The Henretta Engineering H-Bomb Trembrato is an all-analog pedal that puts tremolo and vibrato in one box, each effect with its own speed and depth controls. It comes from St. Paul, Minnesota-based Henretta Engineering's line of handmade pedals, and Premier Guitar reviewed it in August 2021 at a street price of $1751.
Controls
The Trembrato gives each effect its own pair of knobs, so tremolo and vibrato can be shaped and blended independently1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tremolo speed and depth | Independent speed and depth controls for the tremolo effect1 |
| Vibrato speed and depth | Independent speed and depth controls for the vibrato effect1 |
| Depth knobs (both effects) | Blend the two effects, or remove them from the mix entirely at minimum settings1 |
| Internal trim pot: master volume | Sets overall level; useful for overcoming perceived volume loss from tremolo1 |
| Internal trim pot: bias | Internal bias adjustment1 |
Tremolo and vibrato together
Because both effects run side by side with separate depth controls, the pedal works as a blender as much as a pair of effects. At minimum depth settings either effect drops out of the mix entirely, which lets you dial in anything from one effect alone to a blend of both1.
The tremolo side drew particular praise in Premier Guitar's review:
"With speed and depth both around noon, the Trembrato's tremolo rivals the lushness of the trem on my vintage Ampeg Gemini II."
What it lacks
The Trembrato is a straightforward analog design. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted the lack of digital control goodies like tap tempo, and suggested that may be a concern for some players1. If you want preset syncing or tempo matching, that is the trade-off against the pedal's simpler control layout.
The master volume and bias adjustments are internal trim pots, not panel knobs, so changing them means opening the pedal up.
Henretta Engineering's other combination pedals
The Trembrato is part of Henretta's H-Bomb line, which Premier Guitar noted features tone-shaping controls1. The maker has a history of two-effects-in-one pedals: the Lake Effect combined the Bluebird Fuzz with the Crimson Tremolo, and the Tremble Tank paired the Moody Blue Reverb with the Crimson Tremolo, with an effect-order toggle. For more on the effect itself, see Tremolo Pedals and Vibrato Pedals.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Woodbrass
Questions
Does the Henretta H-Bomb Trembrato have tap tempo?
No. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted the lack of digital control goodies like tap tempo, and suggested that may be a concern for some players. The pedal is all-analog and keeps its controls to speed and depth knobs for each effect, plus two internal trim pots for master volume and bias.
How much does the Henretta H-Bomb Trembrato cost?
Premier Guitar's August 2021 review listed a street price of $175 for the H-Bomb Trembrato.
Can you use the tremolo and vibrato at the same time on the H-Bomb Trembrato?
Yes. The pedal carries tremolo and vibrato together, each with its own speed and depth controls. Premier Guitar's reviewer found the depth knobs are key to blending the two effects, and at minimum settings they can remove either effect from the mix entirely.
How do you fix volume drop on the H-Bomb Trembrato?
The pedal has an internal trim pot for master volume. Premier Guitar's reviewer found it especially useful for overcoming the perceived volume loss associated with tremolo effects, so perceived volume drop can be addressed by adjusting that internal control.
Sources (1)
- Henretta H-Bomb Trembrato Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-09-14
