The Fender Acoustic Preverb is a preamp and reverb combination pedal built for players who plug an acoustic guitar in. It pairs a preamp that Fender describes as high fidelity with three reverb settings voiced specifically for acoustic instruments, so one pedal can handle tone shaping and ambience on an acoustic pedalboard.1
The pedal was announced in August 2020 as one of four new Fender effects, alongside the Tread-Light Wah, the Tread-Light Volume/Expression Pedal and the Trapper Bass Distortion, and went on sale from 10 November 2020.2 It lists at $169.1
Controls and feedback control
The Acoustic Preverb's control set is aimed at the two problems acoustic players face most on stage: feedback and tone balance21.
- Notch filter: cuts out feedback frequencies1
- Polarity switch: works with the notch filter to eliminate feedback12
- Tilt knob: a shortcut to adjusting the overall EQ balance12
The notch filter and polarity switch are designed to eliminate feedback, while the Tilt knob lets players control their overall EQ balance without working through a full set of EQ bands.12
Footswitches and stage use
The pedal has two footswitches: one switches the reverb in and out, and the other mutes the signal, which is useful for silent tuning or instrument changes between songs.1 Like Fender's Smolder Acoustic OD released alongside it, the Acoustic Preverb has knobs with built-in switchable LEDs, so settings stay readable on a dark stage.3
The three reverb settings
The three reverb modes are digital, and each is voiced distinctly for acoustic guitar.24 Fender positions the combination of the preamp and these settings as, in the company's words quoted by MusicRadar, "the ultimate" acoustic pedal.2
Acoustic Guitar's reviewer, Nick Millevoi, reviewed the pedal in May 2021 and found the reverbs serviceable but not showy3:
Acoustic Guitar's reviewer was measured in his verdict, writing that it was "hard to get too excited about any of these, the three settings being a little hard to differentiate." Nick Millevoi, Acoustic Guitar3
His overall verdict was that the pedal is "a practical preamp/reverb combination pedal that could be a wise investment for anyone plugging in their acoustic guitar."3
Where it sits in Fender's reverb line
The Acoustic Preverb is one of several reverb pedals Fender makes. Players comparing it within the line might also look at the Fender Marine Layer Reverb, the Fender Tre-Verb, the Fender Dual Marine Layer or the Fender Hammertone Fuzz from Fender's later budget series. For more options beyond Fender, see the site's guides to Reverb Pedals, Preamp Pedals and Acoustic Pedals.
Videos
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Aaron Short Music
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News
Sources (4)
- Fender targets acoustic and bass players with Acoustic Preverb and Trapper Bass Distortion pedals, Guitar World, 2020-11-23
- Fender announces 4 new guitar and bass effects pedals, MusicRadar, 2020-08-10
- Gear Review: Fender Preverb and Smolder OD Stompboxes Bring Practicality and Fun to Acoustic Players, Acoustic Guitar (acousticguitar.com), 2021-05-14
- Fender announces four new effects pedals, Guitar.com, 2020-08-10
