The Empress S&D Tremolo 2 is a tremolo pedal from Empress Effects, sold through the company's Scratch and Dent program. It is the same Tremolo 2 design as the regular version, offered at a lower price because the enclosure has minor cosmetic marks. Empress Effects also sells a Scratch and Dent Fuzz under the same program1.
What Scratch and Dent means
Empress Effects describes the program this way: the pedals "are functionally working perfectly" but "have small cosmetic flaws such as a smudge on the screenprint, scratches or a powdercoating defect"2. In other words, the difference from a regular Tremolo 2 is on the outside of the box, not in the circuit or the sound.
Price and warranty
The Scratch and Dent version lists at $169.00 USD, against $219.00 USD for the regular version, a difference of $50.00 USD between the two prices2. The discount does not cost the buyer any coverage: Empress Effects states that Scratch and Dent pedals "still get our awesome 2 year warranty that can be extended to 4 years for free by registering your pedal"2.
Scratch and Dent stock is made up of pedals with cosmetic flaws, so availability and the specific flaws vary from unit to unit.
For background on the full-size original and its history, see the Empress tremolo page.
Questions
What is a Scratch and Dent pedal from Empress Effects?
According to Empress Effects, Scratch and Dent pedals are functionally working perfectly but carry small cosmetic flaws, such as a smudge on the screenprint, scratches or a powdercoating defect. The electronics and performance are unchanged, which is why the pedal sells for less than the regular version.
Does the Scratch and Dent version keep the Empress warranty?
Yes. Empress Effects states that Scratch and Dent pedals still carry the company's 2 year warranty, which can be extended to 4 years for free by registering the pedal.
Sources (2)
- S&D Fuzz, Empress Effects Inc.
- S&D Tremolo 2, Empress Effects Inc.
