VanAmps Soul-Mate

Super Easy. Just an input knob and dwell knobo.

Real spring reverb vs. digital reverb is like getting your distortion with tubes, rather than op-amps or diodes. It just feels and sound way more pleasing and I find I don't notice the reverb as much when it sounds natural (and that's a good thing!). This pedal sounds really natural (well, it's an actual reverb tank, so it should). I haven't played it gig volumes yet, but at home and recording volumes, it sounds great.

It'a an spring reverb unit, so it is delicate.

The Van Amps customer service is top notch. I had an issue and they promptly delt with it. They were very professional and a pleasure to deal with.

For all you guys out there looking for a great reverb option for your pedal board or on top of your amp, but just haven't been satisfied with the unnatural tone and feel of digital reverb pedals, this pedal is a great option. I saw clips of the Sole-Mate on Youtube and was really impressed at she spacious and natural sound of the clips. I got one for myself and it doesn't disapoint. Also, it really not that hard to fit onto a pedal board or place right after the last pedal (on a smaller pedalboard), since you'll probably be placing reverb last in your chain anyway (maybe with a volume boost for leads right in front of it). The Dwell really adds some nice versatility. I like the Sole-Mate's reverb way more than the reverb in my expensive fancy boutique amp head.

Output and Dwell controls, pretty simple.

I play on a Epiphone Nick Valensi Signature guitar (basically a Riviera with Gibson P-94's) straight into a 1970 Fender Bassman Head and a 212 Cab with Jensen C12K's. I use a Weber MiniMass to get that great powertube overdrive. I play blues, country, rock and that sort of thing. This pedal is just what i needed to get the last mojo out of my setup. It's beautiful, classic spring reverb that goes from subtle ambience to all out surf. It is expensive, but i prefer this over normal built-in reverb circuits because you got the output and dwell controls instead of just a single reverb knob.

It looks sturdy, but only had it for a week.

Never dealt with them.

If you like spring reverb, this is it. It sounds every bit as good as one of these Fender Reverb Tanks. And it is more versatile than the usual built-in combo reverb. I've been playing for 16 years and gone through many guitars, amps and pedals. I love fender amps, and my Bassman head is my favorite. The Solemate makes it better by adding that final piece to my sound, beatiful analog spring reverb.

Very easy to use. A dwell knob and an output knob. USA made. Analog.

I think it sounds great. Lush, rich. If the output and dwell knobs are at maximum it breaks up a little, but that is all spring reverbs.

I play an American Stratocaster through a Crate Vintage club 20 and this unit doesn't add any noise to anything.

The unit can go from very subtle to very wet. I enjoy playing surf rock and this unit gets wet and drippy enough for my taste, though the purists would disagree.

I only play in my home, so it won't be going through the ringer of bars, etc. that other musician's would put it through, but its in a solid metal casing, so on the rare occasions that I do play out, I wouldn't hesitate to take it with me.

I bought it used, so I don't know.

Like I said, I only play in my home. But I enjoy play nearly anything under rock. I got this to get some surf sounds and it is really impressive.

Output level and dwell. Self explanatory and very easy to use.

Strats and Les Pauls mainly. My amps are a 67 Super Reverb and an excellent clone of a 68 plexi Marshall made by Voodoo Amps called V-Plex. I enjoy playing in the styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Peter Green, Hendrix, Billy Gibbons, Beck, Page, Clapton, Eric Johnson, John Mayer, Gilmour, ect.

The Van Amps Sole-Mate is everything I was looking for in a reverb pedal. I miss the spring reverb in my black face when I play through Marshall amps. Believe it or not, the Sole-Mate sounds BETTER than the spring in my vintage Super Reverb. It's a very inspiring pedal and it's hard to turn it off once engaged. There's nothing that beats a good strat through a great sounding plexi with a splash of Sole-Mate verb. Perfect for high quality studio verb and absolutely kills live.

You can even hear the spring when you kick it :)

I've only had it for a month, but from what I can tell, it's very tough. I would fell confident taking this on the road. It looks classy too.

Tim from Vanamps is a really great guy that will take the time to talk with his customers. His customer service? Doesn't get any better!

This pedal a perfect match for my style of slow melodic Blues. I've been playing 25 years. I would certainly buy again. There is nothing I hate about it. It sure beats having to lug around a Fender Reverb tank and it sounds just as good if not better. Yes, the Sole-Mate helps me make inspired music.

I have made some demo videos of Sole-Mate on my page. You can see them at myspace.com/derekneece

2 knobs, 2 jacks. IF you can't figure it out you don't deserve to have reverb.

beautiful analog spring reverb. If you like spring reverb you will like this pedal. True bypass. It doesn't suck any tone at all.

just got it. Can't really say. My guitarist's had one for a while with no problems but he really takes care of his stuff.

Best service ever! I had a small noise problem in my pedal board when I hooked it up. Likely my fault. I sent him an email and he CALLED me back within an hour. Spent a half hour on the phone giving me ideas to fix it. We thought it might be a problem with my moogoerfooger. After our call he called MOOGERFOOGER for me and came up with more ideas. REally the best service ever. Buy with confidence.

This is a great sounding pedal if you can keep it from feeding back. Like having a microphone on the ground thingsjusthummed and squeeled way too much. I put it about ten feet from the amp and it still had problems. I bought it for a Trinity TC-15 head that is a 15 watt head that is Voxy and Matchless like. If I turned down the Soul-mate enough to stop the squeel I couldn't tell I had a reverb. If I didn't play at all loud(can't do it) then it was okay.

It does sound great but I had to return it. May be better in a studio setting or 20 feet away from the amp. I tried an old Alesis Nano Verb but too much reaction to pedals. I am now using the EH Holy Grail and it is okay, not amazing.

Built well and makes alot of noise like kicking a twin reverb if you move while engaged.

I returned it. Musictoyz took it back no problem. I recommend Musictoyz.com in Maine.

Straightforward well-tuned controls. The auxiliary foot switch is extremely handy to have for switching in another box with a remote jack.

Perfectly natural, rich spring sound. Amazing depth. Feels so much better and more musical than digital reverb. Good random scattering of spring reflections for an even ambience with smooth decay. Slight resonance peak around e above middle c but nothing that doesn't get buried in the mix.

Works as expected, rugged construction, it's a permanent fixture on my pedalboard.

Dealt direct with manufacturer. His meticulous care in design, construction, and even the packaging is most impressive. If only there were more makers of excellent hand-crafted gear like this around!

I'm a wind player. Had this unit for the better part of a year now, very pleased with it. I use it to add real physical musical thickness to my sound. My rig is all analog, with tube gear wherever possible. I'm well familiar with digital reverb and nothing comes close to the physical reality of true resonating metal. The best digital reverbs today will eventually become obsolete, but a fine spring reverb like this can never be replaced with an algorithm.

Very easy to use. Just two knobs Dwell and Output. For a nice subtle reverb I usally have my Dwell at around 9 oclock with the Output at 12. Can get really deep with the dwell all the way up.

I'm using this with a strat and a vintage '65 Fender Bassman head with an Avatar 2 x12 cab with Celestion Vintage 30s. Really does the setup justice. Complements the fender tone perfectly. I've tried a few different reverb units and I liked this one the best. I even like it better than the Fender RI tank that I tried. I also tried the 400 dollar T-rex pedal and it was pretty good for digital but still not as nice as this and way more expensive. And I personally don't need 4 different types of reverb. The simpler the better. I think what makes this unit sound so good is that theres actually a spring reverb in there. You just can't duplicate that with digital. The best way to describe it is very very natural sounding, very clear, but it really thickens things up and has a pretty wide range of settings. Its also really responsive which is more than I can say for a lot of reverb units.

I just had my first gig with this tonight and thats why I felt compelled to review it. Others have said that it seems like the case isn't too protective but I think its built very solidly and it looks like it'll hold up for a really long time. As long as you're not Shaq or something stepping on it, I think you should be fine.

Havn't had to deal with them.

Well, I've never written a review on here before, but I like this thing so damn much and I just felt like I had to give these guys some props. I took a pretty big chance ordering this online without having ever played one before, but I'm really glad I went for it. I play original blues based rock and this is perfect for that. My strat and bassman setup gets a pretty killer tone and I really couldn't drag that down with a sub-par fake sounding reverb(ie. Holy Grail). Its sweet too, cuz I'll crank my amp up and get that thick creamy natural distortion and with this thing on its just add some depth and color without altering the tone or making it any less distorted. I am extremely picky about tone, and I've pretty much decided to not buy anything unless its top of the line in terms of sound. If you're like me and like really good organic tones this a great way to go and its way cheaper and more portable than outboard tanks.

Two knobs-"Dwell" and "Output". Two footswitches, one for reverb on/off and one for patching in a switch from your amp (for example a tremelo or vibrato from an old Fender). Very straightforward

I am using this behind a Keeley Compressor and a Liquid Sunshine Overdrive into an old Ampeg Jet. I've got a '75 Strat w/Custom Shop '54 pups. I don't really try to sound like anyone, but I am a big fan of the single coil Fender sound (James Burton for example).

I'm a big fan of reverb and tried out the Holy Grail and the Danelectro Spring King. I also used to have a Premier 90. The Soul Mate is much quieter than any of these and the quality of the reverb is so far out of the reach of the H.G. it is not even funny. It is more like the Spring King, but is a much more transparent pedal. Where the S.K. has a tone control there is none on the S.M. There is no signal alteration...it does not cut or boost highs and is silent im my chain.

As for the reverb itself, I agree that it is a little darker than the tanks on your Twins and Deluxes, but it is gorgeous in it's own way. The Dwell and Output controls give you a very wide range of reverb possibilities. You can't do plates and you can't do halls and you can't do simulated rooms. But if you want some spring, I can think of no better place to find it for the price. This is EXACTLY what a reverb pedal should be.

It is not a metal casing. It is a tolex covered box that I assume is some kind of wood. I get the impression that, although it is possible (and maybe even meant)to be down on the floor with your stompboxes, you could potentially destroy it with an errant step. The manual points out that it needs to handled with care and treated like a fine sensitive microphone. I would take this advice seriously.

It wouldn't go over well on the floor at the teen center during the hardcore punk matinee this Saturday, but those kids wouldn't want this pedal anyway. Don't throw it in your gig bag with your metal stompboxes. Take good care of it and you will be fine. Also, order an extra wall wart. This thing does not take batteries and there are no other plugs that work with this unit.
It works like a charm, and I am docking it one point only for the potential ease with which it could be damaged.

I haven't dealt with them, although I am going to get an extra wall wart from them. I hear they are fairly responsive. They are a pretty small comany.

For me, this puts an end to my g.a.s. for awhile. I like twang and am a fan of some country (George Jones, Buck Owens etc.) This is a great reverb to use with strats or tele's. I love reverb and for a long time was unhappy with my options. I was not going to spend $500 on the Fender outboard unit. This is half the price and is exactly what I was looking for. Finally! If you are looking for quality spring reverb sound that won't color your tone, put all of your other pedals on ebay and pick this unit up!!!

Very easy to use. Works great in front or at end of effects chain, or all by itself.

Very quiet (noise). Sounds great!!! Excellent balance of reverb and depth. As good as Fender RI unit except no hassle with tubes and is much smaller!

Has functioned perfectly since I first turned it on (6 mos). I popped it open and it is built with excellent workmanship and high grade parts.

They were very courteous and helpful when taking my order.

This is without a doubt the best value in a stand-alone reverb unit. It has all the timber and depth you could want and in a very small footprint. I have owned almost every reverb made (modeling,solid-state,tube) and this one is the realy unknown gem!!

Very easy to use in front or in back of effect chains, or all by itself.

Completely quiet. Sounds as good as Fender unit, but with no tubes to hassle with and much smaller footprint. Uses real springs!!

I popped it open and the build quality is superb!!!

Very business-like when ordering and actually got my particular color built- even though they were currently making a differrent color. Haven't needed to call them back as the unit has functioned flawlessly.

Owned and played through almost every reverb product made. This is definately the best bang for the buck! Sweeeeeeeet!!

2 knobs (dwell and output)....true bypass switch.

Actual spring reverb in a stomp box - great sound quality - using with a non-reverb Bogner Shiva. I have used many digital reverbs in front as well as a G-major in the loop found them all lacking. While the digital units have many types of reverbs how many do you really use live? If you want to just add some great spring reverb this is the unit. I have a Fender Princeton Reverb that I use for practice and the soulmate adds the same shimmer and depth as the Princeton.

Built like a "tank". I've had this unit for a couple of weeks and doubt very seriously that it will have any problems.

Very good to deal with. Tim defines honesty and integrity!

I've been playing for 30 years, anything but classical. I got a great deal on the Shiva and knew I would need to find a reverb unit. Spent a year trying different digital units before I found VanAmps. Now I have what I real spring reverb in a stompbox.

Very easy to use. Sounds great off in the chain.

I don't know or care who else uses it. I know use it. Pumping it through 59 Bassman RI, USA Tele (Voodoo BD Caster Bridge & Adder Plus Neck) Freak'in whales! Love this pedal very transparent! It's a darker type of reverb compared to others, but doesn't darken your tone. We're talking quality here folks. All spring no hall or room type of effects yet still gets pretty deep & wet. I've owned Boss, Holy Grail, Songworks LL. This kills those others by far. If your looking for all natural. Sounds best before EQ or Max.

If your giging good luck.....

The guy over there is cool. I forget his name. I don't think he leaves his customers in the dark like most do.

I'm very happy with it. Well worth the money. I wish it was more durable but I don't know if that's even possible....design wise.

Very easy to use. One input, one output. 2 chicken head knobs, One for output level, one for dwell setting and 2 switches, one for effect on and off (which is true bypass) and another input and switch if you'd like to plug your amps tremolo and do away with another foot pedal. All in a tidy little box that measures 10" x 6" x 2". I keep mine sitting on top of my Bigdog 18 watt head. You also have several choices in coverings including tweed and blonde. This is the Single channel amp version of there popular Reverbamate.

All I need to say is WOW! But I will elaborate a little. My Bigdog has no reverb and I've used the following digital reverbs. EH Holier Grail (decent but noisy in the front, but much better in the loop) ART MR-1 (sounds good but hard to set input and output levels) Last I was using a Line 6 Verbzilla and thought it was pretty nice until my soundman brought his Fender reissue tube reverb unit and oh my, much richer sound and made everything sound better. I thought about finding one of these and wasn't apposed to hauling it around for the sound but after doing some checking on HC and other internet sites I ran on to people talking about the Reverbamate. I emailed several people who had them and they all said they thought it sounded every bit as good as a tube unit if not better. I couldn't agree more. It's all analog and it sounds like a great tube reverb in a smaller package that I'm sure would be more road worthy.

Can't say for sure but I think the track record for the Reverbamate is very stellar.

Tim at VanAmps is a great guy and always answered emails very fast and thorough. Also I bought this unit from Analogman as I was told he was getting the first batch of Sole-mates. Mike was always quick with response to questions as well.

Well as you can see I'm behind this unit 100%. This makes the whole pedal path sound better and it reacts with all of my pedals very well and doesn't blink and eye even with pretty heavy distortion in front of it. I did try this in my loop and it sounded fine there as well but to tell you the truth I think it sounds better in-line the way it was intended to be used with no noise added at all. Try that with digital! I'm very impressed.