A revolutionary polyphonic pitch shifter pedal created in cooperation with Fender Musical Instruments Co.
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 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.
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.
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.
This allows you to use the BIGSBY as a unique spring-loaded Expression Controller with fully adjustable DEPTH, RATE and OFFSET controls – for modulating any expression parameters of other pedals and effects units (via a TRS 1⁄4” jack cable).
The BIGSBY Pedal’s Expression Output can be used either in parallel with or independently from the pitch-shifting algorithm.
The BIGSBY Pedal’s FSW IN connector is compatible with all standard momentary or toggle type footswitches with a TS (Tip/Sleeve) 1⁄4” jack (normally closed or normally open). You can also use a dual-latching footswitch with a TRS jack – in this case, only one side of the footswitch will work.
Pressing the footswitch will activate LATCH mode. When latched, the BIGSBY will hold a constant interval determined by the current position of the DEPTH knob – this way you don’t have to hold down the BIGSBY Pedal for long phrases.
When in LATCH mode you can still use the BIGSBY’s foot-pedal to make momentary dives and detune effects up to two semitones. Pressing the opposite side of the foot-pedal will flip the direction of the pitch shift.
Connected with a 3.5mm type B connector.
This allows you to control all functions of the BIGSBY Pedal via CC messages, as well as creating and saving presets onto 10 preset slots, syncing the RATE Parameter to a specific tempo (with subdivisions), and more.
United States: No Sales Tax for US Orders
European Union: VAT will be added to orders without an EU-VAT number
All other countries may face customs duties
You may cancel your order any time by emailing us at [email protected]
| Input Type | 1/4” Unbalanced TS |
| Input impedance | 1MΩ |
| Maximum input level | 9 dBu |
| Output type | 1/4” Unbalanced TS |
| Output impedance | 100 Ω |
| Maximum output level | 9 dBu |
| Expression Input Type | 1/4” Unbalanced TRS (Exp out) / 1/4” Unbalanced TS (FSW in) |
| Input impedance (ring) | 100 kΩ |
| Output impedance (tip) | 220 Ω |
| Max input level | 20 dBu |
| Max output level | 20 dBu |
| MIDI Connector | 3.5 mm TRS (mini jack), Type-B |
| Type | Optically isolated input, RF filtered |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±1 dB) |
| Signal to noise ratio | 90 dB (A weighted) |
| Operating temperature | 0º to 50º C |
| Power Supply Connector Type | 9V DC, center negative 2.1 x 5.5 mm plug |
| Input voltage | 9V DC |
| Input current | 220 mA |
| Power consumption | 2 W |
| Product Dimensions | WLH 220 x 110 x 86 mm (8.6 x 4.3 x 3.3 in) |
| Product Weight | 960 g (2.11 lb) |
Be a part of the BIGSBY Pedal family with this mechanical drawing of the BIGSBY Pedal on the launch campaign’s distinctive red square.
Here's a little documentary video about the BIGSBY Pedal's origins and development process. This has really been a special product for us - something that has been in our minds for years even before Gamechanger Audio was started. Fortunately, in 2019 we received the green light from Fender and Bigsby to start building it.
Now, after a two-year-long design and development period, we are proud to unveil what we believe is one of the most capable and inspiring pitch-shifting tools currently on the market.
Powered by the formidable SHARC® Audio Processor, the BIGSBY Pedal runs a hybrid algorithm specifically developed by Gamechanger Audio to achieve smooth polyphonic real-time pitch-shifting at low intervals.
It has been painstakingly tweaked to preserve the natural timbre and sound of electric and acoustic string instruments, including baritone and bass guitars, guitars, mandolins, banjos, etc.
A carefully crafted algorithm that is designed to emulate the imperfections and dissonant properties of traditional mechanical string-bending hardware. As a result, the vibrato effects produced by the BIGSBY Pedal are almost indistinguishable from those of a conventional tremolo arm.
The unique spring-loaded foot-pedal design opens up a world of new strumming patterns, bend combinations and beautiful lap-steel and slide-inspired licks that cannot be achieved with traditional tremolo systems.
The BIGSBY pedal is always “on” – the only thing you need to do to activate it is to step on the foot-pedal.
The algorithm ensures that transitions between the DRY and WET (pitched) signals are as smooth as possible, allowing you to seamlessly incorporate pitch-bends into complex picking patterns as well as lead and melodic lines.
This allows you to use the BIGSBY as a unique spring-loaded Expression Controller with fully adjustable DEPTH, RATE and OFFSET controls – for modulating any expression parameters of other pedals and effects units (via a TRS 1⁄4” jack cable).
The BIGSBY Pedal’s Expression Output can be used either in parallel with or independently from the pitch-shifting algorithm.
The BIGSBY Pedal’s FSW IN connector is compatible with all standard momentary or toggle type footswitches with a TS (Tip/Sleeve) 1⁄4” jack (normally closed or normally open). You can also use a dual-latching footswitch with a TRS jack – in this case, only one side of the footswitch will work.
Pressing the footswitch will activate LATCH mode. When latched, the BIGSBY will hold a constant interval determined by the current position of the DEPTH knob – this way you don’t have to hold down the BIGSBY Pedal for long phrases.
When in LATCH mode you can still use the BIGSBY’s foot-pedal to make momentary dives and detune effects up to two semitones. Pressing the opposite side of the foot-pedal will flip the direction of the pitch shift.
Connected with a 3.5mm type B connector.
This allows you to control all functions of the BIGSBY Pedal via CC messages, as well as creating and saving presets onto 10 preset slots, syncing the RATE Parameter to a specific tempo (with subdivisions), and more.
You may cancel your order any time by emailing us at [email protected]
| Input Type | 1/4” Unbalanced TS |
| Input impedance | 1MΩ |
| Maximum input level | 9 dBu |
| Output type | 1/4” Unbalanced TS |
| Output impedance | 100 Ω |
| Maximum output level | 9 dBu |
| Expression Input Type | 1/4” Unbalanced TRS (Exp out) / 1/4” Unbalanced TS (FSW in) |
| Input impedance (ring) | 100 kΩ |
| Output impedance (tip) | 220 Ω |
| Max input level | 20 dBu |
| Max output level | 20 dBu |
| MIDI Connector | 3.5 mm TRS (mini jack), Type-B |
| Type | Optically isolated input, RF filtered |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±1 dB) |
| Signal to noise ratio | 90 dB (A weighted) |
| Operating temperature | 0º to 50º C |
| Power Supply Connector Type | 9V DC, center negative 2.1 x 5.5 mm plug |
| Input voltage | 9V DC |
| Input current | 220 mA |
| Power consumption | 2 W |
| Product Dimensions | WLH 220 x 110 x 86 mm (8.6 x 4.3 x 3.3 in) |
| Product Weight | 960 g (2.11 lb) |
Be a part of the BIGSBY Pedal family with this mechanical drawing of the BIGSBY Pedal on the launch campaign’s distinctive red square.
Here's a documentary video about the BIGSBY Pedal's origins and development process.
This has really been a special product for us - something that has been in our minds for years even before Gamechanger Audio was started. Fortunately, in 2019 we received the green light from Fender and Bigsby to start building it.
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