Broughton Audio FlipTop

The Broughton Audio FlipTop is an analog JFET preamplifier pedal modeled after the B15 amplifier, the bass amp known for its flip-top cabinet design. Broughton Audio describes it as offering "a good range of pillowy tone that can be driven to the point of light overdrive if pushed." It works as a preamp, equalizer, booster and cab sim in one box, and it is aimed primarily at bass players, though the circuit's headroom and dynamics suit guitar as well¹².

What it does and how it is controlled

The FlipTop is built around JFETs, junction field effect transistors used here to recreate the feel and response of a tube amp's preamp stage. Broughton Audio says the pedal gives you a good range of pillowy tone that can reach light overdrive when pushed, and it adds a Master volume control on the output so you can dial in the amount of drive you want while adjusting the volume as needed¹.

The Cab knob is the pedal's cab simulation control. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as "essentially a wet/dry control, allowing you to apply 0 to 100% of the cab tone to the preamplifier output." Dialing in more of the cab response tightens the low end and cuts the high frequencies for a warm, vintage tone, which is useful when going direct to a interface or PA where no bass cab is there to shape the sound¹².

Power requirements

The Fliptop requires a 9V DC power supply, which is not included, and draws approximately 12 mA. The DC supply should be a standard Boss style connector with center negative polarity, so it will run from a standard pedalboard power supply output¹.

The Fliptop Boost

Broughton Audio also makes a related pedal, the Fliptop Boost. It shares the true bypass switch and the same Boss style center negative power connector, but it differs in a few ways worth knowing³:

• It accepts 9 to 24 volts, while the standard Fliptop runs at 9V DC³
• It draws approximately 10 mA, slightly less than the Fliptop's approximately 12 mA³¹
• Its JFETs are chosen specifically with bass guitar in mind, allowing large headroom and sweet dynamics³
• It has a mild EQ that tapers off the deepest lows and rolls off ultra high frequencies to keep the output clear and focused³
• It works as a first in line buffer/booster or a final stage boost, with low output impedance to drive other pedals, preamps, instrument amplifiers and power amplifiers³

If you are comparing preamps from the same maker, Broughton Audio's range also includes the Super Stack DI, Messenger Pro, P15, Archetype Tube Preamp, Sonoran, Gladius and Super Watt. For more on this category, see Preamp Pedals and Bass Pedals.

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