question regarding volume pedals IE Hilton vs goodrich etc..

Don Hinkle · From: Springfield Illinois, USA

I have actually 2 hilton pedals which I really enjoy using. Being a fairly new steeler (less than 1 year)my only other experience was using a morley guitar volume pedal and it STUNK for the steel.

I understand that since the Hilton is an "active" pedal, I believe that I am getting some gain from it. I do think that it sounds best, and cleanest goign thru the low sensitivity input on my Peavey NV1000. My sound gets somewhat "harsh" to my ears if I go thru "hi".

I would like to be able to NOT have to run power to plug in my volume pedal. If I go with a Passive volume pedal will I need to use a "driver" or a pre amp to obtain the same sustain and tone that I am used to? I am assuming that the Goodrich type pedals dont require AC power?

I would appreciate all input on this subject.

Thanks!

Don
_________________
Emmons Legrande III SD10
Emmons Legrande III D10
Session 400
Fender guitars
Fender amps

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

It's purely subjective and you will get comments both ways.

With a "passive" pot pedal it can have an affect on the tone and it can vary from low volume levels to full on. Or as Keith Hilton puts it, it will "suck the tone". Along with no moving parts or pots to wear out, the biggest selling point of an electronic volume pedal such as the Hilton is that you have constant tone regardles of what volume level the pedal is set at.

If you have to add more electronics to get approximately what you have with the Hilton VP alone you really haven't gained anything. Plugging in the VP's power supply isn't really much of a hassle.

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

I owned a Goodrich H10K pedal for several years. It has an internal 9 volt battery, and requires no external power supply.
This pedal worked good for a LONG time, hundreds of gigs before it developed problems. It provided a good, clean sound, with no noticeable change in tone from low to high volume.
However, this is still a pot pedal, and sooner or later you will develop pot type problems. I decided to try a Hilton, which I have now had for a year or so, and it is trouble free and sounds great.
The battery in the Goodrich pedal would last for over a year, as long as you unpluged the cables from the pedal anytime it was not in use. It was the best pot type pedal I ever owned.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Don,
Your Hilton pedals should have a gain control on the bottom of the pedal. I always try to adjust it so that the volume with the pedal full on is the same as when the guitar is plugged in directly. It should not increase your volume -- that's what your amp is for.

I also have a Goodrich 10K pedal -- mine is the low form factor L10K and they are GREAT. Like Larry J says, the batteries last a year or longer; the pots last much longer than the 500K pots on the passive pedals (but will wear out sooner or later).

I bring a power strip so it doesn't matter much how many things are plugged in but it is just one more thing to plug in. I think it's worth it for the reliability of the Hilton. I keep the L10K in the car and have never had to use it.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12

Mike Schwartzman · From: Maryland, USA

Well Don...I've only been playing PSG for a little over 2 yrs, and I've been using the Goodrich passive pedal the entire time. I've just decided to get a Hilton in the near future for the reason that Jack wrote, that is: for the consistency of tone. That and reliablity.

Like many folks, I've had pot troubles with the Goodrich. The replacements last maybe 6 months...then gets annoyingly scratchy again. Finally, I was fortunate to get a NOS Allen Bradley 500K pot from a fellow forum member...I installed it and the Goodrich sounds the the best it ever has. The taper is mechanically superior also. I'm really happy with that NOS pot. I hope it lasts for years.

I've decided to get a Hilton anyway. I've tried it out. I like the sound and taper. I figure I've spent enough time and money on the pot problems, so I'll give the Hilton a try.
_________________
Emmons Push Pull, BMI, Session 400, Home of the Slimcaster Tele.

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I prefer the tone of the Goodrich pot pedal and have used it and the Hilton extensively. The original pot and string in my Goodrich pedal lasted over 15 years of heavy use. I've got a few years of use on the Dunlop replacement pot in my Goodrich and it's still going strong.

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Goodrich%20120%20Pot/Goodrich%20120%20Pot.html

You can get all the highs you need out of a pot pedal. In my opinion, the pot pedal sounds a tad warmer and will give you more of the classic steel guitar tone that most of the greats recorded with. With adjustments in EQ and cords, I can get a satisfactory sound out of either one however.

Here's a comparison that may help you decide:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Hilton/Hilton.html

Greg

Don Hinkle · From: Springfield Illinois, USA

Thanks for all of your input guys. I actually have 2 Hilton pedals. I may sell one of them and buy a L10K keeping one of the Hiltons for redundancy.

I know it sounds silly, but I am wanting to be able to be "wireless" so I can pick up my guitar and move to one side of the stage a couple different times during the performance. ya, sounds silly doesnt it?

I am using a Sampson wireless unit on the output of the volume pedal with the receiver setting on top of my NV1000.
_________________
Emmons Legrande III SD10
Emmons Legrande III D10
Session 400
Fender guitars
Fender amps

Robert Cates · From: Maine, USA

I just bought a new Hilton pedal and I have been A-Bing it with my pot pedal for hours. I give the nod to the passive pedal.
The Hilton is harsh on the high notes for me. The passive sounds better on the middle and high notes.The pot pedal sounds warmer.
But what do I know? Nothing Could be my settings.

The rave now is the Telonics pedal. I hope they don't come out with to many more gadgets. I'm running out of money.

Regards
Bob

Mitch Adelman · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Hilton is great but if you run an effect after it can give you a harsh overdriven sound. Of course, you can adjust the volume control screw on it but then you lose some of the pickup output and fullness. I use the effects loop for my effects with the Hilton but not with my Goodrich pot pedal. I use the Hilton alone with the steel with the effects loop to avoid that problem. It is a reliable, consistently great pedal as long as its used the way I described (with my humbucker).

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Don,
I'll trade you a L10K for a Hilton any day.

Just let me know.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

I began with a Fender pedal in 1949 and ended with a Hilton in 2004 and I have no intention of ever replacing it, as it has performed flawlessly.
_________________
"FROM THEN TIL' NOW"

Forum Index > Electronics		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: