Question to Hilton pedal users. I'd like your opinions.

Dale Hansen · From: Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)

Hi guys,
I've got a decision to make soon, and was hoping that a few of of you Hilton VP users might jump in to offer me a little help, and insight here.
I've replaced the pot in my Goodrich twice in less than a year, and now it needs a third.
I'm guessing by now that there just aren't any good pots to be had anywhere, and I'm now seriously pondering a purchase of a Hilton. To be honest, I've wanted to try one for a while anyway.
I really do like the height, and feel of my current L-120 (low profile) Goodrich.
Which one of Keith's models would be a closer match to the angle, and feel of the Goodrich?
Naturally, I would think, and tend to gravitate towards the lower profile Hilton, but have heard some say that a standard height (original), would be more comparable.
Anybody out there have a thought, or experience with this transition?

I'll be poking back in here off and on.
If you happen to be gracious enough to reply, and I don't get back right away, please don't think that I'm being rude, or ungrateful.
I've been "Sunday punched" by pneumonia, and have to take it easy for a few days.
Thanks in advance fellas.

Your pal, Dale

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

Gary, the Hilton pedal (standard) is about 1/2 inch lower than my Goodrich standard 120, if that helps.

I took the plunge for the same reason you are contemplating. $28. 50 is a little steep for a two dollar pot.

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

Dale, here is a review I did of the new lightweight Hilton pedal with detachable power cord with height, front and back, and angle/travel comparisons:

Hilton Review

If you buy a conductive plastic pot like the Dunlop HotPotz, it will work like a charm in your old Goodrich 120 pedal and will likely last 10 years or so with absolutely no noise. In fact it should outlast the ORIGINAL high quality Allen Bradley pots made years ago. Here's some info on that one:

Goodrich Pot Replacement

So you have two really good options, fix your Goodrich with a HotPotz or get a Hilton. I like both pedals a lot and still use both of them

Greg

Glenn Taylor · From: Denver, CO, USA

It took me a long time to imagine that a volume pedal could be worth buying for almost $300. I bought a low-profile Hilton a few years ago. It is SO worth it.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

I'd measure the standard, but it's in my stuff. It's lower than my EB standard pot pedal.

I'd about guarantee if you buy one, you'll be glad you did.

I never even have thought of going back to a pot pedal after using my EB for 25 years of using it.

2-3 years on the Hilton, and I wish Id done it earlier. I haven't even used the Ernie ball for practice.

Smile

EJL

Dale Hansen · From: Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)

Thanks to all of you guys.
I've got a couple of new questions now.

Greg, I first heard of the new Dunlop pot, through a previous post of yours. Are there any drastic tonal differences between these, and the "decent" type "J" pots that used to be available?
I'm anxious to read your pedal review, but the server must have been too busy, I couldn't get into it.

I guess I'll need one of those pots either way, I'd really like to keep it, and certainly wouldn't want to sell it with a bad one in it.

Eric, I had to grin when you mentioned the Ernie Ball pedal.
The first one I ever had, was an EB. I remember (quite a few times) using a spoon to re-shape the thin housing , where it sheathed inside of itself , after having banged it up on something (most likely the guitar's pedal rack.)

One more question about the Hilton.
Will it harm the pedal if you forget to unplug it; leaving it powered up overnight, or even for a couple of days?

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Along with the pot issue, there are no "strings" or whatever that move the pot to break with a Hilton. I've been using them for about 5 years and wouldn't go back to a pot pedal. I've been carrying my old Goodrich 120 in the car as a backup in case the Hilton fails but it never has.

The new models, with the power supply that plugs in should be able to take mistakes of leaving it plugged in over night (the old style too as I've left mine powered on overnight one time). I've played show jobs where it was about 6 hours total (including set up, sound checks, etc) and the new style power supply was "stone cold" at the end when I tore down.

I'm an electronics tech, and former Amp Tech and I wouldn't consider anything but the Hilton.

Don Poland · From: Hanover, PA.

I had a Goodrich Low Boy that lasted all of about 4-5 hours of playing time. Got rid of it and got a standard height Hilton and it is about the same as the lowboy.

I bet once you get the Hilton, you won't even look back Smile

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Hey Dale,

It's my understanding after reading many VP threads here on the forum, there are generally only two reasons steelers DON'T use the Hilton.

-The fact it requires a wall wart.

-The fact that there is no tonal difference through the full swell of it's volume change.

Some people have mentioned preferring or having gotten used to the "thinner" tone of the pot pedal as it nears the off position.

A Hilton is one my wish list. My Goodrich L120 pot failed two weeks after I got the brand new pedal. I replaced the pot with the one that Tom Bradshaw sells (with the help of Mr. Cutshaw's web site to get that darn string right, thanks) and have had no trouble for a little more than a year.

Brian

Dale Hansen · From: Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)

Thanks Jack,
I needed to be reassured a little about that issue. I'm a little absent minded at times, and quite frankly, will admit freely, (under the influence of cough medicine) that our annual (4/1), might just be another day to everybody else, but I receive cards, from other family members.
It's kinda like having our own "Martin Luther King" day I guess.

And Don, thanks to you too. After gleaning bits of scattered info from some other comments I've seen that agree with you, I'm leaning more towards the standard height Hilton.

Thanks again to everybody, for pitching in here.
It's times like this, that I truly prefer being in the company of the folks here on this Forum, versus the company of the finest people on earth.

Dale Hansen · From: Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)

Brian,
I'm sorry, you snuck in behind me while I was posting the last one.

I just ordered two of those pots from Tom Bradshaw last night. Between you, and Greg, they seem to be very good pots.
I'll still get a Hilton soon though. I've heard too many good things about about em'.
Keith, it seems to me, has quite an asset in the large (voluntary) sales crew he has out there.

Greg Cutshaw does such a great service to the whole Forum, through his website, and posting, in many, many different capacities.

Please don't tell him I said so though, I don't want to do any harm to his fine reputation.

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Dale - If you like your current pedal, you really owe it to yourself to try one of Tom Bradshaw's pots. They are easy to install and they sound and work great.

One less thing to plug in, too!

Lee

Mike Christensen · From: Cook Minnesota

Dale: I have both of the pedals you mentioned. I have them both mashed to the bottom right now and they are both nearly identical in height. They do have different hinge points however so they feel a little different. The only thing I don't like about the Hilton is the huge wall wart. I have had no problems with either.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i got myself a Hilton after havin' a Goodrich120
the Hilton is maintenance free ( no pot to change)
(it's wallwart dont bug me : i've got a us junction box for the gear that runs on 110v - )
i sold the goodrich 120

Dale Hansen · From: Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)

Thanks Mike,
I've been getting a lot of good help here, from everyone, and I appreciate it. I'm leaning towards the standard height. To the players new to the Hilton pedal, I'd like to ask; is it gonna feel a lot different? Or was it a fairly smooth transition.

Mike, Do you have an older pedal? I've heard that the newer models have a smaller, or different type of power supply, but I haven't had the chance to see one.
What is the main difference in the "new style" units?

I realize that I ask a lot of goofy questions, but I have never been much of a gear swapper. I typically find something I like, and stick with it.
I go through this process everytime a change happens.

But, I...I'm an ex..ex..excellent driver. Yeaaah.

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

If you get a Hilton and want it to feel similar to the 120, be sure to order the adjustable feet for the Hilton that screw in at the rear.

Why? I used a 120 for years, and found that when I adjusted the Hilton feet to the exact angle of the 120, the adaptation was very easy.

You might find the Hilton has a slightly different taper depending on the pot that's in your 120.

EDITED: to remove "light bulb" comment.

Why get a Hilton? - one more reason is the clean, pure sound throughout the pedal travel. Another is the great support you get from Keith.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

There is an infrared light source in the pedal but it's not a "light bulb", it's a solid state device.

The MTBF on that device is probably in the 10,000 hour or maybe more range.

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

I stand corrected.

Mike Shefrin · Posted 5 Apr 2008 9:51 am

I just received my new Hilton pedal from Fred Justice and I like it alot. I was using a Goodrich 120 which I also liked until it went all scratchy on me. I got sick and tired of having to apply lighter fluid on the pot. You can only do that so much until it stops working. Some guys drill a hole in the pot (with a 1/16 " drill bit) and then spray in tuning fluid which increases the life of an old pot, but I didn't want to bother with all that so I shelled out for a new Hilton (standard height, not the low profile model). The factory settings on my Hilton seem real good so I didn't mess with them. I like the pivot of this pedal, and the sweep is also just where I like it, and the Hilton pedal is super comfortable with no noise. I've used an old Sho-Bud pedal,and a Goodrich 120 but the Hilton pedal is now my favorite of all. If you really like the Goodrich 120 though, and don't want to change your pedal, Lee Baucum's suggestion about getting one of Tom Bradshaw's pots as a replacement is certainly a good alternative. The original Alan Bradley pot in my Sho-Bud pedal is amazingly still good and after several years has not once gone scratchy. I don't know why that is but it's kind of remarkable. I think the original Alan Bradley pots were the best ever made. Too bad they are no longer in production but the next best thing are Tom Bradshaw's pots IMHO.

Dale Hansen · From: Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)

Thanks Mike.(Shefrin)
I'm pretty well set on getting a Hilton pedal,...and soon.

But, I also did take Greg, and Lee's advice, (as well as yours), to get the Dunlop replacements from Tom.
They're on the way.

Ain't life grand?

You guys are all a tremendous help. And not just here.
I read a lot of posts, on a wide variety of topics in here. I don't say it enough, but I do get a lot of terrific info, on anything I could ever want to learn about. I really do appreciate all of you guys that have the willingness to dive in, and share info.

Your pal, Dale

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