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Topic: PSG gizmo popular in the '80s |
David Ellison
From:
California, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 1:42 pm |
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When I was first learning to play in the late '80s, I used to check out as many pedal steel players as I could. I remember almost all of them used some kind of gizmo between the steel and the guitar cord. Not a pedal, it was very small and plugged right into the back of the steel, then the cord was plugged into that.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I'm guessing it was some kind of compressor or signal boost (?). Its been years since I've seen one. I've never seen a standard guitar player use one either. |
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Al Szwarc
From:
Metuchen, New Jersey, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 1:54 pm Mystery
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| I'm pretty sure you are reffering to an Electro-Harmonix LPB1. Linear Power Booster. Adjustable gain and a switch to cut the boost. Standard guitar jacks. Are you looking to buy one? I have one. Not sure if it works but I can try it out if you are interewsted. al |
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Frank Freniere
From:
The First Coast
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Bob Blair
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 2:12 pm
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| My guess is a "Little Izzy" or perhaps it was "Li'l Izzy". It was an impedance matcher or something like that. I had one, Al Brisco was using one and it seemed like everyone was getting one. |
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Al Szwarc
From:
Metuchen, New Jersey, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 2:37 pm Could be
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| Hi Dave: I guess it could be any of the above. I have a pic I'll send you if you send me you normal email. |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 2:42 pm
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I used to have a Boss Tone fuzz unit plugged into my steel and the cord ran out of it.
The MXR Phase shifter was also a popular unit. But it plugged into the cord and then to the VP.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Bob Blair
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 2:47 pm
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| Right Bent, we all had BossTones back in the early 80's also. |
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David Ellison
From:
California, USA
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 3:39 pm
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| Orange Squeezer? I seem to remember a pic of Buddy with one. |
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 8 Mar 2011 3:52 pm
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| Are we talking about the Goodrich "MATCH BOX" ? It usually was linked in between your Guitar and your foot volume control. It brought the impedence back up from what it lost in the Foot Volume Control and any other effect pedals. The one I have is powered by two 9-volt batteries. I attached it to my right rear Sierra leg with Velcro. It also has small volume and tone control knobs at each end which are handy to set your final volume and Tone levels. I bought it from Blackie Taylor Music back in the 70's at a cost of around $100.00. I don't know if they are still being made. Probably now replaced with something much better ! |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 9 Mar 2011 10:04 am
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The Li'l Izzy (and Izzy Plus with adjustable gain) was just an impedance matching preamp of some sort, built by C M Baker. all the circuitry is covered in some hardened plastic goo to hide the components – the stuff inside the tiny box is smaller than a ping-pong ball.
Plugging it in adds lots of clarity, maybe a little too much – it sometimes also adds a sharp edge to the tone. Big improvement in string separation, and good for running long cables.
I still use mine with my Telecaster, adding a little bit of gain. To make adjustments easier, I drilled a hole in the cover to enable turning the tiny pot inside with a screwdriver without removing the four cover screws.
Here's how they look – though I painted mine metallic grey (that colour combo hurts my retinas): http://www.studio1525.com/store/images/00001332.jpg |
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