Boss Tremolo TR-2

Stampy · #1 10-06-2008, 07:43 PM

I searched but couldn't find anything useful. I was just wondering how it sounds on bass. Just it suck any of the low end tone? I love it on a guitar just wondering if it useful on a bass. If anyone has some soundclips that would be nice too.

Jared Lash · #2 10-06-2008, 08:17 PM

I haven't come across a tremolo that really "sucks lowend" as it's really just a volume based effect. On the other hand, some do have a volume drop. It was fairly pronounced on the TR-2. The EHX Pulsar has a slight drop as well (at least mine did) but it wasn't nearly as noticeable as the Boss. You can get a Keeley modded TR-2 which is said to correct this, but I haven't tried it personally.

From those that have tried them, the Boss trem that gets more love is the PN-2. Again, I haven't used one but the general consensus seems to be that it does hard cutting, and more out there sounds really well but is on the noisy side.

Are you looking for a hard, square wave trem, a smooth tube or triangle wave trem or something that can do both. I've tried quite a few trems and can point you toward a couple in each category.

In the past I've said I liked the TR-2 (warts and all) more than the Pulsar as far as budget trems go, but playing with the Pulsar I sold my guitar player, I'd probably reverse that. The Pulsar is pretty versatile, though for a bit more I liked the Voodoo Labs Tremolo a good deal more. If all you want is a square wave trem, the Earthquaker Devices Hummingbird is one that's gotten good reviews and that I'd like to try.

DopplerShift · #3 10-06-2008, 08:27 PM

I like mine. I have an older one with a volume drop, but I just boost the gain a little with a Boss PQ-3B parametric EQ pedal to compensate. I know it's not technically a volume drop but a perceived volume drop, but still, it makes a difference. I guess the new ones have a gain trimpot that can adjust the overall output.

I like it, it's a nice pedal. Might get it modded some day though.

Jared Lash · #4 10-06-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DopplerShift

I like mine. I have an older one with a volume drop, but I just boost the gain a little with a Boss PQ-3B parametric EQ pedal to compensate. I know it's not technically a volume drop but a perceived volume drop, but still, it makes a difference. I guess the new ones have a gain trimpot that can adjust the overall output.

If the new ones have a trimpot to increase gain, then that's a significant upgrade, but I know with the one I had it wasn't a perceived volume drop. All trems can seem to have a volume drop when engaged because of the cycle of the trem, but the Boss did have peaks that were below the clean signal.

DopplerShift · #5 10-06-2008, 08:48 PM

When I set mine up with a square wave and a really slow rate, the peak sounded just as loud as the bypass. When I sped up the rate, the volume sounded lower due to my perception.

I can only assume the saw wave has the same output level as the square wave, so I can't really comment there.

Stampy · #6 10-06-2008, 09:23 PM

Yeah I am looking for a square wave effect which I think Boss calls it as the "vibrato" setting in their manual.

lousybassist · #7 10-07-2008, 10:55 AM

I have a TR-2, and find it to be an okay tremolo for bass. However, I do like my EBS TremoLo better, because of its added versatility.

judas jedermann · #8 10-08-2008, 01:33 AM

Volume drop of TR-2 can be fixed. Mod is so easy that even I was able to do it. Try a search for C4 mod in google.