Volume Pedal/ Matchbox chain

Judson Adair · From: Oklahoma, USA

I just bought a Matchbox off Ebay. I was just wondering about were it should go in my effects chain. Right now I am also using a Goodrich volume pedal and a no name overdrive pedal.

I had it set up-

Pedal steel - volume pedal - overdrive - amp

From my understanding the matchbox is basically a tone knob, so should I put it before the volume?

Any one have any thoughts?

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

A Matchbox is not just a tone control. It is also a buffer/impedance matcher (I forget what they actually called it). It is meant to be the first thing in line coming out of your guitar. Someone will no doubt chime in with the more technical aspects of it. I used one many, many years ago.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

I thought they were obsolete !!!
_________________
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick

Judson Adair · From: Oklahoma, USA

Why would they be obsolete? What else does the function?

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I can't see them going obsolete. Even those running Telonics and Hilton pedals report sonic improvements with them. yes, it should be the very first thing out of the guitar.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Ray Anderson · From: Jenkins, Kentucky USA

Goodrich super sustain , first in line the VP. You ask does it make a difference , I will answer " day as to night" comparison. At least to my ears. Winking

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

I gave one away 5 or 6 years ago ...lol
_________________
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick

Keenan Friday · From: Magnolia, Arkansas, USA

I came across a "guitar" type matchbox similar to Sarno freeloader with just one control and was reading up on it and if I understood correctly I thought they were saying it was a great unit because with the knob, one could operate overdrive in chain afterward by turning down their matchbox type unit

I interpreted it to mean that the matchbox at its full clarity overdrives the input of the overdrive pedal. So I'm wondering if the only exception is overdrive with the matchbox being the first thing after the pickup. I've read that overdrive should come before the volume pedal.
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Keenan Friday
Mullen Pre Royal D-10, Walker Stereo Steel, Hilton pedal, George L cables, Livesteel Strings, (White) Fred Kelly thumbpick, Dunlop .025 fingerpicks

Keenan Friday · From: Magnolia, Arkansas, USA

I came across a "guitar" type matchbox similar to Sarno freeloader with just one control and was reading up on it and if I understood correctly I thought they were saying it was a great unit because with the knob, one could operate overdrive in chain afterward by turning down their matchbox type unit

I interpreted it to mean that the matchbox at its full clarity overdrives the input of the overdrive pedal. So I'm wondering if the only exception is overdrive with the matchbox being the first thing after the pickup. I've read that overdrive should come before the volume pedal.
_________________
Keenan Friday
Mullen Pre Royal D-10, Walker Stereo Steel, Hilton pedal, George L cables, Livesteel Strings, (White) Fred Kelly thumbpick, Dunlop .025 fingerpicks

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

once I got a DD3 I never used the matchbox again
I try to keep things simple as I can
_________________
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Judson...Lane is correct, should be the first in line from the guitar. The unit is designed to clip to the leg of the guitar and I found that it is best to situate it directly under the endplate, this will enable you to easily make adjustments on the fly...FWIW: Do not know which model 'Matchbox' that you purchased, but some of the earlier units did not have on/off switches and need to be unplugged when not in use to conserve battery power.

Judson Adair · From: Oklahoma, USA

It is a Goodrich from the early 80's but someone added an on/off to it.

One thing that I noticed is that if I put it in front of my volume pedal (a new Goodrich) the range on the pedal changes. The difference between 50% volume and 100% volume is about half the distance it used to be. I have been having trouble getting it to that 80% volume I like to play at. But if I put it after the volume pedal I don't get nearly the nice tone change. I am not sure what to do about it.

Here is a pic if anyone wanted to see.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

That looks like the one I had (I think I had it the 70's though - I believe mine was the second version they came out with, but it may have been the first generation. It did have the tone control though). I never had any problems with it before the volume pedal and had always placed it first. It should have no effect on how the volume pedal works. And I always had a distortion pedal right after the Matchbox and before the volume pedal. Not sure why it is having an effect on your volume pedal.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

It may be that rather than changing the range of your Goodrich pedal, the buffer circuit in the Matchbox may be enhancing the tone and making the notes more defined giving the impression of greater volume at different levels...BTW: What brand of amp are you using?

Judson Adair · From: Oklahoma, USA

Richard:

You put your distortion before your volume pedal?

So: Guitar- Matchbox - Distortion - Volume - Amp

Usually distortion (overdrive not fuzz) raises the volume. I tried that once and it did not work at all.

I have it set up the other way around right now.

Guitar - Volume - Matchbox- Distortion - Amp.

David: You are most likely correct in theory but the result is I can't use my volume pedal in the same way I had. Since I can't seem to adjust I have just put the Matchbox after the volume. It doesn't sound as good but I think it is a compromise that is as good as I can get.

And my amp is a Peavey Session 400.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Any good distortion pedal should have a level or volume control. The ones I have used in the past and the one I use now have all had ways to control the output level. My distortion unit is the same volume when activated as my steel is without it activated.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Early '400' (no effects loops) or the later 'Limited' model?

Judson Adair · From: Oklahoma, USA

Richard: I have found when I back the volume down on the pedal itself I can't get the tone I am looking for. That being said I have never been a big pedal person so I haven't played with them a lot. Before I started on steel I played out of a three channel Mesa that such great tone that I never felt like I needed to hook a pedal into because the built in tone was so great.

David: I believe it is the later limited model. I hadn't even thought about putting it in the effects loop. Like I said I haven't really played with pedals much. I will have to try that when I get home.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Judson...Try this setup. Guitar to Matchbox to amp. Volume pedal input to Pre gain loop 'Send', volume pedal output (either jack) to distortion effects pedal to 'Return' jack...FYI:The fewer things that you run between your guitar and your amp, the purer the signal will remain.

Judson Adair · From: Oklahoma, USA

Interesting. I will have to try it when I get home.

Now, there are two effects loops. Should I try putting the volume pedal on one and the distortion on another? Does it matter? I can't really see the reason for two effects loops.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

The 'Post Gain' section is intended more for effects so that setup may prove to work out even better, my intention was to try to keep the setup as simple as possible...FWIW: If you have the available footswitch you could use two short patch cords and place the effects pedal on top of the amp, using the footswitch to turn it on and off.

Judson Adair · From: Oklahoma, USA

David: I tried it with the volume pedal and the overdrive going through the effects loop. It definitely makes a huge difference. It is almost exactly what I want. It still needs some tweaking but it is almost there. Thanks for the tip.

Lavon Chappell · From: The Heart of Dixie

Is there a difference in a matchbox super sustain and a steel driver, other than the fuzz side?

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