NPD...Catalinbread Topanga

[sloppychops]

Saw this was 15% off and nabbed it. Just spent the last 2 hours noodling around with it and really like the sounds I'm getting, especially with my Jaguar. It doesn't "drip" like a reverb tank, but it has a really satisfying, lo-fi "splash" and with the volume control can get a real visceral "bite".

Somewhere I read that a delay doesn't play well with reverb, and I haven't liked it with other reverb pedals, but I'm finding this setup works really well with the Topanga:

I got a Topanga mostly for use with my Jag and Strat, and haven't even played a Tele with it yet.

 

[Killing Floor]

I have a few of his pedals. He gets it. The Topanga is a little unique but I like it. He’s a creative designer. You’re going to like it.

 

[sloppychops]

I have a few of his pedals. He gets it. The Topanga is a little unique but I like it. He’s a creative designer. You’re going to like it.

So far it seems like a one-trick pedal, but it does that one trick incredibly well.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

So far it seems like a one-trick pedal, but it does that one trick incredibly well.

Hi.

I quite like one trick pedals. They often seem to do what they do really well, and you just get right to it with them, instead of trying out option after option.

Anyway, nice pedal, by the sound of it (pun intended ).

Pax/
Dean

 

[Mojohand40]

One of my favorite pedals. Love the Topanga. Sometimes I run it with a light delay pedal in front of it or just run it solo.
I like that it can do surf guitar with a ton of wet splashy verb, yet still have clarity on every note of a chord.
Congrats and enjoy!

 

[gridlock]

I’ve tried a lot of reverb pedals and the Topanga was the winner. Probably been on my board for almost 8-10 years by now. Congratulations!

 

[sloppychops]

One of my favorite pedals. Love the Topanga. Sometimes I run it with a light delay pedal in front of it or just run it solo.
I like that it can do surf guitar with a ton of wet splashy verb, yet still have clarity on every note of a chord.
Congrats and enjoy!

Yeah, I'm actually loving this pedal. I'm running the delay after the Topanga. Do you think it should be in front of it?

 

[gridlock]

Yeah, I'm actually loving this pedal. I'm running the delay after the Topanga. Do you think it should be in front of it?

I always read the the reverb pedal should be last in your chain. Mine is setup that way.

 

[zippofan]

I've tried a lot of reverb pedals, the Topanga is my favorite.

 

[sloppychops]

So, I came across a mention of a modulation mode for this pedal. I found this video showing how to activate it. I've seen it described as a "modulation mode," but it sounds more like a shimmer 'verb. (Maybe that's the same thing, I dunno.)

Anyone find this useful? I had a shimmer pedal for a while and ended up selling it because it just wasn't my thing.

 

[Telecaster88]

When I picked up a nice, clean '75 Champ last year, it gave me an excuse to go reverb pedal hunting. All I really wanted was something to emulate the classic Fender amp-based reverb I grew up with. Tried a few other pedals and they were cool but weird. Plugged in the Topanga, all settings near noon, et voilà, there was the sound I was after! I know it's supposed to emulate an outboard tank, but it sounds just like a good ol' Fender amp reverb to me.

FWIW, I have the Topanga after a Carbon Copy Deluxe, and before a Boss Tremolo (which is the last pedal in my chain). Sounds great.

 

[Mojohand40]

I always read the the reverb pedal should be last in your chain. Mine is setup that way.

Yep. That's what I do.

 

[RYAN1987M]

It's really worth trying at 18V if you can. It gives it a lot more clean headroom. At that point the Topanga sounds less 'lo-fi' and can be more subtle (in a good way).

Sounds great running at 9V too, of course...just a fun thing to try running it at 18V too.

 

[JesterR]

Topanga works every time for me. And nit only fir surf rock.
Actually, am using it since release.
It works great pre-dirt, post dirt, with and without delay.
Do not care to compare it side-by-side with real thing, because it's just works for me. I like how it still tight-sounding, and adds ambiance at the same time.