best volume pedal to start

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

Post Reply
Damiano Missiroli
Posts: 23
Joined: 11 Oct 2013 7:40 am
Location: Italy

best volume pedal to start

Post by Damiano Missiroli »

Hi everyone, i'm a pedal steel new new newbie and have tried to play some basic stuffs with no volume pedal...i think it's time to get one. any suggestions? Here in italy is nearly impossibile to find exotic things like telonics, etc. so i must to go with the more common ones, at least at the beginning,....ernie ball, morley, boss and so on....
i was thinkin about a fender volume/tone pedal because i like a lot some of the Hank Williams/Don Helms wah-like things, but i'm pretty uncertain.
thank you in advance
User avatar
Howard Steinberg
Posts: 604
Joined: 2 Mar 2012 8:46 am
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida , USA

Post by Howard Steinberg »

The big chrome fender pedals are pretty decent and can be found at good prices. The big consideration is that these pedals are tall. If you have enough room under the guitar to work the pedal and your right knee levers it would be a good choice imho.
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar.
User avatar
Lane Gray
Posts: 13551
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Post by Lane Gray »

Jim Palenscar sells the volume/tone pedal.
Before I'd get one of the volume-only pedals you listed, I'd get a Goodrich 120. They show up used on the forum often enough.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
User avatar
Brandon Halsey
Posts: 41
Joined: 1 Nov 2012 9:34 am
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Post by Brandon Halsey »

You mentioned Ernie Ball....I've been playing about a year now and I've only used an Ernie Ball volume pedal. This has worked good for me. If you have limited choices, the Ernie Ball is fine and won't impact your learning in a negative way. You can at least start with the EB and upgrade later.
Derby D-10 8x5
Mullen SD-10 3x4
User avatar
Carl Kilmer
Posts: 2691
Joined: 7 Aug 2008 1:23 pm
Location: East Central, Illinois

Post by Carl Kilmer »

I'd keep watching on the forum for a used Hilton pedal.
They show up up occasionly for a fair price. You won't
ever have to worry about replacing a pot or string again.
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal
Jack Ritter
Posts: 1104
Joined: 5 May 2005 12:01 am
Location: Enid, Oklahoma, USA

Post by Jack Ritter »

I with agree Carl. Get the best and have no problems. Jack
Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel
User avatar
Eric Philippsen
Posts: 1966
Joined: 14 Jan 2008 5:38 pm
Location: Central Indiana, USA

Post by Eric Philippsen »

Hey, Damiano,

I'd be glad to help a steeler from across the pond.

I've got a bunch of Goodrich pedals that I've picked up over the years. A lot of 120-models which, really, are a good mainstay. Heck, although I use a high-end volume pedal, I always carry a Goodrich as a backup. They're all in good condition and I'd be glad to sell you one.

Email me and we can discuss price and shipping. I can do you real well on the price but, as for shipping, I'm not familiar with what that would be.
User avatar
richard burton
Posts: 3846
Joined: 23 Jan 2001 1:01 am
Location: Britain

Post by richard burton »

I made my first volume pedal out of a knackered wah wah pedal, I just ripped the guts out and wired the pot straight to the jacks.
John Sluszny
Posts: 2237
Joined: 9 Apr 2001 12:01 am
Location: Brussels, Belgium

Post by John Sluszny »

Get a good one like Goodrich or Hilton.Don't waste your money on buying cheap ones.
Damiano Missiroli
Posts: 23
Joined: 11 Oct 2013 7:40 am
Location: Italy

Post by Damiano Missiroli »

Thanks everyone, your help is very appreciated!
I'll take a look here in the forum for a used Goodrich or Hilton (e-mail sent, Eric). In the meanwhile i've found a used boss FV-500, just to try some swells...
User avatar
Bob Hoffnar
Posts: 9244
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Austin, Tx
Contact:

Post by Bob Hoffnar »

An Ernie Ball pedal (or what ever standard volume pedal is available ) will work fine. Many working players in the states use them. No need for anything specialized. I would stay away from a tone/volume pedal. They are mostly for retro playing and are a bit harder to deal with than a simple volume pedal.
Bob
User avatar
Jim Saunders
Posts: 2836
Joined: 7 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Volume Pedal

Post by Jim Saunders »

Damiano, On this Forum you can ask "what's the best........? Fill in the blank, amp, strings, guitar, etc and you will get as many answers as there are products. It's like asking what kind of car should I buy? I'm not demeaning your question; it's a good one. In my humble opinion the Goodrich 120, or L120 are used by a majority of players.
Post Reply