Reverb Pedal Help Please

[utahgimme2]

I just purchased a 1979 Silver Face Princeton non-reverb. Last night and a buddy let me borrow his 1st version Holy Grail reverb unit and I was blown away. I only played the "spring" setting and dialed it in around 10 o'clock. Totally digging the sound of this pedal with my amp.

My question is should I just buy this pedal or are there other options out there that will give me the same sweet reverb sound?

The only drawbacks I see from the first version Holy Reverb is the size of the pedal and the 500m power supply that will not work with my Fuel Tank Jr. I would love to get the new Holy Grail but after listening to some demos I don't like the sound of the new one as much as the old one.

[vintage saddles]

If you're going for a set it and forget it sound, the Holy Grail has pleased lots of folks through the years. Some complain of noise issues. There isn't supposed to be a difference between the big and small box, I haven't compared them. The Hermida Reverb is an option with one knob as well. It's subtle, blends well, and costs the same as the HG.

[mark norwine]

There isn't supposed to be a difference between the big and small box, I haven't compared them.

I have....

...and I hear a huge difference in the noise / hiss (nano being the quieter of the 2)

And the nano is a great unit! In a blind test conducted by a friend of mine, I compared the nano with the spring reverb in my Ampeg RR2 [which, to my ears, is the best spring reverb ever created].

I got it wrong 4 times out of 6.....thinking that I was hearing the Ampeg when it was actually the nano.

The HG Nano is my #1 reverb now; I've abandoned all of my tube / spring reverb systems in favor of a nano on my board.

[theroan]

Hall of fame is nice.

[abnerfm]

Can the older Voodoo Lab Pedal Power feed it? I'm asking because it provides only 80mA per output (the newer ones providing 100mA), and it didn't work with my old Holy Grail (the noise it made almost blew the speakers). I love it, but having an extra power supply on my pedalboard really bugs me. It seems like digital effects need more current, right?

[abnerfm]

Originally Posted by mark norwine

I have....

...and I hear a huge difference in the noise / hiss (nano being the quieter of the 2)

Can the older Voodoo Lab Pedal Power feed it? I'm asking because it provides only 80mA per output (the newer ones providing 100mA), and it didn't work with my old Holy Grail (the noise it made almost blew the speakers). I love it, but having an extra power supply on my pedalboard really bugs me. It seems like digital effects need more current, right?

[telepunk]

If you like the Holy Grail so much stick with it. You could go through several pedals just to come back to that one.

However, my favorite, and a constant favorite of pros and TGPers alike is the Boss RV5.

I had a Hall of Fame but it just did too much for what I needed (too many options). And, the mod reverb on the RV5 dominated the HOF mod, which was terrible IMO. I think most of the sounds on the RV5 are warmer/better to my ears.

[abnerfm]

I've never tried the RV-5, but tried the RV-3 and didn't like it. The effect was too loud while the decay was too short. Tried to "fix" it by tweaking it, but couldn't manage to get the sound I wanted.

[utahgimme2]

Thanks for all the input. After listening to a bunch of demos, I think I am just going to try to pick up a used Holy Grail. I hate how big it is and the 500mA power supply but to my ears that reverb is really sweet.

[telepunk]

What is sounds like to you is all that matters! It's a good feeling to find that sound you're looking for.

[Aerodyne]

I've played surf music for decades. Used many reverb pedals.

bottom line...all the new reverb pedals I've tried are 10/10. they are difficult to compare unless you are using all the same settings on the same guitar, the same amp, equalizers set the same, etc....and know how to compare settings on the pedals.

If you want 'vintage' reverb...remember our vintage reverb was crap compared to what's available today (as was my Strat and the amps). We played and tweaked until we got a decent sound.

[mdjphillips]

Depending on your budget, a used '63 Fender reverb tank would be an excellent addition to your Princeton.

[utahgimme2]

Originally Posted by mdjphillips

Depending on your budget, a used '63 Fender reverb tank would be an excellent addition to your Princeton.

That would be really sweet but that is WAY over my meager budget. Good idea though.

[niclake13]

Originally Posted by abnerfm

I've never tried the RV-5, but tried the RV-3 and didn't like it. The effect was too loud while the decay was too short. Tried to "fix" it by tweaking it, but couldn't manage to get the sound I wanted.

RV-5 ≠ RV-3. Totally different beasts. Had a -3, ditched it, now own a -5 on my small board. Worlds better.

[roverdog]

Check out the Eventide Space. It has a nice spring reverb, along with a lot else, if you are not on a budget!
You might also want to check out the BOSS Fender Reverb pedal.
Steve