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Topic: Volume pedal - battery or walwart? |
Brian Pelky
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 18 Jun 2008 5:49 pm |
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Hi all....I'm looking to get an active volume pedal. Any thoughts one that has a battery ONLY, and not the option to plug in to AC? I like the idea of not having to use a walwart, but don't want any hassles if battery needs constant changing. Thoughts?
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Sho-Bud Super Pro D10,Tele,Strat,Martin D-28,Korg Triton Pro,Nashville 400 |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Jun 2008 10:28 am
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The only one I know of (steel volume pedal, that is) that uses a battery is the Goodrich. Reports say that the battery lasts about a year, so it's nothing to really worry about. Some players say that pot pedals have major effects on tone, but I put those comments in the same class as those about black guitars sounding better, and those about tube amps always sounding better.
Remember...
A great player will usually get a great sound from whatever is available.
A not-so-great player will often blame his equipment when he doesn't sound as good as the great player. |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 22 Jun 2008 5:43 pm
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| The first time that battery goes out in the middle of a gig, you will come to hate that battery pedal. I have never had a battery operated device, musical or otherwise that lasted more than a few weeks with use. I hate batteries in anything but flashlights. Some people complain about having to plug in a volume pedal. I already plug one or more FX units and the amp into a power strip. One more plug is nothing. I suppose you could check the battery frequently, and before gigs, but to me that is way more hassle than plugging in an additional item. |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 22 Jun 2008 6:14 pm Volume pedal - battery or walwart?
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I did a lot of research before I bought my Hilton pedal. I have to plug it in, but it's no big deal, I have to plug in my amp, too. There's nothing wrong with my Goodrich, but the Hilton adds a sweet warm tone and sustain. They both fit in my Walker seat. You won't be sorry if you decide on a Hilton. I got mine from Fred Justice (free shipping)
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 23 Jun 2008 2:03 am
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As others have said, you plug in other items so one more is not a big deal.
The new Hilton uses a small switching power supply (wall wart) that never gets warm (stays cold) and is detachable. The older model had a large power supply and it was permanently attached. The new design is what it should have been from the start.
There is a huge difference in the electronics between the Hilton and the Goodrich in the way the electronic control is done. There have been reports, on this forum, that the Goodrich can be affected by bright sunlight or stage lighting where the Hitlon with the "infrared" system is not affected by external light sources.
And, unless they started production again, the last I saw was that Goodrich had discontinued the LDR pedals and was concentrating production only on the pot type pedals. If this is true the only Goodrich LDR units around are used (unless someone has some "NOS"). |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 23 Jun 2008 5:48 am
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This subject has come up so often it's starting to get old.
With all my battery operated pedals I use the wall wart as I've had pedals fail with weak batteries at just the wrong time. |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 23 Jun 2008 7:47 am
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OOPS
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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.
Last edited by Darvin Willhoite on 23 Jun 2008 8:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 23 Jun 2008 8:10 am
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I have never had a battery "go out" on my H10K pedals. As I stated in the other pedal thread, I change them every few years, but there is still life left when I do change them, so the current draw in the Goodrich 10K series is very small. I have had batteries fail in effects units too, so I use adapters for them, but I have also known of wall warts failing, so it's hard to anticipate all the problems that might pop up on a gig. Nine volt batteries are cheap and small, just carry spares.
Donny hit the nail squarely on the head. 
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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 23 Jun 2008 9:24 am
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| Jack Stoner wrote: |
| There have been reports, on this forum, that the Goodrich can be affected by bright sunlight or stage lighting where the Hitlon with the "infrared" system is not affected by external light sources. |
This was true of the older LDR models, but I believe their newer active pedals have eliminated this problem.
| Quote: |
And, unless they started production again, the last I saw was that Goodrich had discontinued the LDR pedals and was concentrating production only on the pot type pedals. If this is true the only Goodrich LDR units around are used (unless someone has some "NOS"). |
The newer models (the H10K & L10K), are battery powered, and cost just over $200. They also still offer the standard pot pedals, but not their old LDR pedal. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 23 Jun 2008 12:35 pm
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| Donny, the L10K and H10K model pedals have been around much longer than the newer LDR pedals. I had an L10K pedal I bought from Scotty in 94 or 95. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 24 Jun 2008 1:51 pm
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| Jack Stoner wrote: |
| Donny, the L10K and H10K model pedals have been around much longer than the newer LDR pedals. I had an L10K pedal I bought from Scotty in 94 or 95. |
Well Jack, "new" is a "reletive" term! 
I thought the op-amp (10k) pedals came out around 2001?
Anyhow, the Goodrich "LDR" pedals go back a lot farther than even 1995. I have a 1973 catalog from Tom Bradshaw (Pedal Steel Guitar Products) that features them! Price back then, only $75. (Little over a tank of gas, nowadays)  |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 24 Jun 2008 3:24 pm
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| OK Donny, you win since you are the absolute authority on anything posted on the forum. |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 25 Jun 2008 4:23 am
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Donny
I agree with Jack.
Some folks like you always think you are right.
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 26 Jun 2008 3:19 am
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| Jack Stoner wrote: |
| OK Donny, you win since you are the absolute authority on anything posted on the forum. |
| Don Sulesky wrote: |
Donny
I agree with Jack.
Some folks like you always think you are right.
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Thank you both for your kindness. |
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