BOSS 1963 Fender Spring Reverb Now Shipping
(ShackMan | Posted 2009-08-12)
1963 Fender Spring Reverb Returns as a Modern Stompbox
Los Angeles, CA, August 11, 2009 — BOSS® and Fender® USA have been working together to bring you Fender amp-based pedals like the FBM-1 '59 Fender Bassman and the FDR-1 '65 Fender Deluxe Reverb. Now they've collaborated to create the FRV-1, a stunning recreation of the 1963 Fender Reverb®. A staple sound of rockabilly, country, blues, surf rock and even grunge rock, this tube-driven reverb sound is now available in an affordable, rugged compact pedal.
Check it out close up:
Very dapper, Mr. Bogart. Yes, sir.
The FRV-1 recreates the classic spring-reverb sound of the 1963 Fender Reverb via patented COSM® technology, which is Boss' terms for digital modeling. Three Boss style knobs control Dwell (Time), Tone (Brightness), and Mix (how much you notice the effect) allow players to refine their tone, adding buttery warmth or sparkling twang, as a Reverb should.
I'm a little saddened that Boss didn't include more touches to make it look or feel like the actual '63 Reverb from Fender, but that's really just in knob style. It's still very obviously Boss in the way of looks, but that's a very minor cosmetic issue and to be expected. On the other hand, they did take the same controls from the old effect (Dwell, Mixer, Tone), which I like.
Sure, you aren't going to get tube definition out of this guy, but then, if you had the bread to get an actual 1963 Fender Spring Reverb, you'd already have one, wouldn't you?
The FRV-1 is now available with an MSRP of $206.50. If you want to check out more of the Boss FRV-1, check it out at www.bossusa.com, or watch a live demo of it on Youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX5EhRCWJOs.
James is a bassist, pianist, organist, composer and writer currently living and working in the Pittsburgh, PA, and Morgantown, WV areas. He is currently writing tunes and holding down the low end for Morgantown-based jazz band No Room for Squares. He is happy to have his computer back. You can reach him at james.rushin@musicgearreview.com
