Gamechanger Audio Bigsby Pedal, Polyphonic Pitch-Shifter

A revolutionary polyphonic pitch shifter pedal created in cooperation with Fender Musical Instruments Co.

The BIGSBY Pedal is a revolutionary polyphonic pitch shifter pedal that reproduces the string bending and vibrato effects produced by the BIGSBY Tremolo arm and other traditional tremolo systems.

The idea to create a BIGSBY-style pitch-shifting pedal was born out of a long-standing admiration for the BIGSBY system’s unique feel, sound and design.

The palpable twang and inimitable nuance of Paul Bigsby’s 1951 spring-loaded masterpiece is quite simply the stuff of legend.

Whether you’re wielding one yourself or thrilling to a classic recording, the magical warbling instantly conjures visions of back alley brawls in Brixton, spaghetti Western gunfights in a sun-drenched desert, or fist-pumping crowds singing odes to rocking the free world.

How It Works

The Gamechanger BIGSBY combines golden-age rock ’n’ roll mechanics with state-of-the-art signal processing. On the outside, an original-style activator bar (modified to withstand years of foot stomping) is paired with a carefully selected spring that yields the same cushy feel and unique bounce of hand-activated models—because that’s integral to the feel of all the best traditional tremolo systems.

But it would all be mere eye candy without the processing power inside. The BIGSBY pedal uses the same ultra-powerful SHARC® chip found in hi-tech multi-effectors to meticulously track the subtleties of the lovely chromed mechanics.

Custom Analog-to-Digital & Back

We developed our own hybrid algorithm that would not only achieve smooth, polyphonic real-time pitch-shifting in the lower harmonic intervals typical of Bigsby-style vibratos, but also preserve the natural timbres and inherent tonal characteristics of the instruments plugged into it. We specifically worked to ensure it melds seamlessly with electric and acoustic guitar (standard 6-string, baritone, and bass), mandolins, banjos, and more.

Another key component of the BIGSBY pedal’s sound is its DETUNE parameter—a precision crafted algorithm designed to emulate the imperfections and dissonant properties of traditional mechanical string-bending hardware. This makes vibrato effects produced by the Bigsby pedal virtually indistinguishable from the real deal.

Nostalgic Innovation or Futuristic Romanticism?

Despite its roots in the past, the BIGSBY pedal’s unique format and stellar build quality open the door to sounds you simply couldn’t get with traditional hand-operated hardware. Your hands are freed to play more intricate patterns … creative string-bending combinations let you mimic beautiful lap-steel and slide-inspired licks … thoughtful pairing with other instruments and/or effects lends the potential for sounds you’ve never heard before. Even better, it’s always on—all you have to do to imbue your music with BIGSBY magic is activate the pedal bar.

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