www.premierguitar.com PREMIER GUITAR NOVEMBER 2009 187
Reverbamate ASR- 1
and Sole-Mate
VANAMPS
BY BOB GOFFSTEIN
PRODUCT REVIEW
VanAmps makes amps. But they also make
spring reverb units, and gearheads that
know about them are very happy they do!
The Reverbamate Analog Spring Reverb, or
ASR- 1, and the Reverbamate Sole-Mate are
compact spring reverb units that utilize ana-
log solid-state circuitry. The ASR- 1 has been
around for a few years and has gained a solid
reputation, while the Sole-Mate is a newcom-
er added to the line to address the specific
needs of those using amplifiers with only one
input. Both units utilize high-quality compo-
nents and sport two basic controls: “Dwell”
varies the gain of the dry signal feeding the
springs, and “Output” controls the level of
the reverb signal fed to the amplifier.
There is, however, a difference in how the
reverberated signal is handled in the two
units. In the ASR- 1, the reverb signal is routed
to a 1/4" output jack on the rear panel,
where it sits next to another jack that outputs
the dry signal. The Sole-Mate, on the other
hand, mixes the reverb signal with the dry
signal at the same output jack, a more com-
monly used routing, as found in the vener-
able Fender reverb tanks. Both VanAmp units
use the same model 8" Accutronics spring
unit, which is hard-mounted to the aluminum
chassis. Both units also run off a
