WoodyJ
Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1547
Bethlehem, GA
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Posted on Sep 29 2017 10:52 AM
JObeast wrote:
Odd no one mentions the EHX Grail in any of its avatars.
I'm still extremely fond of my first generation Holy Grail (the version that came in a wood storage box) that I got right after they were introduced several years ago. It isn't a 6G15 but as reverb pedals go, it definitely works fine for drippy surf and other genres.
I don't have any experience with the newer iterations but this antique version sounds pretty dang amazing to me. It lives on my smaller pedalboard.
— Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)
The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025
The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)
Last edited: Sep 29, 2017 10:53:41
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derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 660
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Posted on Sep 29 2017 11:58 AM
@WoodyJ I like those big box holy grails too.
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paulochezter
Joined: Oct 08, 2017
Posts: 3
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Posted on Oct 08 2017 04:32 AM
Not a fan of Topanga thought but been using this TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster Guitar Pedal which I found at https://www.testfacts.com/12-best-guitar-pedals/. This boost pedal is absolutely awesome! It has some kind of magic or something in it. It's almost like hitting a switch and the sound suddenly has a lot more life to it. Really small form factor and I bought this over the regular one because I wanted just the level control versus the three extra controls on the regular sized one.
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3855
North Atlantic
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Posted on Nov 20 2017 07:07 PM
So after a tonne of reading about the different reverb pedal options on this forum, I just ordered a Topanga Reverb Pedal up here in Canada. I already have 2 reissue tanks, and was looking for a pedal to use as a back up, or for travel (when I can't take a tank). The reviews are good, the price is right, and the pedal's size checks off all my boxes. I have never played one, but feel pretty confident after what I have read on SG101. For those of us with limited access to a wide variety of gear, this forum is really helpful. I'll post my impressions when I get it.
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4554
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Nov 21 2017 08:43 AM
I have a pair of Topangas and find them to be pretty good for Surf. They need to be tweaked a bit for other types of music, as it’s easy to go over the top if you overdo the dwell control.
I have a reissue tank, and I would say that the Topanga is pretty close to that. I wouldn’t go on record as saying it is up to the standards of a vintage tank.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Last edited: Jan 26, 2018 22:42:40
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imafunkyman
Joined: Sep 16, 2007
Posts: 548
Utah
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Posted on Nov 21 2017 04:36 PM
Rev, I have a Topanga and I love it even though I'm not in a surf band. It's easy to adjust for general usage and sounds great even for surf. I do get some drip out of it. I did a back to back comparison with the Boss FRV and sounds much better in my opinion. I like the Boss, but it was a little too shrill for my ears.
— Either you surf, or you fight.
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Big_Ryan
Joined: May 01, 2011
Posts: 578
San Diego
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Posted on Nov 22 2017 11:34 PM
For live shows I've been stacking the frv-1 into the topanga, the boss gives me the drip and the topanga smooths out the harshness and gives me a nice pretty trail. It's the sort of thing that doesn't sound great at home but really works well live.
— http://dinosaurghost.bandcamp.com/
http://sixtycyclehum.podbean.com
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3855
North Atlantic
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Posted on Nov 23 2017 07:35 PM
My pedal came in today, and I was able to spend about an hour with it with a couple of amps and guitar. I was able to get a really good tank style sound out of the pedal very quickly. The controls seem pretty intuitive to me, and I do like the volume knob for adding a bit of crunch to the sound. Right now I'm debating whether to just use this pedal on our next gig to try it out live. It certainly makes a great backup for my tank, and will more than suffice for those gigs where I can't use a tank. So far I am really happy with it. Thanks for the comments.
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 660
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Posted on Nov 23 2017 08:11 PM
You know I've had about 5 Topanga pedals, trying to LOVE it and I just couldn't. It always seemed either too much or not enough when guitar volume was rolled back. I had a few real and reissue reverb units, and they just have a different dynamic response. That being said, I've heard others sound great with the Topanga, I just couldn't get it to work for me. I'm interested in the MXR M300 or possibly another FRV. Of course, a real reverb unit is best, but I just need the sound/tone/dynamics without lugging a unit around. Additionally, the Topanga would distort with humbuckers or boosts. One last thing is the Topanga lacks the drip of a real reverb unit or even the Boss FRV1. Topanga has its own thing going but without the drip, it's more blackface reverb to me.
Last edited: Nov 23, 2017 20:56:48
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Big_Ryan
Joined: May 01, 2011
Posts: 578
San Diego
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Posted on Nov 23 2017 10:24 PM
I've really been enjoying the ELLE by Big ear NYC lately, it has a nice slap back click to it and a really nice bounce with a little bit of tasteful modulation. It's not traditional surf at all, but gets me into a 50s state of mind somehow when i'm playing.
— http://dinosaurghost.bandcamp.com/
http://sixtycyclehum.podbean.com
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2287
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Nov 24 2017 07:14 AM
Never tried a real tank but Topanga turned out too bright and harsh for my tastes. Probably I just do not need such a classic surf settings so pretty happy now with Flint, less “dip” but warmer and smoother, also great with some overdrive)
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4554
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Nov 24 2017 07:41 AM
revmike wrote:
My pedal came in today, and I was able to spend about an hour with it with a couple of amps and guitar. I was able to get a really good tank style sound out of the pedal very quickly. The controls seem pretty intuitive to me, and I do like the volume knob for adding a bit of crunch to the sound. Right now I'm debating whether to just use this pedal on our next gig to try it out live. It certainly makes a great backup for my tank, and will more than suffice for those gigs where I can't use a tank. So far I am really happy with it. Thanks for the comments.
Rev
I used mine on several gigs and never had a complaint. I don’t really use the tank anymore ‘cause this little feller does quite well by me.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
Last edited: Jan 26, 2018 22:46:28
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4554
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Nov 24 2017 07:43 AM
Big_Ryan wrote:
I've really been enjoying the ELLE by Big ear NYC lately, it has a nice slap back click to it and a really nice bounce with a little bit of tasteful modulation. It's not traditional surf at all, but gets me into a 50s state of mind somehow when i'm playing.
I have to say that Elle sounds great. It’s definitely a player in a large field of choices. Very mellow sounding.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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