The Electro-Harmonix Wiggler is a tube-powered vibrato and tremolo pedal: a single pedal that can either bend the pitch of each note (vibrato) or swell its volume up and down (tremolo). Electro-Harmonix describes it as offering "4 types of note-bending vibrato and true amplitude modulation tremolo", with the whole signal path running through vacuum tubes rather than chips1. The pedal is no longer made: Electro-Harmonix marks it "DISCONTINUED 2020" on its product page1.
What it does
The Wiggler covers both of the classic modulation effects in one box. In vibrato mode it bends the pitch of the note, and Electro-Harmonix says it offers four types of note-bending vibrato. In tremolo mode it uses true amplitude modulation, the traditional way of building a tremolo, where the signal's volume is raised and lowered rhythmically1.
Because the entire signal path is vacuum tube, Electro-Harmonix positions the Wiggler as presenting "the classic sound of the most sought-after modulation effects". The maker describes the result as "Clear and defined amplitude modulation and vibrato with the vacuum tube warmth that older generations once took for granted"1. Two 12AX7WB vacuum tubes come included in the unit1.
For bypass, the Wiggler uses true bypass via a mechanical relay, so the tube circuit is taken out of the chain entirely when the effect is off1.
The Wiggler was discontinued in 2020, so used units are the only route to one. It shipped with two 12AX7WB vacuum tubes, and tube replacement is part of owning any tube pedal.
Where it sits in the Electro-Harmonix tremolo range
Electro-Harmonix has built much of its tremolo line around the Pulsar name, and those pedals remain the current alternatives to the Wiggler's tube approach:
- Electro-Harmonix Pulsar (original)
- Electro-Harmonix Stereo Pulsar
- Electro-Harmonix Super Pulsar
- Electro-Harmonix Nano Pulsar
The Wiggler differs from each of these in its signal path: it is an all-vacuum tube design, which Electro-Harmonix says presents the classic sound of the most sought-after modulation effects, with clear and defined amplitude modulation and vibrato plus the vacuum tube warmth that older generations once took for granted1. It is true bypass using a mechanical relay1, and it was discontinued in 20201.
The difference in character is the signal path: the Wiggler ran its modulation through vacuum tubes, while the Pulsar family are solid-state designs. For more on the effect type itself, see Tremolo Pedals and Vibrato Pedals1.
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Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix Wiggler still made?
No. Electro-Harmonix lists the Wiggler as discontinued as of 2020. It was a tube vibrato and tremolo pedal with an all-vacuum tube signal path, and it shipped with two 12AX7WB vacuum tubes included. Players looking for a current Electro-Harmonix tremolo would need to look at the Pulsar family instead, such as the Nano Pulsar or the Super Pulsar.
What does the Wiggler do to a guitar signal?
The Wiggler offers four types of note-bending vibrato and true amplitude modulation tremolo, meaning it can wobble pitch or swell volume. Electro-Harmonix describes its sound as clear and defined modulation with the vacuum tube warmth that older generations once took for granted, since the whole signal path runs through tubes rather than chips.
Does the Wiggler have true bypass?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix specifies true bypass using a mechanical relay, so when the pedal is off the guitar signal passes through without going through the tube circuitry.
Sources (1)
- Wiggler | DISCONTINUED 2020 | Tube Vibrato / Tremolo - Electro-Harmonix, Electro-Harmonix
