Finally figured this out.
You can get the old spell effects by a combination of *not* deleting your spellsnew.eff and .edd files and changing the value of particle effect. (field is labeled as particle effect in spell editor and spellanim in spells_new table.
Once again, a GeorgeS tool has saved my sanity
http://wizardportal.dyndns.org/eqemu/eq.html
The Spell Encyclopedia and media file includes a folder of high quality video avis. The correct spell particles for symbol of pinzarn according to these videos is 86. In the spells_us.txt file, it is particle 10. Watching the videos, you don't see the hand-casting effects because they are instantly being cast. Actually casting the spell with a casting delay looks great.
Changing your db entry and/or spells_us.txt file for the desired particle effect you are looking for + having spellsnew.eff and spellsnew.edd in place = classic spell effects coming out of your hands.
Late, but well worth it.
