The Van Amps Sole-Mate Jr. is a spring reverb pedal that carries a real reverb tank, the spring unit traditionally built into an amplifier, in a compact stompbox. It is a smaller version of the original VanAmps Sole-Mate, which Van Amps released in 2006 for players with one-channel amps or anyone who did not want to run two cables to their amp. The Jr. reduces the footprint further by removing the tank from the switching unit1.
What it does
The pedal gives a single output with as much reverb as you select with the output level knob, and an ON/OFF switch for true bypass of the effect2. That design came from the original Sole-Mate, which Analog Man's product page describes as created for people with one-channel amps, or who don't wish to run two cables to their amp2.
Its controls are simple:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Output level | Mixes wet and dry signal |
| Dwell | Adjusts the decay of the reverb |
Premier Guitar's reviewer described the sound: when both controls are wide open, the reverb is lush and full, with a little shimmer and a trail that sounds very natural, without strong "boing-boing" spring tones. The reviewer attributed that character in part to the 3-spring tank, and found the pedal better suited to spatial, ambient reverb than to surf tones1.
"No matter how you mount the Sole-Mate Jr., it sounds fantastic."
The same reviewer found it easy to dial in with only two controls, quiet when switched on, and free of interference even when placed near transformers1.
The Sole-Mate Jr. separates the reverb tank from the switching unit, unlike the original Sole-Mate where the tank is built into the pedal. That is what makes the smaller footprint possible1.
Videos
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Questions
How is the Sole-Mate Jr. different from the original Sole-Mate?
The Jr. is a smaller version of the original Sole-Mate. Premier Guitar's reviewer explained that it reduces the footprint by removing the tank from the switching unit, so the reverb tank sits separately from the pedal's switching circuitry. The original Sole-Mate, released in 2006, packed the tank and the switching unit together, and the Jr. keeps the same basic idea of a real spring tank in a compact format.
Does the Sole-Mate Jr. have true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted that when switched off, the true-bypass Sole-Mate Jr. disappears completely from your chain, and when it is on it stays quiet. The original Sole-Mate also offered an ON/OFF switch for true bypass, according to the maker's product page carried by Analog Man.
Sources (2)
- VanAmps Sole-Mate Jr. Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-02-04
- The Reverbamate and Sole-Mate by VanAmps, Analog Man (analogman.com), 2006
