July 2001

SHAKIN' ALL OVER
GUYATONE FLIP SERIES VT-X VINTAGE TREMOLO

By Lisa Sharken

This month we're excited to bring you the inside word on a very cool tube tremolo pedal - the VT-X: the first offering in Guyatone's Flip Series of tube effects.

Housed in an orange metal box measuring 3.5" W x 5.125" L and containing a 12AX7 preamp tube, the VT-X is designed to emulate the deep, warm tone and posh effects created by a tube amp's built-in tremolo circuit.

The VT-X functions in mono and stereo modes. For truest results, we ran it through two late-60's 100 watt Marshall Super Tremolo stacks, then through a solid state Marshall Lead 12 Micro Stack. Our test guitar was a familiar Gibson Les Paul Standard.

The Marshall Super Trems were a great benefit, so we took full advantage of the opportunity to fire up both of them. The pedal's separate outputs allow for true stereo sound by panning the effect between two amps. We plugged each of the outputs into each of the heads. For mono operation, you plug into output 2 only.

Mechanics

The unit's controls are easy to navigate: the "Speed" knob controls the variation of the effect's speed from super slow to very fast. Next, the "Intensity" control varies the wet/dry effect, while the "Tone" control allows you the flexibility of a softer or harder-sounding effect. For further tweaking, the "Slow/Fast" switch alters the speed of the effect to about double, and the "Normal/Emphasis" switch gives the effect even more intensity to what seems about double the setting dialed on the Intensity control knob.

How does it fare against the amp's tremolo?

Well, the VT-X does closely resemble the amp's built-in tremolo. However, its five controls provide a far greater range of input. One of the benefits of the VT-X is the larger spectrum of slow and fast speeds it offers over an amp's built in effect - or even many other tremolo pedals. When used with the two amps, the movement of the effect is magnified as the stereo panning further expands and intensifies the texture. This is a great live setup - and certainly would lend itself to the studio for stereo recording. Even with the solid state Marshall and a mono setup the effect shined - adding warmth and richness far beyond practice-amp status.

Compared to some solid state pedals the VT-X really shines. It offers a wider assortment of sounds and better control over the effect. Furthermore, the tremolo seems to sound more like an inherent part of the amp's sound, rather than an effect dumped on top.

Another important point is there was no noise added to the guitar's signal with the VT-X in the chain. Occasionally, AC-powered boxes can create hum, but that wasn't the case with this one. Another feature to note is the action of the on/off stompswitch, which is super-smooth and silent.

Even if your amp does have built-in tremolo or vibrato, you may prefer the sound of the VT-X. The 12AX7 tube does add the warmth of real tube amp tremolo tone and the effect functions more like an extension of the amp, not like an outboard effect.

The compact size and excellent variety of effects make the VT-X a pedal you'll want to check out.