Reverb pedals are a great addition to acoustic guitars. They help musicians create and control tones, emulating sounds of concert halls, cathedral spaces, or small rooms. There is a range of acoustic guitar reverb pedals available today. Choosing one can be a daunting task.
The article aims to simplify the process of buying a reverb pedal. Avoid these five mistakes to find the best reverb pedal suited for your requirement.
1. Not Understanding the Different Types of Reverbs Tones
The most common types of reverb tones are:
- Hall
- Spring
- Room
- Plate
- Chamber
- Ambiance
Room reverb is used to recreate the sound one typically hears in small rooms. On the other hand, Halls is a tone one would expect he hear in an acoustic environment like a concert hall. The tones are more extended, and they swell at the tail rather than at the beginning. Spring reverb is wherein a metallic spring’s vibration is picked up.
Today, acoustic guitar reverb pedals are capable of creating a variety of tones. If you are looking for specific tones or want the full range of reverbs, do the research beforehand.
2. Buying an Oversized Reverb Pedal
Do you have the space available for a large-sized reverb pedal? For example, Eventide Space reverb is a versatile reverb with an extensive array of features. Compared to other reverb pedals, products like Eventide Space’s body are big and would be a more suitable option for professionals than beginners.
Look for the size of the pedal and if space could be a constraint during your performance.
3. Investing in a Complex Reverb
As mentioned above, you can create different reverb tones with a single pedal. Depending on this feature, there are several knobs and buttons to deal with. As a beginner, you could go for a pedal like Fender Tre-verb. It is an ideal tool for musicians who play a wide range of genres, has an independent and defined Tremolo, compact in size, and easy to use.
Acoustic reverbs like Boss RV-6, on the other hand, provide advanced features, sound control, and quality, but it is not a beginner-friendly pedal.
4. Not Checking the Power Requirement
Reverb pedals come with different power requirements. Some pedals have batteries, and some require a specific voltage to work. You need to verify if the pedal works on AC voltage or DC voltage. Depending on the model, you might have to also invest in power adapters.
Supplying the wrong polarity or high voltage supply could potentially destroy your pedal.
5. Going Overboard With the Budget
There are several budget-friendly options in the market today. You can find good-quality reverb pedals under $100. Especially if you are a beginner, it’s recommended you do not go overboard and invest in a premium quality professional pedal. Understand how pedals work, gain experience and eventually move to professional-grade pedals.
Understand and prioritize your requirement before you shop for acoustic guitar reverb pedals. What tones are you looking for, do you have any space constraints, how much you are willing to pay for reverb, and can you handle a sophisticated reverb? Answering these questions will help you choose the best reverb pedal.