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Topic: Tips for playng without volume pedal? |
Karlis Abolins
From:
(near) Seattle, WA, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2020 8:36 am |
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Due to polio and subsequent surgery to stabilize my right ankle, I have very limited control of my right foot and ankle. After years of struggling to use a volume pedal, I have finally resigned myself to playing without one.
I realize that I have to control my dynamics with my fingers to do this. Do you have any suggestions about pick attack, amp volume, etc. that have helped you play without using a volume pedal.
Thanks.
Karlis |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2020 8:55 am
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Telonics had a hat controller that would adjust volume with head movement.
https://www.telonics.com/
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Dennis Montgomery
From:
Western Washington
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Posted 22 Feb 2020 9:47 am
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Hi Karlis,
there may be an effect pedal solution to your situation. I run my Mullen through a Line6 PodXT and there's an effect I often use called, "Auto Swell". It eliminates the initial attack by setting the volume of any new notes at fully off and slowly (or quickly depending on how you set it) automatically brings the volume up just like if you'd played notes with your volume pedal full off then opened it up.
Notice I said "new notes"...this means that if notes are decaying while you pick new ones, those new ones will not be auto swelled, but played at the current auto volume level. This takes some getting used to, though you instinctively learn to pick those "new notes" very softly so they blend well with those already ringing.
The Line6 PodXt series is no longer being built, and I don't know if their new products also have auto-swell (though buying a new Line6 processor for 1 effect is a pricey solution if you don't need the rest of the effects)...but...there is a much cheaper single pedal that specifically does the auto swell effect. It's called a Mooer Slow Engine and I see them new for around $100. I've never played one myself but here's a demo if you're curious:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qul53pH_WHY
If you decide to go with the Mooer, make sure you buy it from a place with a 30 day or more money back guarantee so you have enough time to evaluate if it doesn't float your boat 
_________________
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Dale Rivard
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 22 Feb 2020 10:20 am
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| Hi Karlis, I would reach out to Danny Sneed. I believe he plays without a volume pedal all the time and you would never know it. Incredible player and seems like a very nice guy. Maybe he could offer some tips? I wish you all the best with this. |
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Bob Sykes
From:
North Carolina
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Posted 22 Feb 2020 2:05 pm
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Seems like a volume control on the guitar that you could wrap your little finger around would be very useful. Maybe a tall tele style knob.
I forgot to bring a volume pedal to rehearsal once. Had to sit close enough to reach the amp volume control. It was a real challenge.
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Carters Starter, D10 8+7, SD10, Chandler RH-2, Rogue RLS-1
ISO Sustainus Ad Infinitum |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 22 Feb 2020 2:27 pm
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I concur with Bob except I don't think you need to ride it like a foot vp. Just needs to be convenient so you can adjust as needed. There's a lot to be said for just using your own dynamics to vary volume and not using the volume pedal as a crutch even though it might be a big adjustment to make initially. Guitar players and some lap steelers do it all the time.
I'm betting with your knowledge and experience, you'll do just fine without it.
I'd have a vol control mounted on the cabinet sort of like Lew Houston did though. Shouldn't be a major mod. |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2020 7:01 pm Re: Tips for playng without volume pedal?
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| Karlis Abolins wrote: |
Due to polio and subsequent surgery to stabilize my right ankle, I have very limited control of my right foot and ankle. After years of struggling to use a volume pedal, I have finally resigned myself to playing without one.
I realize that I have to control my dynamics with my fingers to do this. Do you have any suggestions about pick attack, amp volume, etc. that have helped you play without using a volume pedal.
Thanks.
Karlis |
When I first started to play a famous player told me to learn without a VP and I have. My Steel has a ton of sustain which helps a lot. I also have a built on VP but I use it sparingly.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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Karlis Abolins
From:
(near) Seattle, WA, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2020 8:21 am
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Good suggestions here. Thank you guys for your responses. It's going to be a challenge getting used to the new process.
Just a thing that I thought about. Without the need for increased headroom due to using a volume pedal, it seems that I can get by with less wattage than a twin reverb. I have been following the discussions about the Fender tonemaster amps and everybody loves the twin. I don't think I need that much power. Am I wrong?
Karlis |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2020 8:59 am
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Karlis, check out the Boss Katana 112 100 watt. It's the best amp I've ever owned. Light and all the power and effects you need, plus it has other power settings.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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Wesley Medlen
From:
LaCygne,Ks
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Posted 23 Feb 2020 4:12 pm
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I PLAYED WITH A GENTLEMAN IN SOUTH texas who was disabled he rigged up a lever on top of his BUD TO USE HIS RT. ARM WITH IT DID VERY WELL WITH IT. wES HE ALSO COULD NOT USE PEDALS.
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Justice S10 Jr, Gibson Electra 6string, Boss Katana 100, Steelers Choice ,Gretsch 6 string lap, Hilton VP |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 23 Feb 2020 5:42 pm
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Yes, you can play without a volume pedal. But it's such an important part of the expression of the player, and heard so often heard with a pedal steel, that I wouldn't forego finding some workaround so you still have that capability. Lew Houston, and early player with Conway Twitty, had a special volume control mounted on his guitar so he could control it with his right pinky finger. He used it quite well, as can be seen in the songs below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyG2Z7Glbwg |
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Dennis Montgomery
From:
Western Washington
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 24 Feb 2020 11:15 am
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Sir Bill Dobkins, i really like that system, how is the volume adjusted/activated?
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A.K.A Chappy. |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2020 1:33 pm
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| Larry Bressington wrote: |
| Sir Bill Dobkins, i really like that system, how is the volume adjusted/activated? |
Larry thanks for showing your interest. It is activated by a rod that goes to a matching floor pedal, just like any pedal. Tension and travel is adjusted at the bell crank.
Again thanks, your friend in music BD
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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