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Guitar Effects Explained - Tremolo

by Mark Starlin

The tremolo effect is a fluctuation in the guitar signal’s volume. By quickly lowering and then raising the volume of the guitar you get a very cool effect.

Typical Use

Often use in roots style music for slow moody single note runs, or with distortion for chords.

Suggested Units

Here are some Tremolo pedals that have received good reviews and/or high ratings by players.

  • Seymour Duncan SFX-07 Shape Shifter Tap Tremolo
    Seymour Duncan SFX-07 Shape Shifter Tap Tremolo

    You'll love the Seymour Duncan SFX-07 Shape Shifter Tremolo pedal if you like the smooth, easy-to-dial-in sound of vintage amp tremolo. But if you also crave unrestrained versatility, and you want to delve into ultra-modern experimental sounds like flutters, shimmers, warbles, and even radical "helicopter chops," the Shape Shifter is your dream tremolo. The Shape Shifter pedal's sonically pure, 100% analog signal path delivers the familiar lush, hypnotic, pulsing tremolo vibes characteristic of 50s tube amps. Digital tap control offers incredible control. Shape and Wave controls provide unparalleled versatility.

    Available At Guitar Center

    Seymour Duncan SFX-07 Shape Shifter Tap Tremolo Guitar Effects Pedal Standard

  • Electro-Harmonix XO Stereo Pulsar Tremolo
    Electro-Harmonix XO Stereo Pulsar Tremolo

    The Electro-Harmonix Micro Stereo Pulsar Tremolo Effects Pedal is everything you love about the Pulsar in a small, die-cast aluminum package. Controls: Wave shape switch selects between the wave triangle mode and the square wave mode. Shape knob changes the shape of the waveform that modulates the tremolo. Wave triangle mode as the shape knob is turned from the counter clockwise (minimum) position to the center (middle) position, the wave starts as a rising sawtooth and becomes a triangle. From the center position to the clockwise (maximum) position, the wave changes from a triangle to a falling sawtooth. Square wave mode as the shape knob is turned from the counter clockwise (minimum) position to the center (middle) position, the wave starts as a small pulse width wave and becomes a square width wave. From the center position to the clockwise (maximum) position, the wave changes from a square width wave to a large pulse width wave.

    Available At Guitar Center

    Electro-Harmonix XO Stereo Pulsar Tremolo Guitar Effects Pedal Standard

  • MXR M159 Stereo Tremolo
    MXR M159 Stereo Tremolo

    With its warm analog circuitry and lush tremolo sound, the Dunlop TS-1 set the standard for tremolo pedals for over a decade. The MXR M159 Tremolo Pedal keeps all the effects and controls of the original-but in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly size. Its 18-volt operation provides rich and vibrant sound with low noise due to its high headroom. With the versatile input/output options the M159 guitar pedal can produce hypnotic, pulsing mono tremolo through a single amp or ping-ponged from one amp to another in stereo mode for a huge, spacious tone.

    Available At Guitar Center

    MXR M159 Stereo Tremolo Guitar Effects Pedal Standard

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