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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Vintage Harmonic Tremolo Examples

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Hey everyone!

what are some notable examples from the 1st wave of Harmonic Tremolo usage? Weren’t all tremolos back then harmonic?

weird_oh84 wrote:

Hey everyone!

what are some notable examples from the 1st wave of Harmonic Tremolo usage? Weren’t all tremolos back then harmonic?

No examples to offer, but there were external tremolos and bias varying tremolos in ‘50s amps. The harmonic tremolos came along in the early ‘60s with the Showman, Bandmaster and I believe the Pro Fender amps. Harmonic Tremolo used something on the order of five triodes (3 12AX7s with one triode to spare) so it took a fairly large chassis to fit that many extra tunes.

I like harmonic tremolo, but the bias varying tremolo is equally charming, at least to my tastes. Bias Varying tremolo doesn’t work well with large power tubes, and can shorten tube life significantly with 6L6s. This was one reason that the ‘63 Vibroverb was produced for such a short time. A year later the optically triggered tremolo came along and changed things, offering a more abrupt waveform.

Starting in the 1940s, Rowe DeArmond produced tremolo units which were based on an electromechanical device. Chet Atkins built an external tremolo which he used on some of his recordings. In a sense, it’s come full circle, because these days there are some great pedals for tremolo. Surfy Industries makes a great one, and I have a couple of Source Audio pedals that have great harmonic tremolo.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Great example, Redfeather. I’ve always liked that cut.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

The Centurions "Surfers Pajama Party" album.

Chewy!

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Last edited: May 25, 2024 10:46:04

Nice example.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Anyone have any experience with this one?

Spaceman Delta II

AgentClaret wrote:

Anyone have any experience with this one?

Spaceman Delta II

Yes, it sounds fairly good but not like a brownface amp. I sold mine. I recommend the Supro Tremolo pedal for harmonic vibrato.

I am surprised no one mentioned Magnatone amps....

dannylectro wrote:

I recommend the Supro Tremolo pedal for harmonic vibrato.

The Supro sounds amazing but I was disappointed that there was no way to bypass the overdrive crunch the pedal introduces. Depending on your uses/amp/signal chain, it may get kind of muddy in a mix. I ended up keeping mine, but also got a surfytrem which I use more often.
If I can find a mod to add a switch to bypass the crunch on the supro, I’ll probably get a lot more use out of it.

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AgentClaret wrote:

Anyone have any experience with this one?

Spaceman Delta II

Very cool effect but not very close to a tube unit. If it were stereo it would officially be the "next best."

Daniel Deathtide

Wolfgang wrote:

I am surprised no one mentioned Magnatone amps....

All I have heard is a '62 Audio Guild Corp. amp, with apparently the same reverb. It's very nice but still not very close to a harmonic trem tube sound. The Magnavibe pedal is way too phasey. The amp is also phasey but not as much as the pedal.

Daniel Deathtide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l4VyOT7cR8

-Dire

Last edited: Sep 14, 2024 05:45:59

The Ventures used it occasionally in the early to mid 60s

-Dire

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