What is the best tremolo for bass around $100?

Ryan Mohr · #1 02-10-2008, 06:23 PM

I love tremolo on bass, but I don't have the cash to buy an Empress or Red Witch so I thought I would let Talkbass decide. Here are the choices:
-Danelectro Tuna Melt
-Guyatone VT-3
-Electro Harmonix Stereo Pulsar
-Carl Martin Surf Trem
-Boss TR-2
-Line 6 Tap Tremolo
-Earthquaker Devices Hummingbird
-Voodoo Lab Vintage Tremolo

I am looking for a versatile tremolo that can give me vintage and modern sounds.

P.S. - I posted this in the amps forum earlier today by accident.

bongomania · #2 02-10-2008, 08:08 PM

If you are able to save up $150, the Aramat Tubular Tremolo and the Guyatone VTX "Flip" are the best inexpensive ones out there IMO.

Of what you have listed the Pulsar has gotten the most love here on TB.

Ryan Mohr · #3 02-10-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

If you are able to save up $150, the Aramat Tubular Tremolo and the Guyatone VTX "Flip" are the best inexpensive ones out there IMO.

Of what you have listed the Pulsar has gotten the most love here on TB.

Is the guyatone the one that justin chancellor uses?

Jared Lash · #4 02-10-2008, 08:22 PM

I agree with Bongo in terms of the "next step up" trems. I liked the Aramat a lot.

Of your list I'd take the Voodoo Labs.

In terms of the lower end of things, I liked the Tuna Melt more than both the Boss TR-2 and the EHX Pulsar. It felt a bit flimsy, and it isn't as versatile as the Pulsar, but I liked it's sound better.

Jared Lash · #5 02-10-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

Is the guyatone the one that justin chancellor uses?

Yes. It's a good unit too, but I actually liked the Aramat better.

That being said, the Empress is still my favorite.

Ryan Mohr · #6 02-10-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

I agree with Bongo in terms of the "next step up" trems. I liked the Aramat a lot.

Of your list I'd take the Voodoo Labs.

In terms of the lower end of things, I liked the Tuna Melt more than both the Boss TR-2 and the EHX Pulsar. It felt a bit flimsy, and it isn't as versatile as the Pulsar, but I liked it's sound better.

Really you found the tuna melt better than those two? For $40, i may have to try that out.

Rumzini · #7 02-10-2008, 09:57 PM

I tested a whole bunch at a store one day... walked away with the Pulsar. I like it ok...just not really doing what I htought it would do. A real choppy type thing with my Lil big muff. Maybe not doing it right.

Nacho-Dread · #8 02-11-2008, 03:04 PM

i would recomend you de VT-X tremolo from Guayatone... it is a bit more expensive but is a tube tremolo, very thick and ver warm.

Ryan Mohr · #9 02-11-2008, 07:11 PM

Max Roberts - any reason for your choice?

crapusername · #10 02-11-2008, 07:36 PM

Have you tried the Marshall Vibratrem?
It's a great pedal, with some great sounds available. Cheap too!

Rumzini · #11 02-12-2008, 12:00 AM

I was just looking at a Marshall online today. didn't there used to be a version with an expression pedal option for it?

dancehallclasher · #12 02-12-2008, 04:39 AM

The Tuna Melt is cool but the bypass sucks high end, and this is coming from someone who's not a bypass snob... I have mine in a TB loop.

crapusername · #13 02-12-2008, 05:25 AM

rumzini -

the Vibratrem is one of the generation 2 marshall pedals. IIRC they basically have just in and out sockets. The newer ones (regenerator, echohead, reflector) are Gen 3 and have either tap tempo or expression sockets.

Basshappi · #14 02-14-2008, 08:04 PM

I use the Voodoo Labs.