I recently purchased two high pass filter pedals to try and compare: the GOB Instruments Small Fi Bass and the Broughton high pass filter. I cannot believe the difference each pedal makes in my signal chain. I don't have audio clips yet, but will share them when I'm able to record them. Photos attached.
Here's the story:
The GOB instruments Small FI Bass edition pedal is a passive (no power required) unit and does a good job in cleaning the overall “boominess” of my sound, especially my sometimes unruly Lakland Hollowbody. Being an inexpensive unit, the GOB does not have a status LED nor can you tell which frequency you’re cutting. You have to play everything by ear. I did notice it lowered my signal volume a tad more than I would have liked. However, I plan on keeping it to use on very simple gigs where I don't bring my pedalboard. I actually just attached it to my amp using industrial velcro.
The Broughton is another animal. Since it’s a powered unit, there’s no issue with headroom. Since the pedal has frequency labels you know what you’re affecting. Even at the lowest 25hz setting, there’s an improvement to the sound. I tried it with my Lakland Glaub, Darryl Jones and Hollowbody and it does wonders for all of them. Each bass sounds tighter and each note more defined. I thought people might be exaggerating on the difference an HFP could make, but now I know what you are all talking about. I prefer to cut anywhere between the 40–80hz label, which I'm assuming is around 60hz and it makes me smile. The Broughton allows my amp to avoid spending energy, heat and power on frequencies I don't need and hence puts less demand on the bass cab. I feel my amp runs cooler and I can get more out of the cab.
Sorry for the long post, but this Broughton is a real winner. It’s on my pedalboard now alongside my “always on” compressor and booster pedals.
Here's the story:
The GOB instruments Small FI Bass edition pedal is a passive (no power required) unit and does a good job in cleaning the overall “boominess” of my sound, especially my sometimes unruly Lakland Hollowbody. Being an inexpensive unit, the GOB does not have a status LED nor can you tell which frequency you’re cutting. You have to play everything by ear. I did notice it lowered my signal volume a tad more than I would have liked. However, I plan on keeping it to use on very simple gigs where I don't bring my pedalboard. I actually just attached it to my amp using industrial velcro.
The Broughton is another animal. Since it’s a powered unit, there’s no issue with headroom. Since the pedal has frequency labels you know what you’re affecting. Even at the lowest 25hz setting, there’s an improvement to the sound. I tried it with my Lakland Glaub, Darryl Jones and Hollowbody and it does wonders for all of them. Each bass sounds tighter and each note more defined. I thought people might be exaggerating on the difference an HFP could make, but now I know what you are all talking about. I prefer to cut anywhere between the 40–80hz label, which I'm assuming is around 60hz and it makes me smile. The Broughton allows my amp to avoid spending energy, heat and power on frequencies I don't need and hence puts less demand on the bass cab. I feel my amp runs cooler and I can get more out of the cab.
Sorry for the long post, but this Broughton is a real winner. It’s on my pedalboard now alongside my “always on” compressor and booster pedals.
