The splashy, saturated sound of spring reverb is unlike any other. But what if your amp doesn’t have it? Is all lost? Are you relegated to a life of dry-as-toast guitar tones? Of course not! Sweetwater stocks loads of great-sounding effects pedals that will give your reverb-less amplifier a whole new lease on life. Here are some of our favorite spring tank stompboxes of 2023.
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there's no such thing as "best" when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater's massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
- Catalinbread Topanga Burnside
- Danelectro Spring King
- Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo
- JHS Spring Tank
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Boing
- Keeley Hooke Spring Reverb Pedal & Keeley Omni
- Source Audio True Spring
- Strymon blueSky V2
- TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2
- Wampler Mini Faux Spring
- Fender Tre-Verb
- Universal Audio Del-Verb
- Line 6 DL4 MkII
- Strymon Flint
- Honorable Mention: Dr. Z Z-Verb
Catalinbread Topanga Burnside Spring Reverb Pedal
Looks and tones to skate or die for
With its analog-modeled spring reverb and tube tremolo, the Catalinbread Topanga Burnside spring reverb pedal is surf rock and skate punk incarnate. If you want to drench your tone in ’60s-era Tolex-covered tranquility, then this is the pedal to get. This Burnside edition of the Topanga is even more desirable for its Burnside Skatepark paint job and dedicated trem knob. On top of its old-school control set, the Topanga Burnside includes a discrete preamp for goosing your tone into your amp.
Danelectro Spring King Reverb Pedal
True spring reverb in a box
If a digital emulation just won’t do, then put the Danelectro Spring King reverb pedal on your pedalboard. Not only does this stompbox house an actual spring for classic-sounding reverb effects, but it also includes a kick pad for creating thunderclap-like sounds akin to kicking or slapping your spring-loaded guitar amp.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb Pedal
Clangy surf goodness to go
The Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo reverb pedal packs three killer reverb algorithms into a rugged, compact enclosure. Its spring mode offers a convincing re-creation of a vintage amp-style reverb. Plus, you get plate and hall algorithms for a lush, studio-quality sound.
JHS Spring Tank Reverb Pedal
Washed-out layers of amp-style spring reverb
The JHS Spring Tank reverb pedal gives you not one but two spring-style reverbs, enabling you to dial in two independent, switchable reverb mixes. This über-powerful stomp also includes an effects loop for adding external effects to your reverb tails. If you enjoy tweakability, then this is the pedal for you.
J. Rockett Audio Designs Boing Reverb Pedal
Dial in drip with a single knob
Some guitarists enjoy spending hours dialing in their effects. The J. Rockett Audio Designs Boing reverb pedal is for the rest of us. It features a single reverb knob (just like a classic guitar amp) and nothing else for unmatched set-it-and-forget-it simplicity. Despite its simple design, this reverb pedal doesn’t compromise on sound. From a subtle splash to super-drenched ambient textures, this high-headroom reverb pedal delivers the goods.
Keeley Hooke Spring Reverb Pedal & Keeley Omni Reverb Pedal
Two great flavors of Keeley spring reverb
If you’re craving vintage-flavored spring reverb tones with tons of versatility, then you’ll dig the Keeley Hooke. This reverb pedal provides options for dialing in your tone and emulated spring tension, along with three modes that simulate amp-style springs, Black Panel-style Trem-n-Verb, and church organ–like fugue sounds.
Need something simpler? The Sweetwater-exclusive Keeley Omni reverb pedal boasts room, spring, and plate modes and sounds just as awesome but sports a cleaner 2-knob layout. It’s easier to dial in than the Hooke, giving you fast access to everything from garage-rock trashiness to vintage splashiness to classic studio shimmers.
Source Audio True Spring Reverb with Favorite Switch Pedal
Definitive digital spring reverb plus trem
The Source Audio True Spring Reverb with favorite switch pedal delivers some of the most authentic-sounding digital spring reverb emulations out there, with three modes that cover everything from short, amp-like spring reverb to tube-driven reverb tanks. You also get three vibrant tremolo effects, making this stompbox a must-have for surf-rock enthusiasts. This highly tweakable pedal also enables you to perform deep-dive tone editing with Source Audio’s Neuro Editor software. Stereo routing options seal the deal.
Strymon blueSky Reverberator Pedal V2
Tone springs eternal from this do-it-all ambient maker
The Strymon blueSky Reverberator pedal V2 puts true studio-quality reverb on your pedalboard. Lush studio plates, subtle room ambience, and spanky tube-amp springs — they’re all inside this pedal’s eye-grabbing blue housing. And don’t forget about Strymon’s iconic shimmer effect, which is a prerequisite for modern ambient genres. This stompbox is loaded with real-time parameter controls, enabling you to create any reverb effect that you can hear in your head. Plus, it even lets you save your favorite go-to settings.
TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Reverb Pedal
Create dense walls of “sproingy” springs
An update to TC’s ultra-popular HOF, the TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 reverb pedal is loaded with eight rock-solid reverb algorithms, including modulated, lo-fi shimmer settings. Of course, the star of the show for “sproing” lovers will be its syrupy sweet spring reverb. You also get three slots for saving TonePrint presets, allowing you to have three custom-tailored reverb effects at the ready. Plus, a pressure-sensitive mash footswitch for real-time expression control is included.
Wampler Mini Faux Spring Reverb Pedal
Lush, lingering springs in a small package
Wampler’s spring reverb algorithm is legendary; it’s found on tons of pro pedalboards. The Wampler Mini Faux spring reverb pedal packs that renowned effect — up to 2.8 seconds’ worth — into a space-friendly enclosure. A simple 3-knob layout makes dialing in your sound easy, and high-grade components ensure top-shelf quality. An analog-through circuit gives you pure, untainted base tone with reverb settings at zero, making it easy to get that “just kissing the springs” amp flavor.
Fender Tre-Verb Tremolo/Reverb Pedal
Très chic? No, Tre-Verb!
Besides killer tone, Fender amps are renowned for two things: tremolo and reverb. Well, with the Fender Tre-Verb tremolo/reverb pedal, you get both iconic effects in one convenient stompbox. This vintage-tone-in-a-box effects pedal evokes the unmistakable sound of a mid-1960s Fender spring reverb while delivering a “Best of” selection of classic-sounding tremolos. Stereo inputs and outputs make it a great choice for keyboardists as well.
Universal Audio Del-Verb Ambience Companion Reverb and Delay Pedal
“Hey, you got your spring reverb in my tape delay!”
It would be hard to name a more iconic duo of the recording world than spring reverb and tape delay. This combo has been basking riffs in sunny glows long before Dick Dale and a motley crew of mop tops began pushing the media to their limits. The Universal Audio Del-Verb Ambience Companion reverb and delay pedal marries the character-rich repeats of the UAFX Starlight with the period-accurate reverbs of the UAFX Golden. We can’t get enough of the Del-Verb’s Spring 65 reverb setting — based on a Tolex spring tank’s splashy, washy clank — paired with the EP-III tape delay emulation. This setting alone is well worth the price of the pedal. This pedal delivers a pure retro vibe.
Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay Modeler Pedal
Reverbs on the down-low
The next reverbs on our list are lesser-known secrets, and the Line 6 DL4 MkII delay modeler pedal serves up a saucerful. A highly capable delay pedal, the DL4 MkII delivers some surprisingly incredible reverb effects — you just have to know where to look! Pressing and holding the alt/legacy button and rotating the selector dial chooses between a grand total of 15 reverbs to complement your delay effect. From traditional plate, chamber, and hall to more experimental choices, there’s a versatile selection of reverbs to satisfy any spring-savvy 6-stringer.
Strymon Flint Tremolo and Reverb Pedal V2
Deluxe, amp-grade reverb with shaping
Are you after that old-school onboard amp spring verb and trem? Want to choose your decade as well? With the Strymon Flint tremolo and reverb pedal V2, you’ve got all these choices and more. It’s perfect for the casual player looking to add a deluxe reverb to less-than-deluxe amp setups or the professional needing a gorgeous-sounding, shapeable reverb palette. Choose your decay length, coloration, and mix presence and select between a trio of ’60s-, ’70s-, and ’80s-inspired effects.
Honorable Mention: Dr. Z Z-Verb Tube Reverb Tank
The ultimate spring experience
Okay — the Dr. Z Z-Verb tube reverb tank isn’t a pedal (it’s more of a pseudo amp head). But it’s super cool, so we thought we’d mention it. This tube-driven spring reverb yields studio-grade reverberation that’s guaranteed to make all fans of classic American-voiced spring reverbs jump for joy. This standalone device includes dwell, mix, and tone controls and makes a fine addition to any vintage spring reverb aficionado’s effects loop. And honestly, having the Z-Verb in your rig just makes you cooler than the other players who don’t have one.
Shop Spring Reverb Pedals at Sweetwater Today
We know — that’s a healthy assortment of spring reverbs to choose from! Committing to one that’s right for your needs and applications can be a little daunting without an expert’s help. Be sure to give one of our Sweetwater Sales Engineers a call at (800) 222-4700, and they’ll be more than happy to help you pick the spring reverb pedal that’s going to be a perfect fit for your next rig, jam, show, or studio session.
