What pedal makes this sound?

[nellie48]

I love the new album by Kings of Leon. I especially enjoy the bass playing. Does anyone know what effect he is using on the song Black Thumbnail?

Here is a link to it. It sounds like some sort of vibrato or something, as the notes flutter.

Black Thumbnail

 

[fretlessman71]

The effect is called "Vibrato". Old amps have it. You can also get a pedal that does that.

 

[Wespe]

Sounds like a tremolo/vibrato pedal, like you mentioned.

 

[bongomania]

Tremolo. Lots of tremolo and KOL fans on this board.

 

[bongomania]

The effect is called "Vibrato". Old amps have it. You can also get a pedal that does that.

"Vibrato" is a change in pitch. "Tremolo" is a change in amplitude. However: many old amps, especially Fenders, have the labeling reversed.

 

[fretlessman71]

"Vibrato" is a change in pitch. "Tremolo" is a change in amplitude. However: many old amps, especially Fenders, have the labeling reversed.

You are absolutely correct. Even the whammy bar on a strat is referred to as a "tremolo bar", when in fact, it produces vibrato. Crazy, huh?

 

[nellie48]

So, what pedals are out their that can achieve this effect?

 

[bongomania]

Oh I don't know, tremolo pedals? Sorry. It's just that there are an awful lot of trem pedals out there, and the effect is also included in many multi-effects units. A quick search on tremolo here in the forum will reveal a lot of discussion and options; also a search on Pedalgeek or Tonefactor will show you some of the cooler boutique units.

 

[fretlessman71]

Link Removed has a zillion... or at least 80 or so, on this search.

 

[nellie48]

Link Removed has a zillion... or at least 80 or so, on this search.

There is certainly a lot to choose from. But alas, we are bass players, which means trying to figure out which ones is best for low end.

 

[funkalicious101]

Since it affects volume rather than tone, low end is usually intact from tremolo pedals.

 

[nellie48]

Hah! I found it!

 

[nellie48]

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/kings-leons-jared/jul-07/29644

 

[thehuntsbass]

I've been searching for a list of this guys effects for so long I joined this site yesterday and I have already learned so much this site is AWSOME