Give me your opinion on the Fender Volume-Tone pedal, please

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 9 May 2008 10:16 am

I see that they have reissued this one and I'm wondering how well the reissue or the original works. How smooth does it feel? Is there a smooth transition from off to barely audible or does it suddenly "jump" on? Does the tone control sound much different than the tone pot on an instrument?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 9 May 2008 11:45 am

Fender made about the best pot pedals ever designed. I can't speak for the new model, but the older ones performed flawlessly.

That said, no volume pedal should go from full-off to full-on with almost no movement. The action should be smooth and predictable. If you ever come across one that isn't, it's either worn, dirty, or some know-nothing doofus has tried to repair it.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 9 May 2008 12:32 pm

Jody Carver gave a good review of the re-issue. I believe the old ones have the audio taper. This place has a great price. Ordering mine now:

http://jacksmusicstore.com/catalog/guit ... 3-4500-002

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 9 May 2008 12:55 pm

Tim, that price is suspicious. I'd call first and see what is up. Could be that there is an error on the site.

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 9 May 2008 1:06 pm

I called and got confirmation. It's out of stock and won't be in for 3-4 weeks. However, it's ok to backorder at that price, so I did. After shipping, it was $86. It's going for $119 everywhere else.

thanks for the tip.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 9 May 2008 4:30 pm

The low price is no doubt due to it's being made in CHINA, by workers earning about fifty cents an hour.

(That's the average wage over there for assembly line workers, or around 3% of what similar workers here earn.)

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 9 May 2008 6:18 pm

It's made in Korea, the land of milk and honey.

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 9 May 2008 7:47 pm

Did someone suggest getting a Korean Honey?

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 14 May 2008 9:36 am

I see these Volume/Tone pedals are still not available.
The online sites have changed their dates of availability from approx May 1, to approx June 10.

'Anyone in the general public got their hands on one of these yet?
Anyone see any stores with these in-stock?
Just curious as I would like to try one.
~pb

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 20 Jun 2008 8:35 am

~Bump~

Any sign of these pedals yet?
~pb

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 20 Jun 2008 1:45 pm

I was told that the one I'd ordered in April, would be here in mid-July...

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 26 Jun 2008 1:47 pm

I ordered mine 3/5, and it finally came yesterday. Paid about $80 for it. I'll be checking it out this weekend. I'll be glad to post my impressions, though I'm not the right guy to look to for a review-- I'm not a pedal steeler and have never owned or even played a volume pedal, let alone a Volume/Tone. Would be interested in the reviews/comparisons from experienced V/T users...

So, just a heads-up to let people know Fender is starting to ship this one and the "Fuzz/Wah". The other two pedals in the "Fender Classic" series-- Volume and Phaser-- have been available for months.

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 2 Jul 2008 12:44 am

James, did you receive your pedal yet?

Thomas Ludwig · Post by **Thomas Ludwig** » 2 Jul 2008 1:32 am

Got my Fender volume/tone pedal a few days ago. Had only litte time to check it out. The volume swell works well. The tone swell doesn't give me that boo-wah effect. I'll play around with it the next days.
Maybe somebody knows a modification for better boo-wah sound.

Thomas

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 2 Jul 2008 5:26 am

Elderly says their's will be in stock on the 11th.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 3 Jul 2008 1:43 pm

Keith Hilton wrote:Did someone suggest getting a Korean Honey?

That would be fun until she learns English . .

What I would suggest is getting a Hilton pedal that won't suck the life out of your tone like pot pedals do.

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 3 Jul 2008 5:11 pm

Thomas Ludwig wrote:Got my Fender volume/tone pedal a few days ago. Had only litte time to check it out. The volume swell works well. The tone swell doesn't give me that boo-wah effect. I'll play around with it the next days.
Maybe somebody knows a modification for better boo-wah sound.

Thomas

You might want to think about brightening up your amp. I don't know how well a boo-wah might work with a humbucker either. And finally, I can't get a decent boo-wah out of my Blackface amps, but they just jump out of Tweed style amps. YMMV.

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 3 Jul 2008 5:15 pm

Rick Alexander wrote:What I would suggest is getting a Hilton pedal that won't suck the life out of your tone like pot pedals do.

To keep a pot pedal from tone sucking, simply place a good buffer in front of it. I've used a Bad Monkey and been happy enough, but the RC Booster or the ZVex SHO are really the top of the line. Also, keep in mind that some folks find the "tone-suck" to be an important part of keeping their sound from being too shrill. Everyone hears tone differently, and there are no absolutes...

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 3 Jul 2008 5:37 pm

...keep in mind that some folks find the "tone-suck" to be an important part of keeping their sound from being too shrill.

IMHO, this often heard "tone suck" thing is largely a myth. Far too many great players still use pot pedals for there to be any serious problems associated with them. Also, Telecasters and Stratocasters all have volume pots too, and no one complains about those pots "sucking tone".

Of course, many players use cheap (or too long) cords, numerous effects pedals, high impedance pickups, and improperly wired or equipped volume pedals, and all these can impact your tone, as well.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 3 Jul 2008 5:53 pm

Everyone hears tone differently, and there are no absolutes...

Very true, but when I compare a pot pedal sound to the bypassed sound I hear a significant difference.

The Hilton makes no difference, at least none that my battle weary ears can detect.
(I was afraid this would initiate controversy)

Telecasters and Stratocasters all have volume pots too, and no one complains about those pots "sucking tone"

They have nothing to compare it to - unless of course they were to bypass the pots.

Maybe "sucking tone" sounds too angry and combative.
I didn't mean it that way.
How about "variable sonic modification for better or worse"?

Eric Stumpf · Post by **Eric Stumpf** » 31 Jul 2008 3:09 am

So, any new reviews as of late?

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 31 Jul 2008 10:21 pm

Bryan Daste wrote:James, did you receive your pedal yet?

Nope, still hasn't arrived.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 Aug 2008 5:06 am

Rick
The main attraction to steelers and the purpose of the volume/tone pedal is to get the boo-wah effect, which the Hilton pedal doesn't provide.

You're suggesting oranges when people are discussing apples.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 1 Aug 2008 9:30 am

I had a chance to use the new Fender vol/tone pedal the other day. I didn't like it. My old one has a better feel. The tone swivel on the new one was quite stiff and the input is on the wrong side. The guy that bought it promptly ordered a Goodrich L120 after having the new Fender for a day. I would not buy the Fender pedal as a primary vol ped. Not reliable enough with all those moving parts and strings. The old ones break down pretty often as it is and the new ones don't inspire a feeling of trust either. If I was into using them for work I would carry 2 at all times.
The angle of the pedal is more suited for a standing player like the Ernie Ball pedals rather than the seated player type Goodrich/Hiltons.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 1 Aug 2008 10:49 am

"Sucking tone" is derogatory. It insinuates that there's something obviously wrong with the tone when a pot pedal is used.

Now, I know you've heard of that "Rebel And Ricky" site, right?

Okay, fine. That's what I thought! Go there - and listen (again) to Emmons playing on "Another Bridge To Burn", listen to Brumley playing on "Together Again", listen to Mooney on "Close Up The Honky-Tonks", and listen to Myrick playing on "Once A Day". Pay particular attention to all those recordings made from '59-'66 (the "golden age" of pedal steel), all made with that "nasty, tone-sucking pot pedal"...

...then tell me...really. Do do you think their tone "sucks"?

I'd be really interested in hearing your response.

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