New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

[B2D]

Looks like they recently redesigned the pedal and it's in a different box now with a new feature added (channel phase control).

How big (or small) is the new one compared to the old one? My only beef with the old one was how big and heavy it was.

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

It looks like it's in the enclosure that's (IIRC) 4.7"x3.7" which should also make it much lighter.

I don't know why they didn't give it a volume knob though, that's a deal breaker for me. Unless I needed stereo trem, I'd get the Diamond any day over the Duncan.

[ItsaBass]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

The original is probably my favorite trem pedal I've ever tried, sound wise. The only changes worth making IMO would be to make it a very well built pedal, as the originals are pretty crummy in that respect (and extremely overpriced for a pedal of that sort of low-ish quality). If this new one had that feature, I'd buy at least one, and maybe two. Unfortunately, it looks like all they probably did is to give it a cosmetic makeover, have the components put together in the U.S.A. (without changing the quality of the components, which is what made the originals crappy), and add more things to malfunction.

[Scott Olson]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

Hey guys glad to hear the comments on the Shapeshifter, it's significantly lighter (.9lbs vs 2lbs) and smaller. It features several new features including the stereo phase control you mentioned, and also the visual feedback LED like you see in the Vapor Trail. Istabass, I think you will find them very well built, we hand assemble and test each one and I know Kevin Beller puts them through a pretty extreme regime of testing (hot/cold and all around brutality to make sure they can stand up the rigors of gigging). There has also been some expansion of the ranges.

The main reason that it doesn't have a volume control is that it has automatic gain compensation since many Trems don't have this; you need to turn the knob up to compensate for the volume, as you increase the depth. It does this automatically.

[ItsaBass]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

Is the quality of the components any different (i.e. pots, switches, etc.)?

[B2D]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

Hey guys glad to hear the comments on the Shapeshifter, it's significantly lighter (.9lbs vs 2lbs) and smaller. It features several new features including the stereo phase control you mentioned, and also the visual feedback LED like you see in the Vapor Trail. Istabass, I think you will find them very well built, we hand assemble and test each one and I know Kevin Beller puts them through a pretty extreme regime of testing (hot/cold and all around brutality to make sure they can stand up the rigors of gigging). There has also been some expansion of the ranges.

The main reason that it doesn't have a volume control is that it has automatic gain compensation since many Trems don't have this; you need to turn the knob up to compensate for the volume, as you increase the depth. It does this automatically.

Thanks for the info!!

[briggleman]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

Hey guys glad to hear the comments on the Shapeshifter, it's significantly lighter (.9lbs vs 2lbs) and smaller. It features several new features including the stereo phase control you mentioned, and also the visual feedback LED like you see in the Vapor Trail. Istabass, I think you will find them very well built, we hand assemble and test each one and I know Kevin Beller puts them through a pretty extreme regime of testing (hot/cold and all around brutality to make sure they can stand up the rigors of gigging). There has also been some expansion of the ranges.

The main reason that it doesn't have a volume control is that it has automatic gain compensation since many Trems don't have this; you need to turn the knob up to compensate for the volume, as you increase the depth. It does this automatically.

Scott, I believe the new pedal also allows one to punch in the tap tempo while the effect is off. Hope I am correct on that. I have one of the older ones still going strong. At one time there was a company that was modifying these older models with volume control, tap tempo while off, additional jacks and other such candy. They did this because, in their opinion, it was one of the best sounding Tremolos on the market.

Brad

[FireBros.]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

Scott, I believe the new pedal also allows one to punch in the tap tempo while the effect is off. Hope I am correct on that. I have one of the older ones still going strong. At one time there was a company that was modifying these older models with volume control, tap tempo while off, additional jacks and other such candy. They did this because, in their opinion, it was one of the best sounding Tremolos on the market.

Brad

I would like to know if anyone has confirmed if the new unit will tap while bypassed.

[Scott Olson]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

Scott, I believe the new pedal also allows one to punch in the tap tempo while the effect is off. Hope I am correct on that. I have one of the older ones still going strong. At one time there was a company that was modifying these older models with volume control, tap tempo while off, additional jacks and other such candy. They did this because, in their opinion, it was one of the best sounding Tremolos on the market.

Brad

Yes, you can set even when you're in bypass.

[St_Genesius]

Re: New vs. Old. Duncan Shapeshifter trem pedal

I guess I'm not very hard on my pedals. My Shape Shifter is still going strong. And as long as it is, it's the last trem I'll buy.