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Topic: Li'l Izzy and the meaning of life.. |
Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 7 Jun 2015 6:46 am |
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..or how my wife will now have to bury me with this li'l blue box.
Howdy folks. When I started playing pedal steel a couple years ago, I came into the deal with about 25 years of electric guitar playing experience and gear. I had amps, effects, cables, and a bag of 3 chord tricks. After I started getting some technique together and was able to make a sound that could be adequately described as a pedal steel guitar, the dogs no longer leaving the room when I plugged in, I started messing with my sound more. I had several EQ pedals leftover from my 6 string days that worked nicely in approaching the sound I had in my head. I was targeting vintage Buddy Charleton and Buddy Emmons tones from the recordings they tracked in those great bands of yesteryear. Pretty high-flung goal! Still, I felt I was getting there. I also figured I needed to get vintage Sho-Bud to make up the missing percentage, or maybe a Jackson Shot Jackson Commemorative model, maybe a Show Pro. But I always wondered about The Li'l Izzy and other buffers. Two of my EQ's had buffers in them, so I figured I didn't need another one. And anyway, the tone is mostly in the player's hands, right? As we get better, we understand that more and more. So I continued to log in seat time on my Zumsteel Stage One and play along to my George Jones, Ray Price, and Ernest Tubb records, thinking about how to get that sound in my head.
Getting on with it, the stars aligned this past Friday and I received a li'l blue box ( complete with 3 Werthers hard candies, some literature about what the li'l blue box did, plus a nice note from Craig himself.) I plugged her in and there it was-the sound I had in my head. I tried to play my little take on "Pass the Booze" and it was there-that elusive sparkly timber on the high strings. And they weren't getting lost in the cascade. It had that richness, the fullness- and no mud. I could hear everything, and not only that, I could really crank the gain. I think those guys used to really crank the amps in the studio. I use a humbucker on my Stage One, and the fullness was still there, but now the highs were just poppin'! With that gain up high, I had sustain for days and the variance from pick attack and bar manipulation was broader. Each string was coming right through, blended like a nice meaty pasta sauce. I didn't have to change my amp's eq or anything. I just played the next two days until my pickin' hand was sore.
Paraphrasing Craig , he notes Li'l Izzy really does not do much more than let your guitar be itself. The sound's always been there, but the natural overtones were being masked by the elements and technology in the signal chain. You can't put them back in there with eq or other signal manipulation once it's gone. Your jsut mimicking the highs and lows of the thing. There's more going on there, of course;hearing my Stage One's overtones was magic. It's a much warmer and expressive guitar than I imagined. And the only excuse I have for not sounding like the music I have in my head is me. I'm not a pro or even much of a steel player, really, but a fun thing just got a whole lot more fun.
Thank you Craig Baker!
Last edited by Daniel Policarpo on 7 Jun 2015 2:57 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Edward Rhea
From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2015 8:20 am
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Awesome! All the fellows I personally know, that play a modern pedal steel( anything built in the last 20 years ) use the lil izzy, and their guitars sound great! Now, on the other hand, I know guys playing vintage steels that don't use it, have no desire or need for it, and their steels sound great as well. Having said that, I don't use one or even own one...but if I were to ever purchase a new steel guitar, I wouldn't go without it. Craig is a super guy and contributes so much to the steel community, from what I've experienced. Keep on pedaling, I hope to meet and pic with you someday, Daniel!
_________________
“TONESNOB†|
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 7 Jun 2015 11:32 am
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I never played my 81 Push-pull without my Izzy until my push-pull got stolen,so it's not just modern axes. The clarity is wonderful.
_________________
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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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Jun 2015 12:25 pm
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Dan,
Thank you so much for your post. I had no idea Li'l Izzy was THAT good. Maybe I better plug one in and start practicing again.
Edward & Lane,
Everyone has better guitars than were available in "the old days" With today's instruments and amplifiers it's not that hard for most players to get a good sound. Nonetheless, whenever someone takes the extra step and adds a Li'l Izzy to their arsenal, I am always appreciative of the compliments.
Again thank you sincerely and best regards to all.
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
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Mike Wilkerson
From:
Luther Oklahoma
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Posted 7 Jun 2015 6:10 pm
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You can take my lil izzy when you can pry it from my cold dead fingers
_________________
S12 MSA Classic Nashville 400 with fox mods amp 1 volume pedal 1 Lil Izzy and 3 cords |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 3:57 am
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I have found that with certain guitars, for me, especially guitars with Humbuckers or older wood guitars, the Lil Izzy really wakes up the guitars, separates the strings, and puts the clarity back into the sound.
If your guitar sounds muddy, dull, or if you're always messing with your amp tone, BUY ONE OF THESE Lil guys. You'll be amazed.
JB
(Oh, and you usually get some free candy with it from Craig)
_________________
Jb in Ohio
..................................
GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Dale Hampton
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 5:40 am
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| I have to agree with ya all. I have had mine about a year now and am addicted. When I try to play with out it, I always end up getting it out and plugging it in. I like the distinct separation of notes when playing wide grips. Thanks Craig |
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Steve Perry
From:
Elizabethtown Ky, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 8:03 am
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| So... does it work like this for single coil guitars too? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 9:30 am
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Yes. Unequivocally, emphatically, yes.
_________________
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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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 10:19 am
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hey lane, when they stole your push pull did they leave your banjo and li'l izzy behind?
oops...had to edit to put the apostrophy in the
right place. |
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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 10:37 am
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Chris,
You can't be serious. The Li'l Izzy is the reason they broke in in the first place.
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 10:40 am
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Got the Emmons, a Crate CR-280J amp, most of my wife's guitars and a Sho-Bud Pak-a-Seat with a Sho-Sound Boss Tone, Izzy Plus and Emmons volume pedal and some kind of phase shifter. My Dobro was in the semi with me.
_________________
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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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 11:16 am
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| I'm intrigued by this little box but I'm a bit worried about the way it sticks out like that (and with another jack plug in the end of it too) just waiting for come clumsy band member (or probably me) to bump into it and snap it right off. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 11:59 am
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sorry craig..meant to add 
evidently you're right...they took the izzy plus!
jeff..i sent my bent one back to craig and he fixed it free! |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 12:07 pm
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Edward R., I hope to meet you someday, as well. I'm a bit of a hermit, but the wife kicks me out now and then.
Chris I., your question for Lane reminds me of that old joke about burglars and banjos.
Lane G., I don't care how long it's been, the sting of you and the missus having your nice gear stolen is something I've felt, too. My loss does not compare to the Emmons, nowhere near. The upshot was they stole my accordion.
Steve P., I agree with Lane. I do not have a single coil steel guitar, but my Teisco Del Rey's low output pickups have a real jangle to them now. Where before I either dialed it in too bright or too mid-rangy on the amp to get over bass and drums, with the Li'l Izzy it reminds me of Ken Starr's Ric sound on Jones's Love Bug.
Craig B., Li'l Izzy is that good. Bell's Amusement Park could have had a ride named after it! |
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Edward Rhea
From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2015 4:40 pm
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A hermit? Ha! Let's start a gang!
_________________
“TONESNOB†|
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 9 Jun 2015 1:51 am
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| Edward Rhea wrote: |
| A hermit? Ha! Let's start a gang! |
Speaking of gangs of 2, more for those who play larger venues and are using those long cables, does anyone use 2 Li'l Izzy's? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 9 Jun 2015 2:21 am
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No, although I've heard of it.
When I use a long cable, I put my Izzy AFTER the volume pedal.
_________________
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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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Jun 2015 8:19 am
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Daniel Policarpo asked:
". . . does anyone use 2 Li'l Izzy's?"
Yes. . . I do.
Dan, using two Li'l Izzy buffers, one at the guitar and the second at the output of the pot volume pedal, would offers an advantage similar to using a Li'l Izzy at the guitar, followed by one of those expensive active volume pedals on the market. It provides excellent sound, but it has two disadvantages. You completely miss out on the fun of searching for an extra outlet for your expensive volume pedal plus. . . you can't damage the power supply cord by tripping over it.
Other than that, the sound is even better than you described. It really is THAT good
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 11 Jun 2015 9:58 am
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Craig,
I am intrigued by the prospect of 2 Li'l Izzys, considering the results generating from the one manning the post at guitar output. One thing I noticed is that I can really crank up the amps when running stereo. One amp I run dark, the other one relatively bright and its usually a pretty good system but now everything holds together better, along with the overall improvement and richness in timbre.
I generally play louder now and not everybody is happy about that, but I can't hear them anyway.
Thanks again!
This really is something else. |
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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Jun 2015 11:12 am
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Thank you Dan.
You might try skipping the volume pedal and running a cord from the Li'l Izzy direct to the next device, or amp. I'd be curious to learn of your results.
Regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 11 Jun 2015 12:30 pm
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| craig, how do you keep such a bright uplifting spirit in view of the responsibility you shoulder as Tone Savior ? |
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Mike Wilkerson
From:
Luther Oklahoma
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Posted 11 Jun 2015 3:27 pm
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| Steve Perry wrote: |
| So... does it work like this for single coil guitars too? |
I use a Wallace True-Tone and my Lil Izzy and I have monster tone.
_________________
S12 MSA Classic Nashville 400 with fox mods amp 1 volume pedal 1 Lil Izzy and 3 cords |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 11 Jun 2015 6:50 pm
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OK, Since I already had two Izzys, I took the bait and hooked 'em both up together.....one straight out of the guitar and the other between a Hilton volume pedal and Quilter Steelaire.
Unexpectedly, it made a huge difference. Although there was no difference in basic tone quality (e.g. brightness, darkness etc), the sound is, for lack of a better term, significantly thicker with even greater string separation.
I compared the dual-Izzys vs. a single one in either location vs no Izzy.....still a big difference using the pair. My question is WHY?
Considering that the Hilton has a buffer, that makes three "buffers" in line. How does that even make sense? |
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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Jun 2015 7:48 pm
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Chris,
Without a good basis, I could get myself into a lot of treble.
Tony,
Since I have no idea what goes on inside a Hilton (pedal. . . not hotel) might there be a difference in the circuit and therefore a difference in the performance?
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name. |
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