The Benson Tall Bird Plus is a tube-driven spring reverb and tremolo unit from Benson Amps, hand-wired in the USA. It pairs an EL84-powered reverb section feeding a long-spring tank with a tube-driven optical tremolo that switches between two modes, and it gives you independent control over the dry and wet paths. Benson lists it at $400.00 on its site as of 25 October 2026, with mains variants priced at $1899 for USA 120V, $1949 for Japan 100V and $1949 for International 240V12.
A tube-driven spring reverb and tremolo
The reverb side is built around an EL84-powered section driving a spring tank. Benson describes the range as "classy shimmer to wild chaos," and the tank is a long-spring design2. The tremolo is tube-driven and optical, with hand-tuned LDRs (light-dependent resistors, the components that shape the volume pulse) and a custom three-pole oscillator that Benson says gives an ultra-wide sweep2. GuitarPlayer's review, by Dave Hunter with Christopher Benson, describes the circuit as "entirely hand-wired using quality components"3.
The two effects can be used alone or together, and the dry and wet paths are handled separately: Benson says the dry path can push into wide-open, console-style distortion, while the wet path can slam anything downstream2. GuitarPlayer's reviewer concluded that "it's no stretch to say that the Tall Bird + offers the most flexibility and arguably some of the deepest sounds available from either effect, alone or combined, that the reviewer has heard in one of these units overall," and found the unit impressively quiet3.
The controls
The front panel carries six knobs, each with a distinct job3:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Dry | Sets the dry signal level; can push into console-style distortion2 |
| Wet | Sets the wet signal level; can drive anything downstream hard2 |
| Dwell | Reverb dwell control3 |
| Size | Inspired by the Chimera amp's bass knob; goes from cavernous to vintage-tight2 |
| Depth | Tremolo depth3 |
| Speed | Tremolo speed3 |
The tremolo runs in two modes. Benson calls them Harmonic and Conventional2; GuitarPlayer's review calls them Classic and Harmonic3. A two-button footswitch, included in the price, selects on/off for reverb and tremolo through a 1/4-inch TRS jack on the rear3.
Design background and availability
Benson describes the Tall Bird Plus as "a ground up original design with the goal of attaining the classic 60s sounds but with added functionality and improved noise characteristics"2. Part of that background comes from the Surf's Up project: in 2023, The Beach Boys approached Benson Amps for a limited edition reverb-tremolo unit based on the classic Fender circuits with some upgrades, and Benson says that project "allowed us to slay some dragons in the form of abiding tech problems with that type of circuit"2. Chris Benson has also described on That Pedal Show how the Studio Tall Bird came from running a Tall Bird reverb unit all wet with a different tank, which he said sounded like a plate reverb4.
Benson states the Tall Bird Plus is "Unfortunately not available in Europe due to EU materials regulations (the optical cells contain cadmium)"2. Buyers in Europe cannot order it; the 240V International variant serves other markets2.
The unit is available in a range of standard and premium finish colors and grille cloths, all selectable at checkout on the Benson website3.
Review video
GuitarPlayer's review of the Tall Bird Plus covers the unit's reverb and tremolo, including the two tremolo modes and the dwell and size controls123.
Videos
Benson Amps
Benson Amps
Demos In The Dark
Questions
What tubes does the Benson Tall Bird Plus use?
The Tall Bird Plus runs on four tubes: three 12AX7s and one EL84. The EL84 powers the reverb section, which feeds a long-spring tank. GuitarPlayer's review lists the tube complement as 3x12AX7 and 1xEL84, and notes the circuit is entirely hand-wired using quality components.
Does the Tall Bird Plus come with a footswitch?
Yes. A two-button footswitch is included, and it selects on and off for the reverb and tremolo. It connects to the unit through a 1/4-inch TRS jack on the rear panel, alongside the input and output.
Can you buy the Benson Tall Bird Plus in Europe?
No. Benson Amps states the Tall Bird Plus is not available in Europe due to EU materials regulations, because the optical cells used in the tremolo contain cadmium. Benson offers 120V, 100V and 240V variants for other markets.
Where is the Benson Tall Bird Plus made?
The Tall Bird Plus is built in the USA by Benson Amps, and the circuit is entirely hand-wired using quality components, according to GuitarPlayer's review.
How much does the Benson Tall Bird Plus weigh?
Benson Amps lists the Tall Bird Plus at 17 pounds, with dimensions of 18.5 inches wide, 8 inches high and 8 inches deep.
What tremolo modes does the Tall Bird Plus have?
The tremolo offers two modes, which Benson calls Harmonic and Conventional and GuitarPlayer's review calls Classic and Harmonic. The circuit uses hand-tuned LDRs and a custom three-pole oscillator for an ultra-wide sweep.
Sources (4)
- Tube Effects, Benson Amps
- Tall Bird Plus Tube-Driven Reverb and Tremolo, Benson Amps, 2023
- Benson Tall Bird Plus reverb-tremolo unit reviewed, GuitarPlayer, 2025-07-07
- Chris Benson Of Benson Amps & Pedals At TPS! Preamps, Fuzzes, Delay, Surf's Up & Florist, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2024-05-16