Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Pedal Review (July 2024)
$209.99
Description
In this review post, we’re going to be discussing the Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal, including an overview of its unique features.
Product Description
The outboard Fender 6G15 spring reverb unit is the sound of Surf guitar, Spaghetti Western, and many other great guitar sounds from the sixties. Part of its magic, and how it differs from the internal spring reverb found in most Fender-style amps, is that it is run *in front* of the amp, causing the reverb signal to distort and sound more intense. Because there were additional knobs on the outboard units, you also have more control over the reverb qualities. The Dwell knob controlled how hard the springs were getting hit by the guitar signal. The Tone knob allowed the treble to be dialed back to just the right degree of brightness. It was also essentially a tube preamp, so it would color the sound going into the amp. All this added up to a very distinctive reverb sound with a lot of attitude and complex non-linearities that are hard to replicate. But we here at Catalinbread did just that! Besides giving you the classic three knob control compliment of the original, we’ve also added a great discrete preamp that you can control via the Volume knob for a healthy amount of great clean boost when you want it.
Our goal was simple to make a reverb pedal that functions just like a real deal outboard spring reverb unit. We felt that adding more knobs for the sake of adding knobs would take away from the experience, so we kept it down to the controls that were on the actual units. We only added or extended controls that contributed to the experience in a positive way. The DWELL knob controls how much signal is going into and driving reverb springs. As on the original unit, cranking this knob up can cause clipping on the wet side due to the signal crashing the springs. Though it seems to imply reverb length (and sort of functions this way), this control is quite literally a volume knob for the springs.
The TONE knob allows you to roll off just the right amount of high-end from only your wet signal. Roll this knob back if you want the reverb to appear to be more distant and out of the way of your dry sound.
We took liberties with the MIX knob extending beyond the original reverb tank units because we wanted you to be able to make the Topanga 100% wet. Otherwise, it is much like the knob on the tanks, allowing you to balance between your wet and dry signals.
Original spring tank units had a big feel to them that encouraged a lot of attitude from the musician playing through them. We asked ourselves, “how can we make the Topanga even bigger sounding-!” The only answer to that question was to add a VOLUME knob that pushes the entire circuit! This is a modification that we have actually performed on the big tube tank units!
Product Features
- Reverb
- Easy handling
- Made in the USA
- Current consumption: 64mA
- Controls: Dwell, tone, mix, and volume
- Authentic tube spring reverb emulation
- Power supply with a 9 – 18 V DC power supply
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid build
- Incredibly trustworthy
- Positive consumer feedback
- Worth the price
- Great audio quality
- The volume control adds dimension and warmth.
Cons
- Hidden modulation mode
- It needs to separate on and off switch
- Quite Expensive
- It doesn’t work well with higher gain pickups
- It produces undesirable distortion
Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Pedal Demo
Our Verdict
Catalinbread has released the Topanga, a cheaper, more streamlined rig aimed to emulate those 6G15 sounds with identical Dwell, Tone, and Mix knobs, as well as a volume knob that can add a flavor of the original’s valves to increase your amp’s front end.
There’s also a modulation mode, which is accessed by powering up with the tone knob at its lowest setting, as well as complete wet capabilities at the far end of the Mix knob.
This can produce Fender amp-style reverb, but it’s the channeling of the crazy splashiness and presence increase of an outboard spring tank that sets it apart from other reverb pedals.
Where to Buy
The best place to buy this product has to be Amazon, due to their competitive pricing and fantastic customer service.
Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal
Pricing History
Price History for Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal
Statistics
| Current Price | $209.99 | July 12, 2024 |
| Highest Price | $209.99 | November 16, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $178.49 | August 16, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $209.99 | November 16, 2023 |
| $178.49 | August 16, 2023 |
Buyers Guides This Product Is Featured In
Best Reverb Pedals
Additional information
| Item Weight | 7.2 ounces |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 3 x 3 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | CAT TOPANGA |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | March 19, 2014 |
Reviews
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