Trans-Trem
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Image:Trans-trem.jpg
Image of a TransTrem system
Developed by Steinberger in 1984, the Trans-Trem guitar tremolo system allowed the user to retune the guitar during use. The pitch of all the strings could be raised or lowered from the standard EADGBE tuning to one of several preset positions. No other tremolo is available with this feature.
In 1987, HAZ Labs, who provided the electronics for Steinberger (with the exception being the pickups, which were from EMG, Inc.), built roughly two-hundred TransTrem units for the bass. Popularity was never there, and no further bass trems were ever built. Basses equipped with TransTrems are quite rare and valuable as collector's items.
[edit] Users of the Trans-Trem
- Acclaimed virtuoso jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth uses Trans-Trem on his custom DeLap made guitar. He has also used Steinberger guitars with Trans-Trem.
- Innovative guitarist Michael Hedges recorded several tracks on his CD Taproot using a guitar he described simply as Trans-Trem Guitar.
- Edward Van Halen has used a Steinberger guitar with Trans-Trem on several songs, including Get Up and Summer Nights (from 5150), Fire in the Hole (from Van Halen III), and Me Wise Magic (from Best of Volume I).
- Buck Dharma of the band Blue Öyster Cult plays a custom white "cheeseberger" steinberger guitar
