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Topic: Is a volume pedal a volume pedal? |
Jack Willis
From:
California, USA
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Posted 17 Jun 2010 6:06 pm |
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I have a question. Is a volume pedal a volume pedal? There several manufactures, brands etc. But, what is the variable between volume pedals? Do they all do the same job or does one excel over the others? Could I detect the difference? Curious minds want to know. I am a 60 year old beginner realizing his dream. What do you think?
_________________
Mullen SD10 pre RP, Milkman 40w mini steel, Wet reverb mono, Profex II, Yamaha keyboard, lots of books about music theory and PSG. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 17 Jun 2010 6:25 pm
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| being a beginner, you should get something as cheap as possible. however, try to find something used that was designed for steel use, such as a goodrich or sho-bud. try to find something under $100 that sits flat and solid on the floor. nothing better matters until you get richer, older, more experienced and more anal. |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 18 Jun 2010 12:56 am
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| Volume pedals that are not designed for steel guitars often have a steeper angle, which could be uncomfortable for steel. Also, the jacks are often on the front panel, which is not a good idea when you want your volume pedal close to the pedal board. The steel guitar volume pedals do not have these problems, but they also cost a lot more than other types, probably due to low volume manufacturing. |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 18 Jun 2010 3:06 am Volume pedals
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| Jack...Most volume pedals manufactured for guitar are equipped with 250K volume pots, a 500K pot is recommended by most players for use with steel guitar (500K pots are installed standard on the Goodrich pedals, but the Goodrich units are more costly than other brands.) For a starter setup however, any decent pedal will do as the original pot can easily be replaced with a 500K unit at a later date when replacement becomes necessary. As stated, the later model Ernie Ball pedal has the jacks mounted in the front of the pedal, but the placement problem can be easily overcome by the use of guitar cords with right angle plugs on one end. The Jim Dunlop Hi-Gain or Fender reissue VP are also a lower cost alternative and will work fine...hope this proves useful and best of luck in your new endeavor. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 18 Jun 2010 5:04 am
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Volume pedals having only potentiometers for the gain control are passive devices. The volume is a function of how close the pot's wiper is to ground. Volume is reduced by variably shunting the signal to ground at the potentiometer. You'll never get out more signal than you put in.
Active device volume pedals use an internal amplifier and vary the gain of the amplifier based on the mechanical position of the pedal.
Of course with an active pedal, having an internal amplifier, there are always tricks that could be played on the signal to "tweak" it.
I've been using a Hilton "active" pedal for a couple of years now and I really like it. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 18 Jun 2010 5:37 am
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Jack, most volume pedals are just that : volume pedals
some particularities vary according to brands & prices
if you're gonna play pedal steel then get a VP specific to it
the Goodrich 120 regular model will do you just fine (500k pot)
DON'T get a VP for electric guitars (250k pot)
most reknown steel dealers have them in stock ready to go
& used ones come up regularly here on the Fo'..............bro'
Dream on............  |
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Jack Willis
From:
California, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2010 10:16 am Volume Pedals
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Thank you to everyone that posted. I have a much better picture of this topic now. Time to start collecting aluminum cans for the volume pedal. I can't tell you all how gratful I am for all of the knowledge I have gained from the forum. It is the University of the Steel Guitar as far as I am concerned.
_________________
Mullen SD10 pre RP, Milkman 40w mini steel, Wet reverb mono, Profex II, Yamaha keyboard, lots of books about music theory and PSG. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2010 10:35 am
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| And,,, if you're ever in the studio,,, don't let the engineer hear you calling it a volume pedal. Call it an "expression" pedal, or he's gonna ask you not to use it so he can control your volume! |
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Raybob Bowman
From:
S. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2010 1:47 pm
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Whatever you do, DON'T buy one of the new cheap brand volume pedals such as the Boss volume pedal. Price is right but they sure don't have full throw of the pot.
Raybob
_________________
Sierra U12 4+5 / 1933 Dobro / homemade Tele B-bender |
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Jack Willis
From:
California, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2010 10:39 am Switched out the 250k for a 500k pot
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Well I ordered a 500k pot from Tommy Bradshaw last week. I spent about an hour and a half last evening removing the 250k pot in my Ernie Ball jr. pedal and replacing it with the 500k pot. Just as I finished the job and verified that it worked the dinner bell rang. I will give it a go tonight after work.
_________________
Mullen SD10 pre RP, Milkman 40w mini steel, Wet reverb mono, Profex II, Yamaha keyboard, lots of books about music theory and PSG. |
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Jack Willis
From:
California, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2010 6:20 pm ernie ball Jr. VP 250k to 500k pot upgrade
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Well, I am pleased with the VP after the upgrade. The highs sound brighter and there seems to be more space between strings (sound space). So for now a $30 pot upgrade will serve me well.
_________________
Mullen SD10 pre RP, Milkman 40w mini steel, Wet reverb mono, Profex II, Yamaha keyboard, lots of books about music theory and PSG. |
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Bobby Bowman
From:
Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Jul 2010 7:36 pm VP's
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Most steel guitar "pot" VP's are pretty simular and will certainly "get the job done". However,,,if you want to experience the very best,,,get a Telonics volume pedal. There is a difference!
Expensive?,,,yes. Worth it?,,,every last cent!
Kinda' like driving a wore out '52 ford pick up and then driving a new Cadilac. 
BB
_________________
If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
http://www.bobbybowman.com |
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