SEYMOUR
DUNCAN
SHAPE SHIFTER
REVIEW BY SAM HILL
STREET PRICE $229.00
Tremolo can sometimes
be an afterthought when
it comes to shaping your
sound. One of the original
effects for guitar, it’s found
on many amps, and not
all incarnations of it are
particularly inspiring. It
probably isn’t the first effect
you think of when you’re
preparing to assemble your
dream pedalboard, but a
good tremolo is essential
to any rig. And like all
other pedal categories in
this current Golden Age,
tremolo has improved
substantially, moving its
way from the “maybe”
column to become an
absolute necessity. Seymour
Duncan, while perhaps best
62
GEAR REVIEW
//
known for making killer
pickups, also makes some
outstanding pedals, the
Shape Shifter Tremolo being
one of them.
The Shape Shifter boasts
an impressive feature
set, with controls for
Wave(form), Shape, Depth,
and Speed. Sine, triangle
and square waves are
available, with unique
combinations occurring at
certain points on the dial.
The Shape control gives
access to a wide range of
rise and fall times. There are
stereo inputs and outputs,
with a Phase knob that
gives control over stereo
separation when using a pair
of amplifiers. And of course,
Seymour Duncan Shape Shifter
it has tap tempo, so you can
keep your trem in time with
your drummer and create
stuttering soundscapes
with your feet. There is
also a Rate/Ratio switch.
In Ratio mode, the speed
knob chooses subdivisions,
making the tap tempo
function even more useful.
And like its analog delay
brother, the Vapor Trail,
the Shape Shifter’s speed
knob features a bright
blue blinking LED that’s
easily visible on stage. As a
bonus, the Shape Shifter is
relatively small considering
all its capabilities, ensuring
you’ll find a spot for it on
your pedalboard.
My point of reference