The Sentimental Bob Electronics Tacana Tap Tremolo is a compact amplitude tremolo pedal with tap tempo, built by the small builder Sentimental Bob Electronics. Amplitude tremolo is the classic kind: it raises and lowers the volume of the signal in a repeating pattern, the same effect vintage amp tremolo circuits produce. Guitar Pedal X described it as "a beautifully sparkly 16-Waveform Amplitude Tremolo with Tap Tempo"1, and its reviewer placed it firmly in that tradition, calling it "one of the finest vintage amp Bias / Amplitude style tremolos of its kind overall"1.
What it does
The Tacana's headline feature is its waveform selection. A Waveform selector knob gives access to 8 Standard waves and 8 Alternative waves, ranging from normal Sine and Triangle waveforms to Quad Pulse and Ramp +Oct2. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found that variety made "each and every one of these modes a blast to experiment with"2. On top of the 16 waves, a Shape (Wave Symmetry) control adjusts the width and peaks of the waveform when moved from its default centered position, distorting the wave and changing the duty cycle between the upper and lower peaks12.
Guitar Pedal X's reviewer described the character as having "quite a bright and sparkly almost springy profiles at times, while it can also be really smooth and subtle"1. For a player, that range is the point: the same pedal covers a gentle amp-style wobble and harder-edged pulsing patterns depending on the wave chosen.
Controls and tap syncing
The Volume, Depth and Speed knobs cover standard tremolo functions2, and there is an internal trimpot to set the maximum level of the Volume output2. Two footswitches handle switching: a Bypass Footswitch and a Tap Tempo Footswitch1.
- Tap Division: a tempo multiplier that determines the final LFO frequency, allowing double or half-speed or triplet times against the tapped tempo2
- Momentary mode: double-clicking the Bypass Footswitch switches the pedal into Momentary mode, indicated by a green LED1
- External sync: a 3.5mm External Tap/Sync input socket on the right side of the pedal, with an internal jumper switch to sync by latching or via 5V gate pulses1
The external sync socket is what sets the Tacana apart from most compact tremolos: with the internal jumper set, it can follow another pedal's clock or a gate signal rather than only its own tap1.
Where it came from
The first edition of the Tacana emerged in early 2018, with block labels similar to the Tacana logo that have since been refined1. It was not Sentimental Bob's first tremolo, but rather a sequel to the somewhat larger four-knob Lunana Tap Tremolo, with the format shrunk down to compact dimensions1. Pedal of the Day reviewed it in March 2020, covering its tap tempo, waveform selector and external sync jack2.
The Tacana is a small-builder pedal. Guitar Pedal X's September 2024 article listed it at around $150 plus VAT/tax and shipping, and noted the choice of Black, Red or White knobs1.
For more on how this kind of effect works and what else is available, see the site's Tremolo Pedals page.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Sentimental Bob Tacana have tap tempo?
Yes. The Tacana is a tremolo pedal with Tap Tempo functionality, built around a dedicated Tap Tempo footswitch. A Tap Division control acts as a tempo multiplier, determining the final LFO frequency so the effect can run at double or half speed or in triplet time against the tapped tempo. There is also a 3.5mm external Tap/Sync input on the right side of the pedal for syncing from outside.
How is the Tacana different from the Lunana Tap Tremolo?
The Tacana was not Sentimental Bob's first tremolo. It is a sequel to the larger four-knob Lunana Tap Tremolo, with the format shrunk down to compact dimensions. Both are tap tempo amplitude tremolos, but the Tacana condenses the design into a smaller enclosure while keeping the waveform selection, shape control and tap syncing.
Can the Tacana be used in momentary mode?
Yes. According to Guitar Pedal X, double-clicking the Bypass Footswitch switches the pedal into Momentary mode, which is indicated by a green LED. That lets the tremolo engage only while the switch is held, useful for pulsing a note or chord in time rather than leaving the effect on continuously.
How much does the Sentimental Bob Tacana cost?
Guitar Pedal X listed the Tacana at around $150, plus VAT or tax and shipping, as of its September 2024 article. As a small-builder pedal, availability and pricing can vary, so the figure should be read as the reviewer's listed price at that date rather than a fixed retail price.
What knob colors does the Tacana come in?
Guitar Pedal X reports that buyers can elect to have Black, Red or White knobs on the Tacana, making the knob color a choice rather than a fixed part of the design.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-09-18
- Sentimental Bob Electronics Tacana Tap Tremolo, Pedal of the Day, 2020-03-21
