Volume Pedals

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 23 Jun 2000 8:26 am

I'm finally getting to the point where my overall skill level permits me to use a volume pedal more and more. This question may have come up before, but I'll ask it anyhow. The Goodrich pedals seem to be the most popular with pedal-steel players--the claim is they are cleaner sounding. I've been using an Ernie Ball and, compared to playing without a volume pedal, it does seem to dirty up the sound ever so slightly. Or am I imagining things? Will my sound be cleaner with a Goodrich pedal?

Non-pedalers, please give me your comments.

BTW, I'm playing a D8 1956 Stringmaster, 1957 DeLuxe 8 or a pre-1937 Bakelite Ric 6 through a Peavy Delta Blues. When I really get wild I crank it up to 3 on volume, otherwise it's usually on 2.
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 23 June 2000 at 09:36 AM.]</p></FONT>

Porter Fawcett · Post by **Porter Fawcett** » 23 Jun 2000 8:54 am

I don't care for the Goodrich pedal. In the lower position it give me a tone I like, as It increases the volume it gives me a more briliant sound, it changes the tone I like.
I am using an older Sho Bud pedal that is even thru all ranges. Just one man's opinion.

mikey · Post by **mikey** » 23 Jun 2000 11:10 am

I use an old sho-bud....used to have a ernie ball, but, as has been stated, it isn't the best choice for steel without modifications, never tried a goodrich tho,
Mike

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 23 Jun 2000 11:17 am

In a passive volume pedal, the only thing that would make a difference is the value of the potentiometer. Doesn't make a bit of difference what brand the pedal is, it's just a housing for the pot. Most Ernie Ball pedals use a 250K pot, which works fine for standard guitar pickups, but not so great for steel guitar pickups. A 500K pot is more suitable for that application. That's what you'll find in a Goodrich and most other pedals made for steel guitar.

When you get into the realm of active pedals, such as the Goodrich 10K pedal (can't remember the model), or Keith Hilton's pedal, a real difference in tone can be heard. These pedals have a preamp or buffer amplifer built in which provides a better impedance match between the pickup and amplifer. You just have to try one to see if it gives you the tone quality you desire.

For my Fender Stringmaster, the Goodrich sounds fine, but I generally use a Fender Volume/Tone pedal. (With a 500k volume pot).