA hotsprings manual (it uses two springs) is online, and is pretty simple to breadboard, and you can omit the clipping indicator circuit. If you want to keep it simple, just do something like that, so all you have is wet signal, and use an aux send on your board. gaussmarkov also has a more complicated circuit, but he includes a pcb layout, if you're inclined to etch your own board. (that's the "Forest Cook" link below)

This page has some links:

Print Page - DIY Reverb: collected resources
 
Jamie,
If you are UK and have a Maplin shop handy there are two devices that will do the job.

To drive the tank the 1W amp kit N48FL and for the "recovery" amp the low noise pre amp kit VE21X.

Power each from a 9 volt source, don't be cheap! Use a PP3 for each device to start with then if you have some success you can use a small wall rat. You will also need a couple of 10K log pots to set drive and output levels.

I managed to shoehorn a tank and drive circuitry into a 100W valve head but that used two extra double triodes. You don't want to mess with valves!

Dave.
 
Thanks Blue Jinn I will check out that link.

Dave, yes I am in the UK and I have seen those kits at Maplins as I've been thinking about the 200w kit to convert some passive speakers for my hifi. Im not wanting to be cheap haha I'm just unsure of the best way to implement this as my electronics knowledge is limited. I usually get most gear checked by professionals but I'm getting more and more into DIY :)
 
That Maplin PA kit is a good one (L85BH) but there are some things to consider.

First it is nowhere near a 200watt amplifier! The best you will get into an 8 Ohm speaker is 70watts. Now that is still seriously loud into almost any driver and is actually a bit OTT for most nearfield monitors but so long as you are aware.

Next, it is quite a complex build. Of course I cannot know your level of skill and experience but I would put it at well above "beginner" grade. Best to build two, VERY carefully then take a day or so checking them out visually and with an Ohmmeter. If there are any differences, at least one of them contains a cockup!...NOTHING more daunting to the tyro than to have 6hours work go up in smoke!

I have built 3 of them (one smoked, did not like being run without a load) and two still work in a rack using an old Sony amplifier PSU.

Lastly, they need a mains power supply. Are you up to making such equipment? We don't want to lose you!

Dave.
 
Hi Dave,

Yeah I know it's not a 200w amp :) I'd done quite a bit of research a few months ago :)

In terms of experience I have done soldering at school and uni last year we built a small (mig) tube headphone amp. Not real tubes but still experience with pcb and breadboard etc however we didn't build a PSU. So that I'm slightly wary of..
 
jamievespa said:
Hi Dave,

Yeah I know it's not a 200w amp :) I'd done quite a bit of research a few months ago :)

In terms of experience I have done soldering at school and uni last year we built a small (mig) tube headphone amp. Not real tubes but still experience with pcb and breadboard etc however we didn't build a PSU. So that I'm slightly wary of..
Click to expand...

Ok, well a simple toroidal transformer, switch and IEC socket are not hard to get right. Make sure you get the correct insulating boots and heatshrink everything! It also sounds as tho' you have an experienced eye to keep you safe?

Dave.
 
Hmm I wouldn't say experienced however I have tinkered with vintage electronics on and off for a few years and only shocked myself once! :)

Thanks for the tips, I'll get onto it :) I've found someone on Flickr whos done the exact same thing with a reverb tank and kits from Maplins :)

Spring reverb from maplin pre-amps kits
 
jamievespa said:
only shocked myself once! :)
Click to expand...

Mmmh. I built a 12AX7 preamp awhile back. Chassis is open on the bottom. I reached down to move it and grabbed the back of the on/off switch, my hand closed in response to the 120v AC being applied to it, and I couldn't let go of the damn thing. Thankfully my left hand was smart enough to push the damn thing off my right hand, knocking it free, letting my right hand relax, and breaking the tube in the process as it fell over. . . It still doesn't have a cover, but I'm much more careful around it.
 
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