The Danelectro Filthy Rich Tremolo is a compact tremolo pedal from Danelectro's Billionaire line. Tremolo is repetitive amplitude modulation, turning the volume up and down, and it was included in guitar amps built as early as the 1940s1. What sets this pedal apart from most tremolo pedals is its stated source material: the tremolo circuit found on Danelectro's own amplifiers from the late 1940s, which the company brought back for the Billionaire series23.
Guitar Interactive Magazine reported at launch that the pedal "accurately replicates the original Danelectro amplifier tremolo tones from the 1940's, providing lush, fat, pulsing trem"4. For a player, that means a vintage amp-style pulse in a stompbox, with two distinct tremolo characters selectable from a single toggle switch.
What it does: a 1940s Danelectro amp tremolo in a pedal
Tremolo was commonly found built into many '60s tube amps, such as Fender's Vibrolux and the Vox AC307, but Danelectro's version goes back further. Pedal of the Day describes the pedal as "based on a thick, deep amplifier tremolo from the 1940's, which was invented by Danelectro," and says the Filthy Rich "seeks to replicate and bring back that technology, for one of the richest tremolo tones ever heard"5.
MusicRadar's review likewise reports the circuit as "apparently based on the tremolo found on Danelectro amps from the late 1940s"2. So where many tremolo pedals chase the smooth pulse of a 1960s Fender or Vox, this one aims at an earlier, thicker amplifier tremolo from Danelectro's own history.
The controls: Hard and Soft modes, Depth and an internal boost
The top panel is simple. Two knobs control the Speed, or Rate, and the Depth, or Intensity, of the tremolo effect, and a lone toggle selects between the two modes5. Guitar.com's review lists the full control set as Speed, 2x depth knobs, a hard/soft mini switch and a bypass footswitch6.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed knob | Sets the Rate of the tremolo5 |
| Depth knob | Sets the Depth, or Intensity, of the effect; works on the Soft setting only25 |
| Hard/Soft toggle | Chooses between Soft mode and Hard mode5 |
| Internal trim pot | Level-compensating volume boost, adjusted inside the pedal26 |
| Bypass footswitch | Switches the effect in and out6 |
The two modes are very different characters. MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen describes Soft mode as "a much gentler sine wave tremolo reminiscent of 1960s Fender amps, which can go from a skittery flutter to a deep throb"2. Hard mode is the opposite shape: "a square wave tremolo that's almost an on/off stutter effect as it has a preset depth and doesn't go to complete" silence2. Pedal of the Day frames the same choice as "the smoother, more relaxing Soft mode, and the tougher, biting, choppy aspects of the Hard mode"5.
One point worth knowing before buying: the Depth knob only comes into play on the Soft setting2. In Hard mode the depth is preset, so if you want control over how deep the pulse sits, Soft mode is where that happens.
Because tremolo can make the perceived level drop as the effect deepens, Danelectro fitted an internal trim pot for a level-compensating boost2. Guitar.com's Michael Watts put it plainly: "Danelectro has got you covered with a trim pot inside the pedal to give the volume a cheeky bump"6. The adjustment is made inside the enclosure rather than on the panel.
History: the Billionaire line and the Tuna Melt
What reviewers said
Reviews across the line were positive about the sound. Guitar.com's verdict centered on the two modes: "What really sets the Filthy Rich Tremolo apart is the quality of sound in both soft and hard settings, it's very musical and very easy and fun to use"6. Pedal of the Day concluded that "the Filthy Rich lives up to its name...in tone, at least"5. MusicRadar's review praised the pairing of the two tremolo types, calling it "two classy tremolo options in a compact setting with simple operation," and listed the price as a plus2.
"Two classy tremolo options in a compact setting with simple operation."
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Questions
What is the difference between the Hard and Soft settings on the Filthy Rich Tremolo?
Soft mode is a gentler sine wave tremolo that MusicRadar's reviewer compared to 1960s Fender amps, ranging from a skittery flutter to a deep throb, and it is where the Depth knob does its work. Hard mode is a square wave tremolo that is almost an on/off stutter effect, with a preset depth that does not go to complete silence.
Is the Danelectro Filthy Rich the same circuit as the Tuna Melt?
MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen notes that the Filthy Rich's control set is the same as the previous Tuna Melt pedal. The Filthy Rich is presented as part of the Billionaire line, which Danelectro introduced for its 70th anniversary, and its stated basis is the tremolo found on Danelectro amps from the late 1940s.
How do I adjust the internal volume trim pot on the Filthy Rich Tremolo?
The pedal has an internal trim pot for a level-compensating boost, so the adjustment is made inside the enclosure rather than on the top panel. Guitar.com's reviewer described it as a trim pot inside the pedal that gives the volume a bump, useful because tremolo can make the overall level seem quieter as the effect deepens.
Does the Depth knob work in Hard mode?
No. MusicRadar's review states that the Depth knob only comes into play on the Soft setting. Hard mode runs at a preset depth, which the reviewer describes as not going to complete silence, so depth shaping is only available in Soft mode.
Sources (7)
- SolidGoldFX Stutterbox Tremolo Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2011-07-05
- Danelectro Filthy Rich Tremolo review, MusicRadar, 2018-04-30
- Danelectro Unveils New Line Of Pedals Called BILLIONAIRE, Delicious Audio, 2017-10-10
- Danelectro launch Billionaire Pedals, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2018-01-16
- Billionaire by Danelectro Filthy Rich Tremolo, Pedal of the Day, 2018-12-27
- Danelectro Billionaire Pedals, Guitar.com, 2018-03-21
- Best tremolo pedals for guitar: Shake up your tone, MusicRadar, 2019-10-23
