Volume Pedals
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- Ron Wendler
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 18 Jul 2017 5:36 pm
- Location: Southern Minnesota, USA
Volume Pedals
I have never owned or used a volume pedal before and I'm not sure what I'm looking at when I shop for one. I don't want to break the bank as I'm on a fixed income but would like to add one to my Lap Steel. (I think) What experience does anyone have with these. There are some used ones on Evil Bay that are within my budget but I don't have a clue.
A fine instrument is like a lady. Treat it nice and it will make lovely music.
- Josh Braun
- Posts: 134
- Joined: 26 Mar 2013 7:53 am
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
I'll give you my story and $0.02.
Before I played pedal, I started out on lap steel and started using various volume pedals to simulate what a pedal steel sounds like.
My first VP was the standard Ernie Ball one. It was decent, but it truly did suck tone (or cut the highs and other frequencies if you prefer). I got around that by putting a buffer in front of the VP (I think I used an MXR Micro Amp if memory serves).
Ernie Ball soon came out with their own buffered pedal, and I used that for a time. But the Ernie Ball's kept breaking on me (and no, not the pot nor the string). They're so cheap - relatively speaking - that I just picked up new ones. But when I looked back, I realized I could have bought a better VP instead of replacing them.
I tried a Mission VP for awhile. Good pedal and buffered, but like most "guitar oriented" VPs, the jacks weren't ideal.
Finally, I just decided to go whole hog and get a Hilton. I'm still using that same Hilton - I can't recommend it enough. Well worth the cost - should have started with that.
FWIW, I also have a Goodrich passive pedal that I got when I bought a steel from a guy. It's a good pedal, and I use it on my "always setup" practice rig. I personally prefer the Hilton, due to the buffer, the throw and the adjustments one can make.
Since you're on a tight budget, I bet one of the regular Ernie Ball's would work just fine. I highly recommend putting a buffer ahead of them. You might be able to find a used one with a buffer mod. Or a used Mission Engineering one. If you can afford it, I would of course recommend a used Hilton.
Good luck!
Before I played pedal, I started out on lap steel and started using various volume pedals to simulate what a pedal steel sounds like.
My first VP was the standard Ernie Ball one. It was decent, but it truly did suck tone (or cut the highs and other frequencies if you prefer). I got around that by putting a buffer in front of the VP (I think I used an MXR Micro Amp if memory serves).
Ernie Ball soon came out with their own buffered pedal, and I used that for a time. But the Ernie Ball's kept breaking on me (and no, not the pot nor the string). They're so cheap - relatively speaking - that I just picked up new ones. But when I looked back, I realized I could have bought a better VP instead of replacing them.
I tried a Mission VP for awhile. Good pedal and buffered, but like most "guitar oriented" VPs, the jacks weren't ideal.
Finally, I just decided to go whole hog and get a Hilton. I'm still using that same Hilton - I can't recommend it enough. Well worth the cost - should have started with that.
FWIW, I also have a Goodrich passive pedal that I got when I bought a steel from a guy. It's a good pedal, and I use it on my "always setup" practice rig. I personally prefer the Hilton, due to the buffer, the throw and the adjustments one can make.
Since you're on a tight budget, I bet one of the regular Ernie Ball's would work just fine. I highly recommend putting a buffer ahead of them. You might be able to find a used one with a buffer mod. Or a used Mission Engineering one. If you can afford it, I would of course recommend a used Hilton.
Good luck!
- Doug Earnest
- Posts: 2132
- Joined: 29 Mar 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Branson, MO USA
Here is the link to Stage One volume pedals for only $110 including shipping
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com/volume_pedal
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com/volume_pedal
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- Posts: 1061
- Joined: 4 Jan 2008 1:59 pm
- Location: Virginia, USA
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- Posts: 765
- Joined: 26 Nov 2001 1:01 am
- Location: Lee, New Hampshire, USA
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- Posts: 217
- Joined: 15 Mar 2013 2:47 pm
- Location: Missouri, USA
Doug's Stage One pedals are very smooth, no string to break, and have a tuner out jack. They don't rob your tone either. And for 110.00 you can't beat them. FYI the 470 K pot is just as good as the 500.
GFI Expo SD10, Nashville 112, Steelers choice Pak-a- seat, Carter vol. pedal, Stage one vol. pedal, Peavey Deltafex. Goodrich volume pedal.