This innovation promises to change how players approach vibrato and pitch bending. Swiss hardware company MayTrem has officially unveiled two revolutionary tremolo systems—the Tremmy and the MyTrem—designed to keep chords perfectly in tune during heavy dives and offer unprecedented control over individual string pitches.
As noted by popular guitar gear reviewer TheGuitarGeek, regular tremolo users will find this system to be an “absolute game-changer” because it allows you to depress the tremolo arm while keeping everything perfectly intonated.
Here is a breakdown of what these innovative new systems bring to the table for guitarists, luthiers, and tone-chasers alike.
Two Groundbreaking Tremolo Types: Tremmy and MyTrem
MayTrem’s line features two distinct units, each catering to different playing styles and mechanical needs:
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The Tremmy: A streamlined system that allows players to bend pitch either up or down. It can be configured to act as a B-Bender (where pushing the arm down raises the pitch a full tone while other strings stay fixed) or used to execute massive dive bombs that return to zero in perfect tune.
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The MyTrem: The highly versatile “big brother” of the Tremmy, supporting both pitch lowering and raising for selected strings simultaneously. It can protect weak strings (like the high-E) from breaking during upward bends, act as a combined B- and G-Bender, or shift the B, G, and D strings up together as a chord or interval.
Seamless Installation: Two Mounting Systems
Whether you are upgrading an old Fender Stratocaster or building a custom guitar from scratch, MayTrem offers two base options to fit your project:
1. Base R (Replacement) – For Upgrading Existing Guitars
Designed for musicians looking to replace their current Strat-style or vintage tremolos (both six-point and two-point mounting). The Base R fits flawlessly into the existing guitar cavity. It uses five self-tapping screws in the current routing, leaving no visible marks on the guitar body. Neck angles can be easily adjusted with the included shim plates. While it requires basic manual skills, installation can be completed right on your workbench with no additional heavy tools or routing required.
2. Base B (Builder) – For Luthiers and DIY Builders
Ideal for custom guitar manufacturers and DIY builders, the Base B mounting system is meant for new instruments, though it can be retrofitted onto existing Strat-style guitars. This version requires an additional 7mm deep cavity routed into the body to accommodate the system’s mechanics.
Limitless Tonal Possibilities
What your MayTrem system actually does depends entirely on your setup. Reconfiguring the unit takes between 5 and 30 minutes (sometimes including a string change) but unlocks a world of musical potential.
Both the Tremmy and MyTrem allow you to:
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Bend chords in perfect harmony without the root notes falling out of tune.
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Shift intervals (e.g., transforming a perfect fifth G-D into a perfect fifth E-A).
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Shift entire chords (e.g., sliding a C major to an A major).
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Transform chords entirely (e.g., morphing a C Major into an A Minor).
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Reverse pitch dynamics (e.g., lowering the tremolo arm actually raises the pitch).
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Isolate strings by keeping certain strings completely fixed while heavily altering the tuning of others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between the Tremmy and the MyTrem?
A: The Tremmy allows you to bend the pitch either up or down. The MyTrem is more advanced, supporting both pitch raising and lowering simultaneously for individually selected strings.
Q: Will installing the MayTrem ruin my vintage guitar’s body?
A: Not at all, if you choose the Base R (Replacement) system. It is specifically designed to drop into existing Strat-style or vintage tremolo cavities using your guitar’s current routing, leaving no visible marks or damage on the body.
Q: Can the MayTrem replace my B-Bender?
A: Yes! Both systems can function as a B-Bender. The Tremmy can raise the B-string a full tone when pushing the arm down. The MyTrem can do this as well, but can also be configured to act as a G-Bender, or even a combined B- and G-Bender.
Q: How difficult is the installation and setup?
A: Installing the Base R requires manual skill but no special tools, while the Base B requires a router for a 7mm cavity. Modifying the string setup (like changing which strings bend and which stay fixed) takes about 5 to 30 minutes. As a fair warning, there is a steep learning curve to stringing and setting up the system for the first time, but the tuning stability and harmonic results are well worth the effort.
Verdict
The MayTrem, Tremmy, and MyTrem systems represent a massive leap forward in guitar hardware. By solving the age-old problem of chords falling out of tune during vibrato and offering pedal-steel-like interval bending in a standard tremolo format, MayTrem has created a tool that completely expands what the electric guitar can do.
Perfect if you are a dedicated luthier opting for the Base B, or a gigging musician upgrading your Stratocaster with the Base R, the MayTrem systems are a must-try for anyone looking to push their playing into uncharted, perfectly intonated territory.
They aren’t cheap; however, you are getting a high-end product that solves an issue that affects most guitar trem/vibrato systems.
Prices between CHF 549 -599 (around USD $700 – 769 )
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