Non-stompbox vintage effects

[Mars Amp Repair]

Don't have time to go thru all the posts to see if this one already listed: Klemp Echolette NG51 German tape echo unit.
Every paper-foil cap needs to be replaced and is like a trash compactor in there...typically multiple heads will be open and need replacement. Repair verrrry labor intensive & expensive.

[Enzo]

The 6th floor landing in the cinder block stairwell of my college dorm was just perfect for blowing blues harp.

[DrGonz78]

Not sure this counts in the same way but older records had to utilize making reverb in physical form.

https://reverb.com/news/6-echo-chamb...-popular-music

[vintagekiki]

Weird Vintage Spring Speaker Reverb

[vintagekiki]

https://www.google.com/search?q=spring+speaker+reverberator&source=lnms&tbm=isc h
^{spring speaker reverberator}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTZGXUnvy-Q
^{Slinky Spring Reverb in a Cigar Box - Guitar Test}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbCspUJKRDs
^{DIY Plate Reverb}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6eZ_JbmBDw
^{Plate Echo - The Greatest Studio Effect Of All Time}

[g1]

The device I spoke of was not a "necklace reverb" and was not electronic or electro-mechanical. It was a purely mechanical contraption that was mounted in front of the speaker. I was hoping to find a photo or two because it really is a strange-looking thing, but so far I've seen no mention of it anywhere on the web.

I guess not the FR-40 unit?

[Mick Bailey]

See this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00_pbkyN2cc

[Helmholtz]

It was a purely mechanical contraption that was mounted in front of the speaker.

You really make me curious about the principle.

[tboy]

Before electronic spring-reverb units, there were mechanical spring-reverb devices...

...necklace reverbs were not any more mechanical/less electronic than Accutronics/Gibbs etc. reverb pans. Principle is the same.

The device I spoke of was not a "necklace reverb" and was not electronic or electro-mechanical. It was a purely mechanical contraption that was mounted in front of the speaker. I was hoping to find a photo or two because it really is a strange-looking thing, but so far I've seen no mention of it anywhere on the web.

[Helmholtz]

Before electronic spring-reverb units, there were mechanical spring-reverb devices built into organ speaker cabinets. They were scary-looking things.

FWIW, Hammond necklace reverbs were not any more mechanical/less electronic than Accutronics/Gibbs etc. reverb pans. Principle is the same:
Electric motor excites a torsional wave that slowly propagates along the springs and induces a delayed signal voltage in the receiving generator. Multiple wave reflections add to reverb.

[Leo_Gnardo]

The E-Bow got its mention, but that set off a nerve way back in my brain. Didn't I read about some gadget in the 1970's called the Gizmotron? Gizmo for short? Guitar Player covered it back then. Indeed, it got a mention on this website 14 Jun 2014 by the great waldo. https://music-electronics-forum.com/...ge2#post529398

Apparently Gizmotron is a motorized brush that fits on the guitar over the bridge. When the player switches it on, rotating bristles stroke the strings then it's a matter of hammering-on and palm-muting to get the chords & notes intended. 10cc's hit songwriting team Lol Creme and Kevin Godley are credited with having developed it in the mid 70's and there is a current version offered for sale.

Gizmotron website: https://www.gizmotron.com/aboutus

[Leo_Gnardo]

This is (said to be) Frampton's

HAH! How did I miss this? It's one of a pair of talkbox enclosures made by Bob Heil for Peter Frampton I guess in the early 1970's. 1981 I was tasked with making them work again, and so they did until their owner started using and selling custom-made pyramid shaped talkboxes under the "Framptone" name. Biggest problem was threads that were supposed to mate with a screw-in hi frequency driver were totally skunked. A friend who did auto machine shop work suggested fitting them with copper plumbing pipe adapters and PC-7 epoxy. Worked perfectly well, that's what you're seeing in this photo. January 2005 I spotted one of them on display in the Hollywood Florida House of Blues.

[vintagekiki]

Talk box vs vocoder. Although the principles are different, (sound) effect is similar.
At the end, it all depends down to the inventiveness of the performers who use the instrument.

[Chuck H]

Vocoder in the beginning (analog)
A talkbox has a similar sound to a vocoder, but the effect is achieved in a different manner.

I'm not seeing it.?. And anyway, I think the range of products and their use in classic recordings earns the "talk box" stuff it's own mention.

When I was a kid, maybe fourteen or fifteen (I was already a nerd), I built my own talk box from parts I had around. The effects send on my amp went to a small amp that powered a speaker that I duct tapped into a funnel. A tube ran from the end of the funnel into my mouth. Then I plugged the mic into the effects return. Very rough version of the idea but I had some fun with it.

[vintagekiki]

I'm surprised I'm the first one bringing up the "talk box" offerings.

Vocoder in the beginning (analog)
A talkbox has a similar sound to a vocoder, but the effect is achieved in a different manner.