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Post by bbutler356 on Apr 25, 2018 18:10:48 GMT -7
I've wondered this for a long time.
I've had trem on many amps for many years. Basically never used it because it takes over the song so much. Can anyone tell me anything on this? I know that country players may use it more, but do rockers or jazz players use it?
How do they use it?
Has it ever been used on rock tunes that have become mammothly-famous since 1970?
And unless it's all over the place and I just don't hear it, why would a legitimate amp manufacturer put trem on a very expensive amp?
Thanks for an education, guys.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 25, 2018 19:19:17 GMT -7
CCR/John Fogerty; Greenday - Boulevard of Broken Dreams; New Pornographers; "Raising Sand" album by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; Chris Isaak; The Shins - I'm sure other will chime in.
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Apr 25, 2018 19:42:03 GMT -7
I use it in often enough to appreciate it. And yes the type of tremolo in my Gibson Ga40 is real slow weak and floaty which works great in jazz. I used it in my old Ampeg Reverbrocket in an indie pop context. “Money” by Pink Floyd comes to mind as a major hit in 1973. As to why a major legit amp manufacturer would build it into the amp usually has to do with demand. I believe the Doc fended off the demand for years before putting it in the Z-LUX. I use a Fulltone Supa Trem, but having it in the amp for the occational need is a convienience. Robert Cray has always appreciated the kind found in the Magnatone. It’s an interesting question.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Apr 26, 2018 5:02:01 GMT -7
It amazes me that people with amp tremolo don't ever use it! I am addicted to it. I can live without an overdrive pedal, but I have to have Tremolo. But that said, I step on it 10 times in a 40 song show. It can be a very cool subtle effect and you can use it in very over the top type of ways. I don't use the more choppy type tremolo like you hear in Green Day's Blvd of Broken Dreams that often, mostly at the end of songs. I mostly use it for the subtle effect when I'm playing chords and letting them ring out. I hear it being used like that everywhere in all kinds of music.
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Post by KeithA on Apr 26, 2018 5:06:12 GMT -7
Trem has it's roots in early days, for sure. Even with its roots in gospel music, etc. (i.e. Pops Staples). However, music from the 60's and onward have used it across many genres. You will find it peppered amongst artists such as Mark Knopfler, Marty Stuart, REM, Radiohead and so on. Trem is not going to be used on most stuff. However, IMHO, when it is used effectively it's considered as part of the song and not just as an effect. For me, the songs that work best give the trem sound a chance to breathe (rock, country, pop or whatever). You are also wondering as to why amp makers would put reverb/trem on 'expensive' models. The funny part is that these two features usually add a sizeable chunk of price to these amps. However, it's added since historically those players who want high quality reverb/trem will pay the premium. For example, I'd estimate that even on Doc's amps (say the Z-Lux), the reverb and trem likely add up to $500 to the selling price. However, many guitar playing still harken back to the glory days and want the 'old-school' tech. I wanted a combo with reverb & trem for a while. I wanted a Z-Lux but as a home player it was overkill for me. I would have loved a Z-Plus with a trem and would have paid the premium. However, with a great loop I'll just toss a Flint in there and all is good. Here is one of my favourite songs with trem. I love how the trem just 'works' here...but that's because the song was likely written with that effect in mind
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Post by gbowman on Apr 26, 2018 8:08:32 GMT -7
Whether its part of the amp or a pedal, I can't seem to get away from having it. Here are some uses: I use it kinda rarely for roots tunes, a la Blue Rodeo. I set it obvious and feature that sound. I use it with a ballad or "gentle" kinda tune. Think Neil Young Harvest Moon. Sometimes i have it on when comping behind other players - this is something I picked up from Joe Bonamassa. And the secret weapon, i use it when playing octaves. It sounds like the vibrato you would use if it were indeed possible to put vibrato on octaves. Try it!
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Post by KeithA on Apr 26, 2018 9:16:48 GMT -7
Whether its part of the amp or a pedal, I can't seem to get away from having it. Here are some uses: I use it kinda rarely for roots tunes, a la Blue Rodeo. I set it obvious and feature that sound. I use it with a ballad or "gentle" kinda tune. Think Neil Young Harvest Moon. Sometimes i have it on when comping behind other players - this is something I picked up from Joe Bonamassa. And the secret weapon, i use it when playing octaves. It sounds like the vibrato you would use if it were indeed possible to put vibrato on octaves. Try it! Ah, Blue Rodeo....had to then check to see if you were a fellow Canadian
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2018 9:23:38 GMT -7
A slow, throbbing trem is a signature sound for anything swamp-o-rific. Also I like to throw in some chop on the occasional extended solo--maybe on Not Fade Away or other up-tempo, jungle-beat stuff. Anything remotely to do with Bo Diddley, basically. Though none of this is really post-1980, so there's that.
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Post by Christopher on Apr 26, 2018 17:01:14 GMT -7
Soundgarden,RATM,Tom Petty and even Lana Del Ray have tremolo on their tunes if you're looking for recent music to relate. Most surf has it from the chop at the end of Rumble to tons of Ventures tunes. I love trem either in the amp or w my SupaTrem. It's such a great effect. I feel it works great with a two guitar band bc the player without it has their space and then the audible cloud of tremolo fills out a different spectrum.
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Post by KeithA on Apr 27, 2018 3:11:52 GMT -7
Soundgarden,RATM,Tom Petty and even Lana Del Ray have tremolo on their tunes if you're looking for recent music to relate. Most surf has it from the chop at the end of Rumble to tons of Ventures tunes. I love trem either in the amp or w my SupaTrem. It's such a great effect. I feel it works great with a two guitar band bc the player without it has their space and then the audible cloud of tremolo fills out a different spectrum. Even before his newest stuff in your video, in the last couple years it's Ben Marty Stuart's stuff that has started me down the path of loving tremolo. Great stuff. I really like his new stuff too.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Apr 27, 2018 6:00:07 GMT -7
I love that song! I have been meaning to buy the album and I just did!
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Post by pcns on Apr 27, 2018 6:00:39 GMT -7
I play in my church praise band with a Z Lux 1x12 combo. I use trem about 25 out of 100 songs. Typically, I will use slow trem during verse parts as I might slowly strum through chords to give my sound a bid of motion or texture. There are a few songs that were written with Trem so of course I use it there. I'm the only electric guitar in our praise band so I sometimes its good for me to be able to add more sound to what is going on other than just playing the "electric" parts of the songs. I get to be very creative each week and the trem is one of buttons I push to help fill out the sound and enhance the songs. God bless, Todd
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Post by detuned on Apr 27, 2018 6:49:17 GMT -7
Nobody mentioned "How Soon is Now" yet?
What a sound!
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Post by zpilot on Apr 28, 2018 8:30:44 GMT -7
I use it mostly for a subtle background. Sometimes on a sustaining chord at the end of a song or the like. Or in time with a rhythm pattern.
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Post by purpletele on Apr 28, 2018 9:28:18 GMT -7
Digging Marty Stuart
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Post by Ridgeback on Apr 28, 2018 9:39:47 GMT -7
I play primarily jazz, surf, and clean\swampy blues. I use anything from a touch to a lot on almost everything. I guess if I played rock, harder blues, or country, I'd use it less frequently.
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Post by purpletele on Apr 28, 2018 14:58:01 GMT -7
I wasn't into tremolo until the last few years. It seems that that style of guitar tone and song writing is coming back.
This is a tune a friend has been noodling on for a while.
It seems to be an essential amp tone that you should have in the arsenal, maybe I am just trying to justify my obsession.
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Post by Maddog on Apr 29, 2018 12:12:45 GMT -7
I use it "start to finish" on songs like "Girl Crush." I must admit tho I use it on less than 5% of the songs we play....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2018 12:21:07 GMT -7
I use Tremolo about 85% of the time blended in when I'm playing live. Subtle non-timed tremolo.
I think Tremolo use is like the "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make 'em drink". People either like it or don't. Hard to convince somebody that they need it. I'm fine with that.
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Post by trojanhov on Apr 29, 2018 13:07:01 GMT -7
A lot of my modulation effects are there just to add a subtle amount of movement to my sound. The trem on my flint and the walrus Julia (vibrato) is set to have some slight movement. It’s awesome
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Post by Stephen on Apr 29, 2018 13:52:46 GMT -7
I use it about 2-3 times per night. It sounds good on CCR’s “Born on the Bayou” and “Susie-Q” and the bridge of Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman.” That’s why I love the Z-Lux. When I got the Cure, I got a Strymon Flint.
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Post by bbutler356 on May 1, 2018 14:39:09 GMT -7
Thanks, guys.
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Post by fishyfishfish on May 2, 2018 7:14:10 GMT -7
I use it on the second verse, or when the band is SUPPOSED to come down in volume just to add some ear candy. Slow “Ballady” songs I lower rate/depth with some reverb or delay in time with the tune to add a bit of depth/ear candy. Again, this is only for an intro-outro or just for a verse. Same with Vibe or my “Child of the 80’s” Chorus pedal.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 11, 2018 17:25:44 GMT -7
It's best used subtly. I love it but I don't use it enough.
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