Tremolo Before Overdrive? and the Pops Staples "Shake" - ASK ZAC EP 23

[@jesseleite]

Oh, I just asked you about pedal trem vs amp trem the other day, and now there's a video? Loving your content man, thank you!

[@AskZac]

Welcome!!!!!

[@christianlacheze3323]

My favourite tremolo is the built in trem in my 63 ( brownface) Princeton. It just sings…

[@mohamedtlass3842]

@@christianlacheze3323 it does indeed!

[@Esquire-ul9xs]

Relaxing voice and a Tele... yeah my kinda channel!

[@BobcatOneManBand]

I utilize tremolo or vibrato (both via my keeley hydra pedal) on almost every song in my set. As a one-man band, I enjoy having that extra movement on my sound, making the music more danceable. That's why I gave up on my uni-vibe pedal because I had such a hard time dialing in the speed to the rhythm of the music

[@markm668]

Loving these Zac, made all the better (just like your pals over at 5 watt world) by the fact it's driven by passion as opposed sales. It separates you guys from the rest of the crowd. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, much appreciated.

[@bddmhopp5]

Thanks for playing more. I love it when you talk about a player and give an example of their playing. Nice touch with your gentle left hand. I’m sure it adds to defining your tone. Great video. Thanks.

[@fivewattworld]

You had me at “Leventhal”...another great video Zac!

[@AskZac]

Thanks, Keith!!

[@jaysmith418]

I have never thought about putting tremolo before an overdrive, so this was great encouragement to try that. The sound of that overdrive, tree pedal and your amp was GREAT!

[@AskZac]

Thank you my friend

[@BartDietvorst]

I've had the trem on my pedalboard setup like that always; it's great! Thanks Zac!

[@BrothaVoodoo]

I'm a firm believer in Fender amp tremolo. Pops Staple and Robert Ward are huge influences on my sound. Thanks for posting this.

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

I loved this video (and I learned something, too!)... It reminded me of an interview I read with Marty Stuart, in Guitar Player, probably 25 years ago: He was talking about producing Pops Staples's solo record and recalled that, when he asked Pops what he would need, once he flew into Nashville, Pops said (I'm paraphrasing; it's been a quarter century/lol) "Oh, please just rent me a Cadillac and a '65 with some shake on it." Marty said that after they hung up he had to call a mutual friend and ask what a "'65 with some shake on it" was. A Fender amp with trem... I love that story so much.

[@AskZac]

He called Mavis!!!!

[@revchadbrooks]

Stanley Culler I’ve heard this story before and I love it every time.

[@StanleyCullerEsq.]

@@AskZac Of course he did... How in the world did my memory lose THAT detail/lol?

[@raphaelcarpenter4685]

Yes!! Finally someone who understands this (and not just the cliche trem after delay/reverb). I learned this trick from Tom Morello as you can tell his tremolo sounds like it’s before his overdrive.

[@rjtiman]

Treble before gain. That's a game changer for me. Thanks so much!

[@skeletonpete]

Zac - Thanks for some love on a ubiquitous yet often taken for granted effect. My favorite scene in "It Might Get Loud" is watching Jimmy Page's face light up as he describes Link Wray's use of Tremelo/Vibrato while spinning his own 45rpm copy of "Rumble." He becomes a 12 year old again. Listen to "Immigrant Song" to hear how Mr. Page applied the effect himself.

[@roscoenyc]

Enjoyed that Zac. Glad to see somebody else who likes Trem before Dirt. The internets go crazy with the "conventional wisdom" whenever I post a pic of my little board. Best to you.

[@aaronashear3002]

Excellent food for thought. Thanks for the playing examples to examine the differences.

[@ranchoricardo]

Great video, Zac! Thanks so much! Tremolo is my favorite effect. The record I always go back to when I'm in the mood for great tremolo tones is Dylan's, "Oh Mercy". There's tremolo all over that album. One of the first amplifiers I bought was an Ampeg Jet 12-T, specifically for the tremolo. One of the best trem circuits I've ever played through. I also run a trem pedal before my drives which allows me to have trem before drives (pedal) or after drives (amp). Looking forward to whatever you've got planned next!

[@markmcara963]

Hey Richard, I just came back to re-watch this episode and reading through comments stumbled across yours. Checked out your Dylan album recommendation, listening for first time with headphones on and it’s just brilliant!! Cheers 👍

[@b.rodclark7349]

The origination of the tremolo effect came in the form of the DeArmond Model 601 tremolo pedal after WWII in the late-1940s...the first effect pedal made used by Pops Staples, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters on 1953's 'Flood' and possibly Link Wray on his 1958 instrumental 'Rumble' among other users of the time and few since then... thanks for the great video!

[@frankadams4586]

Digging your nod to "Polk Salad Annie" at the beginning. Great info Zac!

[@markg1051]

Thanks and great video Zac. I'm a recent subscriber and really enjoying these videos of yours. This is the first time I've commented here and heard anyone make distinction between different order of trem in the signal chain. I always thought Ry Cooder had it in front of distortion in some of his recordings. Try it on a slower but deeper setting and some slow slide playing, it's just heavenly the trem depth kind of converts into a "width" as the signal going into the overdrive increases on the upswing. Hope this makes sense. Thanks again for great and very informative content! Cheers and stay well.

[@AskZac]

I don’t know what Ry does. But I know I like trem first

[@macys5076]

What a wonderful clean Fendery tone you have.

[@AskZac]

Thank you kindly!

[@glenhill7604]

Thank's Zac. Yet another great video. Very different sound this way round , interesting !!! . At the moment I'm having another re-think on my sound and set up, must try this .

[@robertprice5039]

I have the Keeley Verb-O-Trem, so I am forced to put at the end of the pedalboard, but that trem before od was interesting.

[@thomasrose7713]

Staples “Tell Heaven” Pops holds it all to gether! Thanks Zac enjoyed this greatly!

[@dr2675]

I place an overdrive, or boost pedal, always on after my pedal-board. I think of it as a part of the amp, it's my amp system. Usually I use an ODR-1 set with volume pushing the input a little, just a bit of gain and maybe a touch of of the tone control, maybe 1 o'clock. It's like having your amp opened up a little, so it's just breaking up (or more depending on what you want), then I use my volume knob. I find the cleans are nicer and clearer (kinda like Hendrix with the Fuzz Face with his volume knob rolled back). Everything sticks to it better. Delays. Reverb. Tremolo. Rotary. Even other drive pedals. It makes your Fuzz sound better. Give it a try.

[@bobbiemiles-foremaniii8747]

This sounds like a really good idea actually. I'm thinking about doing this with the odr off board and somewhere I can reach easily maybe on top of my amp. I feel like this will allow me to dial in my sound more easily since I'm getting all of my dirt from pedals into a twin

[@jonny1251]

Just wanted to say I've been really enjoying your channel! I'm happy I found it.

[@AskZac]

Very kind, thank you

[@SweetPicklenation]

Ask should have a 20k likes. Great stuff!

[@buddhamus]

Cool video. I'm just putting together my first mini-board using three MXR pedals (Mini-Dyna Comp, Duke of Tone, and Tremolo). I was going to set it up with the OD before Trem, but I really like the sound of the Trem before OD. Thanks for the tip.

[@MrMd5555]

Its interesting how much you can change your tone & overall vibe just by messing with signal chain. This is probably a great way to break out of a rut, some people go & buy a Gretch or some expensive obscure nitch piece of gear to explore new uncharted avenues but just reordering pedal signal chain or tinkering with an old pedal that you haven't used in years can be very effective at achieving similar results to reignite that old love of guitar! Can't wait to try this when I get home! Thanks again zac for demonstrating something simple but so useful!

[@misguided6876]

Man when you pulled out “Born on the Bayou” I felt it

[@SD_UK]

Thanks, I'd never considered it. - and I've only got 4 pedals on my board .. TR-2 going in front of the OD for a spin now.

[@gobigrey9352]

Mike Campbell always used the tremolo well. "Room at the top" is a great example. Also nice overdriven tremolo on "Forgotten Man"

[@darrellm3410]

Gotta love Mike Campbell. Him and Jim Valence

[@brianwood7237]

Love my Voodoo Labs Tremelo pedal...super cool vibey sounds...especially with a good tele😎

[@brianrollins7275]

Thanks for the video, I appreciate it. I just bought the Tidewater Tremolo from JHS and I didn’t like it until I put it before my overdrive/distortion. If I turn the depth all the way down it becomes a boost and it just works better before dirt for me. Yes Trem is modulation but it changes volume not pitch so for me it’s better used in the beginning of my chain. Great playing by the way. Take care ✌🏻

[@GradyHord]

I also like to use a trem pedal that has a volume control as a clean boost. Great in a pinch...turn the depth down and up the volume on the trem. The Black Cat trem is great for both. Thank you for all the info Zac

[@Guitarplayer724]

I kinda liked the amp tremolo a bit more. Slightly fuller effect. Great video, thanks Zac!

[@bradleyt]

Zac....I think you can read my mind!! Thanks for the videos

[@Glicksman1]

Zac, you are one of my favourite people on the Tube. Love your whole attitude and delivery. Just want you to know. Long may you wave. BTW, one classic user of tremolo was Duane Eddy on number of songs. Using clean-set Fender amps, he usually sets the depth very high and the speed at approximately 1/16th note to the tempo of the song along with a lot of reverb. Another interesting use of trem is to set the speed at maximum and the depth very low to create a kind of "shimmer", which also works well with lots of reverb (again, reverb first). Stay healthy and safe. Cheers, mate.

[@57ebartley]

I run a Supro Trem almost always in the harmonic Trem mode after my gain pedals , and delays. Man it is awesome. The supro has its own gain preamp built in. That’s probably the effect that you like running the Trem into the gain pedals.

[@BillyjoeDaniel]

Stumbled upon the combo putting a Demeter tremulator before a couple drive pedals The tremulator has a little boost and “character” so you can add less gain after the fact to achieve spongy drive results. (a TS style , Timmy & Lenny pedals sounded cool with this order) Looked up info online about other folks thoughts and of course your video came up. !! Not much else though Love your playing & Great insightful inspiring videos keep going ! Keep growing ⚡️🤘

[@retrotelerod]

Thanks so much for this video! I'll have to play with the rate setting on my TR-2 now. I've always left it at noon and just changed the Depth and Shape knobs. I've been missing out! Lately I've been experimenting with running my CS-3 compressor at the same time as my Tremolo. That's definitely a different flavor too.

[@JoeyLevenson]

It’s odd. I also run my tremolo first in the chain, before wah/filter and drives. I want to love modulation but I just can’t get into it, but having the tremolo running first into the drive and filters, I can get some interesting and powerful sounds, like a faux modulation effect. I dig it a lot. So I googled to see what others do, and your video popped up. Great video and tones.

[@AskZac]

Cool!!!

[@Stratocaster65]

Leventhal is the reason that I purchased a TR2 ... Does sound great before the overdrive... Thanx Zac..

[@AskZac]

Right on!

[@rickbearden6041]

Been a fan of tremolo since I was able to afford and amp that had had it. Thanks aging for the vid Zac

[@-Pol-]

When I got my first tremolo pedal it seemed obvious to me that the most rewarding place to have it was before my Blues Driver (clone). Set to edge of breakup, the dynamically sensitive Blues Driver responds to the oscillating volume by rapidly cycling between clean and overdriven output. This gives the distortion a lively "frothiness" that you don't get with tremolo placed after the distortion where it just varies the volume of whatever's come before. Putting tremolo first (but after any compression) varies both volume~distortion intensity together. Putting the tremolo later delivers an even level of distortion and oscillates only the volume. Of course putting an already distorted signal into a tremolo and then into an amp set to edge of breakup might have an interesting dynamic too.Options options options...

[@clydehannah1056]

Cool Show Z! I’m ready to experiment!

[@AskZac]

You should!

[@hearpalhere]

Sounding great as always Zac! I'm actually quite surprised at how close the pedal is to the amp tremolo sound - I was not expecting that at all. I have a little Danelectro tremolo pedal that I got for free when I bought my Danelectro Daddy-O over drive pedal forever and a day ago. I was actually thinking of selling it because I haven't used it much. Then a couple of months ago, I took it out to show my wife what it does after she asked about it and I was like, hm... it actually sounds pretty cool. I think I may need to just mess with it a bit more and get comfortable with some of its settings. Thanks for the inspiration! I especially like the sound you got by having it before the overdrive. I'll have to give that a shot too.

[@captainzeb1969]

Cool. I’ll have to try that. Great video!

[@MYGAS21]

I wanted to acheive a distortion modulation sound, and used the mini moog boost as a tremolo puting an LFO CV in its expression input to fluctuate the volume.... I wanted it as dramatic as possible to push a fuzz face in the digital Kingmaker fuzz. I went digital fuzz face, to avoid the issues analogue fuzz faces have with pedals in front of them and use the dynamics they have to fluctuate not the volume but the distortion to clean, in the end result. I found the result very promising and now I'm hunting for other super volume sensitive overdrive, distortion, fuzz type pedals. Any suggestions? An amp pedal perhaps?

[@aronthegangster]

That Analogman trem sounds great. Nice idea to mess with the pedal order.

[@sjperry54]

Great vid as usual, Zac! I’ve got nothing to add but to say thank you for pronouncing it tre-meh-Low. A pet peeve of mine is when folks say tre-MOW-LOW. 😡😡😂😂

[@Guitarplayer724]

Steve Perry It’s actually pronounced Tre-muh-low. 😃

[@charliet.sanford2495]

This has quickly become my favorite channel. I love all kinds of gear and watching reviews on KZbin. But hearing a friendly person getting amazing sounds out of minimal vintage gear while discussing the history of the gear and the players who use/used it... This is my jam. Keep up the great work, man.

[@TheRealChrisLopez]

I like the tremolo before the drive as well simply to mitigate the associated volume drop

[@fernandes5986]

Another amazing video. I love the old sounds with tremolo. Could you please analyze the Vibrato/Tremolo guitar sound on Dionne Warwick's Anyone who had a Heart?

[@AskZac]

I will check it out.

[@fernandes5986]

@@AskZac Thank you sir.

[@teocoras]

I've always used my Fulltone Supa Trem before my Les Lius overdrive. Nice vid!

[@AskZac]

Right on!

[@Achase4u]

Something about the amp trem always "felt" better to me. My Flint does great trem but maybe if it were in the same place in the signal chain it would sound the same. Hmmm. Thanks for the cool videos!

[@Mistertbones]

When I think of tremolo and dirt together, I of course think of the classic Link Wray tune "Rumble". When it comes to pedals, tremolo before overdrive actually sounds neat.

[@COLDMKULTRA]

Johnny Marr playing on "How Soon is Now" by The Smiths ... Uber tremolo and vibrato Heaven ... But ... there was a lot of technical trickery involved in that song! ... sounds great though.

[@-Pol-]

Most of the time I keep the amp tremolo in my Pathfinder 15r always on. I have it set to a relaxed rate and a depth so subtle that it only really becomes apparent when I turn it off! If you were to suggest this might help compensate for my sloppy finger vibrato then I wouldn't deny it! It lifts my tone with just a hint of movement without being noticeably present. I add in just a smidge of reverb and the amp really comes alive. This then becomes the sonic foundation for my pedal board's more 'overt' effects.

[@CooperKerby]

That James Burton tune, tho!!! Heard that in 'Ford V Ferrari' and loved it!!!

[@AskZac]

Written by Tony Joe White

[@ddw132]

Interesting. I’ve come to the conclusion I need both! I ultimately prefer the bias trem in my Victoria Regal. However, it has a major drawback that my pedal solves - it thumps when I activate it despite trying everything to stop it (different pedal/switches, cables, tubes etc...), so it’s not feasible to switch in an out (say for a bridge or whatever). I have a Walrus Monuments pedal that is very good. It’s analog but has a lot of control ability including an expression pedal option (swelling it on and off), and/or a momentary switch for activation a held chord or similar. So, while the amp is vibier it’s really limited to entire tune use, plus it’s noisier. All this said, the best use of trem I’ve heard is Tony Joe White (amp based) and Jerry Miller (with Eilen Jewell). JM was using two basic Boss terms, I assume set fast and slow or whatever. Two different approaches and but sounded glorious.

[@beardnyethedrumguy]

You’re the best zac man! Also real first hate that the canned responses beat me lol

[@danielpayne2360]

don't forget Bo Diddley,he got a groove from his trem

[@rogerdorfield8233]

Hi Zac, was not sure where I could ASK Zac a question about the telecaster Baja. I wish you can do a review of that model. thanks

[@eklectrikmusic]

When you have the opportunity to use tap tempo tremolo speed - triplets really make it dreamy.

[@schrammguitars]

Zac, I have a DrZ Maz 18 NR and need Reverb and Tremolo. What would you recommend? Keeley Hydra? Or, Separate Boss Tremolo and Boss Reverb pedals?

[@AskZac]

I would use a trem pedal and some type of reverb, or reverb and delay pedal.

[@jaguarsunburst1570]

Amazing Video, Thankyou 🎸🎶

[@RjBenjamin353]

The Association, Cherish 🎶 the last chord

[@bddmhopp5]

Thanks for playing more

[@AskZac]

Will do!

[@misterknightowlandco]

What's the difference between the 68 custom deluxe reverb and the 65 besides the faceplates?

[@AskZac]

speakers and some other changes. The 68 has a hotter setup and a Celestion speaker. 65 has a Jensen. I prefer the 68

[@misterknightowlandco]

@@AskZac thanks!

[@hotdotdog]

Thank you.

[@marcelchaloupka]

Is the tune at around 6:47, Take Your Shoes Off Moses?

[@AskZac]

Jesus on the mainline, Ry Cooder version.

[@marcelchaloupka]

@@AskZac wow it sounds so much like Take you’re shoes off Moses I believe a traditional old time gospel song. I’ll have to check out Jesus on the mainline

[@kylenorton1533]

killer tone! love this video!

[@herroglop7411]

Another good video, Zac you are nailing it. Have you tried different Tremolo pedals? I have been on the look for one and I have decided I will go for the Mad Professor when money lands on my hands. I like other ones also but the ones I like are pretty expensive ( Gravitas, Monument, the new Origin effects.....)

[@AskZac]

heard good things about that. I also like the old Demeter Tremulator.

[@chrisl7949]

Tremolo is my favorite effect after reverb! Never tried it before an overdrive - awesome idea thanks! I have a '67 deluxe reverb but I don't use the tremolo on the amp because I can't stand the ticking sound it makes, but the trem on your '65 sounds pretty darn good! Have you had anything done to your amp to improve the tremolo???

[@AskZac]

There is a mod to stop the clicking. You can find it online

[@ChrisLeaton.]

Thanks Zac.

[@9277707]

Just got a 'Tremoglo' pedal by CMATMODS, & placed right after Tuner, it does sound better. Thanks, helpful video!

[@AskZac]

Glad it helped!

[@snörre23]

What i also like is to sometimes use two Tremolos and a Vibrato at once, that gets very swampy.

[@mfohr]

You keep your tone controls neutral on the amp when playing a single coil Tele?

[@AskZac]

Depends on the room, and other instruments

[@robertsigafoos6025]

Any thoughts on the harmonic vibrato of brown face Fenders? What about the Lonnie Mack sound of Magnatone? Nice to hear some appreciation of Pops Staples. His 60s gospel stuff was wonderful. I’m a big fan of Marty Stuart and he nails the sound quite well also.

[@AskZac]

Love that sound!

[@streetlegal008]

I have tremolo after fuzz and before drive and distortion. I don't have it turned up very choppy - just enough to produce a nice kind of wave effect that runs through the chain. I think with tremolo ( like most effects ) if it stands out too much in the sound, it is set too high.

[@countmirugai]

I love your videos. I'd love to hear what you have to say about playing through the NORMAL channel versus the VIBRATO.

[@tiredmule7624]

countmirugai Ditto that

[@Sunset1997]

Wondering if your fingernails are real on your picking hand? I can't seem to keep mine from breaking but never tried faux nails. Any suggestions?

[@AskZac]

Mine are real, but know many that do the fake ones. Some do it themselves, others go to a salon

[@richardryan8462]

Not only did Leo Fender refer to vibrato as tremolo and to tremolo as vibrato, he also called a screwed on neck a bolt on neck. It would be interesting to see a list of confused and confusing wordings he left us with.

[@mikemckenna4924]

What in ur opinion is the best od pedal to use with a tele without making more hum

[@AskZac]

I like the Mostortion of Nobels ODR-1. There are numerous copies of both of them that are inexpensive.

[@mikemckenna4924]

@@AskZac thanks Zac

[@billtice5057]

Good tip!

[@markferguson3745]

I hate jacking with pedals once they're on the floor; even considered using a raised board, up off the ground. Trems like the Monument , Kodiak , and Supro have expression pedal compatibility AND tap tempo,- removing the need for all the squinting and squat thrusts at unnatural angles. Placed between two reverbs,with the first with longer trails, - opens up a whole parcel of possibilities.The same goes with OD's, - along with other modulations, - a sort of split gain stacking.Pedal order can make all the difference.

[@CaptainAhab-im3kd]

Listen to "the Immigrant song" original Zeppelin recording from Led Zep III. The "Sea of Echo" effect Zep was known for, occurs when after the dry rhythm part climaxes, an amp is added to the mix that has a big delay on it, and tremolo is there. Question, how would a pedalboard make that effect? I would say you're gonna need to instantly switch on a delay and a tremolo, and maybe switch on a second amp, to get that effect. For this you likely need a delay and a tremolo inside some kind of loop switcher or bypass looper. That Pedal Show entertained tremolo after delay and found this to be a good way to do it. I presume you don't agree.

[@BRTTV12]

Good stuff man.

[@AskZac]

Appreciate it!

[@douglasdejager8450]

Hi. What's the song at 6:39? Thanks

[@AskZac]

"Jesus on the Mainline" ala Pops Staples

[@douglasdejager8450]

@@AskZac Thanks! I will learn it shortly! I didn't know Staples music until I discovered your channel. Thanks from South Africa!

[@Ndlanding]

Wahey! He started this just like the Reverend I.M. Jolly (Rikki Fulton)! The article was great though, and he knew what he was doing, unlike many.

[@paulakapablo1749]

Do you ever use a noise gate?

[@AskZac]

Never

[@gobigrey9352]

I have a cheap Joyo that sounds great. I don't like the deluxe reverb trem, it's too square sounding. I like the rounded ups and downs.

[@darrellm3410]

I bought my deluxe Reverb just for the Tremolo and Spring Reverb. Plus no mid level knob.

[@thos1618]

OD

[@hammill444]

But what are your thoughts on reverb before overdrive? I’d be seriously interested in that demonstration

[@AskZac]

That is an interesting sound. Not the most useful, but it is interesting.

[@zosolopez3032]

Sounds great. Look for a band called Big Lazy. Guitar player uses tremelo perfectly.

[@AskZac]

I'll check it out!

[@reverbdeluxe]

Isn't the analog man modded tremolo also what Kenny Vaughn uses?

[@AskZac]

I do not know.

[@reverbdeluxe]

@@AskZac I looked online. I think his is Keeley modded judging by the knobs.

[@yourpalfranc]

Zac, have you ever played with a Seymour Duncan Shape Shifter?? Just curious what you think. Pros/cons. JT Corenflos is my King of Tremolo!! Thanks! ~Frank

[@AskZac]

Have not played the shape shifter. Do you like it?

[@yourpalfranc]

@@AskZac It's my favorite pedal! But, I'll have to say I've never tried another trem pedal, and in all honesty, I'm not a great player anyway. It just seems to be really feature-flexible, and I really like the tap capability. It's just fun to play with for me. ~Frank

[@AskZac]

Sounds like a cool pedal!

[@mikemckenna4924]

Hats the best od pedal to use with a tele without making more hum..

[@thomasrose7713]

It’s August 25 which means it is Pop Staples day. Crank up your tremolos. I am going to go play. Tell heaven about 300 times. ❤ POPS❤

[@gregsandifer2398]

I like that Zac....