Why did Fender move to optocoupler trems?

[52 Bill]

It's worth noting that the Champ and Princeton (their bottom two in the lineup) never changed to the opto circuit.

Both of these amps have single channels and were bottom of the line student grade amps. Why spend money to redesign a more expensive circuit.

[Chuck H]

Both of these amps have single channels and were bottom of the line student grade amps. Why spend money to redesign a more expensive circuit.

That was pretty much my point. The trem on both was less than great once they switched to higher plate voltages. But scew you cheapo! If you're not spending money above the bottom line your trem can suck for all we care

[Justin Thomas]

I like the trem in my Vibro-Champ, and my Concert. I think the opto has its own sound, and can be faster & deeper at the same time (no innuendo, please...). It's crisper and cleaner. It definitely has its place, and in an ideal universe, I'd have several of each... . I play with a somewhat squishy style, so bias-wiggle works for me. I think the Brown/White trem is almost an oscillator, PI, and mini PP-amp on its own... And I have a hard time calling it a trem, when the most common comment on it is, "when did you get a Univibe?!?!"

Re: 52Bill's comment, funny how the bottom of the barrel have become some of the most highly regarded...

Justin

[Leo_Gnardo]

But I would still opt for the BF reverb over the weirdo 5 triode wiggle trem. Never liked them. Vive la difference

I like the "wiggle trem" all right, what I don't like (and many of my crustomers agree) is what that channel sounds like when the vibrato is switched off.

OTOH if you're lucky enough to have one of those special brownie amps on hand, try this: Y-cord your guitar into that amp's vib channel plus another amp with no vibrato. Balance your signal between the two, also get your ears in the sweet spot between 'em, then hit the vib/trem button. Woooo-hoooo! Now that's a special sound. Granted not everyone in an audience could hear this but it's a lot of fun anyway. Someday I must try to capture it on a recording, maybe with a stereo mic or "dummy head" mic. Dummy head, besides my own that is.

[Justin Thomas]

I just jump the channels, a la my Bassman... Also makes for some interesting sounds! And I made meself a footswitch for it, too. And since I slowed the trem down, it takes a good while for it to fade in and out. And I like to watch the speakers pulsars when there's no signal. But I don't think one channel is "better" than the other, just different. The Normal channel is definitely sharper and brighter, a tiny bit louder at the same knob settings...

It also makes a good coffeehouse bass amp.

Justin

[52 Bill]

OTOH if you're lucky enough to have one of those special brownie amps on hand, try this: Y-cord your guitar into that amp's vib channel plus another amp with no vibrato. Balance your signal between the two, also get your ears in the sweet spot between 'em, then hit the vib/trem button. Woooo-hoooo! Now that's a special sound. Granted not everyone in an audience could hear this but it's a lot of fun anyway. Someday I must try to capture it on a recording, maybe with a stereo mic or "dummy head" mic. Dummy head, besides my own that is.

I always liked doing that with Magnatones and Kustoms. Any amp with real vibrato, early phase shifting before the pedals.

[Leo_Gnardo]

I just jump the channels, a la my Bassman... Also makes for some interesting sounds!

Jumping channels on an amp where the channels are antiphase definitely makes for some interesting sounds when the vibrato's on, sort of an upside down vibrato. Can't play like that for a whole set but it does make for a good "surprise" break. Let 'em wonder "wtf, how'd he do dat?"

[Justin Thomas]

Out of phase when it's off, too! And you CAN do it for a whole set. I don't ever be the only electric guitar player, and I'm either filling in AS they keys, or being an adjunct to them.

Justin

[rjb]

That's a mighty nice string band!

East Texas Serenaders. Played a lot of ragtime.
The feller with the cheller used only 3 strings and glissed around like a Dixieland slide trombonist.
Can't hear it very well thru my tinny chromebook speakers.

The guy on the right must have had a string endorsement. Who could afford to keep up with that gadget?

Michael Hedges.

more string bands here, feast your eyes folks!

Once upon a time, every community had a mandolin orchestra (or so I've read).
There are revivalist groups around the world- one in Baltimore.

/