The Fredric Effects West Germany Vintage Tremolo is a tremolo pedal that reworks the classic West German pedal circuit into a compact, MXR-sized enclosure. Fredric Effects describes it as "a new version of one of the best sounding classic tremolo circuits," aimed at players who want that vintage-style wobble in a modern, pedalboard-friendly box1.
What it does to your sound
Fredric Effects describes the West German circuit as "famed for it's warmth, with a smooth waveform (not choppy or stuttery like some trems) akin to that found" on vintage Fender amps1. In plain terms, the volume modulation is rounded rather than abrupt, so the effect swells in and out instead of chopping. Players who find some tremolos too hard-edged are the audience for that kind of waveform.
Controls and features
The pedal keeps its control set deliberately small:
- Depth: the maker calls it "a more useful depth control," a description Premier Guitar's press release also carried when the pedal was announced12
- Flashing LED rate indicator: the LED flashes at the tremolo's rate while the effect is engaged, giving a visual read on speed1
Availability and price
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Questions
How much does the Fredric Effects West Germany Vintage Tremolo cost?
The maker's product page lists the pedal at £140 GBP. When Fredric Effects first announced the pedal in September 2013, Premier Guitar reported it available at £90 each, so the price has changed over the pedal's life. The price is given in pounds sterling as stated by the maker; it is not a US dollar figure.
Does the Fredric West Germany tremolo sound like a Fender amp tremolo?
The maker describes the circuit as famed for its warmth, with a smooth waveform akin to that found on vintage Fender amps, and notes it is not choppy or stuttery like some tremolo pedals. That description comes from Fredric Effects itself, so it reflects the maker's own account of the circuit rather than an independent reviewer's measurement.
What does the LED on the Fredric West Germany Vintage Tremolo do?
When the effect is engaged, the pedal's LED flashes in time with the tremolo's rate, acting as a rate indicator. That gives a visual reference for the speed of the effect even when the pedal is not being watched closely on a dark stage.
Is the Fredric Effects West Germany Vintage Tremolo still available?
Premier Guitar reported the pedal available now when Fredric Effects announced it in September 2013, alongside the Foxrite and Mutant Fuzz. The maker's own product page currently lists it for sale at £140, so the pedal remains in the maker's range.
Sources (2)
- West Germany Vintage Tremolo, fredric.co.uk
- Fredric Effects Launches New Fuzz & Tremolo Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2013-09-20