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Post new topic Tremolo (vibrato)?
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Author Topic:  Tremolo (vibrato)?
Bruce Griffin

 

From:
Iowa City, Iowa
Post  Posted 6 May 2004 2:30 pm    
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Trying to get that nice tremolo guitar sound, like the Flatlanders and others have used a lot of. My silverface Twin does it, but the sound is not quite as nice or as usable, it seems anyway. I'm talking mostly for 6 string here, not usually on the steel.
I suppose they use high end gear for recordings, but I'd sure like to get that nice clean full sound. Suggestions? Thanks!
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John Bechtel


From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 6 May 2004 6:26 pm    
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I have Vibrato in my '65 Reissue Twin-Reverb and I also have a BOSS TR–2 Tremelo Stomp-Box. I prefer the sound of the BOSS, however; being lazy in my old-age, I use the Amp. Vibrato for it's handiness and ease of hook-up! (just plug in the foot-switch and you're good to go!) But, I do think the Boss has a bigger/smoother sound!

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“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 & Cool
Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15
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Dave Boothroyd


From:
Staffordshire Moorlands
Post  Posted 6 May 2004 11:44 pm    
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If you are worried or confused about tremelo versus vibrato, then tremolo is what Italian Mandolin players do. Repeated rapid picking of a single pitch note. It produces a form of amplitude modulation and when Banjo players do it it sounds like somebody gargling.
Vibrato is what violin playes do when they wobble their fingers on the fingerboard and vary the pitch up and down from the correct intonation. Steel players do it sideways! (sounds like a car sticker!)
It is a form of frequency modulation, and when steel players do it, images of palm trees and white beaches start to form in your head.
I have no explanation as to why a tremolo arm on a guitar can be used to produce vibrato but never tremolo.

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Cheers!
Dave


[This message was edited by Dave Boothroyd on 07 May 2004 at 12:49 AM.]

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Tim Whitlock


From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 7 May 2004 4:36 am    
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...and conversely, Dave, why does the vibrato on an amp produce tremolo, but never vibrato (with the exception of some of the old Magnatone amps)?

Bruce, the Fender vibrato should give a good sound if set up properly. The depth should not be too deep, and the intensity should match the tempo of the song you are playing.
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Buck Dilly

 

From:
Branchville, NJ, USA * R.I.P.
Post  Posted 10 May 2004 6:23 pm    
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Diaz "Tremedillo".
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