Thumpinator (or other HPF) Questions

blastjv · #1 12-28-2010, 09:13 AM

Hey,

I think a Thumpinator might be useful for me. I play loud through a cranked SVT. I love my tone, but think that maybe it could use a little tighting in the bottom, and it can get a little farty when I'm really pounding on the low string (I tune drop C these days). I think I understand what the Thumpinator does and what it's benefits are. I think that cutting everything below 30Hz sound just right for me. I know that an SVT rig isn't supposed to be able to do much below 60Hz anyway, but I feel like there's still quite a bit going on down there (maybe I'm being fooled by my ears, and my pants flapping).

If it were cheaper, more local, with a shorter wait time, and if I were confident I could flip it if it didn't do anything for me (it's a pretty specialized item and most are not aware of it, so I think I'd likely have a hard time selling it and take a loss) I'd buy one. I'm just not sure I want to drop $160 USD on it and wait 5-8 weeks for it (as it states on the sfx site...and in the real world, estimates like that can often be doubled).

(Anyone in the Philly area have one they want to bring over for a test drive...???)

That's not really a question.....I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any input as to whether I'd derive much benefit from adding one to my rig??? AND if anyone has any other suggestions I might try. I've considered fdeck's HP-Pre, but read that it doesn't cut steeply enough to really do what it needs to. Also, I'd like to use it between the Preamp Out and Poweramp In, and I'm not sure this will work there.

Thoughts???

One other question I had: I'm not concerned about headroom. I am PLENTY loud, and have power to spare (I jump the 2 channels and neither volume is above noon; I can get louder...but I don't need to). I like my overdrive sound when I'm really pushing my SVT. Would the Thumpinator tend to clean up the sound and add headroom, and in my situation kind of defeat the purpose? How much of the "Cranked SVT Sound" is the amp working like hell to do some of the things the Thumpinator would eliminate?

-JV

rpsands · #2 12-28-2010, 09:24 AM

I don't think the thumpinator is significantly steeper than the fDeck pre.

If I were going to bother with this I would get a custom 4th order butterworth (35hz) from Putnam. He's quoted around the same price as the thumpinator for that sort of thing.

I'm finding I just don't need it with the Shuttle series of amps, but may look into that some more down the road.

craig.p · #3 12-28-2010, 09:29 AM

1) It WILL make a difference.

2) $160 for a rumble filter is absurd. I hope the Thumpinator brings more functionality than that to the table, because for forty bucks more you can get a 40 Hz, 18 dB/octave rumble filter AND a decent stereo equalizer to keep it company.

3) Your last question is a great one, and you won't know the answer until you insert a rumble filter into the signal path.

rpsands · #4 12-28-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

1) It WILL make a difference.

2) $160 for a rumble filter is absurd. I hope the Thumpinator brings more functionality than that to the table, because for forty bucks more you can get a 40 Hz, 18 dB/octave rumble filter AND a decent stereo equalizer to keep it company.

3) Your last question is a great one, and you won't know the answer until you insert a rumble filter into the signal path.

The thumpinator has a rolloff as well as a corrective boost for the loss at the crossover frequency. I do believe it's overpriced however but that's a function of being overseas more than anything. Just this man's opinion.

Also, it's in the form factor of a pedal, which is super nice