Ugly Guitar Truth: JHS Sping Tank Reverb

According to the JHS website, the Spring Tank Reverb will be able to provide the washed out layers that only true amp style spring reverb can give you. The pedal brings you an arsenal of settings to tweak with an utilitarian simplicity and usability. The pedal features controls for Depth, Length, Highs, Boost (to control your overall volume) and Two independent and switchable reverb mixes called Tank 1 and Tank 2. Seems like a solid feature set from here, but lets take a closer look.

Springs

No, there aren't any springs in this pedal, but there is a lot more to this pedal than just simple reverb. The pedal sounds convincing. That right there makes this pedal a contender in the simple spring reverb 'boutique' market, but it has a few more tricks up it's sleeve. When running "regular" reverb, I do like the spring type. Plate, Hall, Room, and other types have their use, but the sound of springs just feels right to the ear for me. Real spring units are expensive and fragile. At this price point and quality, the Spring Tank is already a tempting option


Tanks


Why not just use the reverb on your amp? Well, if you are using an amp without a quality spring unit on board, then you're already out of luck. But the Spring Tank has the one-up on your amp's reverb. Tank 2 can be used as a second setting to be used on the fly. Set Tank 1 to your base level and then use Tank 2 for a huge, exaggerated sound, or anything else for that matter. What, your pedal only has one sound?


Boost


Yeah, this reverb has a boost in it. Any questions?


Other Features


Sure, this pedal has Depth and Length just like any other reverb, but you can set the brightness of your reverb so that it can sit in the back ground, or pop out in front. That not enough for you? Well, good. Because this pedal also has an effects loop that allows you to add addition effects just the reverb trails. You can even choose to only engage the effects loop when Tanks 2 in on. What more do you want?


Conclusion


Can you guess what I think about this pedal. I know this the Ugly Truth, but it's looking rather pretty from here. The Topanga, Dewdrop and Spring Thing are all in the same class as this pedal, but lets be honest. The feature set only makes this unit stand out. This pedal is well thought out and well executed. Personally, I get by with a digital reverb (gotta have my shimmer) but I have to hand it to JHS on this one. They put out a impressive pedal.