Good tremolo pedals?

[Matt42]

I've got a Danelectro Cool Cat (9v version) that I like alright, but I'm not crazy about (especially the crappy switch). It does the job for me for now, so this isn't a priority, but I'd like to start looking for something with a bit better sound. I've had two Boss TR-2's that I hated. I've always kinda had my eye on the MXR one, but have never had a chance to try it.

I use tremolo mostly with some overdrive, I'm not a huge fan of the machine-gun type hard stutter, I prefer a softer sound. I tend to use it more on country type stuff. This is kinda what I'm going for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T4SaNuxZO8

When I do get around to buying a new one, I'd like to keep it around $200 or less new.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

Voodoo Labs 4 knob tremolo. It's the one I use. It allows you to set the volume, slope, speed, and intensity of it so that you can tailor it to your precise needs. As long as you don't need a tap tempo, I don't think you'll get a better tremolo. I've used mine for years and love it.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I've used the EHX Wiggler and the SD Shape Shifter. Both sound good. The SD is more versatile and controllable. I sold/traded the Wiggler to make room for the SD.

If you don't need tap tempo, and want a warm, subtle tremolo that has a few different voicings, I would recommend the Wiggler. If you want tweakability, including tap tempo, I'd recommend the Shape Shifter (and replacing the stock switches with good ones).

 

[AudioWonderland]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I've got a Danelectro Cool Cat (9v version) that I like alright, but I'm not crazy about (especially the crappy switch). It does the job for me for now, so this isn't a priority, but I'd like to start looking for something with a bit better sound. I've had two Boss TR-2's that I hated. I've always kinda had my eye on the MXR one, but have never had a chance to try it.

I use tremolo mostly with some overdrive, I'm not a huge fan of the machine-gun type hard stutter, I prefer a softer sound. I tend to use it more on country type stuff. This is kinda what I'm going for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T4SaNuxZO8

When I do get around to buying a new one, I'd like to keep it around $200 or less new.

Not sure what chorus pedal you are using has to do with Tremolo pedals but I would suggest Diaz Tremadillo

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I dunno if you have the cash, yet Carl Martin Trem'ovibe is the best one I have seen out there... It's almost like an amp...

Great pedal.

On the cheaper side, Lovepedal's tremolo is quite effective, small and does not suck at all... But Carl Martin is really very cool!

B

 

[Matt42]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

Not sure what chorus pedal you are using has to do with Tremolo pedals but I would suggest Diaz Tremadillo

Cool Cat is the series of pedals. There are a lot of Cool Cat pedals.


I really dig that Wiggler. I hadn't even looked at that one. I see the Vibrato effect working really well on one of my band's songs that I've been using Tremolo on. I'm gonna have to find one to try soon.

 

[Psykel]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

Mooer Trelicopter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVOIszoD6pU
That is all.

 

[saladin]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

What made you hate the Boss trems?

There's an easy fix on the older ones to rid yourself of the volume drop.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I just couldn't find a tone I liked on it. I can't put my finger on it. Partly, I think I wasn't sure how to use the shape knob the first time around. The second time, I was in a band where it wasnt useful, so I sold it.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I had a Boss TR-2, had it modded to reduce volume drop, and tried several other brands that I won't name. I love my Fulltone Supa-Trem.

It does not have a slope adjustment, and the intensity adustment is really a wet/dry mix, but it sounds sweet. It has a half speed switch that might be useful for someone, and it has a hard/soft switch that gets you to the stutter zone you don't care for.

To be honest, for me it is a one trick pedal, but I haven't found another that does that trick near as well.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I'm no expert on tremelo, but I do own and use the Modtone Harmonic Tremor (!) tremelo with good results. It's way cheaper than what you want to spend, though. I have a lot of fun with mine and I can't really say there is any negative affect on my overall tone when it is on. Here's a demo from GMD:



One thing I notice in the vid is that he says they are made in Japan...that is not true...they are made in China.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I am a bit of a tremolo geek.

Some of my personal suggestions -


My ultimate holy grail of term (and reverb also...) is the rack mount Peavey Valverb.

My personal #1 and favorite is the Diaz Tremodillo

An excellent alternative is the Dunlop Tremolo: Original large purple box (can't speak of the new MXR ones)
I also dig the little Guyatone Vintage Tremolo
The Voodoo LAbs 4 knob is a great unit.
If you are going Boss, either get it modded, or try the old Stereo Pan/Tremolo
The Duncan Shape Shifter gets a lot of good press. Never played one.
Fulltone SupaTrem is hard not to love (see above)

Just a few suggestions.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

Diamond Tremolo. Sounds incredible, and the feature set is ridiculously awesome without being overwhelming like the Cusack Tap a Whirl or the Lightfoot Labs Goatkeeper

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I wouldn't toot the horn of Duncan pedals unless I really liked them, but I think my favorites of the line are the Deja Vu and Shape Shifter. They don't mess with the natural tone, they have tap tempo, and they're infinitely tweakable.

The thing I like about the Shape Shifter is that it's like a Fender tremolo that you can actually manipulate to pulse EXACTLY how you want it to. Not many other tremolo pedals give you that much control over every aspect of the effect. I guess I call it dragging or rushing the wave. If the Shape Shifter had come out in 1965, it would have been a huge classic. If you liken tremolo to ocean waves, it's like creating their shape from the swell to the crash.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

After watching a bunch of videos, I think either the Wiggler or the Shape Shifter is what I'll go with. I'm leaning towards the Wiggler, since I don't think I need the tap tempo from the Shape Shifter, and I like the vibrato on the Wiggler as well. I'm wondering, however, about the power supply on the Wiggler. Do I have to use the provided adapter? Or can it be powered from a power supply (Voodoo Labs 2, Joyo 2, etc). They all say they can do a 12v, but I'm not sure about the AC thing.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I got rid of my Wiggler about a year ago, but I am pretty sure it required the provided proprietary adapter. That said, change out the socket on the unit with a more standard socket, cut off the plug from the adapter and splice on a more standard plug, and you will be compatible with your power supply.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I recently heard the T-Rex Tremster
and the Diamond Tremolo.

Heard the T-Rex through a 5E3 and the Diamond through a SF Bassman.
Sure sounded like nice Trem to my ears.
Have no idea what the cost is on either.
good luck

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

I used to have a Demeter Tremulator; I sold it to fund a Red Witch Pentavocal Trem and never looked back. The cool thing I really like about the Red Witch is that there's a footswitch toggle between hard (square) and a soft wavelength. The soft wavelength is what I use most of the time and it works well. You can fine tune the speed, depth, tone, volume and character so it's easy to dial in exactly what you want with no compromises. The only thing it doesn't do is have tap tempo or a footswitch to change the tempo (the Supatrem will cut your delay time in half with one switch, which is pretty neat). I just used to be frustrated with the limited tone sculpting with most trem pedals, so that was the selling point of the Red Witch, but YMMV.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

One you may want to look into is the Dr Scientist Tremolessence. It's got a ton of features without being at all overwhelming. It's also got two expression outs - one for depth and one for speed. It's even got a hold mode, where it's only active if you hold down the bypass switch (which is soft touch, which makes it even easier). Best of all, it's only just bigger than an MXR pedal:

 

[aleclee]

Re: Good tremolo pedals?

+1 on the Voodoo Lab. It does everything from slow throb to helicopter choppiness.