The CNZ Audio VTR-20 is a Cnz Audio tremolo pedal, currently around $44.99. Close alternatives include the Blaxx BX-Tremolo and the Effects Bakery Uguisu Bread Tremolo. It pairs well with the PRS MT100 and the Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head.
CNZ Audio VTR-20
Cnz Audio · pedal
The CNZ Audio VTR-20 is a vintage-style tremolo pedal with three controls: Depth for the amplitude of the tremolo effect, Speed for the rate of oscillation, and Bias for adjusting the waveform shaping of the tremolo LFO. True bypass. Compact all-metal enclosure. The Bias control is a less common feature that allows players to adjust the asymmetry of the tremolo waveform for more vintage sag character or a more square-wave chop. Suited for country, surf rock, blues, and vintage rock styles.
What stands out
“The CNZ Audio VTR-20 is a vintage-style tremolo pedal with three controls: Depth for the amplitude of the tremolo effect, Speed for the rate of oscillation, and Bias for adjusting the waveform shaping of the tremolo LFO”
— from the listing
“The Bias control is a”
— from the listing
“True bypass”
— from the listing
“Use-case wise it suits country, surf, and blues guitarists who want period-correct tremolo with a useful tone-shaping variable beyond basic Rate and Depth”
— from the community notes
“giving players access to both smooth sine-wave tremolo and more choppy”
— from the community notes
Trade-offs
“In the signal chain tremolo typically sits after drive pedals and before reverb for classic placement”
— from the community notes
- tremolo
- bypass
- country
- surf
- smooth
- vintage
- rock
- expression pedal
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the CNZ Audio VTR-20 is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the CNZ Audio VTR-20
PRS MT100
PRS
17% matchWhat PRS MT100 brings here leans toward mid-forward — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head
Orange
17% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Synergy SL2 Module after CNZ Audio VTR-20
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt goes after CNZ Audio VTR-20 in the chain
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head goes after CNZ Audio VTR-20 in the chain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Ceriatone 2202H after CNZ Audio VTR-20
Carol-Ann OD-2R
Carol Ann
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Carol-Ann OD-2R goes after CNZ Audio VTR-20 in the chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H goes after CNZ Audio VTR-20 in the chain
Pedals that stack with the CNZ Audio VTR-20
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2
Electro-Harmonix
16% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2's own fuzzy character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Wren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz
Wren And Cuff
16% matchWhat Wren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay after CNZ Audio VTR-20 in the signal chain, where it won't crowd CNZ Audio VTR-20 — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep CNZ Audio VTR-20's spring voice out front: Eventide Modulated Delay goes after CNZ Audio VTR-20 in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Put Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 in front of CNZ Audio VTR-20
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchWarm Audio Jet Phaser belongs after CNZ Audio VTR-20, since modulation reads clearest once the core tone is set
Donner Big Mouth Distortion
Donner
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Put Donner Big Mouth Distortion in front of CNZ Audio VTR-20
Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just
Demon Fx
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just after CNZ Audio VTR-20
Cheaper alternatives
Behringer UT100
Behringer
61% similarityShared character: true bypass, tremolo, simple
Behringer UT300
Behringer
59% similarityShared character: true bypass, tremolo, smooth
Danelectro Cool Cat Tremolo
Danelectro
57% similarityShared character: tremolo, simple, reverb
Rowin LEF-327 Trelicopter Tremolo
Rowin
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Cordovox TR-8
Cordovox
66% similarityShared character: signal chain, true bypass, tremolo
Electro-Harmonix Nano Pulsar
Electro-Harmonix
58% similarityShared character: true bypass, tremolo, smooth
FTelettronica Naked Lunch
Ftelettronica
57% similarityShared character: signal chain, true bypass, tremolo
Catalinbread StarCrash Valcoder
Catalinbread
56% similarityShared character: tremolo, transparent, vintage charm
EarthQuaker Devices Night Wire V2
EarthQuaker Devices
56% similarityShared character: true bypass, tremolo
Boffin FX Vibratron
Boffin Fx
55% similarityShared character: signal chain, true bypass, tremolo
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Blaxx BX-Tremolo
Blaxx
66% similarityShared character: true bypass, tremolo, simple
Effects Bakery Uguisu Bread Tremolo
Effects Bakery
55% similarityShared character: tremolo, simple, vintage charm
EarthQuaker Devices Hummingbird V2
EarthQuaker Devices
55% similarityShared character: tremolo, vintage charm
JHS Tidewater Tremolo
JHS Pedals
54% similarityShared character: true bypass, tremolo, simple
Electro-Harmonix Pulsar Variable Speed Tremolo
Electro-Harmonix
54% similarityShared character: tremolo, smooth, reverb
Wampler Latitude Tremolo
Wampler
53% similarityShared character: true bypass, tremolo, simple
See all alternatives to the CNZ Audio VTR-20 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the CNZ Audio VTR-20?+
The closest matches in character are the Blaxx BX-Tremolo, the Effects Bakery Uguisu Bread Tremolo, the EarthQuaker Devices Hummingbird V2. Budget picks: Behringer UT100, Behringer UT300, Danelectro Cool Cat Tremolo. Boutique upgrades: Cordovox TR-8, Electro-Harmonix Nano Pulsar, FTelettronica Naked Lunch.
What pairs well with the CNZ Audio VTR-20?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS MT100, Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head, Synergy SL2 Module — What PRS MT100 brings here leans toward mid-forward — that's worth building a pairing around.
How much does the CNZ Audio VTR-20 cost?+
Around $44.99 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).
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