Using a trem for the first time

VJIves

Yeah...I know. But I have a strat I've recently fixed up (it was my first guitar, and all those Blink 182 covers both took a toll AND meant the whammy never came out of the gig bag), and I'd like to learn the very basics of using the bar without going OTT like a dickhead. What are some great, tasteful trem songs to learn and learn from? Sorry if this should be under 'Techniques' instead.

RandallFlagg

The guitar on Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game' played by James Calvin Wilsey is nice trem work on a Strat through a fender Deluxe. The record is a comp of several pieces played by Wilsey edited together but can be played as one easily.

I have read that he died age 61, in December 2018, which I wasn't aware of, due to organ failure caused by prolonged drug use. Apparently he played in a band called The Avengers who supported the Sex Pistols at the San Francisco Winterland Ballroom final gig (before the reformed) in 1978.

meltedbuzzbox

Anything pink floyd?

Dave_Vader

But the best thing about having a trem is going OTT like a dickhead, you've missed the point.

Try Eruption for starters...

viz

And side 2 of Passion and Warfare

merciful-evans

I hope you get productive with the trem. Me? I have a drawer full of whammy bars...

dazzajl

Don’t learn, the whole point of a trem is to express your own individuality surely. Grab it and give it a wiggle as the mood takes you. 

VJIves

Christ it sounds cool! Is this how people get hung up on tone and not writing anything? I can totally imagine falling into that hole. Forgot how much I love the Catalinbread Topanga too, everything sounds like I'm on a deserted beach.

Funkfingers

Gentle wiggling into cavernous faux spring reverb will evoke Surf guitar. 

If you attempt to use the vibrato for pitch raising or lowering stunts, aim to arrive at a recognisable note. 

mudslide73

Watch some newish Jeff Beck videos for killer bar work. I remember being stunned when I found out he hadn't used a slide on Blaze of Glory.

Jonathangus

Hank Marvin

timmypix

This is a really good lesson from Plini on using the trem creatively rather than just for show:
https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/using-your-vibrato-bar-creatively-and-tastefully

musteatbrain

Jonathangus said:

Hank Marvin

This. Great starting point.
Then Jeff Beck

in the less famous category
Michael Lee Firkins early stuff
Michael Caswell

NelsonP

stratman3142

Alan Murphy was my biggest influence in using the vib. bar. Sadly there's no live footage of SFX that I'm aware of, but see 2.18 and 4.11 in the Go West clip below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E_BRGvgtFY

rivercider

musteatbrain said:

Jonathangus said:

Hank Marvin

This. Great starting point.
Then Jeff Beck

in the less famous category
Michael Lee Firkins early stuff
Michael Caswell

Michael Lee Firkins, great shout - that first album. 

musteatbrain

If you can find the footage of him playing when the levee breaks with a trem, that was worth a watch

Mark1960

As above, anything by The Shadows!

Wonky

timmypix said:

This is a really good lesson from Plini on using the trem creatively rather than just for show:
https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/using-your-vibrato-bar-creatively-and-tastefully

Really enjoyed this one.  Thanks man

colourofsound

Mark Letteri:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaEpXzsnCOl/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpUrAgTHsMe/

sweepy

A big +1 for Alan Murphy, Holdsworth technique with pop sensibilities, awesome player and like Holdsworth sadly missed