The Nocturne Brain F-Bomb '61 is a tube spring reverb tank: a standalone unit that produces reverb with real springs driven by tubes, the same approach vintage amplifiers used for their onboard spring reverb. Nocturne Brain describes the circuit as "based on the historic standard but w a refined star grounding circuit and highly improved preamp," so the familiar tube-tank design is there, with attention paid to grounding noise and the stage that drives the springs1.
What it does
Because the reverb is generated by tubes and physical springs rather than digital processing, it sits in the amp-style reverb tradition rather than the pedal tradition of reverb effects. The maker specs Mod spring pans in its builds, or Surfy Industries pans paired with reissue Tungsol 12AT7, 12AX7 and 6K6 tubes, with a JJ 6V6 option1.
A remote jack allows footpedal bypass, though the footpedal itself is not included, so a player who wants to switch the tank from the floor will need to supply one1.
Build and ordering
The F-Bomb '61 is built to order, and the maker lists the current build time as 4 months1. The basic model is covered in Mojotone smooth blonde vinyl with wheat grill cloth, and standard upgrade color choices are available at a minimal $20 up charge1.
The list price is given by the maker as £1,450.00 GBP. Build time is currently 4 months, so ordering means a wait before the unit ships1.
Videos
The Nocturne Brain
Questions
What is the Nocturne Brain F-Bomb '61?
It is a tube spring reverb tank: a standalone reverb unit that uses real springs driven by tubes, in the manner of the reverb tanks built into vintage amplifiers. Nocturne Brain describes it as based on the historic standard, with a refined star grounding circuit and a highly improved preamp. It takes Mod or Surfy Industries spring pans and reissue Tungsol 12AT7, 12AX7 and 6K6 tubes, with a JJ 6V6 option.
How long is the wait for an F-Bomb '61?
These are built to order. The maker lists the current build time as 4 months, so a unit ordered today would arrive some months later. The basic model wears Mojotone smooth blonde vinyl and wheat grill cloth, and standard upgrade color choices are available for a minimal $20 up charge.
Sources (1)
- the Nocturne F-Bomb REVERB TANK '61 & F-Bomb T.V. (( tube tremolo & Re, The Nocturne Brain
