volume pedal preferance

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · Post by **Susan Alcorn (deceased)** » 3 Jul 2001 3:41 pm

Quite a few steel guitarists have posted about their volume pedals, so I'm going to add my two cents worth. A lot of what people like in volume pedals is personal preference, and maybe a lot to do with habit.

Being an owner of both of the two current "new" volume pedals, I like the Goodrich CD2, and this is why:

(1) The sound is completely transparent and clean -- there is no coloring of the tone. I've talked to quite a few steel players who don't mind it, but for me it's important to be in control of my own tone. I'm very picky about that; I don't want a pre-amp in my volume pedal. Also, it's analog, and I can hear the difference (I think).

(2) There is no resistance in the pedal. I feel like I can be more subtle and more in control of the various subtle aspects of volume.

(3) The power supply comes off of the steel and makes the volume pedal easier to pack

(4) The customer support is good. When I had voltage problems in Europe, the people at Goodrich were very helpful. They returned email, and they returned phone calls.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 3 Jul 2001 3:51 pm

Well - that's the first feedback I've heard on one of those guys. Glad to hear it's working out![This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 03 July 2001 at 04:52 PM.]

Dennis Manuel · Post by **Dennis Manuel** » 5 Jul 2001 7:42 am

Hi Susan:
No. 3 in your reply states, the power supply comes off of the steel. Not sure what this means, please explain.
Thanks in advance.
Dennis

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 5 Jul 2001 8:29 am

yea, .... I'm courious about that one too.

[This message was edited by Bill Crook on 05 July 2001 at 09:30 AM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 5 Jul 2001 8:31 am

Sounds to me like she's simply stating that the power adapter cord unplugs from the Goodrich pedal, and the other pedal's power cord doesn't.

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · Post by **Susan Alcorn (deceased)** » 5 Jul 2001 8:34 am

In other words, it plugs into the back of the pedal; you pull it out when you're ready to pack it up.

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · Post by **Susan Alcorn (deceased)** » 5 Jul 2001 8:39 am

hmmm . . . I don't know what was in my head when I wrote that. The power supply have anything to do with the steel. It plugs into the pedal.

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 6 Jul 2001 1:22 pm

Nice to hear about life with "the other" high -ticket pedal. I'll be sure to keep your thoughts in mind, Susan, if I get tired of my Goodrich L-120.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Jul 2001 6:38 pm

Susan, I can sure sympathize with your #(2). Pedals that have springs, cams, etc., to counterbalance or hold them in place, are not my favorite. I, too, like an effortless action.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 7 Jul 2001 4:46 am

* [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 May 2002 at 09:53 AM.]

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 7 Jul 2001 10:23 am

Gee whiz...if it has no preamp in it,
then what the heck do you have to
plug it in for? It's gotta have a
IC chip in there that needs to be powered
up (which also means it's not analog).
Although, if it uses transistors instead,
then it could be.

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · Post by **Susan Alcorn (deceased)** » 7 Jul 2001 11:28 am

In my original posting, there were a few mistakes. For one, it should have been "preference" instead of "preferance" (that's been bothering me). Also, the power supply doesn't "come off the steel", the AC adapter plugs and unplugs into the back of the volume pedal itself. And Goodrich returned my phone calls (on a Sunday no less), not my email, to make sure that I got the proper power supply to replace the one I fried by plugging it into an outlet when I was in England.

I have no idea what an IC chip is; I'm not an an engineer, I'm a musician. I know what a flat nine plus nine seventh chord is, I know a little about tonality, rhythm, and feeling; I know how to change a string quickly, how to get the sound I want, and I know what I like in a volume pedal.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 7 Jul 2001 11:43 am

Susan

Have you compared the Hilton pedal to the Goodrich? Inquiring minds want to know.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 7 Jul 2001 2:58 pm

Where can I get info on the Goddrich pedal? Who is selling them?

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 7 Jul 2001 5:03 pm

Richard, I believe that Carter Guitars sells the new Goodrich. Check their web site.

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · Post by **Susan Alcorn (deceased)** » 9 Jul 2001 1:18 am

Yes, I've compared the Goodrich with the Hilton and have used both of them for recording and gigs. Like I said, I prefer the Goodrich because it is so clean and precise, but the Hilton is a good pedal too, and it worked well on the gig. I think it has a little more power (though that colors the tone); when I played on a straight country gig where volume and being heard over the drums, etc. was an issue, I liked it a lot, but for precision and especially recording, I think the new Goodrich is a better pedal.

Like they say, "Differemt strokes for different folks."

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 9 Jul 2001 6:28 am

Susan,
Thanks for your input! I really appreciate
it. I think a lotta folks have been
wondering about the Goodrich pedal.
I'm sure we'll being hearing other
opinions in the near future.

------------------

Keep Steelin'!!!

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 9 Jul 2001 6:45 am

Susan,
re: the 'tone coloration' and 'more power' with the Hilton pedal
It is important to set the maximum volume correctly. The adjustment is on the bottom of the pedal and requires a small flat blade screwdriver to adjust -- on mine at least. Plug your guitar directly into your amp and adjust to a reasonable volume. Then, insert the pedal between guitar and amp and push the pedal to the fully open (max volume) position. Adjust the volume to match the 'straight through' volume. To do this more accurately you may want to use some device with a meter, like a mixing board or recorder, instead of an amplifier. I've found ABSOLUTELY NO coloration of the tone -- and, believe me, I've TRIED.

Just a thought. Might be worth checking on your Hilton pedal.

LTB

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 9 Jul 2001 8:22 am

* [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 May 2002 at 09:53 AM.]

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 9 Jul 2001 9:04 am

I have been using an Emmons pedal, and although it has drawbacks, I like to be able to move the steel onstage without the nuisance of moving the pedal. My question is : Does Hilton or Goodrich make GOOD brackets for their pedals? I would appreciate feedback.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 9 Jul 2001 9:28 am

Keith sells two types of bracket: one for any pedalbar and one for the Emmons style, where there's a hole in the pedalbar. I don't know whether they're GOOD or not (I don't use one) but if they're anywhere close to as good as the pedal, you'll be happy.

Keith's web page for the pedal & accessories. Many distributors of steel accessories also sell Keith's products.

Hope this helps.

LTB

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro
[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 09 July 2001 at 10:29 AM.]

Jim Florence · Post by **Jim Florence** » 16 Jul 2001 1:03 pm

I've been addicted to an Edwards "Light" pedal for 40 years, I've had to replace the transformer in it, and recently replaced the Light dependant resistor, it is worn out mechanically and I'm now using a Hilton pedal ,but I don't like the addition of a preamp. I'm with Susan on this, the Edwards does not change the tone. The Hilton makes the signal too bright for my taste. It is a good pedal, but if there were still a light pedal out there I'd be the first in line to get one.

Craig Allen · Post by **Craig Allen** » 16 Jul 2001 2:40 pm

Hi Susan. I played with a friend of yours Saturday night, and he wanted me to say hello for him.

Neil Carpenter.

C YA
Craig

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Jul 2001 2:49 pm

Jim, your comments about the light beam pedal not changing the sound is the exact opposite of what I have heard over the years from many people. One of the knocks on the light beam pedals was the fact it DID change the tone.???????

We sold several, when I worked for Little Roy Wiggins music store. I remember we tried one on a new Emmons we had on the floor and decided for demo purposes we were better off, sound wise, with a standard pot pedal.

I don't have a Hilton pedal, I still use a Goodrich 120 (pot type).