Our Fave Real Spring Reverb Pedal? [Surfy Bear, Echo Fix, White Whale, Headroom & Spring King]

[@SalisburySimon]

As a result of your last show featuring the Surfy Bear one has made its way into my house. Occasionally it goes out as part of my rig, but I don't use reverb live, so mostly it stays at home in the loop. It is the end of reverb for me. Nothing else required. The ability to have two different settings (subtle and ridiculous, for example) was the game changer. And it sounds so good. Thank you.

[@CorbCorbin]

It’s a beautiful piece. I often fight over whether to have a reverb on my board, as the amps I use don’t have reverb, or are in need of repair, that no one near me can do for a price worth it. I tried a lot of them, and I can usually use the plate, room or spring, on many of them, but it’s more for me, than the audience, unless I’m playing music with obvious drenched reverb on it. I finally settled on the Keeley Hydra, as I just liked the sound of it on the end of my board, over the Flint, and I really only made it permanent for my board, because it has the Tremolo as well. It can also be set for Wet/Dry, right on the pedal, in a stereo setup. I like it’s Spring, better than a Fender dRRI. Yet, if the mix is too high, with a long decay, it doesn’t sound right. I use short spring decay, with a near 50/50 mix, or low mix, with mid length decay. I really use the Plate far more, as it’s my preferred Reverb. I will get one of those Surfy Bears, when I have the disposable income, or a little studio to put it in.

[@chesneytube1]

how sure are we that we don't want a tube one... 🤣 I for one am not sure

[@whiskersb5296]

The name surfybear alone makes me want one.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

The PRS Horsemeat is the reverse 😁

[@CorbCorbin]

@@Joe-mz6dc Yeah, I’d rather get my hands on a Way Huge Swollen Pickle or Way Huge Cameltoe. 😆

[@dkwha9709]

Right?!

[@henrykobee]

I have a pedal from that manufacturer, the Stereo-Maker. It's an amazing quality pedal and does what it says for pretty good

[@josephpickard3108]

Funny, it was probably the most off-putting thing about it for me 😂 I've had a Headroom for years and i still rave about it

[@GabrielRice]

in response to dan's question about a band bleeding through the surfy bear... I use one live and I had an awesome moment one time at the end of a song where it picked up the crowd cheering while i had my volante on with high repeats too and it created this HUGE wash of reverby applause. so epic

[@GabrielRice]

but in terms of a band affecting it, it's never been a problem

[@CorbCorbin]

Wouldn’t an amp have that problem? Seems like something they’d have thought of, if it was picking up vibrations from the stage or crowd. Dont see how the audience was heard through it, but the Drummer wasn’t. Yet, I’ve witnessed much stranger things, happen with gear and sound, in general, when gigging.

[@GabrielRice]

​@@CorbCorbin yeah I don't know. My pickups are quite microphonic too so could've been a combination of the two. I'm sure it does pick up the rest of the band quietly it's just imperceivable when they're playing simultaneously. Could also be that my board was down right by the front row.

[@Diax1324]

Yeah the artefacts of the analog magic are what encourage using it. It's impractical, heavy, and noisy shit, but it's SO FUN to use for all of the other strange behaviors that it will express.

[@elliotgreen987]

That's a new challenge idea! Best pedalboard that uses the Surfy Bear as a board please! Loving the episode if only we could have real analog plate reverb pedals!

[@ThatPedalShow]

YES!

[@farmostro6306]

I design my own pedalboard for my Surfybear trying to be space smart, and think the result was fine. My sound it's surf oriented and besides the surfy I put an overdrive, tremolo and delay.

[@bobbiemiles-foremaniii8747]

Catalinbread Topanga is my favorite by far. It is SO good The Howard era of catalinbread is such a gold mine

[@DickFitzwellJr]

The Topanga was my favorite too...until I got a surfybear. As great as it is the "digitalness" of the Topanga really stands out when they're side by side but if I needed space I'd still be happy with it on a gig.

[@CorbCorbin]

I had one. It was great for when it came out, and I’m sure I could still use one now, but I found just as good or better Spring Reverbs, in multi pedals, eventually; so I sold the Topanga. I’ve settled on the Keeley Hydra, as it’s Spring sounds great, if kept before 12 o’clock, on the mix and decay knobs. I really use the Plate more, as it’s my goto reverb. I A/B’d it with a lot of stereo reverbs, snd dual Trem/Verb pedals. It costs less, and sounded better than the Flint V1 and 2, to my ears. It also can do a Wet/Dry mix, right on the pedal, when in stereo, and has a way to increase the Trem volume, among many other options.

[@onechewtreefaw818]

I think there are more accurate faux spring reverb pedals these days, but man, the Topanga sounds GOOD!! Just, the sound out of it, it's such a nice sounding pedal. I switched to a SA True Spring because it nails the "drip" better, but I was 99% happy with the Topanga when I had it.

[@bobcatblooze]

So sad what happened there.

[@mennoosmusic]

Can I Just say that Dan’s playing was on fire in this episode. Very inspiring sounds, that Jag suits you 😊. Gold strat sounded killer too

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thanks mate 🤓🙏

[@Tanzi24]

Another wonderful episode, thank you chaps! (SB Classic owner here) The magical thing about a real spring reverb is that it envelopes your tone, becoming part of the sound. It's cohesive, unlike a digital reverb, which (in my opinion) feels 'sprinkled on', like a separate layer. I love digital reverbs for synths, but spring and guitar are a match made in sonic heaven!

[@GabrielRice]

yes! I have a SB Metal and I couldn't believe how interactive and dynamic it was the first few times I gigged it. it really becomes an extension of the instrument

[@STMRecords1]

The headroom is fantastic. I love the fact you can reduce the decay time by not setting the spring muffler all the way into it's locked position.

[@josephpickard3108]

I love mine, its an unsellable bit of gear. I pair mine with an SV20H in the effects loop and it sounds massive

[@MarkB.Guitar]

The Danelectro Spring King actually has an always-on PT2399 delay circuit built in to it, which is why it has such an exaggerated delay chatracter to it. It can be easily modded to add level and feedback controls for the delay on the top pannel. With the delay level at 0, it loses a lot of its "splashy" character and is probably somewhere closer to the Headroom or EchoFix in character. You can also upgrade the reverb tray in it as well. Really it's a pedal that needs all 3 knobs turned up full at all times, imo! 🌊🏄🏻‍♂

[@DivKid]

The Echo Fix is a fantastic pedal. Really great on a wide range of instruments, it's really shining on electronic/synth sources for me.

[@Tanzi24]

I've just sold my UA Golden Reverberator and bought the Echo Fix. Looking forward to using it on synths and as a production tool!

[@thefilthyjesusexperiment6924]

I spent a year making a valve spring reverb (lamington reverb) The year was working out how to get rid of more noise, neatly compensate for the volume drop and a switch to remotely go between 2 settings. Hadn’t taken to rehearsals for a while because it’s so big. You inspired me to plug it in today. Actual spring tank spring reverb is joyous. Thanks Gents.

[@tweakrr99]

Surfybear really is something special if you want a deep drippy reverb

[@lennybrowntooth5009]

Try this one simple trick (no really, it actually is a cool trick): For the Deluxe Reverb, get a short cable with a female RCA connector on one end and a 1/4 inch male plug on the other. Remove the reverb return RCA cable from the back or underside of the amp, and plug it into your new RCA to 1/4” cable. Plug the jack on the cable into one of the Normal Channel input jacks. Now the Normal channel controls are reverb controls! Volume = reverb level. Bass and Treble to taste. The Reverb knob on the amp won’t do anything anymore.

[@shamsam4]

Very pretty chords and flourishes from Dan at the beginning of the White Whale. Fun show as usual! Thanks dudes!

[@rhysevancampbell]

Really enjoyed Dan's playing today. Good vibes 😊

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers mate 🙏

[@_nstone5317]

Thanks guys for featuring spring reverbs again. I have a SURFYBEAR COMPACT here, in surf green of course 😎 and I love that thing, everytime I plug it in.

[@jeremiahMc11]

I have owned 6 different spring reverb pedals. And started a spreadsheet to hunt down, rate, and comment on my favorites. So far the Surfybear Compact and the EF-P2 are my top favorites. SBC has the most natural amp like sounds while the EF-P2 has a really interesting plate lite tone. So many reverb pedals flip phase, so heads up Wet/Dry fans! Other reverbs I’ve owned: Anasounds the Element (Le Bon) Spring Reverb Seeker Spring Reverb (Flips phase) Recovery Endless Summer Spring Reverb (flips phase) VanAmp sole-mate

[@youKnowWho3311]

Here I am glued to the Tube, Geeking out as soon as TPS comes on. One of my fave guitar shows.

[@aaroncurtis4476]

Really like the Echo Fix - works well for both studio and pedalboard. Agree with Dan too on going analog. Just something about that sound and feel. Cheers,

[@thamelmusic]

I proudly get my Surfy Bear Metal on my pedalboard two years ago.I gig every week or so. Lots of people first laugh when they see my board, including bandmates. When they actually hear it, then it's a complete different story.

[@Adventuresingearland]

Just magic. Thank you, all. X

[@winstonsmith8236]

That Headroom was my first favorite pedal- absolutely gorgeous sounding

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Great video as always, LegEnds... I've got the Light Pedal by Game Changer... in a word... SHWANGTASTIC!!! Yes... it's a Stanley Kubrick heavy monolith of a pedal but worth every ounce! Of course, it never leaves the studio, but if I were to play it out, I could kick it to get that spring tank sound... like it should be done! 🤘🎸😎

[@eaglerayrob]

The Fender 65 DRRI and The Benson Bellringer, what a wonderful pairing. I'm still drawn to the CTC White Whale. Great show, thanks.

[@astewart9410]

Omg reverb is my favourite. Can’t wait to watch this in portions throughout the day as I’ve gotta work and do other things in between!

[@stanislavmigra]

Dan just won the the internet with the double reverb, one wett only. Stellar sound

[@paulthebeardedonedowning6820]

thanks for this one gentlemen I do love a good spring and when I sprung for my new amp (Magnatone super 15) I also sprang for a echo fix and immediately fell in love played with it for hours its a wonderful thing.. always had it in the loop so I've got something to try for myself now everything in the front lol

[@joedonnelly8179]

I recently got the EFX 3 and I play guitar and sax through it. It’s a game changer because the reverb on sax is perfect. Great playing today both of you!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

That Surfy Bear sounds incredible ( they all do, but that one was extraordinary ). How can anyone not Love Reverb ? Great show fellas.

[@ToddTheJoker]

This was great guys, with Mick playing his gold strat sometimes but the sound of Dan playing that Jaguar into the Fender and Benson amps is what stood out to me....man I love that sound! Got to get a Jaguar! and oh yeah I loved the Surfy Bear, that and the Carl Martin would be the choice for me! I love Spring Reverb! Thanks guys!

[@nealpike6611]

Oh wow the trem in the white whale is spectacular

[@SD_UK]

Lovely playing by Dan in the Intro piece.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers mate 🙏

[@jonathanpaul001]

That Benson Amp looks and sounds so great with that Fender. Please more vids with the Benson! 😍

[@jonathannicholas2970]

I know they aren't super easy to get hold of now but the Demeter Reverbulator is absolutely killer - I use it in place of my Mesa onboard spring for long drippy surf sounds, and that is no slouch either. Oh, and the two together is truly amazeballs!!

[@thetransonicford]

Hi Dan, hi Mick, I use a Surfybear Classic as a second tier on a Pedaltrain Classic Jr. On the Surfybear itself I placed a Boss 101 delay and a Vemuram Jan Ray - works like a charm in the studio and with the band, it‘s a great unit. Thanks for everything that you do. Happy weekend from Berlin, Germany.

[@chrishutchens6004]

Demeter RVB-1 Reverbulator - Fabulous spring reverb pedal also.

[@rkharper]

The slapback delay on the Spring King is no suprise - it's literally a digital delay with a teeny tinsy Spring in it.

[@neightmorris]

actually has 3 springs

[@reijerlincoln]

The Surfybear is the best one, it drips!

[@CorbCorbin]

My Keeley Hydra drips. I can make it sound very legit, but for longer decay, or the mix past 50/50, it’s not a great sound. But, I use Plate or Hall, for longer decay reverb, so it’s been perfect for me.

[@rigorhead01]

I've used a Deluxe Reverb Reissue for about 15 years now, and it's reverb sounds lovely. Also use a Mesa Electra Dyne for when I need overdriven classic rock tones, and it also has a fantastic spring reverb. So when I'm looking for a reverb pedal I gravitate towards hall and room reverbs.

[@humbuckercafe]

Thanks a lot Guys! I had the same dilemma recently where I just dislike the spring emulation in digital reverbs (still they are usable for other reasons). Great sounds, playing and conversations as always 🎸 For all of the happy Echo Fix Reverb owners out there - try to lift the unit a bit and then drop it 😉 Happy days!

[@dewey7330]

Those pedals are MASSIVE! good lord.

[@rebbeche]

I love my Echofix Verd it’s such a great pedal and looks great on my board.🎉

[@crumpred805]

My always on amp (Carr Rambler) has tremolo & spring reverb. I still enjoy the amazing effects available with reverb pedals, Chase Bliss reverb pedals and Strymon are a blast to tinker with.

[@wyoung93]

Knew it would be a good show when it opened with my 2 favourite TPS guitars. That JM Jag and 335 are perfection!

[@pabcrane]

I hope that was as much fun to make as it was to watch! I have the Surfy Compact which is a bit smaller than the Metal which you guys have but still drips well and also has two footswtitchable mix levels. The new Thomann anniversary model also has RCA in/out and External switch so one can plug in another reverb tray is desired. I still love the reverb in my Deluxe Reverb but I've found that the Surfy is fantastic into it - but more importantly for other amps which don't have reverb or an underwhelming one. One of my favourite players is Roland S. Howard (R.I.P) who used loads of reverb in his Twin.

[@peterhall4852]

Yes ,but which reverb do you use in the autumn?

[@dww0902]

Video suggestion: Traditional Fuzz in Untraditional Places - go anywhere fuzzes like the Bensons, Silktone, etc, in the middle of the signal chain, before and after different dirt and mod pedals and more. Kthx

[@andthegs]

I would watch a whole series of what if you put x type of pedal in “wrong” places?

[@matthewcole6456]

Add this to the list of times when TPS topics were incredibly timely. My surfy bear spring reverb was delivered last night!

[@neilstewartguitar]

Love TPS. Just opened up my new TPS flask and T shirt! The best shipping and packaging by anyone! Cheers

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you so much Neil! Buying that stuff keeps us in the game. Thank you!

[@gregguzdziol]

Thank you, my favourite youtubers, on KZbin!

[@BrentGrowe]

With reverb I’m always thinking about my mix in the band. More reverb sits me back in the mix and less reverb pushes me forward in the mix. Great episode fellas!

[@djangle67]

Electro Harmonix Oceans 11 has a great drippy spring reverb as well as some other fine reverbs for around £130….albeit digital but nice sounding never the less.

[@Angus.Maclean]

Like early complaints of Surfy Bear, Fender Reverb has a volume drop. I temp. clip routed the dry and wet to separate pots and it sounded great. So, a worthy mod to route properly/permanently at some point.

[@titussardonicus338]

Whooeee that Jag sounds lovely!

[@periloustemple8290]

Dan, that jazz phrasing is hitting another level! Very inspiring. Actually, these reverbs suite you both and bring out you core truth as players, IMO. Lovely sounds, super fun and great playing! Surfy Bear as pedalboard is also just epic!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you! Mick here. So true about the core truth thing. Couple of simple amps and reverb…. TRUTH!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers mate, yeah, going back to springs is lovely

[@robertprice5039]

Yes, I would love a real spring reverb, and a real tape echo too, but gigging with a 10 minute setup, and having everything work properly when the rig is set up I am very happy sticking to my Catalinbread Topanga and my Boss RE202. Yes the Surfybear is very cool, and I have thought about getting one in the past!

[@ptl79]

I bought the local stadium because I prefer true analogue reverberation, the board and amp fits inside the pedal!

[@scottcurry4116]

Nice show! I like a bit of reverb but it tends to have a reflective artifact that I don’t like when I drive it too hard or kick on an OD. I learned from TPS that we can use an expression pedal to control mix level (Andy Timmons show). So now I look for reverb and delay with that feature. Currently I have the ARDX20 and Collider (reverb side) on my board with the Wetter Box to run them in parallel and use a Mission expression pedal to control mix on both. I love the control I have over it now. Thanks for another great show.

[@rigorhead01]

Wow! I bet you can get some lovely sounds, you've got some super nice gear there!

[@NateTheMeh]

I absolutely adore my Carl Martin reverb! With a slightly compressing amp preamp, it totally extends the reverb trails to hit that long spring vibe

[@johnsuede]

That Aussie pedal Is great! You also don’t need to rent a Winnebago to cart it around!

[@zacharyoliver1325]

Nice to see the Jaguar making an appearance. I was wondering where it went!

[@compucorder64]

Went for a Surfybear classic, a few months back. Really love it. It's true that I've been using my digital reverbs a lot less for spring since I got it. But, I still do like the UAD Del-verb most for emulation, and I use it when I want stereo spring reverb on my pair of Vox ACs in Wet/Dry/Wet rig. Carl Martin again sounded really pretty, like it did in the last video. But it doesn't have a massive amount of spring character. Personally, wasn't super mad impressed by the echo fix, sounded like a dirty small tank amp reverb, like you'd have in an old Vox or something. Similar in comparisons between a Space Echo and the Echo Fix, they just doesn't wow me, given how much they costs - convenient but don't have the mojo of the originals. The Surfybear Classic is smaller than that one, but yeah, not for the pedal board, strap them to the top of your amp.

[@Kuztomshop]

I have been loving a heavy amount of spring from the amp along with a hall reverb set to a small to medium sounding room. It's so cool and reminds me of the Stones old albums.

[@RobertNolan]

I have a 6G15 and will only use that, despite how inconvenient it may ever present itself to be. It is the literal king of spring.

[@hoboroadie4623]

It stands alone!

[@Riffs79]

Hey guys I'm late to the party as usual. Surfybear is awesome! You could def. play "Pipeline" by the Ventures on that! Great show like always! Cheers from Massachusetts!

[@DWinegarden2]

You dudes should do a show about stand alone Reverb units. Id like to see that show!

[@guitargeartips1951]

Lovely sounds and well chosen for the show. I use an old Lexicon MPX200 rack union for reverb giving the classic lexicon reverb sound😊😅

[@rickjones641]

Could you mount a Surfybear underneath, say, a pedaltrain (not the flat ones)? I tend to use my amp spring reverb in a set and forget fashion, but I've been going DI a lot via a simplifier, and having to use a plate-style emulation, which I don't like as much.

[@dylancroft2423]

I love good reverbs + I love TPS = I loved this episode squared. All of the pedals sounded great. I love Surfybear for it's sound, but I love the Echo Fix enough that it would probably live on my pedal board first and foremost. I predict it would be more of an "overall usefull" pedal, and I would be interested in hearing it in a dual-amp setup paired with some kind of subtle digital reverb (each to their own amp). Cheers! Thanks for EVEN MORE superb content.

[@danbarker1809]

Revebs totally overshadowed by Micks awesome socks! 👍

[@crumpred805]

I see episodes like this and think you guys need to take a trip to Nashville and do a live event with the swell of talent in that town.

[@Strangel72]

That was the most beautiful Jaguar I have ever seen.

[@EmilioConesa]

Wondering if the Poly Effects Verbs can convincingly capture spring? The reverb in my Mesa Lonestar special is so good!

[@alw1340]

This is awesome and answered a lot of questions I had with these pedals! I really really like the sound of the Echofix, Surfy Bear and White Whale

[@jlbaxe]

Had me with the White Whale Trem

[@Paul-D]

I bought the white whale after your comments a few Fridays ago. Really pleased with it - but I do wonder if its strong enough to hold up as a pedal - hence the remote I guess!

[@BCarpenter2314]

While I'm personally not a fan of spring reverb, I'll respect everyone's right to schwang with it! My favorite from this lot was the White Whale. Cheers, TPS community!

[@andrus108]

I checked the prices of Fender tube reverb units. For that price.... you can get a Princeton, and use it as a second amp for spring reverb, plus many other things (stereo effects, home amp, beautiful tremolo, etc.).

[@AlbusBand]

I’m not even ten minutes in and we’ve quoted some Spinal Tap….therefore I know this episode will be fantastic 🙌. LOVE YOUUUUUU

[@alguitarchristie]

When you are playing by yourself the drippy thing is great, but at a gig, I prefer a shorter tank sound! Like Dan said with drive, it just sounds better onstage. ( I do 2 gigs a week )

[@mrtnbrwn]

Thanks for this. I was very keen to hear the surfybear compared to the echo fix. Especially considering the footprint for the echo fix. You didn't try pushing the reverb into the red on the echofix? Would have also liked to hear the game changer audio light pedal as well as hybrid take on real spring..? (Pro-jnr owner looking for the right reverb...)

[@ThatPedalShow]

Hello! We’ve done the Game changer in a previous episode. If you go to thatpedalshow.com we have a database of pedals used in previous episodes. Might save you a lot of searching. Good luck!

[@mrtnbrwn]

Thanks I hadn't realised you'd looked into it before! Will have a look. Thanks again for the awesome recent reverb shootout. I think I'm leaning towards the Echofix that vu meter👌(I may be biased 🦘) mind you the blonde tolex surfybears would sit nice withe a tweed amp

[@lapk78]

Dan, your opening jam was beautiful.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Ah, cheers mate 🤓🙏

[@Subropontes]

I love me a Fender Spring Tank, I got a SurfyBear Classic v2 with their SurfyPan, played side by side with my mate’s ‘65 6G15 and they were SUPER close. Not satisfied with how impractical that thing is I rehoused it into a 6G15 cab so now it looks cooler and at least has a handle so it’s easy to carry. That sits on top of my ‘64 Top Boost AC30 and it’s a glorious thing.

[@bradenrodriguez5183]

Nice to see the return of the 62' Gold Strat!

[@danottley2627]

Great show leg-ends. I’ve not dabbled too much with spring as the reverb in my Fender Supersonic 22 is so noisy. The Surfybear is wonderful. To get around the pedal board practicalities would this play nice in the FX loop and sat on top of an amp?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Have you guys had a chance to check out the Days of Yore *gigantic spring reverb tower* thing? It's a whole 'nother level...

[@adum2ge4]

Shoutout to Sontronics Delta 2. Owned it for awhile and is my go to ribbon mic.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

The 90s reissue fender external spring units are excellent and easily found under $1k usd. I like mine nearly as much as my 1964. Saves your board from having to change to fit the large pedal versions.

[@simonhirstmusic]

Dang. The Strat into the Herculean was flippin’ righteous. The reverbs were good also, ha!

[@jwlademann]

FYI the Spring King has a PT2399 delay chip in it to augment the spring, so that's why it has a more audible delay quality to it. There's a few mods out there to disable or modify the way the delay is implemented.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Aha!

[@enchilando]

🎶Knowing me, knowing you...​@@ThatPedalShow

[@jelapeno]

I love how "SURFYBEAR" appears to be part of the thumbnail's text

[@ThatPedalShow]

Nice! Trying KZbin’s new thumbnail testing thing where you put three different ones up and it tells you which one people like the best. Because we all have time for that. Gahahah!

[@mark_sparks_music]

Danelectro Spring King - The Volume control adds the PT2399 chip Pre-Delay element to the signal. Turn it all the way down an its just the spring.

[@cactus-mcjacktus]

alright now we need a show on the EF-X3. The extra return of the Heath Robinson pedalboards too! Doing one of those on what the EF-X3 is doing (with the added challenge of not using their Spring Reverb or Chorus/Vibrato pedals!) would be a really entertaining episode I think.

[@johnsuede]

43:41 Like I said before, best guitar tone on KZbin!

[@MarcCoteMusic]

I get why so many guitarists like a nice reverb, particularly a spring because it definitely stands out against plates, rooms and halls. That said, I've never made much of a fuss about 'verb. I generally have a preference for a nice plate but it's not miles ahead of a room or hall. Oddly, perhaps, I've never liked the sound of a spring reverb... not for guitar or anything else. Horses for course, and all that... and it's not like we're starved for choice. Still... a fun episode, boys, and I'm really starting to appreciate that Fender Jaguar.

[@mdl12321]

That Surfy Bear sounds too good..

[@bluesful]

On the digital stuff - the UAFX Golden has fantastic Springs in it.

[@nealpike6611]

I have a spring option in my katana but been wondering to get a proper spring reverb pedal spring just sounds cool af especially for the music I want to make

[@Steely_Danzig]

Mod the spring king to get rid of that delay effect and your reservations about the spring king will be gone. It's a digital delay chip that I think runs in parallel to the spring. There's loads online about it. It's as simple as cutting the contact on one of the chip's pins :)

[@leylandpedals3893]

A little late to the party here - but I'm 99% certain the reason you can hear the delay sort of sound in the Spring King is that there is actual delay-ish circuitry in there mixed with the sound of the spring. I guess because the spring wasn't long enough or didn't sound quite as dramatic as they wanted, so they augmented it with a bit of digital as well.