The Subdecay Super Spring Theory Burlwood is a limited edition version of the Super Spring Theory reverb pedal from Subdecay, finished in burlwood. Subdecay describes it as the "Limited Edition Super Spring Theory Reverb in Burlwood," and the run was tiny: "Literally only 3 Burlwood finished Spring Theories exist," according to the maker's product page. It was listed at $219.00, is out of stock, and Subdecay states plainly that no more will be made.1
Under the finish it is the same pedal as the standard Super Spring Theory: a spring reverb with a bonus room reverb mode, built on Subdecay's own DSP algorithms. The maker says it "uses our own DSP reverb algorithms that you can't get anywhere else," and that by analyzing the design, sound and physics of real spring tanks it captured the nuances of tube driven spring reverb, down to the kerplang of unplugging a guitar cable.2
What it does
The Super Spring Theory gives you a spring reverb mode and a room reverb mode, switched on the top panel. Controls are straightforward234:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Spring/Room switch | Selects between the spring reverb and the bonus room reverb mode24 |
| Reverb knob | Retained from the original Spring Theory; sets the reverb4 |
| Tone | Dials in the reverb timbre, with a wide range from subtle to in your face splash2 |
| Reverb level | Separate level control for the reverb signal2 |
| Dry level | Separate level control for the dry signal2 |
The tone control is the addition that separates the Super from its predecessor. RockBoard's PedalPedia entry describes it the same way Subdecay does: "A tone control allows you to dial in the perfect timbre."2
Where it came from
Subdecay set out in 2011 to create what the maker calls the most realistic spring reverb simulation ever, and the Spring Theory was the result. That original two-knob pedal, which Subdecay said "sounds and feels like a real tube driven black face reverb" and reacts dynamically to the attack of every note, has since been discontinued.52
The Super Spring Theory builds on that discontinued pedal. Premier Guitar's reviewer Brook Hoover noted that it "retains the spring/room switch and reverb knob" while adding the tone control and the separate reverb and dry level controls.4 Subdecay founder Brian Marshall published a blog post in March 2016 on the evolution of the Super Spring Theory reverb, and the company posted a demo the same day of the pedal set to spring reverb mode.3
The Burlwood edition
The Burlwood version is the standard Super Spring Theory circuit in a wood-grain enclosure. Subdecay addressed the obvious question about durability directly: "The finish is just as durable (if not more) as our standard powder coated pedals."1
The Burlwood edition is a 2016 limited run of three pedals, out of stock, and Subdecay states no more will be made. The standard Super Spring Theory is also listed as out of stock under the maker's discontinued category.21
Reviewers and players
Premier Guitar included the Super Spring Theory in its spring reverb pedal review roundup, with reviewer Brook Hoover tracing its lineage back to the discontinued Spring Theory and noting the retained spring/room switch and reverb knob.4 On the maker's product page, Subdecay points to a review video by Dennis Kayzer, described by the maker as "one of our favorite reviewers on youtube," using the pedal for less traditional verb sounds.2
Questions
How many Burlwood Super Spring Theory pedals were made?
Three. Subdecay's own product page for the Burlwood finish states that literally only three Burlwood finished Spring Theories exist, and that no more will be made. The pedal was listed at $219.00 and is out of stock, so it now turns up only on the used market.
Is the Burlwood finish as tough as the standard finish?
Subdecay says so. On the Burlwood product page the maker states that the finish is just as durable, if not more, than its standard powder coated pedals, so the wood look is not just cosmetic.
What is the difference between the Spring Theory and the Super Spring Theory?
The Super Spring Theory builds on the discontinued two-knob Spring Theory pedal from 2011. It keeps the spring/room switch and reverb knob, adds a tone control and separate level controls for the reverb and dry signals, and runs Subdecay's own DSP reverb algorithms rather than a datasheet design or reverb brick.
Sources (5)
- Super Spring Theory, Subdecay, 2016-12-27
- Super Spring Theory, Subdecay, 2024-11-27
- Evolution of the (Super) Spring Theory reverb., Subdecay, 2016-03-01
- “Spring-Reverb” Pedal Review Roundup, Premier Guitar, 2015-02-13
- Spring Theory, Subdecay, 2016-11-05
