Electro-Harmonix: Wiggler Vibrato/Tremolo pedal

The Wiggler is a tube-driven vibrato and tremolo stompbox unit for use with guitars, keyboards and more. There are controls for volume (make-up gain after tremolo is something many boxes lack); intensity (blend of signals); mode (four levels of tone control as far as I could tell); a vib/trem switch; and a rate control (of course). In vibrato mode, this is one of the more unusual pedals I've used, with swirling, pulsing note-bending effects proving excellent for psychedelic guitar work. The tremolo can be set in so many ways, it's handy for full-on Mission of Burma staccato or smooth, surfy lead sounds. At first the Wiggler seemed like overkill-with so many knobs, glowing tubes and all-but for anyone looking for some truly swampy, trippy psych guitar sounds, this is the ticket. Not cheap, but very versatile. ($298, www.electro-harmonix.com)