How Reverb Changed Guitar Forever (EHX Holy Grail, Strymon Bluesky, JHS Octave Reverb)

Going from the first spring tank units by the likes of Fender to the digital beauties from companies like Strymon, Josh does a quick but thorough run through of the main types of reverb, including a few shameless plugs. He also provides some useful definitions to words you're probably familiar with, but may not quite understand. Surf along with us as we ride the sonic waves!

What is Reverb? - 00:00-01:24
Spring - 01:25-05:16
Plate - 05:17-05:52
Analog - 05:53-06:29
Hall - 06:30-07:18
Shimmer - 07:19-08:38
Josh's Favorite Examples of Reverb - 08:39-09:51
Honorable Mentions - 09:52-11:29
Conclusion - 11:30-12:42

#jhs #thejhsshow #reverb #whatisreverb #musichistory #guitarpedalhistory

[fladification]

It's good to see you come back to this style video.

[jeffgorrie]

I am so happy that you guys are coming back to this style of video!!! I seriously love this format/educational style. Love you guys, the JHS team is the best!

[JorgeLetria]

We don't talk about Dick Dale enough. He was one of the most influential guitar players of all time. Not only guitar amp reverb began with him, he was also responsible for the creation of big bad guitar amps, by destroying amp after amp that Leo threw at him, resulting in the development of the Fender Showman, which was named after him. On top of that, he pioneered a number of techniques and sounds with his bonkers left handed upside down guitar playing. Like Hendrix, yes, but Dale didn't restring the guitar, he just turned it upside down like a lunatic. He also made absolutely incredible music for decades, way ahead of his time, and never stopped playing gigs until he died at the age of 81 in 2019. Truly the king of surf guitar.
Dick Dale is, as far as I'm concerned, one of the most important names in electric guitar, and I feel like most people don't even know who he was. Although everyone is familiar with his famous rendition of Misirlou, that came to be known as the Pulp Fiction theme.

[WawakGuitar]

Chris Isaac Wicked Game is my "Reverb" song of choice

[seste]

A classic JHS education video! Seemed like y’all felt a little burned out from doing so many so fast, but glad to see ya still at it!

[billyfairhurst]

Heck yea mentioning the twin peaks theme! It’s always the first thing I think of when I think of reverb!

[lynnhopewell]

I'll say it again: This is why I started watching your channel back in the day. This is why I send my students to your channel to learn about the effects (sure beats having wire up several of mine to give the examples) and come back to me with an idea of what they want to try. Thanks so much. I see the vision for the museum that preserves and teaches about the technology that helps shape our sonic environs.

[hunterroth]

The MXR Reverb desires more recognition... It's seven years old but still holds up so well!

[cspace]

Fun fact - some of the guitars (maybe just the intro?) on “Sorrow” were reamped using a PA at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

[hailmaryrecordings]

I like these history of/how it works segments.

I’m shopping for a reverb & this is a major help.

[gabrielenriquerf]

Twin Peaks theme is so beautiful. It sounds like there's a bit of tremolo too on that baritone.

[aaronteague]

Love this type of educational/ info episodes

[SierraAppa]

So appreciate these videos. Thank you and please keep them coming. Cheers!

[LumaTo]

Me and the boys love these documentary detail videos. Thank you for your work.

[hogpsking]

Now this is my favorite JHS pedals content.

[gDNaTYHzNsVRo]

The first reverb unit I ever used was one of those giant Fender spring reverb. My friend's dad had one and a pristine Mustang that I played with when I hung out over there. I kind of learned on that setup before I ever owned my own guitar.

[goodgulfgas]

I'll give a stamp of approval to the Surfy Bear spring reverb tank. And I would say Dick Dale's "Nitro" is my favorite spring reverb song.

[madsenamplification]

Great episode! When I first started out playing guitar as a teen I hated reverb, but as I got older I realized how great a good reverb is!

[tomaszmazurek]

My favourite pedal reverb is TC Electronic T2 - a little known special edition pedal that is basically HOF2 but with way more crazy presets. It can really stand up to even much more expensive units.

As for routing tricks, there is somewhat known trick of putting a compressor after the reverb - it creates a "giant instrument" effect where the tails are super long, but they don't overpower the dry signal. Sounds great on solo piano.

[roberthelpus]

At my high school the original office for my alternative program was in a tower, which has since been condemned. At a reunion, we were allowed to visit it. There was one completely empty room on the third floor of the tower that was 30 yards square that had the strangest natural reverb effects. It would actually turn any sound into an insane cacophony of reflections that would change on where you would stand. I always think that it would be cool to somehow record there and make some sort of use of it.

Back in the 70s, Cincinnati's Union Terminal, Art Deco train station was empty. You could visit it by signing in with the guard. Being mostly empty, it had unique natural reverb effects. as teenagers we would go there and jam with acoustic instruments from flutes to guitars. Years later, we found out from the person that sold him Marihuana, that Pharaoh Sanders (who had some kind of relation to someone in our town) would go down there and play. Yeah we were all "Why didn't you tell us then."