Mine should be coming in today. I don't have any practices coming up unfortunately but I'll put my two cents when I get the chance. I plan on putting it through everything I can that's loud and not as loud.

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crmartin wrote:

Does anyone have a Hardwire Supernatural they can compare this with?

I had a Supernatural not too long ago. I returned it. I was actually doing a personal shootout between reverb pedals. This was before the Topanga was released. Ultimately, my thoughts on the Supernatural Spring mode was that it sounded pretty good, but the tail/decay was much too long. And there was really no way to dial it back. The Decay knob barely sounded any different on 0 than it did at 10. Since the tail is usually the place where digital reverbs reveal their "digital-ness", this was a definite weak point. During my shootout, I liked the Hardwire RV-7 better than Suoernatural, because the tail length and overall nature of the spring was more realistic. The RV-7 ended up winning my shootout, which also included the Boss FRV-1, Subdecay Spring Theory, & Hall of Fame.

When Topanga was released I order one out of curiosity, though I was relatively content with my RV-7. The Topanga was just better all around. And fortunately the RV-7 was still in the return window, so that too went back.

Essentially, I felt the Supernatural was an exaggerated version of the RV-7. Topanga is just superior to both to my ears. I'm blown away at what a good job they did with this pedal.

Guitarist for Northern Tides from Hudson Valley, NY.
Northern Tides on FB

Oh yeah, What does it do at 18v? And has anyone tried it yet?

Oh God. Just when I put the matter to rest on the FRV-1 thread I had to read this one. I combed every CL ad within 150 miles and no tanks so.....

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Surf_Skater wrote:

Oh yeah, What does it do at 18v? And has anyone tried it yet?

I've been running it at 18v. I wasn't sure what I was hearing, as it's pretty subtle. Catalinbread told me it should create a little more separation between wet and dry, and a little more headroom when using the Volume knob. Again, I think it's pretty subtle, and more or less a taste thing. In short, if you only have a 9v power supply, don't think you need to run out immediately and grab an 18 volter. But if you like to experiment, you might find you like it better at 18v. By the way, I'm using the Dunlop 18v power supply they sell at Pro Guitar Shop for about $17.

Guitarist for Northern Tides from Hudson Valley, NY.
Northern Tides on FB

Skiltrip wrote:

Surf_Skater wrote:

Oh yeah, What does it do at 18v? And has anyone tried it yet?

I've been running it at 18v. I wasn't sure what I was hearing, as it's pretty subtle. Catalinbread told me it should create a little more separation between wet and dry, and a little more headroom when using the Volume knob. Again, I think it's pretty subtle, and more or less a taste thing. In short, if you only have a 9v power supply, don't think you need to run out immediately and grab an 18 volter. But if you like to experiment, you might find you like it better at 18v. By the way, I'm using the Dunlop 18v power supply they sell at Pro Guitar Shop for about $17.

Thanks, A friend of mine says he has a bag full of wall warts and is going to see if he has an 18v one to try it out.

This thread treats of the same topic I asked of on another, ie what does overpowering do to delay circuits and when is it safe to use it? My Maxon AD900 didn't like the 20% over voltage I gave it with a crummy wallwart but the Dunlop might be the ticket. Anyone explain this to me?

Squink Out!

Melvin_Udall wrote:

Is there anyone who believes that a pedal can replace a tank?
How can a small circuit stompbox replace a tube driven tank with real springs?
Personally I search for a pedal that is as close as it gets to the tank. Cause the tank costs a lot of money, it is difficult to carry and it needs care. Obviously as time passes by there will be better and better simulations of that tank sound. However this may happen slow cause I do not think most of the ppl are looking for a tank sound, they look for other reverb sounds.

We could have this same conversation over will solid state replace tube amps. I think that the pedals are getting closer than in the past. But I think they'll never replace a tank. I think they are great for hobbyists and part time surf guitarists. But if you are recording or gigging it comes up short. On the other hand though, in another thread someone stated that the majority of your audience will never know the difference.

I just think it's easy to lose sight of what's "real" reverb and what is a simulation/emulation. Spring reverb was created to simulate an actual live space or reverb chamber. Spring reverb just fortunately happened to introduce a lot of artifacts and sonic quirks that people liked instead of rejected.

I believe it started with the Hammond Organ company. People were buying organs for their homes, but discovered a big part of the sound missing when there was no natural reverberation. So the first springs were added to simulate it. It was fake reverb in all actuality. It just happened to end up sounding really cool.

It's easy to dismiss anything after what's thought of as a current standard as being "less than". Yes, they are different (digital algorithm vs spring tanks vs real reverb chamber or hall), but I think it's totally feasible to embrace what a digital pedal can do and celebrate it's tone for what it is, and the unique things it brings to the table. Perhaps someday in the faraway future, people will be trying to recreate the mojo that early digital reverb pioneers captured in their chips/algorithms. Who knows?

Just a note, this is coming from someone who adores vintage gear, vintage sound, vintage instruments. I turn my nose up at a lot of new things, but I recognize that time marches on, and sometimes new technology really can hold it's own.

Guitarist for Northern Tides from Hudson Valley, NY.
Northern Tides on FB

Last edited: Mar 31, 2014 10:36:52

Okay, after having a good couple of days with Topanga in a low volume setting and just getting done with a rather loud practice, my assessment is this.

The Topanga is worth having as a backup to your outboard unit.

It's a decent reverb in a low volume setting. It made my Jet City 20H amp surf convincingly. It may not have had a lot of the drip, but it's there and it does work as a great boost with the decay/Mix knobs turned down.

In the loud band situation? The pedal likes to be loud. Where I can see someone who likes it very loud and drippy would think the pedal fails. But if you like a decent amount of grit to your tone (And I do.) This pedal can convincingly surf.

My Weber outboard unit is fairly noisey but sounds fantastic. Topanga can do about 90% of what my Weber Kit can do without the noise. Which honestly is pretty damn good.

Someone earlier in this thread mentioned that reverb pedals are kind of like the sex doll and the old 6g15's are a "real woman."

Consider this the pocket pussy. It's small, discreet, gets the same job done and to me.....less noise than the real thing. (You married guys know what I mean.

Will it replace the real thing? No. But convincing none the less.

9/10

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