Guyatone VT-X Tremolo

Very easy. Speed, Intensity & Tone. There are also speed modes (fast and slow) and an Emphasis mode, which is cool for dialing in funkier, wetter sounds, or rolling it back to a more subtle shift.

Strat > Vox Wah > MXR 90 Phaser > VT-X Trem > T.C. Electronic Chorus/Flange > Boss Tuner > Marshall TSL 60 HEad w/ Silvertone Cab + Fender Vibrolux. Well, the stereo output is where it's at. If you're going to get this pedal, use two amps as the stereo pan fx are KILLER! If you dial in the right speed and finger pick something cool, it just swirls around you - AWESOME, like Radiohead's great "The Bends" period. Perhaps the Voo Doo Vibe is a bit warmer, but the Tone will dial in some botton nicely. The shifts are also quite subtle with the Emphasis taken off, but with it on can get real wet a la "Down by the Seaside" kind of thing. I picked up some radio frequencies with the itensity buried, but I think that's just the grounding of my amp (or lack thereof).

It's a bit early to tell, I've had it a week.

Never had to use it.

The only thing I could ask for is the presets or assigns of a digital unit, but those are the breaks. I'm the lead vocalist, so I hate bending down to change sounds, but that's life!

The manual does an OK job of explaining the controls and their functions, but it doesn't mention squat about the tube, tube change out or using different tubes. The effect itself can be easily set as desired.

I bought this pedal under the notion that it being tube driven it would have a great warm Fender-like tremolo sound, to which it does. However as soon as the guitar signal dies out it is immediatly replaced by a SH-SH-SH-SH-SH sound that varies with the speed setting. Now for a pedal that costs $179 new, it shouldn't make any noise such as that!

Now here we come to a most curios circumstance!
I put a noise gate on to which somewhat helped tame the excess noise problem I was having. Then came the day (about 4 days after I bought it) while in mid song the tremolo sound "died". Suspecting a power failure when I glanced over at it, I was surprised to see the idicator light on it still glowing red!!! I just kept playing and about 10 seconds later the effect came to life again!! The rest of the band looked at me with a what the hell look on their faces, to which I just shrugged my shoulders. However this was the straw that broke the camel's back because I mailed it back to Musician's Friend today for a refund! The noise problem was strike 1 and this problem was strike 2. There wont be a strike 3!

Never delt with them

This pedal is a complete ripoff! I dont mean to slam Guyatone because they make some very good effect pedals. This peice of junk shames their name!

Three knobs - Speed, Intensity, and Tone. Two switches, speed (Fast or Slow Setting) and Emphasis (Normal or Emphasis). The speed switch set to fast is like turning the speed knob to ten, and being able to adjust from there. The Emphasis switch on Emphasis is like turning intensity to ten and being able to adjust from there. Both these switches are really nice, fun and unique additions to a tremolo pedal. They also are small enough that I can manage to change them with my foot providing lots of options. The tone is cool too - cranking towards ten gives you more treble bite. Plus there?s the 12AX7 tube and the requisite 12 volt adaptor to power the effect. All are great features in a tremolo pedal. I can't remember if there was a manual with mine or not, but I found it pretty self-explanatory. There is only one thing missing. One big thing. Really, really missing. A volume knob. I?d give ANYTHING to have the sound this pedal provides coupled with a volume knob to control the boost it comes with. Aside from that ? it?s perfect, and I'd give it a ten. Happily. But without that volume knob . . .

It sounds great with any amp or guitar I've used it with - warm, lush, subtle or extreme - I feel like I can dial in just about anything I want. But that volume boost . . . sigh. It sounds so good though that I try to work around it. I have tried a host of different tubes in it, new tubes, old tubes, 12AX7's, 12AT7's, different brands, and found some work better than others. But no matter what, there's still a boost. And what other effects I'm using ahead of the tremolo in the chain affect how much boost the tremolo provides when engaged.

I do find a little bit of hiss when I engage the pedal. This isn't much of an issue live, but in the studio we've had to pay attention to the signal to noise ratio when using the pedal. The hiss varies depending on what other effects are being used. And again - it just sounds so good that it's worth it.

If I use the effect all the way through the song, it?s fine. If I play a little softer once I engage the effect, I can make it work. If I quickly turn down the volume either with the volume knob on the guitar or my volume pedal, I can make it work. But what I'd give to have a volume knob on the pedal!!!! Oh, would that be ideal!!!! I'd again happily rate this a 10 if it had the volume knob. But without the volume knob . . .

I've had this for well over a year and I bought it used. In that time, other than the volume boost, I've never had any problems with it, and I've never brought a backup to a rehearsal, recording session, or gig. The tube I?ve had in it for about half a year now also seems to be humming along quite happily, which is a good sign.

I did e-mail Guyatone and got very prompt replies. I was told that some volume boost was built into the circuit so the tremolo would cut through better (all well and good in my mind) but that some users didn't find this to taste. Kevin (I think his name was) did suggest some of the alternate tubes I tried and offered to have the unit sent back to take a look at it, but forewarned me that others had done so as well and that he usually found nothing wrong with them. So I'll keep a high grade here for honest, fast, and helpful responses (albeit, not the response I'd hoped to hear).

In summary - if this had an adjustable output, it would be the perfect tremolo pedal. I've also owned a Rocktron Surf tremolo and a Voodoo Lab tremolo and tried the Carl Martin Trem O Vibe. The Carl Martin didn?t sound very impressive. The Rocktron sounded fine, but the volume went down when I used that pedal - something I found even worse than the boost on the Guyatone. The Voodoo Lab also sounds nice (nicer than the Rocktron) but not as nice as the Guyatone. It doesn't have the warmth. Also - short of the flexibility of the volume knob, the Voodoo Lab doesn't have the versatility of settings ? I find I miss the emphasis and speed switches. I also find the Voodoo Lab?s knobs would change the sound too much over too short of a range, while it?s easier to dial in the sound I want on the Guyatone. So if Guyatone could either fix this up to have the volume knob I want, or someone else could retrofit one it (feel free to e-mail me if you have the answer to that one), it would be perfect. But until then, while I plan to keep right on using it, it?s only getting a 6 overall.

I rated this down a little for two reasons: (1) the rate/speed knob covers a lot of territory for a small knob and thus turning it just a little bit can result in a fairly drastic change; it takes a while to get a feel for the enhanced speed and intensity effect switches. The tone knob is subtle, which I happen to like.

Pristine? Well, I'm not sure that captures it, but ... with a good strong tube in it (I use a Tungsram 12AX7A) this thing covers all the sonic turf I need it to - from subtle swell/swoosh-like enhancements to incoming choppers. It nails the traditional tremelo sounds from the 50's and 60's, does a nice swampy tone (think SCOTS/Creedence), and plays real nice with distorted tones (think REM's "Monster" CD). I run the VT-X last in my FX loop chain (anywhere else just plain didn't work with my amp - see below), and its pretty quiet there - a tiny bit of swoosh when on with no signal, but it's hardly noticeable unless you're listening for it or you've got the intensity level cranked. I think the thing is true bypass - it has that type of three pole dual throw switch - and I don't detect any sonic difference until I switch it on. I'm not sure where that one previous reviewer was coming from --- perhaps he was writing about a VT-3, not the VT-X --- or maybe mine was modded by a previous owner.

I bought it used about a year ago, I play weekly, but out of 4 sets worth of songs, I probably use it on only two or three songs -- but, its never let me down. However, its not an integral part of my sound, so I don't have a back-up. It is a solid piece of gear.

I've never dealt with them

I give it a ten. I particularly like the way it will do those "chattering/chopped" type effects (e.g., the chord crash on the Bangle's "Walk Like an Egyptian" or REM's "Blame"). I've been playing for about 20 years, and professionally, off an on, for about 9-10 years in primarily cover bands. Right now main main set-up is a '95 Amer.-made Strat w/Kinman AVn P/U's (these are sweet), into a Budda Bud-Wah, --> the compressor of a Roland GP-8 guitar fx processor (using the GP-8's FX loop)--> Budda Phatman --> Carvin 212 BelAir combi with the GP-8's delay and chorus modules, then the VT-X, set up in the Carvin's FX loop. This is a versatile, though somewhat awkwardly cabled, set up --- it allows me to play just about any style but shred/death/shriek/metal. I didn't really compare the VT-X to other products -- I tried out a VooDoo Labs product, and used the vibrato effect on my old mid-sixties ProReverb as a benchmark. The VT-X is "warmer" (enhanced low-mids) sounding than those, and will color your initial tone accordingly --- that's what's nice about having that tone knob on the VT-X --- you can brighten it back up a bit if desired. I also thought the VooDoo Lab trem was too noisy when no signal was passing through it. The VT-X has everything I need in a tremelo -- a very professional sounding piece of gear in all applications. I'd get another one just like it if I needed to.

easy to get a good trmolo sound.simple knobs.the manual is more of an advert for thier other pedals than a manual.

I use good equiptment,all my other pedals are true bypass,this one is NOT.the reason it isn't is because the volume and tone sucking qualities of this pedal would be far more apparent.i got an external bypass pedal(www.banzai.com)and the signal loss when engaged eff.on or off was horific.very noisy pedal,shwoosh shwoosh shwoosh etc.
as far as tremolo"sound"it'spretty good.

MADE IN JAPAN

i play fifties rock in one band $$$;alt.rockjazz fusion in an other,this pedal just diddn't make the grade.i'm going to sell mine and will never buy another guatone prod.in my opinion and not to be to blunt this pedal is a tone robbing noise maker.I've learned from my mistake!If you are considering this pedal do yourself a favor and A/B it and compare it to other trem.pedals(demeter trem.,fulltone supratrem,voodoo lab tremolo,tremodillo,carl martin)

This effect is very easy to use, probably the easiest of the trem pedals out there.

I use the VT-X with a Guild Starfire IV, Fender American Standard Tele, and a Fender Custom Tele. It works great with all of them! The only Tremelo effect that I've heard that is better is on the Vibrolux, go figure. No noise to speak of, although I did experiance a drop out put. I contacted Guyatone and they replaced it.

Like I said I had only one problem, and Kevin sent me a new one. I think just like all things in eletronic you can get one that is not up to par.

I dealt with Kevin in the return of the pedal, and he was a pleasure to deal with. What a great asset to the company.

I lead worship at the church I'm on staff at, and this effect has been a good fit for me. I use with a Fender Blonde Blues Junior, and a Ampeg Reverbrocket 212. 15 and 50 watts tube respectively. Very sweet sounding, and I dig the wide range of control on it. If it were stolen? I'D REPLACE IT!

Very easy to use, 3 knobs(not the sturdiest looking), 2 switches. Good sounds straight out of the box. Tweak to taste. Small manual, easy enough to use without it.

I use this at the end of the effects chain prior to splitting off stereo into 2 Fender Pro Juniors. I play a Warmoth strat with EMG SA pickups. I did not notice any noise to speak of. You can get whatever sounds you would want from a tremolo from this thing. The sound speaks for itself.

Appears to be roadworthy. I would mount it on a pedalboard. Get a cheapie tremolo as a back up when gigging.

I hear Guyatone has good customer service. I wouldn't hesitate in contacting them if need be.

I play all kinds of music, ambient and experimental is my calling. This fits those styles well.
I have been playing a long time (20+ years). I own many guitars and even more effects. I would certainly repurchase this pedal if lost or stolen. I enjoy finding a quality effect pedal, this IS a quality effect pedal.
I have a Boss PN-2 and there is no comparison. It has got to be the best tremolo pedal out there. I am unaware of anything else that sounds as warm and buttery as this pedal sounds. You can get a wide range of effects that go from subtle to extreme.
As with most electronic devices you get nowadays the wall wart is the bane of pedal effects. A small price to pay though for the sounds you get.
I use this pedal with a synthesizer and it is sweet on the Rhodes presets. The stereo outputs are a plus, especially with my set up.
It is inspiring to play through this pedal it can really sweeten passages of music. You can't go wrong with this one.

plain and simple. three knobs, two very kool switches to play with (normal/emphasis and slow/fast). never looked at the manual. you can even jimmy the switches with your big toe, if you're good.

this thing souds like a champ. and I don't mean the old fender amps. it's a figure of speech. super-warm throbbing trem, slow as hell if you want it... or robot-like too-fast tones, all waiting to sound even kooler with the emphasis switch.

no problems.

n/a

I play all kinds of shit. and this thing is perfect for it. I run it thru an analog delay (maxon - recommended), cry baby, whammy II... a whole bunch of shit.

Wow!?! Has a lot of whistles and bells, ins and outs! I used to turn a knob! Now... there's always so many to choose from. I started with and Super Reverb in 1967... carried one heavy piece in to gigs, along with a Tele or a Tennessean. The same stuff these days??? A Bedrock Royale, Vox Pacemaker, '63 Reissue Fender Reverb, an SKB with a sliding shelf, Real Tube preamp, Behringer mixer, Guyatone VTX, power/surge strip with lights, Rack-mount tuner, DanEcho, a FS for reverb, a FS for boost/clean, two A/B boxes and a twenty-foot snake. Is the VTX easy to use? Sure... its only got four wires, six knobs and a switch! If that's not easy I don't know what is!! Sound???!!??
Holy s**t! It's the best four I've ever heard!!! Manual? Yeah, never looked at it.

Deep, Rich, Syrupy, Shocking, Unnerving, Smooth, Soft, Stuttering, Warbling, Intoxicating, Painfully slow, Heart Attack Speed!
Good thru one amp! Good through two amps. Must have A/B to do! Good preamp! Sounds good! Good! Good! ...and Good!

Seems solid, too early to tell. I'll bang it around for 2-3 years and write back.

I will call the company after I bang it around for 2-3 years.

I real love this thing. It does more than what I need, but it just added to my eclectic, almost schizo, arsenal. Why am I playing John Lee Hooker, Muddy and Charlie Patton in the set before I play Pipeline and Secret Agent Man?!? Are my 110 knobs and switches not enough?!? Will they let me take all this to the Mental Health Center or Nursing Home in a few years?!? Did my bird just poop in my coffee?!? Will they indeed lock me up?!?
I believe the VTX has the best sound of any I have ever used. It is more powerful than the trem in my Vox, more wide ranging than my rackmount Yamaha FX500 was. I tried the VOODOO labs, and chose the Guyatone.

Unreal! What can I say? This box gets a gorgeous, beautiful sound straight from the box! In my own opinion, I feel this device sounds BETTER than any amplifier's built-in tremolo circuit. It easily NAILS the famous Fender or Vox Tremolo in no time flat. Three control knobs; Speed, Intensity, and TONE [what a great addition this is] along with two independent slider switches. The first slider gives you dual control over fast and slow speed settings while the second slider has a "normal" and "emphasis" setting [this setting takes the VT-X into "Throb City" at the drop of a hat]. Think of the "emphasis" switch as a way of going from softer sounding tremolo(s) into "The Outer Limits"--DEEP, INTENSE and THICK. The VT-X has been extremely well thought out in its design/engineering. The pedal's sonic bombast immediately lets you know you've bought the finest tremolo pedal imaginable. Don't forget the VT-X has STEREO ouputs, TOO [unlike quite a few of the competing tremolo products]! The stereo option really intensifies your pleasure and fun by a BIG factor. The bottom line? This is THE KIND. The VT-X will quickly get you any type of tremolo you need/want, even dipping into the Magnatone-style sounds as well. It comes with a manual but this is quite simple and painless to use.

I used a 1996 Stratocaster for these tests with various amplifiers; A new Komet 50 watt head, vintage Marshall heads with a few different 4-12 Marshall 1960A cabinets from varying periods. Also in attendance was a new Vox Cambridge 30 Reverb and Peavey Classic 30 combo with 112E extension cabs. The VT-X has a separate power supply that does a great job keeping it quiet and noise-free. No batteries allowed in this one [and for good reason from what I can hear]! The clear winner all the way around for any type of music.

Built like a brick sh**house so I don't believe that reliability will be an issue at all [except the possibility of changing a 12AX7 preamp tube in the very distant future]. I would not take a backup to a gig or session.

Godlyke is at the top of their game when it comes to customer support.
Kevin is the best around [in this country, anyway]!

I forgot to mention that the VT-X is a highly attractice orange color and it's slim profile is a plus in the pedalboard department. Sleek and sexy with sounds that make you smile!