The JHS 3 Series Harmonic Tremolo is a tremolo pedal from JHS Pedals, part of the company's 3 Series line of affordable, simple pedals. It is JHS's take on the harmonic tremolo effect that Leo Fender created in 1960, when he introduced the circuit into his Bandmaster and Vibrasonic guitar amps1.
Unlike an ordinary tremolo, which simply raises and lowers the overall volume, a harmonic tremolo is "a modulation effect that splits the signal into high and low-frequency channels"2. The result, as Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described it, is "a dreamy tremolo effect reminiscent of the Uni-Vibe"2.
What it does
The pedal works in two modes. Guitar World reported that one mode emulates the vintage, Uni-Vibe-style effect, while the other is JHS's own take on a conventional harmonic tremolo1. The toggle switch selects between them2.
The controls are deliberately simple, in keeping with the rest of the 3 Series2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Dictates the overall output level1 |
| Rate | Sets the speed of the tremolo1 |
| Depth | Sets the intensity of the effect1 |
| Toggle switch | Selects between the two modes12 |
A flashing LED corresponds to the speed control, and flickers depending on how high the Rate parameter is set, giving a visual cue for the tremolo's speed1.
Background and the 3 Series
JHS released the Harmonic Tremolo alongside the Octave Reverb as part of its 3 Series line, with both pedals available now for $991. Like all 3 Series pedals, it keeps the format simple: Volume, Rate and Depth controls, with Volume dictating the overall output1.
Gearnews' Jef wrote in September 2022 that he believed it was the first time JHS had made these circuits3. The circuit's lineage goes back to 1960, when Fender's Harmonic Tremolo was introduced to the Bandmaster and Vibrasonic amplifiers3.
JHS also makes other tremolo pedals with different feature sets, including the tap tempo JHS Kodiak 500 and the JHS Honey Comb Deluxe. The Harmonic Tremolo sits in the budget 3 Series line and does not include tap tempo. For more on the effect type generally, see Tremolo Pedals.
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Questions
What is a harmonic tremolo?
A harmonic tremolo splits the guitar signal into high and low frequency channels and modulates them, rather than simply chopping the whole signal's volume. Leo Fender introduced the circuit in 1960 in his Bandmaster and Vibrasonic amplifiers. JHS's pedal is a stompbox take on that effect, with one mode emulating the vintage Uni-Vibe-style sound and another offering the company's own conventional harmonic tremolo.
How much does the JHS Harmonic Tremolo cost?
The Harmonic Tremolo launched at $99, the same price as every other pedal in JHS's 3 Series range, and was available at that price when announced in September 2022.
What are the controls on the JHS Harmonic Tremolo?
The pedal has three knobs, Volume, Rate and Depth, plus a toggle switch. Volume sets the overall output level, Rate sets the speed of the effect, and Depth sets its intensity. A flashing LED corresponds to the speed control and flickers depending on how high the Rate knob is set.
Sources (3)
- JHS Pedals adds $99 Harmonic Tremolo and Octave Reverb to its 3 Series range, Guitar World, 2022-09-26
- JHS 3 Series Harmonic Tremolo, Delicious Audio, 2022-12-13
- JHS 3 Series Harmonic Tremolo and Octave Reverb revealed, www.gearnews.com, 2022-09-28
