Option 5 Destination Thump

The Option 5 Destination Thump is a bass boost pedal: a clean boost aimed at bass players, announced in January 2014. It provides 0 to 15 dB of clean boost and has an extended lower frequency range to accommodate 5-string bass guitar, while keeping the features of the company's destination Bump pedal for guitar. Option 5 described it as "the bigger brother to our destination Bump pedal for guitar even though it is not larger."¹

What it does

The Destination Thump takes a bass signal and raises it by up to 15 dB without adding distortion, which is what "clean boost" means: level, not drive. The lower frequency extension is the difference from the guitar-oriented destination Bump, and it is there so the pedal works with 5-string basses that reach further down.¹

The boost amount is set with a single control. Option 5 explained the thinking behind it: "The 0 to 15 dB of clean boost is controlled via one small knob that is meant to not be bumped by a foot during a gig." In other words, the knob is deliberately small so that a stray foot on stage cannot change the setting.¹

Where it came from

The pedal exists because of demand from bass players. As Option 5 put it when announcing the pedal: "The Destination Thump was added because we had bass players buying our original destination Bump pedal with a low frequency mod." The company also framed the release as a widening of its range: "Option 5's pedal line-up is increasing in size AND now including our beloved friend: the bass player."¹