Paul, Mike and Chris
Thank you, and all of the others we've heard from for your compliments about the little blue box. Since we re-issued Li'l Izzy, the interest in it has really kept us busy. I wish I could personally come out and hear each of you play. I appreciate you inviting Li'l Izzy to be part of your music.
Li'l Izzy The Original Buffer Is Available Once Again
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Dag,
Just sent you a PM.
Izzy plus had adjustable gain, up to +20dB. With today's better-designed equipment, we didn't see the need for the gain and are only producing the Li'l Izzy at this time. Thank you for asking.
Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Just sent you a PM.
Izzy plus had adjustable gain, up to +20dB. With today's better-designed equipment, we didn't see the need for the gain and are only producing the Li'l Izzy at this time. Thank you for asking.
Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
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Terry Sneed
- Posts: 4643
- Joined: 17 Feb 2004 1:01 am
- Location: Arkansas,
Little Izzy
Is the Little Izzy mostly for use when using a pot pedal?? Thanks
terry
terry
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Li'l Izzy with Active Pedals
Terry, sent you a PM earlier.
Thanks for asking. The best analogy I can offer is: on a scale of one to ten, (ten representing excellent tone.) A good quality buffer, right at the pickup, will give you an 8. Using an active pedal (or a pot-pedal followed by another good quality buffer right at the pedal output) will give you the remaining 2. Truth be told, most guitars have excellent sound and beautiful overtones, but as long as you run high impedance, your guitar's beautiful tone will never make it to the amplifier.
The real advantage of Li'l Izzy comes from using it directly at the pickup. It only takes a short piece of even the very best guitar cord, to roll off the overtones that create such a pleasing sound. Turning up the treble artificially adds highs, along with whatever noise and hiss is in the system, but it can't replace the lost purity and string separation. Connecting straight to the pickup, before a guitar cord can dull the sound, is why Li'l Izzy has always been so effective. We simply need to protect the integrity of the guitar's sound before any guitar cords can do their damage. Without a Li'l Izzy right at the guitar, active pedals can only help preserve what remains.
George Kimmery said, in a June 12th, 2013 post:
"To answer Larry Behm's question, I use the Lil Izzy with a Hilton Pedal and there is absolutely a difference. I have tried other things, like the Goodrich matchbox, and nothing I have tried gives the same sound as the Lil Izzy. It just makes your guitar come alive is all I can say. You may have to back your treble down some on your amp but the Izzy gives your strings that silky smooth sound that most of us are striving for. It sounds great on regular guitar too. I bought mine from Craig when they were first introduced at Scotty's convention. Herby Wallace was doing demo's with it in a side room and everybody was amazed at the difference it made in Herby's rig. I think the 9 volt battery is supposed to run for 3,000 hours. Whatever it is, the battery life is not an issue. When the battery gets low, you get a distortion sound. Just unplug it and put in a new battery at the next band break. Add my name as an endorser of the Lil Izzy and I am so glad that they are back on the market. Mine is still going since the mid 80's but I am going to order a back up soon."
Thanks again Terry, for your excellent question. Hope this is helpful.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Thanks for asking. The best analogy I can offer is: on a scale of one to ten, (ten representing excellent tone.) A good quality buffer, right at the pickup, will give you an 8. Using an active pedal (or a pot-pedal followed by another good quality buffer right at the pedal output) will give you the remaining 2. Truth be told, most guitars have excellent sound and beautiful overtones, but as long as you run high impedance, your guitar's beautiful tone will never make it to the amplifier.
The real advantage of Li'l Izzy comes from using it directly at the pickup. It only takes a short piece of even the very best guitar cord, to roll off the overtones that create such a pleasing sound. Turning up the treble artificially adds highs, along with whatever noise and hiss is in the system, but it can't replace the lost purity and string separation. Connecting straight to the pickup, before a guitar cord can dull the sound, is why Li'l Izzy has always been so effective. We simply need to protect the integrity of the guitar's sound before any guitar cords can do their damage. Without a Li'l Izzy right at the guitar, active pedals can only help preserve what remains.
George Kimmery said, in a June 12th, 2013 post:
"To answer Larry Behm's question, I use the Lil Izzy with a Hilton Pedal and there is absolutely a difference. I have tried other things, like the Goodrich matchbox, and nothing I have tried gives the same sound as the Lil Izzy. It just makes your guitar come alive is all I can say. You may have to back your treble down some on your amp but the Izzy gives your strings that silky smooth sound that most of us are striving for. It sounds great on regular guitar too. I bought mine from Craig when they were first introduced at Scotty's convention. Herby Wallace was doing demo's with it in a side room and everybody was amazed at the difference it made in Herby's rig. I think the 9 volt battery is supposed to run for 3,000 hours. Whatever it is, the battery life is not an issue. When the battery gets low, you get a distortion sound. Just unplug it and put in a new battery at the next band break. Add my name as an endorser of the Lil Izzy and I am so glad that they are back on the market. Mine is still going since the mid 80's but I am going to order a back up soon."
Thanks again Terry, for your excellent question. Hope this is helpful.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
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Terry Sneed
- Posts: 4643
- Joined: 17 Feb 2004 1:01 am
- Location: Arkansas,
Little Izzy
Thanks Craig. bump-er
terry
terry
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Bill Bertinot
- Posts: 106
- Joined: 10 May 2009 9:54 pm
- Location: Burlington Ky
Lil Izzy
Just received mine. I probably sound like everyone else, but it does exactly what it says!
I play a Showpro with the BL710 - the lil Izzy brings about great string separation on the low end and a nice sparkle to the high end. A keeper for sure!
I play a Showpro with the BL710 - the lil Izzy brings about great string separation on the low end and a nice sparkle to the high end. A keeper for sure!
Showpro, Nashville 1000
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Butch Mullen
- Posts: 448
- Joined: 28 Sep 2009 2:49 pm
- Location: North Carolina, USA 28681
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Chris Grotewohl
- Posts: 131
- Joined: 11 May 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Kansas City (Roeland Park)
- Contact:
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Patience, patience gentlemen. Everyone knows that a Li'l Izzy is always worth waiting for.
You're in good company. . .
Mike Johnson is waiting for his.
Tommy White even waited for his.
We're working on them.
All the best,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
You're in good company. . .
Mike Johnson is waiting for his.
Tommy White even waited for his.
We're working on them.
All the best,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
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FRANK MARIANO
- Posts: 301
- Joined: 1 Mar 1999 1:01 am
- Location: PENSACOLA FL
Boy have I missed the boat
After playing steel for years little did I know that the Izzy would make such a major difference in my tone. Live and learn.Thanks Mr Baker
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Thank you Frank.
Glad your enjoying the sound. Always good to know when Li'l Izzy is invited to be part of a performance.
Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Glad your enjoying the sound. Always good to know when Li'l Izzy is invited to be part of a performance.
Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
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James Marlowe
- Posts: 677
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- Location: Florida, USA
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Paul,
I've never used a Black Box, but I know they're excellent, just based on the reviews. I would suggest trying the following chain and PLEASE let us know what it sounds like. I'm thinking it has to sound wonderful:
Li'l Izzy always plugged directly into steel / then to volume pedal / then the world's shortest good-quality cable directly into Black Box for tube warmth / then on to your amp. (Black Box may be best just ahead of volume pedal, try both ways)
Paul if your using a Hilton or Telonics pedal, the cord coming out of it isn't critical, but with a pot-type pedal, it must be as short as possible. No more than a foot or so. Remember, a 500,000 ohm pot will present an output impedance of 125,000 ohms. A long cord here is a sure way to diminish all of those overtones you paid for. . . that make a steel guitar sound so pleasing.
Hope this is helpful,
Best personal regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
I've never used a Black Box, but I know they're excellent, just based on the reviews. I would suggest trying the following chain and PLEASE let us know what it sounds like. I'm thinking it has to sound wonderful:
Li'l Izzy always plugged directly into steel / then to volume pedal / then the world's shortest good-quality cable directly into Black Box for tube warmth / then on to your amp. (Black Box may be best just ahead of volume pedal, try both ways)
Paul if your using a Hilton or Telonics pedal, the cord coming out of it isn't critical, but with a pot-type pedal, it must be as short as possible. No more than a foot or so. Remember, a 500,000 ohm pot will present an output impedance of 125,000 ohms. A long cord here is a sure way to diminish all of those overtones you paid for. . . that make a steel guitar sound so pleasing.
Hope this is helpful,
Best personal regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
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Sid Hudson
- Posts: 861
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- Location: Virginia, USA
- Contact:
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Where to use A Li'l Izzy
Paul,
Sounds like you have invested in the perfect choice of equipment for the best overall sound. Sometime, take the Li'l Izzy and the Black Box out of the line-up for a few minutes and let us know what it sounds like with and without the combination in the chain.
Sid,
Thank you for praising Li'l Izzy here on the forum.
I am curious if you love your Li'l Izzy as much as I love my Live Steel Strings. They sure breathe new life into my old '77 Sho~Bud.
Excellent strings. . . thank you for making them available.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker
C.M. Baker Electronics 706-485-8792
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
U. S. A.
Sounds like you have invested in the perfect choice of equipment for the best overall sound. Sometime, take the Li'l Izzy and the Black Box out of the line-up for a few minutes and let us know what it sounds like with and without the combination in the chain.
Sid,
Thank you for praising Li'l Izzy here on the forum.
I am curious if you love your Li'l Izzy as much as I love my Live Steel Strings. They sure breathe new life into my old '77 Sho~Bud.
Excellent strings. . . thank you for making them available.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker
C.M. Baker Electronics 706-485-8792
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
U. S. A.
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Chad Karnitz
- Posts: 482
- Joined: 8 Aug 1998 12:01 am
- Location: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Li'l Izzy
Chad,
Just sent you a PM.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Just sent you a PM.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Well, I got my Li'l Izzy this past week and tried it out right away in my practice room. Immediately I noticed greater clarity in the midrange of the guitar - string separation definitely increased - though at practice volumes, it didn't overwhelm me.
But then I used it on my first gig a few nights ago and WOW! The clarity and string separation really improved at concert volume and the harmonics were really amazing. They seemed much easier to hit cleanly (despite sometimes sloppy technique) and they rang out for days.
Interesting comparison too: on the first set of the night, I'd forgotten all about having the L'il Izzy with me, so it wasn't in my setup - and my wife came up at intermission and said that my tone was muddier than she normally hears from my steel. That reminded me that I had the Izzy in my packaseat and so I put it in place for the second set. Afterwards my wife came up to me and said, "I don't know what you did between the first two sets but it was MUCH better clarity of the steel during the second set. Well, I have to give the credit where it's due: to Craig Baker and L'il Izzy.
I should add that I'm usually not so enthused about new devices, finding that their effects are too subtle for my ears. I've bought lots of boxes over the years and sold them soon after. You'll get my Izzy when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
Any questions?
But then I used it on my first gig a few nights ago and WOW! The clarity and string separation really improved at concert volume and the harmonics were really amazing. They seemed much easier to hit cleanly (despite sometimes sloppy technique) and they rang out for days.
Interesting comparison too: on the first set of the night, I'd forgotten all about having the L'il Izzy with me, so it wasn't in my setup - and my wife came up at intermission and said that my tone was muddier than she normally hears from my steel. That reminded me that I had the Izzy in my packaseat and so I put it in place for the second set. Afterwards my wife came up to me and said, "I don't know what you did between the first two sets but it was MUCH better clarity of the steel during the second set. Well, I have to give the credit where it's due: to Craig Baker and L'il Izzy.
I should add that I'm usually not so enthused about new devices, finding that their effects are too subtle for my ears. I've bought lots of boxes over the years and sold them soon after. You'll get my Izzy when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
Any questions?
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
First set vs. Second set
Jim Cohen,
Thank you so much for your very positive comments regarding Li'l Izzy. As you can imagine, to me, a player's experience using Li'l Izzy is always interesting. In your case, it seems you did an A - B comparison test without even intending to. I am happy Li'l Izzy came out of hiding for the second set.
Mrs. Jim Cohen,
I'm sure glad you went with Jim that night. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Thank you so much for your very positive comments regarding Li'l Izzy. As you can imagine, to me, a player's experience using Li'l Izzy is always interesting. In your case, it seems you did an A - B comparison test without even intending to. I am happy Li'l Izzy came out of hiding for the second set.
Mrs. Jim Cohen,
I'm sure glad you went with Jim that night. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
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Bud Angelotti
- Posts: 1363
- Joined: 6 Oct 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Larryville, NJ, USA
- Contact:
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Craig Baker
- Posts: 1330
- Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
- Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Li'l Izzy with Six String Guitar
Hi Bud,
We have a 6-string guitar here and yes, Li'l Izzy does make a noticeable improvement, same as it does on a steel guitar. As long as you have a wound, high-impedance pickup, any good buffer connected right at the pickup, will improve your sound. It is my observation however, that most musicians are not nearly as concerned with their tone as are steel guitarists. As you know, you can spend hour after hour reading posts on this forum, from players who have invested their hard-earned money on a good steel and a good amplifier, and yet they're still chasing that elusive tone. While Li'l Izzy performs very well with 6-string guitars, I don't know any 6-string players who approach steel guitarists in their hunger for the ultimate tone.
Incidentally, one of the reasons the plug on Li'l Izzy is long. . . is so it will work into the recessed jack of a Stratocaster. Surprisingly, there are several bass players who like using Li'l Izzy. Again, it allows overtones which they find pleasing.
Good question Bud. Thank you
Respectfully,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
We have a 6-string guitar here and yes, Li'l Izzy does make a noticeable improvement, same as it does on a steel guitar. As long as you have a wound, high-impedance pickup, any good buffer connected right at the pickup, will improve your sound. It is my observation however, that most musicians are not nearly as concerned with their tone as are steel guitarists. As you know, you can spend hour after hour reading posts on this forum, from players who have invested their hard-earned money on a good steel and a good amplifier, and yet they're still chasing that elusive tone. While Li'l Izzy performs very well with 6-string guitars, I don't know any 6-string players who approach steel guitarists in their hunger for the ultimate tone.
Incidentally, one of the reasons the plug on Li'l Izzy is long. . . is so it will work into the recessed jack of a Stratocaster. Surprisingly, there are several bass players who like using Li'l Izzy. Again, it allows overtones which they find pleasing.
Good question Bud. Thank you
Respectfully,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024