Vanamps Reverbmate vs. Solemate

[joshbaezmusic]

So I'm thinking of purchasing one of these guys to use as a "set and forget" reverb pedal. What are the differences between the two? Which do you prefer? Thanks!

-j.

 

[magnus02]

I think the only difference is one is stereo... I may be wrong... Awesome pedals though

 

[lestera34]

Yea, I'm interested too. I really like the idea of this pedal, thinking about getting one. I am a bit miffed at the fact that their "pedal deck", which is a great idea, is over $100...seems kinda silly for what it is, but anyway.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

Yea, I'm interested too. I really like the idea of this pedal, thinking about getting one. I am a bit miffed at the fact that their "pedal deck", which is a great idea, is over $100...seems kinda silly for what it is, but anyway.

Yeah I agree, you could definitely make your own for around 20 bucks haha.

 

[silvertone]

I had one, forget which, but I like my Holy Grail Plus better. Call me crazy.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

I had one, forget which, but I like my Holy Grail Plus better. Call me crazy.

Seriously? Why? I've heard so many great things about the solemate.

 

[x-ray specs]

Seriously? Why? I've heard so many great things about the solemate.

I would think because the solemate is only spring reverb where the HG has a hall reverb, which I think is based on a plate reverb. Also has room verb, more variety than the solemate. Some peeps don't like spring verb. Or maybe he just thinks it sounds better.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

True, but that's the whole reason I'm getting the solemate- I'm using it as a spring verb for my morgan ac40deluxe.

But, what are the differences between the reverbmate and solemate??

 

[x-ray specs]

I guess here's some of the differences:

The Reverbamate is a great unit but really works only for true two channel amps, or with two amplifiers.

New in 2006, the Sole-Mate was created for people with one channel amps, or who don't wish to run two cables to their amp.

Most of the same features as the reverbamate, but a single output with as much reverb as you select with the output level knob, and an ON/OFF switch for true bypass of the reverb sound. Still uses a real reverb pan for true spring reverb sounds. Has a DWELL knob to set the length of the reverb sounds. No battery option on Sole-Mate.

 

[silvertone]

Seriously? Why? I've heard so many great things about the solemate.

Well, I just thought the sound of the real spring wasn't very good. I'm used to my original blackface reverbs, and the Sole Mate didn't come close, for me, unfortunately. You know, I wanted to like it, I'd much rather use a real reverb than digital, but it didn't do it for me. I did try a couple different ones at the store and bought what I thought was the better one.
All that said, I really like the Spring setting on the Holy Grail Plus.

 

[colinesquire]

I had the solemate twice-it is a nice sounding reverb but I was looking for something deeper that has drip. The pedal has no drip at all so won't work for surf/spaghetti western style. In the end I sold both times. I now use a boss frv reverb. It has the drip but can also do the subtler sounds with dwell & tone rolled back.

 

[colinesquire]

& I agree with silvertone-it can't do the fender reverb sound. I used to have a bandmaster reverb & twin & was hoping I could get those sounds with the solemate. I'm disappointed that an actual spring pedal couldn't get those beloved sounds! I even tried swapping the tank for one with longer decay. Some people are really happy with it though.

 

[kurt1981]

bumping this as I have a chance to score a soul mate, anyone else have opinions on how close it comes to a blackface verb?
Thanks

 

[jocfan1]

I'm looking at the Sole-Mate as well... from what I gather it does a decent reproduction, but not perfect. The big thing that I keep reading from those with more experience is that the springs in a real blackface (or any true spring reverb amp, I guess) are much longer, which makes a difference. To my own ears, the big difference in the YouTube vid they did is that the Sole-Mate seems to add some top-end brightness, whereas a built-in reverb like on a blackface keeps the guitar's natural tone pretty much the same. I understand there is a mod for the Sole-Mate to fix that though....