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Topic: Mustang amp and EXP-1 Volume pedal Query |
Bob Fraser
From:
Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 22 Jun 2015 10:46 pm |
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I'm wondering if anyone in this group is using a Fender Mustang III amplifier (or higher),
with the Fender EXP-1 Expression Pedal as your full time volume pedal for your Pedal Steel?
And if you are, as an experienced player, do you feel that it is as functional as some of the pedals you may have used earlier,
like Hilton, Goodrich and others?
I have an MIII V.2 for my guitars, I’m a junior Pedal Steel player and have been using budget models of volume pedals since I started.
Now, I'm fine with buying one of the established brands, but I'm interested if a shift has happened in terms of players who have modelling amps,
and I’m thinking maybe I should give the EXP-1 a try?
I am keeping in mind that the price of the Fender pedal is similar to the price of the established
brands.
Thanks,
bob |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 23 Jun 2015 3:15 am
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Bob, I have an MIII v.2, a really great little amp, and have also been curious about the available expression pedal. I've been using an old pot-based Fender Volume pedal and I really like the way it performs, sounds, and I love all that chrome. But I am totally curious as to what the EXP-1 might provide, given the features of the amp.
Hope a steeler who has tried one will see your thread.
Thanks,
Dan |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 24 Jun 2015 5:45 pm
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I think modeling amps are far better suited to straight guitar than they are to pedal steel. The one you're using, in particular, is designed to work with that volume pedal, so it's probably okay to use as a "starter setup". However, that amp lacks an essential control, a mid-shift, and once you use an amp that has one, you'll learn how valuable a tool it really is. Also, as you graduate to a better (designed for pedal steel) amp, you will also likely find that a volume pedal designed for pedal steelers just works better.  |
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Bob Fraser
From:
Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 24 Jun 2015 6:50 pm Mid Shift?
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Donny,
Your opening comment on your post was part of the info I was looking for when I said,
“I'm interested if a shift has happened in terms of players who have modeling ampsâ€,
So I guess I've learned that you haven't made that shift.
I'm looking forward to hearing from those Pedal Steel players that have.
I'm not sure what you mean by...
"However,that amp (the Mustang III V.2) lacks an essential control, a mid-shift"...
do you mean a mid-range tone control?
Or are you talking about a pedal term, that I'm not familiar with, and not an amp term?
bob |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 25 Jun 2015 4:56 am
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The mid shift knob moves the frequency band upon which the midrange knob moves. This gives a very valuable tool in shaping the color of the tone.
It's been a standard Peavey feature for 40 years.
It IS essential unless the tone stack happens to have hit upon a magic sweet value. I don't miss it on my Twins.
_________________
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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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 25 Jun 2015 5:18 am
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I agree, Lane. I like the Peavey amps, but I like Fender amps better. If I needed to be really freaking loud, I'd go Twin or Dual Showman, but the Mustang is awesome for modern applications, as well as its sound scape. A Li'l Izzy in front of the steel and a pot pedal supports a lot of vintage style tone.
Bob, what 'budget' volume pedals are you using? My Fender Volume (it doesn't have the 'tone swivel') cost me $39, so I guess it is budget, too... but it's exactly what I want. The Ernie Balls are fine, too, from what I hear. Doug from Zum Stage One-Encore puts out a nice volume pedal , too ...and it won't cost as much as an amplifier. Sometime this weekend I'm going to get some strings, and I'll see if they have an EXP-1 that I can demo. |
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Jim Kennedy
From:
Brentwood California, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2015 9:23 am
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I have used a Fender Cyber Twin occasionally. With that amp a lot is lost using my Goodrich pedal. I suspect it is because Varying volume varies the signal strength to the A/D converters. Lower volume becomes thin. I have tried various amp settings and tone configurations without much luck. I have never tried it with the expression pedal. I just use my 70's Twin Reverb.
_________________
ShoBud Pro 1, 75 Tele, 85 Yamaha SA 2000, Fender Cybertwin, |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 25 Jun 2015 4:02 pm Re: Mid Shift?
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| Bob Fraser wrote: |
Donny,
Your opening comment on your post was part of the info I was looking for when I said,
“I'm interested if a shift has happened in terms of players who have modeling ampsâ€,
So I guess I've learned that you haven't made that shift.
I'm looking forward to hearing from those Pedal Steel players that have.
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Bob, whenever I'm researching something I'm thinking about getting or using, I always take into account (and listen to the opinions of) the people who don't want to buy or use something. Their reasons are often more enlightening and revealing than those who favor or use what I'm researching.
That said, I'd guess that pedal steelers who currently use modeling amps number somewhere's in the 1 out of 100 to maybe 1 out of 1000 range, so I wouldn't expect a lot of responses for you to glean info from. Modelers are great for replicating the varied distortion and overdrive characteristics that so many lead players are bonkers for. But when it comes to clean sounds, about all a modeler can offer you is a few different tones, and you can get plenty of them (and sometimes a lot more) with the tone network in most any good amp.
Maybe...in a decade or two, you'll see a lot of pedal steelers using modeling amps. But right now, it just ain'r happening.  |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2015 4:38 pm Re: Mid Shift?
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
Bob, whenever I'm researching something I'm thinking about getting or using, I always take into account (and listen to the opinions of) the people who don't want to buy or use something. Their reasons are often more enlightening and revealing than those who favor or use what I'm researching. |
Interesting approach. I would probably give more credence to those who have at least tried the product. Otherwise you only get unsubstantiated bias. |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 26 Jun 2015 8:57 am Re: Mid Shift?
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
Maybe...in a decade or two, you'll see a lot of pedal steelers using modeling amps. But right now, it just ain'r happening. |
Unfortunately, in a decade or two I don't think there will be lots of pedal steelers. |
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Josephus Vroomans
From:
The Hague, The Netherlands
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Posted 18 Jul 2015 8:35 am
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I bought the EXP-1 pedal a few months ago. I use it everyday with my Stage One guitar and Mustang III amp. I am not an experienced psg player, just a beginner, practicing at home. But I hope this is still helpful for you:
1. The EXP-1 pedal is not in the signal chain, so it doesn't effect the sound in any way. Think of it as a remote control for the amp volume setting. The guitar goes straight into the amp input. The pedal has its own cord which goes into the back of the amp.
2. With the Fuse software it is very easy to assign the min and max (heel and toe)volume % of the pedal. These settings are stored with each preset.
3. The EXP-1 seems to be sturdily built with a metal case. Technically it's very simple. It has a rotary encoder that's on the pedal shaft. No scratchy pot, no string, no gears, no battery or power adapter.
4. It's relatively inexpensive.
So far I've been very happy with this pedal. It feels and sounds good and it's totally quiet.
_________________
Stage One licensed by Zumsteel, Boss Katana 100, Gretsch Electromatic G5715, Dobro Hound Dog Deluxe Square Neck |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2015 3:40 pm
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I picked up a Fender "G-Dec 3 30" really cheap when they were closing out, and it has the FUSE software. I have learned, after... umm, many modelers, that the manufacturers are a pack of lying, deceitful... well, no. I have learned that LISTENING to the things is a WHOLE LOT better than expecting it to "model" something. Dick with it till it sounds better, pay attention to what you're doing, then dick with it some more.
While this FUSE amp doesn't have an exact mid-shift, in the "advanced amp" clickeroo it does have EIGHT choices for "timbre" which basically vary the effects of the tone knobs - especially the midrange. Hmmm. If there's a bright switch, turning it on cuts mids. Turning down bass and treble boosts mids, etc. Once you "Advance" you also get an adjustable compressor. Tube amps and speakers are all compressors, so if you're attempting to "model" one, turn ON the compressor. In FUSE, the "compression" goes from "2" to "1000", honest to God. Those numbers don't correspond to ANYTHING but the Fender engineer's last hallucination (bad one), just leave it about 1/4 to 1/3 on. EVERYTHING else you might turn on has a tone knob, dick with it. You can also move the "tone stack" before and after the preamp's "drive" which makes a BIG diff. Depending.
Mine has 22 amp models, of which 15 or so are nonsense. Stick with "XXX-cleans", "XXX-drives", "Jazzmaster" and, the "Hot Rod Grit" is surprisingly tuneful. Like most of these things, the effect's ranges are goofy. Reverb goes from 1 - 100 and why anybody could endure above 30 or so...(?) It's good, it just need attention.
In general, I try to use as FEW models as possible, and learn what to do to those. So far, I've tamed the Jazzmaster, Hot Rod Grit and I'm dicking with a flangey Tweedy Drive. Some units give you a choice of "speaker cabinets" which is another sort of global effect like a bright switch, only... backwards? Every one I've owned, if given a choice, a HiWatt 100w model is a better clean tube amp than a Twin Reverb. Right now I've got it in parallel with a Digitech RP250 and a Boss VF-1, both of which DO have specific mid and treble sweep adjustment (Boss's got 2! or, 4) so I haven't dug as deep into the FUSE as I "ought to." So far the Fender wins a prize for the most weird knob names that I don't understand (yet twirl) but it ALSO lets you turn an effect on and off with it's power button, so you don't have to just dump it. I think that may be assignable to the footswitch?
You just have to remember, it doesn't actually MODEL anything, it just makes noises. Good ones or bad ones. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2015 12:15 pm
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| Good points David. The best thing you can do with a modeling amp is to throw out the concept of modeling altogether and just create something that sounds good to you. Instead of more vague and misleading amp models like '60s Thrift' or 'British Watts', I wish Fender would add more tone shaping controls that would allow you to build your 'amp' from scratch. A parametric EQ would be a great start. |
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