BJFE / BearFoot fx Guitar Effects Community

So... I don't know what to do. I need a sweet sounding, old-school trem. I've played the Vibutron once and loved it. That was a looong time ago, though. I'm only going on memory. The Vibutron video on Youtube really typifies the sound I want...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LaqfvCPFvA

That's the problem - I love Bjorn's stuff, so my brain is telling me that the Mellow Yellow Trem (or a BJFe trem...Maybe I can beg Bjorn to make me one. Lol.) is one I probably would be happy with, but the demos I've heard haven't knocked me out. I can't buy both, then send one back. I'll have to audition them seperately. So, I was hoping to get a concensus here. Also, to complicate things... I saw this video of the ZCat Tremolo and really liked it :

http://youtu.be/S2jT8rSUO1M

What do you guys think?

Others can chime in if they feel differently, but it's always seemed to me that tremolo pedals aren't as finicky with people's rigs as, say, OD/Distortion pedals are. Which means that you can be reasonably confident that what you're hearing the trem pedal do in a youtube clip is much more representative of what it will sound like in your signal chain than listening to a PGS clip of Andy demoing some new dirt pedal. So basically, I would go with whatever your ear is telling you from the clips. Personally, of the three you mentioned, that zcat pedal sounded incredible to me and was my favorite.

I just went through a Tremolo demo/purchase, but didnt try the MY because I wanted tap tempo and a break/speed function and I couldnt find a MY used to try out.

I eneded up demoing 4 tap tempo trems and came away with the Cusack tap a whirl V3. It does everything well or better! The second place pedal was the Diamond.

If I found a great deal on a MY I would still love to try it as it takes up less room by a little bit. The top mounted jacks on the Cusack do save board space.

Thanks for the responses so far, you guys. Actually, I haven't really checked out the Cusack. I'll have to go do that. I'm actually leaning toward the ZCat so far... I don't really need complexity. I wouldn't mind it, but the tone is the most important thing. And it can't be big, like the Empress and Diamond...

some of my favorite trems (other than the big yellow one of a kind BJFe I love ) are the old Diaz Tremodilla(small box) , Telenordia (really warm sounding) , the Voodoo lab 4 knobber, and the (dont laugh) line6 Tone Core Trem (tap and evelope speed up and panning for stereo, yum)

Well, I've given in and started searching for a Vibutron. I loved the sound of the ZCat, but I'm scared that because it's a digital trem (I think?) plus has probably zero resale value, I may end up with something I won't like in person and couldn't resell. I heard a few others that I liked the sound of for the most part on video, but they were physically too big or complicated. I kinda want features, but I know I won't use them...

So, I'm gonna get a Vibutron, and have John Fromel cram it into an MXR sized box. Hmm... I wonder if it'd fit into an Elfa K-430? Where would I even order those enclosures from, since I'm in the U.S.? Off to the internet......

To update this old thread... I've come full circle, it seems. I ended up getting the Vibutron and after living with it for a while, I decided that I didn't like how dark it made my tone, while engaged. So, I sold it and used my Bearfoot MGMV for trem-like sounds... Then I decided I still wanted straight-up trem... After more exhaustive Youtubing, I ended up getting the Cusack Tap-a-Whirl v3. It was fun, but alas - It had more features than I would ever use (even though I imagined that I would) and really just sounded a bit sterile to me. Good, but maybe a bit too hi-fi... So, I sold it and continued to use my Bearfoot MGMV; thinking I wouldn't buy another trem 'till my name came up on the Powerglide list. Then last night as I'm browsing the Emporium over at TGP, this beauty appears:



Needless to say, I snapped it up in a flash! It's hard to believe I'm finally getting the chance to try one of these. It's what I've really wanted all along, so I'm super excited! Full report to come in a few days....

Nice

thats amazing. Looking forward to a full report.
btw If it does suite your fancy, please let me know.

Thanks, guys! I'm really hoping it's all I've imagined it to be...




* EDIT - The story continues here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4742