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Topic: The amazing Goodrich Curly Chalker volume pedal |
Andrew Roblin
From:
Various places
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Posted 11 Oct 2014 8:22 am |
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One of the great, neglected treasures of pedal steel guitar: the fabulous Goodrich Curly Chalker volume pedal.
I found one on ebay a few years back. It didn't work well, so I didn't use it much...until got it back from a repairman recently. He said all he did was tighten up some loose connections. I tried it out last night and my, oh my, what a GREAT sounding pedal.
Apparently it includes a Matchbox-style impedance matching device. Whatever the reason, the Curly Chalker volume pedal sings like a bell.
There's a large knob on the right-hand side that works like a tone control. And a switch on the left-hand side that seems to bypass the tone control.
There's not much about these pedals on the web. Can any of you give me any more info on this remarkable volume pedal?
Thanks. |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 11 Oct 2014 8:51 am
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| May be a model, '6122'. I acquired one some time back, but the electronics failed and I converted it to a one in/two out passive pedal (basically a model '120'). Seem to remember reading that the early version of this pedal actually functioned on 110v current (no transformer) and were prone to overheating and catching fire. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2014 8:58 am Pictures
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| Can you post a picture? |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 12 Oct 2014 8:36 am
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| David Nugent wrote: |
| May be a model, '6122'. I acquired one some time back, but the electronics failed and I converted it to a one in/two out passive pedal (basically a model '120'). |
I had the same pedal, and did the same thing.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 12 Oct 2014 9:00 am
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I had one too, if it is the same thing. Mine wasn't marketed as a "Curly Chalker model, but had the big knob tone control, and a match box circuit inside. I also took out the circuit board.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 12 Oct 2014 9:48 am
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| i never heard that curly 'endorsed' that pedal, but i don't know everything. |
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Andrew Roblin
From:
Various places
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Posted 12 Oct 2014 10:21 am
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Although the bottom of the pedal is corroded, I can make out the name "Curly Chalker."
This is the one powered by a two-prong, 110-volt plug. I read someplace that it was taken off the market because it was unsafe in wet conditions.
The idea that it could catch fire is a new one to me. That would be un-fabulous.
But if it caught fire and electrocuted me at the same time, it make for a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
I'm still lovin' it.
But, when not in use...
I'm unpluggin' it. |
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 13 Oct 2014 4:41 pm
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I have a like new Curly Chalker volume pedal. Same condition as when I bought it back in 1990. I put it up several years ago. I git it out now & then, sounds better then any other volume pedal on earth. Including the over priced fancy ones. I could have sold it several times over, just think i'll keep it.
Eye Candy
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 13 Oct 2014 5:09 pm
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Speaking of retro Goodrich gear. Look at this! You could eat off of this Goodrich buddy Emmons
match~bro. I took those nasty ugly checkin neck knobs off, but I still have the originals. Just super super nice. Sounds, works, and looks just like the day I bought it from Ollie through scottys. I just love old steel guitar gear. I s'pose that's why I take such good care of my stuff, ya just cain't replace it. I also have something almost no one else has. That's a Goodrich light beam photo cell Wah Wah Pedal, like brand new of course. God Bless
My like new LDR volume pedal
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 13 Oct 2014 5:20 pm
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oops..i forgot to mention, that these days, my gigging pedal is a Hilton.  |
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Andrew Roblin
From:
Various places
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Posted 14 Oct 2014 2:56 am
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Thanks for the photos, George. Your pedal sure is in great shape. And it was helpful to me to see the bottom.
Mine is so corroded most of the print is gone--It could say "Harley Stalker." LOL.
Thanks again... |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 14 Oct 2014 8:39 am
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| I had a "light beam" Goodrich pedal that I thought was haywire. I sent it to Goodrich for repair and they wouldn't send it back. It was a 110 volt model and some steelers were getting shocked on wet stages. They gave me credit on a different pedal. |
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 14 Oct 2014 8:43 am
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Erv, I bet it was one of their early "Steelman" pedals. I owned two of the early Goodrich "Steelman" pedals. And I'm...ummm...steel here.... kinda curious...when was the last time you played on a wet bandstand?  Thanks Erv |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 14 Oct 2014 8:45 am
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George,
That could very well be. I'd kind of liked to have had the pedal returned.
I really can't recall playing on a wet bandstand!  |
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 14 Oct 2014 8:49 am
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I dunno erv, a brand new Goodrich volume pedal sounds much better then a used one. I wonder...if you would have spray painted your volume pedal black, perhaps it would have sounded even better?
God Bless |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 14 Oct 2014 8:56 am
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George,
It would really take something to make me sound better!!! |
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