Ever-experimental pedal maker Gamechanger Audio has released in partnership with Fender and Bigsby a stompbox version of the classic vibrato tailpiece—the Bigsby Pedal.
First seen at NAMM 2020, the Bigsby Pedal leverages a proprietary pitch-shifting algorithm that concentrates on lower-interval pitch bends. Gamechanger Audio couples that with a spring-loaded foot controller that employs custom-molded metal parts, promising to emulate the feel and sound of the iconic vibrato.
As Gamechanger Audio puts it, “The Bigsby Pedal is a revolutionary polyphonic pitch shifter pedal that specializes in reproducing the string bending and vibrato effects produced by the Bigsby Tremolo arm and other traditional tremolo systems.”
Although the brand claims the sounds are indistinguishable from the original hardware, the Bigsby Pedal also loads Whammy-style octave shifts and divebombs, serving up a quarter-tone to a full octave interval range in both upward and downward trajectories.
Available controls are Rate, Bend, and Depth, along with an Invert switch on the back panel for changing shift direction.
Retailing for $379, the Bigsby Pedal will come in a small limited run this summer and will be available to preorder starting June 21.
