GuitarSystems VibeTool review

Familiar, vintage-style vibrato/chorus

  • £349
  • €379
  • $419
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Fans of Hendrix and Trower will have plenty of fun with the VibeTool

MusicRadar Verdict

A practical packaging of the Uni-Vibe sound for ease of use.

Pros

  • +

    Build quality. Easy to use. Captures some, if not all, of the Uni-Vibe's tones.

Cons

  • -

    Pricey.

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GuitarSystems is a Netherlands-based firm that aims to build guitar tools for pro players, focusing on sound quality, reliability and ease of use. All of it's pedals are based on vintage designs and here the VibeTool recalls the legendary Shin Ei Uni-Vibe.

The singular character of the original and its use by Jimi Hendrix makes it a pedal that effects manufacturers strive to emulate, with mixed results.

"The GuitarSystems approach seems to focus on the Uni-Vibe sound, rather than copying the original controls"

The GuitarSystems approach seems to focus on the sound, rather than copying the original controls, so there's no switching between 'chorus' and 'vibrato' modes, and the volume knob is replaced by switching that's adjusted for unity gain. What remains is an intensity knob and a large rubberised speed knob at the side of the pedal that you can adjust with your foot.

There's also the TMF (Treble Middle Full) knob, which is very useful for rolling off some low-end for less of a pronounced throb when using humbuckers. It may not do the full range of Uni-Vibe sounds, but what the VibeTool does will be instantly familiar, with a lovely warm tone.

You'll have to have deep pockets to buy the VibeTool - but if you're a sucker for those classic Hendrix and Trower sounds, it will provide them.

Trevor Curwen

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.