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Topic: Why do PSGs not have volume controls? |
Jim Mathis
From:
Overland Park, Kansas, USA
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Posted 29 Apr 2019 12:32 pm |
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This is probably a historical question. Lap steels and consoles such as old Fenders all have volume controls and often tone controls. Very few, if any, pedal steels have any controls on the body. Emmons have a tone switch and control but no volume. Is there a reason for this? On a similar subject, why are multiple pickups rare?
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Jim@MathisPhoto.net |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 29 Apr 2019 1:32 pm
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I would guess it's because most PSG players use volume pedals, and having a volume control on the guitar is not needed.
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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. |
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Jim Goins
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 29 Apr 2019 1:43 pm vol control
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| Jim, Some psg's do have volume controls, I have a 1974 MSA Classic that has both volume and tone controls. JIM Goins.. |
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Greg Lambert
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 29 Apr 2019 5:21 pm
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| I would say that a volume control on the steel and a volume pedal would really sap the tone of the guitar. |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 29 Apr 2019 6:49 pm Re: Why do PSGs not have volume controls?
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| Jim Mathis wrote: |
| This is probably a historical question. Lap steels and consoles such as old Fenders all have volume controls and often tone controls. Very few, if any, pedal steels have any controls on the body. Emmons have a tone switch and control but no volume. Is there a reason for this? On a similar subject, why are multiple pickups rare? |
With a volume pedal its not needed.. Tone control??.. To take away the highs that all steel players want?.. nope, not needed at all..
My MSA guitars had them and I never touched them... they just suck tone..
Multiple pickups SHOULD be on more pedal steels.. Chuck Back puts 2 pickups on some models of his Desert Rose steels, and its a great idea.. More builders should offer it as an option.
I think a big reason is the fact that multiple pickups get in the way of many players.. I had a 3 pickup pedal steel years ago, and I got used to it, but its an adjustment, and a lot of players would not like it.. never bothered me and the multiple tone options were mind boggling... bob
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 29 Apr 2019 11:13 pm Why do PSG not have volume control
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As previously stated some MSA steel guitars have on board volume and tone controls. I gigged a MSA steel with on board controls. The steel was built in 1974. The tone control was OK, but the volume control cut the volume peak. They were located on the back apron of the guitar and could not be controlled while playing. I installed a control switch under the guitar that I could switch from through the volume and tone controls or direct.
I kept the switch on Direct and controlled the guitar with Tone on the Amp., And the volume pedal with a lot better control and sound
I own another MSA with D10, When I bought it a previous owner had bypassed to tone and volume controls. As the modern steel guitar was developed the pinky volume control was left behind in history.
If Buddy Emmons and Jimmy Day played S12U guitars with pinky volume controls, I wonder what we would be playing today. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 30 Apr 2019 7:53 am
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I like to use a Matchbox. That gives me volume and tone controls right at my fingertips. 
Erv |
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