Preamp for Hilton Pedal?

Denis Atadan · From: Delaware, USA

Hi guys,

I noticed a number of players saying they thought a preamp like the Blackbox really helps a guitar's sound along when placed before a volume pedal with a pot. How about when you've got a Hilton optical pedal that is much more transparent and has no pot?

I play through a twin reverb and in general I like as little in a signal path as possible. Now with that said there are somethings that color a sound in a really pleasing way. In a 6 string electric like a Les Paul you of course have volume and tone pots on the guitar which definitely contribute to the character of the guitar we all know and love. If you take them away it doesn't sound as much like a classic Les Paul even though you may argue the sound is degraded in the process.

Now Goodrich pedals have been a staple of the steel world for sometime. Is there anyone out there that prefers the sound of the 120 because of the coloration it imparts?
How about a 120 with a Blackbox to help it out?

btw, I'm kind of new to the forum. I have to say this is the best stop on the internet!

Thanks!

Denis

Mike Shefrin · Posted 9 Oct 2006 6:23 am

Denis,
I use a Goodrich 120 high profile volume pedal and like it alot. I'll probably get flamed for saying this, but I personally prefer it over the Hilton volume pedal. Not only do I like the sound better,but it's height is better for me. The Hilton is a great pedal but I don't like having to plug it in, and it's low height gave my leg a cramp so I went back to the Goodrich. As far as I know Hilton does not make a "high profile" pedal for short guys like me. Correct me if I'm wrong about that.

[This message was edited by Mike Shefrin on 09 October 2006 at 09:22 AM.]

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

In all likelyhood you will find the BlackBox
will improve the sound before any pedal.
More so for a great pedal like the Hilton
or an optical pedal.

And old pot pedal will benifit, but will
also to some extent, color the sound as
the volume lowers from zero resitance to lesser.

Still a BB will help the sound before the pedal, and with a variable Q control,
you can likely find a nice setting that
ameliorates some of the pot pedals faults.

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I still use the Goodrich 120 pot pedal and I think the sound, feel and response of it is awesome. Generally I play with it cranked about half way. Lately the pot has been getting noisy after 15 years of use so I am debating about cleaning the pot, putting my replacement pot in it, or getting a new Goodrich LDRII. I can't really compare the sound of a Hilton versus the 120 but with the George L's cables I have plenty of high's too spare as it is. Maybe the way the pot pedal loads the pickup results in a great sound. You have to try both types of pedal for yourself. A pot pedal is not necessarily bad and some people do prefer the sound of them. Lately the issue of pots going bad in less than one year of normal use is a good argument to avoid them however. Personally, I would have bought a Hilton or Gooodrich LDRII years ago if it didn't add to the already big mass of electronic cables to hook up.

If I could use one power supply and tee off to run the effects pedals and the foot volume, that would win it for me. This would eliminate the extra wall wart and the cable would be there anyhow to run the effects pedals. I am not saying this is feasible with the current design, but just a desirable feature. Maybe the pedal manufacturer could provide one wall wart with two outputs, one for the volume pedal and one with 9.6 volts at 200 mA for the effects pedals.

Greg

David Doggett · Posted 9 Oct 2006 8:36 am

I love my Hilton pedal, and usually have one or more FX units to plug in. I hate batteries (always go bad at the wrong time), so I plug everything in. To deal with the multiple plugs, I always have a power strip and a grounded extension cord. I place the power strip right next to my seat and plug my amp, volume pedal, and effects into it - not that big a deal.

Denis Atadan · From: Delaware, USA

Maybe I should have added "Goodrich" to the subject heading but I thought I would get more positive feedback for the goodrich pedals. I'd like to try one of those blackboxes in anycase. Although I think that since I use a twin reverb already I may not need anymore tube coloration. Anybody use one of the blackboxes with a tube amp and love it?

Denis

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

This may be a helpful hint for players who use a Black Box,a Hilton pedal and stomp boxes, or any combination thereof. I purchased an inexpensive unpowered pedalboard
(about $40.00 at Sam Ash). I then mounted my Black box inside at the far left side of the pedal board by making a template of the positions of the feet, marking and drilling four small holes in the case, and then screwing the BB down from the rear.( Use the same screws that mount the rubber feet to the BB, screw heads will be on the outside of the case.) Next, I mounted a power strip at the very top of the board leaving just enough clearance to close the lid. I bought the type that had the spacing between some the outlets to accomodate AC adapters and came equipped with a six foot cord. Finally, mount your stomp boxes as far to the right of the case as you can, this will leave a convenient spot for your Hilton or Goodrich powered pedal in the lower section of the case. Plug everything in and when you arrive at a gig all you need do is plug in the power strip and you're good to go...This method has saved me a lot of setup time and aggravation, not to mention eliminating tangled wires. Hope some will find this useful.

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