Hilton pedals

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

How many versions of the Hilton volume pedal are there?

I'm not referring to standard vs. low profile, but different "generations".

The first one I bought has three trim pots on the bottom, for Volume, Tone, and Off Point, and a hardwired power supply with a very stiff cord and a honking big and heavy Motorola "wall wart" transformer, with Output labeled as +5VDC 0.5A, +12VDC 0.13A, -12VDC 0.13A.

The second one I bought without even opening the box, assuming it was the same. The pedal itself is much lighter, a bit more rounded off on the edges, and has only two trim pots, Tone and Off Point (the third hole plugged), and a detachable power supply with a skinny, flexible cord and a much smaller and lighter Phihong wall wart (switching power supply), with Output labeled as DC24V, 0.625A.

The newer one hums, with or without anything connected to the input, regardless of pedal position, while the older one, plugged into the same wall outlet and connected to the same amp with the same cable, doesn't hum at all.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

I have both versions of the Hilton, I don't hear any difference, no hum with either one. Maybe you should contact Keith about this.

Matt Elsen · From: Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, WA

Brint,

Exact same deal for me. Older pedal with big wall wart plug was fine, no problems. Newer pedal has a big ol' nasty hum.

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

Thanks for using my pedal. If you are experiencing a hum problem I might need to check your pedal out. Of course there are many other things that cause hum.
Before sending a pedal in to be checked out, it is always best to try the pedal out on totally different equipment at a totally different location. By totally different equipment, I mean everything different, even guitar cords. There are many things that can cause a hum problem.
In the 14 years the Hilton Pedals have been in production there have been 3 different power supplies used. The first power supply was a 12 volt DC unregulated power supply that plugged in. The second power supply was a 24 volt regulated power supply that was attached to the pedal. The present power supply is a 24 volt regulated power supply that plugs in. There has only been two types of metal enclosures used for the pedal. Up until 3 years ago we used sand cast aluminum. 3 years ago we went to sheet aluminum cut with a laser and formed. The laser formed pedals are as strong as the sand cast pedals and weigh 1/2 as much. Most people appreciate a lighter load. For the first 11 years there were 3 adjustments on the bottom of the Hilton Pedals. Tone, Off Point and Volume. 3 years ago we eliminated the Volume adjustment. We used to build pedals that were hot, and you could back off the output with the Volume control. The problem we had was people would not read the instructions on how to turn down the Volume control if they experienced distortion. We eliminated this problem by eliminating the Volume control, and factory set the wide open volume equal, or slightly more than a straight guitar cord from the guitar to the amp. We still build a few pedals with a Volume control, but they cost extra. There is absolutely no advantage to a pedal with or without the volume control. The sound of the Hilton pedal has remained the same for the last 14 years as the circit that makes the sound has not changed at all. A 14 year old pedal should sound the same as a 2010 pedal, because the electronic circuit is the same. I was recently honored by a very famous guitar player using a Hilton Pedal on the Grammy Awards. The famous Jeff Beck played a tribute to Les Paul on the Grammy awards show on Television and was using a Hilton Pedal. Hope this information helps.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Keith, I assume the 24 volt power supply that was attached was the one that says +12 and -12 (12 and 12 add up to 24), so I guess my earlier pedal was the second type.

I would just point out that, as I mentioned, my description of the hum characteristics of the two Hilton pedals is with both using the same wall AC power outlet (plugged in oriented the same way), the same cable (George L's) connecting them to the same amp with the same settings--with the amp in the same position in the room, and each pedal in the same position in the room as the other, and nothing plugged into the input of either pedal, or with the same guitar plugged into each, with the same cable (George L's again). With all those things being equal, the older one doesn't hum. BTW, I wouldn't describe the hum from the newer pedal as a "big, nasty" hum--but it does hum.

I understand about the "Volume" control--I only included that detail for descriptive purposes to identify the "generations" of my two pedals.

The weight issue kind of cuts both ways. Certainly a lighter load to carry is a good thing; but on the other hand on the hardwood floor of my practice room the lighter pedal moves around a lot (which I guess would happen on similar flooring at a gig--I keep that one at home, for this reason and because it hums(at home)). It's a tradeoff.

I am certainly not trying to badmouth Hilton pedals--I think they're an excellent product! I wondered how many (if any) others have experienced the hum as I have. And I don't pretend to know its cause.

Mike Archer · From: church hill tn

ive had 3 hiltons they all worked great

the first one was a low boy great pedal wrong one

for me.... sold it got high boy great pedal

had to sell money wows got a good used one

had Keith to over haul it MAN WHAT A GREAT PEDAL

THIS IS no more pot pedals for me

Mike

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

Brint, yes, the attached power supply is 24 volts, but this is represented by plus 12 volts and minus 12 volts with ground. The power supply also has a plus 5 volts which is not used. Modern chips require a positive and negative voltage, and when added give the total voltage. Brint, make sure the new power supply is the correct power supply. It should read 24 volts DC and the brand name is Phihong. The old attached power supplies were Motorola. Both supplies are filtered and regulated and should have the same limited noise output. Just about every major music show and recording studio in Nashville, Los Angles, Las Vegas, Branson, and New York uses the Hilton pedal. They would not be using the Hilton pedal if it hummed or was noisy. I will be happy to check your pedal in the shop and see if I can locate a problem. A slight difference in output gains between two pedals can cause an existing hum to be noticed more in the pedal with the slightly higher gain. By the way, I don't trust George L cord connections. Brint, if you want I will trade your newer pedal straight across for a heavier cast pedal with an attached power supply. That will eliminate all your concerns. I still have some of the sand castings I can make up and I still have some of the old motorola power supplies. It is your call Brint?

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Keith, I appreciate your gracious response very much--given the unanimous high reputation for great customer care and service you enjoy, I'm not surprised!

I may well take you up on your trade-in offer. First I'll test a bit more to make sure of the situation. I would be curious to have you check out the pedal, if my testing maintains the same results I've had so far.

Thanks again! And I'll probably be in touch with you.

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