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Topic: Hilton vs Telonic Question |
Micheal Harvey
From:
Palm City, Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2013 4:12 am |
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Hello forum members, I am looking to add another pedal to my equipment and need your help. Can any of you describe the difference between these two fine pedals other than the obvious (price)? Thanks for all your help. I know from reading all the the opinions that Keith and Dave are great to deal with and they both have a good product, just need to know from the users especially those that have had both.
Mike |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 4 Jun 2013 9:47 am
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i've had both & both are excellent VPs
The Hilton has a setting that adjusts where the volume opens/begins
1 input / 2 outs
Reliable this VP does not eat/modify the original sound of the steel imo
The Telonics is a much more versatile VP thus the price
it has the same setting that open the volume which i find better than the Hilton
input impedance is adjustable
it also has 6 presets/taper to choose from that offer an array of VPs from the good ol' days to present models
(including 2 Hilton versions)
#6 preset has a boost towards wide open that is excellent
updates are available by Telonics website &the USB port on the VP
1 input / 2 outs / out to tuner
it's got a neat Blue light that sheds light on the pedals
Both the Hilton & Telonics use Walwarts
(the Telonics Preamp has a built it power source for the VP)
Both manufacturers stand behind their products
Considering the Budget is the Boss, these Vps are more expensive that the passive "pot" pedals - they are worth it imo - no more changing pots & futzing w: strings & adjustements
Hey, i liked the Goodrich 120 if it was'nt for the pot...
some's mileage does vary.......  |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2013 11:57 am
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+1...
I'd say that both are fine (I own one of each), but the Telonics is "a cut above", built by a company that conveniently has access to a full electronics lab and commercial machine shop from the other products they make - it has a "Mercedes car" solid feel to it....
....and you can select the "goodrich taper" and have that pedal with no pot....each taper is labeled as to the pedal it emulates, except for #6, which is the special Telonics "extra sustain" taper....
Never had a problem with the Telonics....got good support from Keith Hilton both times my Hilton broke......
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 4 Jun 2013 7:27 pm
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+2 for the Telonics VP ...they are outstanding in every possible way.
Whilst I have never owned a Hilton, I did have the Goodrich LDR2 which was a very similar pedal to the Hilton.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Bob Simons
From:
Kansas City, Mo, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2013 1:05 pm
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I have one Telonics on my guitar, and two Hiltons in the closet. Enough said.....
_________________
Zumsteel U12 8-5, MSA M3 U12 9-7, MSA SS 10-string, 1930 National Resonophonic, Telonics Combo, Webb 614e, Fender Steel King, Mesa Boogie T-Verb. |
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Bob Simons
From:
Kansas City, Mo, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2013 1:05 pm
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I have one Telonics on my guitar, and two Hiltons in the closet. Enough said.....
_________________
Zumsteel U12 8-5, MSA M3 U12 9-7, MSA SS 10-string, 1930 National Resonophonic, Telonics Combo, Webb 614e, Fender Steel King, Mesa Boogie T-Verb. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2013 1:44 pm
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I will have to relate my experience.
I was using a Hilton pedal but just had to try out the Telonics. I contact Tom Bradshaw and he sent me a Hilton on approval. I compared the two pedals side by side and returned the Telonics to Tom. It sure wasn't worth the difference in price. |
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Micheal Harvey
From:
Palm City, Florida, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2013 5:03 pm Telonics
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| Hey guys I really appreciate all the feed back,really gives me something to work with.. |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2013 6:29 pm
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Micheal, I think Crowbear's post is right on the money. Tastes and desires frequently differ vastly on gear- my experience has been 180 degrees opposite from Erv's. I find the Telonics to be superior, and worth the investment. The Hiltons are stellar, just fewer features.
_________________
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 6:25 am
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| It is just my opinion, but I feel that the Telonics products are vastly over engineered and priced. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 12:21 pm
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I'm not sure I agree they're overpriced, considering their engineering.
That said, I have no need of the features and regard an L-120 behind an Izzy as perfectly adequate.
Do I think Crowbear or Paddy are goofy for trying to get others to try their path? No.
They have a great product: I've seen 'em and played through them.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 12:24 pm
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Lane,
Like I said, they're over engineered and the price reflects this. In regards to the foot volume control, all we're trying to do is control the amount of volume, not fly to the moon.  |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 3:27 pm
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But Erv it's got this cool blue light 
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Jeff Valentine
From:
Colorado Springs, USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 7:12 pm
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As previously stated, it's a matter of preference. Personally, I prefer the Telonics to the Hilton. It's really like comparing a Mercedes with a BMW. Either way you win. My ears hear what I'd call a filtered sound when I play through the Hilton. It seems to have a characteristic sound. For some reason I don't hear a real color when playing through the Telonics. It seems to have an absence of color, which I prefer with my overall setup. Each string seems to ring through with a clear unaltered sound. Hopefully you'd have the opportunity to test drive them both and make your own decision.
-Jeff |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2013 8:41 am
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"over-engineered"? so that they will never, ever break or wear out, or color your tone, or not have exactly the taper you like?
It is only a matter of if you thank that is worth paying for...if you don't want it, don't pay...although all it does is "control the volume", this is a very central task to pedal steel playing....and in the grand scheme of total cost for this crazy pedal steel passion of ours, the price difference doesn't amount to much, averaged over the years of use you will get...
But, as with anything, you can go over the top on spending for perfection in your whole signal chain, as I did...definitely a personal choice here....
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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