Tone Bakery Creme Verb: Tube Driven Spring Reverb. Thoughts?

Have you seen this unit?
www.ebay.com/itm/Kit-The-Wave-Analog-Tube-Driven-Spring-Reverb-/112027982508?hash=item1a15635aac:g:zz0AAOSwrklVgLRI

Plus the Tone Bakery unit has a tone control in addition to mix and dwell.

When the Tone Bakery first hit the market, there was a bunch of controversy because they were repainted/knobed Joyo pedals selling as boutique magic. It seems like they ditched all the blatant rip offs (key lime compressor and stuff) and only kept the Creme Brulee at the time.

Anyway, this reverb appears to be a Chinese made reverb that's branded with the Tone Bakery logo. First couple pics on the page here are unbranded, then a couple shots with the logo.

m.grandmusicals.com/sdm/1702477/4/pd-6373800/13013043-2752955/Fender_Vintage_Tube_Reverb_63_Style.html

I'm not saying these are bad, just want you to be aware that they're generic, Chinese made equipment, not some fancy boutique stuff like they seem to market as.

The zerotronics is great. Really smooth. I only have 1 and they make a few different models.
Great customer service and built like a tank.

Not springy sounding unless you drive something percussive in to it really hard.

Nice unit

That's awesome! I was definitely looking for more "lush and smooth" opposed to springy. But now with the extra tank he threw in I'll have both options. Really trying to dress it up nice with NOS tubes and if need be some other small mods once I check it out and make the 3 spring tank sound as much like the Little Walter stand alone spring verb as possible. I haven't found a plugin that really does it for me as far as spring verb, so I am thinking this will be a step in the right direction. 

It is literally the exact same as that Chinese model (with a different back and handle).... I hope he at least swapped some components out. Even if it sounds great, I feel a little deceived as when I was told Tone Bakery was their company I figured it was their designs. I have no problem with the shell being made in China.... and the crappy Groove Tubes I can swap out.... or even the circuitry... if there were improvements made. Granted, I got a dual spring unit for less than that Chinese site... so I guess it isn't the end of the world. He was telling me about the impedances of the different tanks, and went above and beyond to essentially build me a "custom unit", so at least I know he worked on it some himself. The person who told me about them really loves his, and he is also an engineer in addition to a guitar player, with an extensive pedal collection.

That looks like pretty damning evidence too me. But hey, it was $350, looks cool, getting some mods, and probably will sound boss. I just don't appreciate the deceptive nature of the whole thing.

This thread supposedly clears things up, but it doesn't really clear anything IMO. Seems like people caught on early and he pulled the plug and says he was modifying circuits ti cover his ass.

www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/tone-bakery-pedals-just-repainted-joyo.1244607/

I've purchased plug-ins from Eric and emailed with him about something before and he was cool to deal with, so I'm not advocating to avoid his business or anything, just want you to be aware that things might be a little different than they seem on the surface.

Good luck man. Post some clips when it comes in!

Right! That is what I'm thinking also. I figured there had to be a catch, but you're right, for the price including the mods it'll be pretty darn cool. It will fill that spring verb hole I was missing with plugins, though I still regularly use those plugins, hence the purchase. Do you have any recommendations for the tubes? Definitely going to go with an RCA black plate 6V6GT I have laying around in that position (doesn't seem worth it to buy an extra 6V6GTY as they are essentially tougher military versions of the same tubes), but still curious as to the 12AX7 and 12AT7. I'm going to dress this thing up nice. Will also talk to Bowie about it, but curious if you have any recommendations. I want that lush verb sound (for the 3 spring at least), but maintaining clarity and openness would be nice as well. Also, do you have any favorite spring verb tanks? 

Just now took it out of the box. So.... only one tank in there so far. He also didn't send it with the stackable RCA cable I paid extra for. I can't even tell if this is the right tank. He told me they currently had brighter "Belton" tanks in stock, but he had ordered a smoother Accutronics tank for me. I know Belton bought Accutronics, but the two different brands still have a different tone. BUT, the unit is absoultely gorgeous, and you would never be able to tell it was made oversees. Switch and pots feel good as well.

Actually, upon further research, I am sure that it is the wrong tank. It is a 3 spring long decay tank, Belton branded, when I was supposed to get a 3 spring medium decay Accutronics. It was also supposed to come with a 2nd 2 spring medium decay tank installed. So everything about this order is currently stock. I just left them a voicemail, and am hoping to hear back from him tomorrow. Even if I end up buying a new tank for it myself, it is a great deal and I can live with it. It is just never fun when new gear doesn't come as described, but Eric has been great to deal with so I am sure it will be sorted out. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they accidentally shipped the wrong unit till I hear back from them. I've had a bunch of wonky purchases lately that have had to be corrected, so maybe I'm cursed.


UPDATE: 

Eric got back to me write away, and says the shipping department must have seen the order and sent out the stock model instantly. He is letting me keep the current tank, and sending me the two other tanks as well once they arrive, in addition to the cable. THAT ladies and gentleman.... is customer service done write. That locks in me doing business with them in the future.