Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb

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Big_Ryan Joined: May 01, 2011 Posts: 578 San Diego	Posted on May 23 2014 08:07 PM theres a trim pot inside? how do you get to it? when i opened mine there is a solid board in there blocking everything — http://dinosaurghost.bandcamp.com/ http://sixtycyclehum.podbean.com Top
Ariel Joined: Aug 29, 2009 Posts: 1555 Israel	Posted on May 24 2014 02:54 PM No trim pot in the regular model. I bet he meant the BUFF. T.B. switch. It's located at the bottom left. Or it has something to do with the special release. Last edited: May 24, 2014 14:56:36 Top
Snufkino Joined: Nov 03, 2009 Posts: 228	Posted on May 24 2014 06:29 PM thesjkexperience wrote: I just bought the silver face inspired limited edition Topanga and it is supposed to have an extra secret sound, but I wouldn't know if I found it and so few have them I can not get any info. I do think I like it best at 18 Volts and I have left the insides stock, but I am tempted to try moving the trim-pot inside. Sadly they did not make it easy to mark it so it can go back to factory settings. I need to go through the whole thread and look for tips on getting the best sound. I use Swart amps which have really nice reverb built in though it sounds nothing like a real tank which is why I wanted to try the Topanga. It might hold me until I can get the real thing. I need to build a new Jazzmaster first! Sea Foam Green with matching headstock! Trimpot??? Do you have a photo by any chance? The modulation mode is apparently just different sounding from the stock modulation mode (when powering up the pedal, have the tone 'off' to activate it. Next time you power up, put the tone higher to get the spring back) Also, Please PM me if you consider selling it and are willing to post to the UK Top
mike_fried Joined: Aug 02, 2012 Posts: 161 Nashville, TN	Posted on May 24 2014 08:44 PM I do think I like it best at 18 Volts and I have left the insides stock, but I am tempted to try moving the trim-pot inside. Sadly they did not make it easy to mark it so it can go back to factory settings. I would reconsider moving a trimpot that's not addressed as user-adjustable in the operating instructions: if it controls a clock setting or something equally touchy (and possibly originally set using an o'scope) you easily could find yourself wishing you hadn't! Top
bamboozer Joined: Jan 18, 2010 Posts: 672 Delaware	Posted on May 25 2014 01:30 PM I have the chrome version as well, solid mass of circuitry when you open the back. There's nothing to access but the buffer/true bypass switch. But I did order an 18v power supply and will try that on the Topanga and the OCD pedal as well. Top
Snufkino Joined: Nov 03, 2009 Posts: 228	Posted on May 25 2014 05:24 PM Ah, right if he means the bypass switch in the bottom left, then it should have bypass/buffer text above it. IRRC, at first glance it looks like it's already on the left, but actually it's right 'left' is when it's click over until it's right next to the bit of metal on the enclosure. Top
thesjkexperience Joined: Jul 02, 2009 Posts: 56	Posted on May 28 2014 11:14 PM I got in contact with Catalinbread and the thing I thought was a trim pot is not for us to touch! I also find I like 18 Volts with the buffer on. What is different about my Topanga is if you turn the Tone knob fully CCW, disconnect the power, power back up it is like a slap back reverb! It is a really crazy and great sound that reminds me of an amp a friend loaned me when I first started. If you turned up the amp past half way and turned the reverb up all the way and you did a punchy chord or a hard mute it would be quiet right after and suddenly you hear the reverb coming and it bursts like slap back. Sort of the Tsunami after the earthquake. I did send them an idea today that I hope they can add to the next limited edition. His reply sounded like he might do it. — Owner of Gunbarrel Custom Guitars! Top
26Alpha20 Joined: Jul 17, 2011 Posts: 59	Posted on Jun 07 2014 10:55 PM After practices and gigging, I've determined that this pedal HAS to be juiced up at 18v. I've started using this instead of my Weber Reverb kit (Less noise but still keeps the vibe going.) Between this and having a custom amp made for me I've managed to be able to get my tone w/out having to boost with my Toadworks Meat Pedal (Which has been on all the time with my bassman.) IMHO it doesn't replace everything about a tank. But it comes close and will get you 85% of that sound. I was skeptical, but am very impressed. — Get wet and loud wit... Abomionable Showmen FB Showmen Twitter Top
morphball Joined: Dec 23, 2008 Posts: 3324 Pittsboro, NC	Posted on Jun 24 2014 01:37 PM Just experienced my first tank malfunction at a show a couple weeks back, so I just ordered one of these suckas for this very dry interim (also as a "break glass in case of emergency" solution for later on, which would have been nice). I think my expectations are pretty reasonable now thanks to all of the comments, tips and testimonials here. Just an FYI, Pro Guitar Shop has a 15% coupon (PEDAL15) and free domestic shipping, so $165.75 gets you your backup. — Mike http://www.youtube.com/morphballio Top
bamboozer Joined: Jan 18, 2010 Posts: 672 Delaware	Posted on Jun 24 2014 07:02 PM I tried the 18v. power supply, definitely better. I also think 85% of what a tank can do to be accurate, enough for me anyway. On to build quality, the input jacks are plastic and strike me as rather flimsy. No problem if it goes on a board and stays there, potentially a big problem if you plug and unplug your pedals gig per gig. Top
Louie7 Joined: Jan 30, 2007 Posts: 448 50,000 Light-Years Beyond Planet Claire	Posted on Jul 06 2014 12:40 PM Mine has an input jack AND an output jack. Both are metal. Not flimsy in anyway. Top
LaFleur Joined: May 20, 2009 Posts: 525 Leipzig	Posted on Jul 17 2014 04:00 PM I tried the Topanga today. First, for me it sounds better on 18V. Compared to my Gomez G-Spring it sounds really bright. Which is good for guitar but a bit too much for the high end. But now the most important part the drip of the Topanga is incredible for me! Best I have heard so far from a pedal and compared to some tanks. This works really good for the low strings. If you palm mute the upper strings it also sounds really drippy, but if you play them open it kills your ears. But I think that is how the astronauts drip was achieved. You need a really bright reverb and palm mute playing to get that drip. I think it might be a good solution to get some really wet extra drip on request. My Gomez with Gibbs pan sounds smother, more balanced and not as bright as the Topanga but doesn't get that heavy drip on the low end. Hope that helps! — http://www.reverbnation.com/bangmustang http://www.facebook.com/bangmustang https://soundcloud.com/bang-mustang Top
morphball Joined: Dec 23, 2008 Posts: 3324 Pittsboro, NC	Posted on Jul 17 2014 07:05 PM Agreed 100% LaFleur! I've had mine for almost a month, and it's going to stay on my board for the foreseeable future. It is noticeably brighter to me too, and I can sort of hear some subtle artifacts that I didn't hear on my tank, but I seriously doubt most people would notice that last part. I still miss my tank, but they did a good job with this! Also running @18V, bypass mode, settings: volume at 12:00, everything else at 3:00. — Mike http://www.youtube.com/morphballio Top
LaFleur Joined: May 20, 2009 Posts: 525 Leipzig	Posted on Jul 24 2014 03:53 PM I just did a little jam video with the Topanga to demonstrate what it might sound like at 18V. Its also interesting that the reverb seems to disappear when you play really soft/reduce the attack of picking. Enjoy! — http://www.reverbnation.com/bangmustang http://www.facebook.com/bangmustang https://soundcloud.com/bang-mustang Top
LeeVanCleef Joined: Oct 05, 2011 Posts: 744 France	Posted on Jul 24 2014 04:17 PM The more demos I hear for the Topanga, the more I think I actually like the FRV-1 better, despite the annoying shrillness. — Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers. Top
Melvin_Udall Joined: Mar 13, 2014 Posts: 21 Thessaloniki	Posted on Aug 01 2014 08:02 AM I got the pedal 2 months ago or something and have been playing it a lot. I use it in every gig and it is completely satisfying. The reason I do not get a tank is the money. But as far as I am concerned, the pedal does a great job. Not only in terms of reverb but as a sound in general. Below I post a video of us playing an Urban Surf Kings cover. It is only the Topanga plugged into my DRRI. The surfy settings I prefer are: Dwell full, mix around 2 o clock, tone the same and volume around 12 o clock. I use ity in 9V, since I do not have a 18V adaptor yet. — Surf Rock from the Northern Greece seas http://meanwhileinmexico.gr/ Last edited: Aug 01, 2014 08:03:31 Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3741 North Atlantic	Posted on Aug 01 2014 08:14 AM Wow! I am flattered. Great version of 7 Faces of Dr. Surf. Thanks for posting it. Rev PS. The pedal sounds fine. — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
morphball Joined: Dec 23, 2008 Posts: 3324 Pittsboro, NC	Posted on Aug 01 2014 10:15 AM Sounds great, and thanks for posting your settings! I'm going to give it a shot when I get home, and see if it sounds any different @18V. — Mike http://www.youtube.com/morphballio Top
eddiekatcher Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2764 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Aug 01 2014 02:28 PM beer camp! Hot damn! Who,s playing? Ed — Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? Top
HerrLogi Joined: Aug 18, 2014 Posts: 28	Posted on Aug 26 2014 08:04 PM ust got the Topanga loving it so far but gets a bit messy when volume is up high. Ordered a 18v adapter to check out if that helps. Top

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