Johnson FT-2 Fifties Tremolo

Johnson Fifties Tremolo pedal. Rate, depth, and wave knobs. The Fifties Tremolo looks very much like a Boss pedal. Lightweight metal case with metal input and output jacks. The manual is practically non-existent. It doesn't matter though because the pedal is really easy to use.

Bought off eBay for a total of $42.

I had several problems with this pedal. I said "had" because I recently sold the pedal at my local music store.

First off, the pedal sounds a lot more modern than vintage. I have owned a Vox AC30 and other trem pedals -- so I think I know something about tremolo. The Johnson Fifties Tremolo sounds more "How Soon Is Now" than "Crimson and Clover." In fact, it was almost impossible to get a truly vintage sound out of this unit. That's fine, but this pedal is called "Fifties" tremolo. Being a vintage freak, I was disappointed with the sound.

Secondly, the Fifties Tremolo hisses more than any other pedal I've used to date. I tried several different adapters and batteries and the hiss is always there.

I wanted the most inexpensive tremolo pedal I could find. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

I wasn't impressed with this pedal. To me, the "gold standard" of tremolo sound is the Vox AC30. This pedal couldn't even come close -- although I've heard a few other pedals that do.

I've been playing guitar since the late-80s. As I stated above, I've already sold this pedal. I got almost nothing for it as a trade-in. I guess I could have tried to sell it on eBay, but there are already tons of Fifties Tremolo listings there.

I recommend buying a better trem pedal if you're into vintage tremolo.

Easy to use

? Fifties Tremolo Sound
? Rate, Depth and Wave Controls
? Active LED Light
? 1/4" In & Out Jacks
? Extra Large Design

http://www.johnsongtr.com/Fifties_Tremolo.888.0.html

Very good, fast or slow, smooth and deep or hard sharp cutting sound.
sounds very good

No issue here, strong case and goes on and on, dick head who gave it 3 for reliability, no pedal i know works for very long with out dc cable.

Three knobs, Rate, Wave and Depth. A small 'map' included so you know what everything is, but you don't need a proper manual. If you can't figure out how to use this pedal, you need help. Fast.

I always use this pedal on full Depth (level), and even then it don't affect my sound none. I play this pedal through a Carlsbro GLX100, and my signal comes out the other side clean as a whistle. Flavour can be added to your jazz, rock solos, and anything else you want.

It won't break anytime soon, as its a Boss-clone and therefore built like a brick. However, this thing has an appetite for PP3 batteries, and its very hungry. leave the input plugged in for too long, and it'll die on you in no time.

Never had to call 'em, my pedal works fine.

This is a prime example of cheap, foreign gear thrashing the pants off the overpriced stuff. This pedal does just what it needs to, and you don't have to pay for the name on it. top notch, low price. If you want a trem pedal, this one fits the bill without breaking the bank.

This pedal works very well, and is extremely worth the price. I got this thing for $20 on ebay, because the boss version was just way too expensive. This pedal pretty much is the same thing. I dont remember if it came with a manual, but you wont need it.

Sound quality was pretty good. I play an 80's Strat through a Roland Cube amp. This was just an occassional effect I wanted to add, and it has done its job well.

Here's where I'm going to give it a very bad rating. The pedal is great and all, but it eats batteries like you've never seen. I put in a brand new 9v Duracell, and this pedal ate it completely in 3 days. I estimate that of those 3 days, I had it on for maybe a total of 2.5 hours. My advice, buy the power cord, because this is not reliable running of batteries.

Overall, get this pedal if you feel the Boss TR-2 is way overpriced (I think it is). But! ...remember to buy the power supply or you will be single handedly keep energizer in business.

If you cannot figure this one out with a few tweaks of three controls, something is wrong. Does come with instructions, but everything was so straight forward, I didn't even bother.

Like some of the other comments, knew of Johnson instruments and was a little apprehensive when I made the purchase on ebay. But once in a while you get a very pleasant surprise. This is certainly one. This thing is incdredible with everthing from soft to dominating effect. It sounds absolutely incredible. I mostly play it in a daisy chain of pedals thru my Peavey Classic 50 2 x 12 amp, which I have always said with the addition of a tremelo effect would be the world's most perfect amp. Well it is know. I cannot find one thing about this pedal I do not like. My hat is off to Johnson or whomever makes this pedal with their name on it.

I virtually use this pedal every day, and have had for many, many months now. It has been totally a flawless performer. Does not seem to make any difference where it is placed in the chain, it is quiet and sounds and performs great. My chain is an older Ibanez TS10 tube screamer, a Boss DS-2 turbo distortion, a DOD FX80-B compressor/sustainer, the Johnson FT-2, then finally an early DOD DFX-9 digital delay. Since the amp is already so bright and clean, I go in thru the normal input. My Classic 50 is a 93' so no effects loop. This works great. From time to time, I alter the chain with a chorus, a flanger, and a Worley Wah, but the FT-2 is always there. I love the sound of this thing no matter which guitar I use...strat, telecaster, Ibanez Iceman, my Burny Les Paul Custom, or an acoustic/electric dean. Does not seem to matter whether you plug in a single coil equipped guitar or a humbucker gutiar...this thing sounds great. Wonderful with the acoustic as well. Guess you can tell I like this pedal. It is built like a tank from steel that is heavier than most of my boss and dod pedals. So far, very dependable, and nothing makes me think that will change.

Never contacted them since the pedal has been flawless but assume someone would be on the other end of the phone.

I play a little bit of everthing from country, rockabilly, rock, blues, and even a little AC/DC. Been playing for too many years to count, but still learning and certainly not a professional. I do mostly chord work. I like everything about this pedal, and even adds a nice effect with the distortion pedal kicked in. No specific style, just like the 50's/60's vintage rock sound with the lovely tremelo effect. Honestly I play anything in any combination that sounds good to my ears. If it were lost or stolen, wouldn't even look at anything else...would replace it with the same. For my tastes it needs nothing more than it has. It is a great pedal, no matter who makes it.

VERY EASY

SUPER....PERFECT EVEN. I do a lot of recording to studio sound is totaly inportaint to me, box it top stuff. AMAZING sound, YES AMAZING, very warm sounding, really retro. BETTER than any sound i can make with Plugins. Exspencive ones. I haev not used other tremolo Pedals before.. But I know what crap Tremolo's sound like. And this is not Crap, ITS SILKY SMOOTH< OWW. i love it. i can be made to sound HARSH, like REM or soft like old 50s and 60s guitar amps. i use it on a very mild seting, almost so u can hear it, until u turn it off, and u will miss it!!! What else can i say, it clean, sounding, no change in the signal...looks very strong like the boss pedals too! I LOVE IT
I WILL ALWAY USE THIS< I know sound, and this is as good as it gets, i cant imagine what could sound better. I got this on ebay! new!
OK what can i say i dont like. Maybe if u are using a HARD TREMOLO EFECT, and stomped it in a live seting, it may not be in time from when u set it up. Im not sure if that makes sence. I would haev to experment with that. I would go through a gate to do that anyway!

VERY STRONG METAL

It's simple. Stomp it on or off. Three knobs to twiddle. There's the Rate (which adjusts the speed of tremolo modulation), Depth (which mixes the pedals volume level against your guitar's), and Wave (which adjusts between a smooth "triangle" wave to a more drastic "square" wave pattern). I was messing with it for about two minutes before I had it mastered.

I use a Dr Z KT-45 amp with a Z Vex Super Hard On and a couple of Morley Bad Horsie Wahs. This pedal doesn't seem to change my sound. Sometimes you can listen with these cheaper pedals and hear them go even when they are off, so i was listening pretty closely. So far so good. When it is on, it's great! It is pretty versatile for how inexpensive it was. It's very sensitive to tweeking, so you can get a lot of different patterns with minimal effort. I like it.

Well, I'm not too familiar with Johnson. From what it looks like they manufacture a lot of cheap instruments and amps. They are made in China, so the quality is questionable at the very least. However, it was recomended to me by a trusted sound tech here in Madison, WI and I couldn't argue with the price. It has a nice sturdy case. Looks like a Boss pedal. Still, I'm a little aprehensive about it. With all of my experience with cheaper gear, I am not giving it the benefit of the doubt. I'm handling this one with kid gloves.

There is a Warranty, so that is good news. I haven't had any prior history with the company, and this is my first pedal of theirs so I'll just leave this one blank.

I was thinking about getting some boutique pedal to go with my other gear, like a Fulltone or something. Then I thought about how often I will use it, and I decided that it just wasn't worth the money to me. This pedal is an excellent value for what it is, and at this point I am quite pleased with my purchase. I am concerned about the quality of craftsmanship, so the overall rating isn't sparkling for that fact. Still, I recommend you try it out.