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Inspired by the "To trem or not to trem" thread in the tech room.

Sit back and think for a minute: How many guitarists that you like actually use the vibrato bar as a regular element of their style?

I thought pretty hard and I could only come up with Sonic Youth.
Also David Byrne has used the whammy bar from time to time, but it's hardly a trademark of his. Plus, I think he has used a whammy pedal more often.

At any rate, it amazed me how many of my favorite players either never touch or hardly ever use the bar.

John McGeoch, for instance, I'm pretty sure he only played Les Pauls and other Gibsons with the standard bridge.

I don't think Andy Gill ever used it either.

Mr. Albini seems to get whammy-like sounds from time to time ("Rush Job," for instance) on a Travis Bean, which would seem to be impossible other than bending behind the nut.

Duane Denison: also full-time non-whammy player.

Wire: no evidence of whammy use on at least the first 3 records.


So, are there any major vibrato bar users you're into?

Gilmour, despite the fact he overdoes it.

Mazec wrote:Mr. Albini seems to get whammy-like sounds from time to time ("Rush Job," for instance) on a Travis Bean, which would seem to be impossible other than bending behind the nut.

Neck bends are quite easy on a double cut aluminum neck.

Off the top of my head, Kerry king from Slayer, he uses it like it'll be erased from existence tomorrow.

SRV

Jimi

(I feel like an old fart for those 2)

Lessee... NOT Kerry King, his whammy solos are hella weak.

Mick Ronson

Does Joey Santiago use a whammy?

You got to hand it to King, though. Without that goddamn bar, his style would be non-existent.

EDIT: Santiago almost always played a Les Paul.

Brian Connelly.

Greg Sage.

My dear friend, Orion Layton guitar player of the excellent, yet defunct band, Rectangle (check out "Hit My Heart Wrong" for a good dose), now of the excellent, currently being built band, Practical is exceptionally good at playing with the vibrato arm in a tasteful, sonically intriguing and exciting manner.

he's the first and only person I called when I knew I could get the trem on my new guitar, and wanted to weigh the options.


bendy great. he is also my personal guitar hero.




also, Polvo, for fuck's sake.


Faiz

Boombats wrote:Does Joey Santiago use a whammy?

I thought Santiago was a Les Paul guy, but I am hardly a scholar on this point.

It sounds like somebody is using a whammy on the intro to "Caribou."