Lap steel volume pedal tips

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 7 Feb 2003 6:31 am

Since I'm playing with a group regularly these days I finally broke down and bought a volume pedal (Fender vol/tone) after years and years of playing without one. I've looked at some of the threads re vol. pedal technique but I wwas wondering how non-pedal players in particular use them in their playing. I'm trying to get the hang of it but I suspect that deep down, I'm not a volume pedal guy at heart.

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 7 Feb 2003 7:38 am

I have to admit, that I am now using my girl friends volume pedal! After getting the Don Helms instructional course w/ CD, I couldn't help but notice what a hugh part of his sound, was due to the increase in sustain and dynamics found on certain notes that are held out for effect via the volume pedal. Don dosen't overly pump the pedal nor does it sound milky licker in any way. It reminds me of the bow of a violin and how it effects the dynamics/sustain of it's notes.

Is the "Goodrich volume pedal" one of the best for steel? I have a magnatone that really has some fast acting pots on the tone and volume. Some body who was into Speedy West must have set it up that way. You can us your finger to turn the knobs a 1/4 of a turn for full effect... [This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 07 February 2003 at 10:54 AM.]

Gary Slabaugh · Post by **Gary Slabaugh** » 7 Feb 2003 7:42 am

Andy,

You certaininly are much more of a player than me. I got an old Fender volume pedal pretty early on and it was more of wife control item at first (turn that down!). Most of the time I ignor the pedal (not the wife). Sometimes I do make a conscious effort to try to use it to sustain a tone, or "pump" or dunk or what ever. I think it is really a practice thing. What bothers me is that one leg ends up being higher, so maybe a block of wood or a foot operated cymbal is what I need to keep them both at the same level. Maybe we need a thread on the greatest volumne pedal players of all times.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 7 Feb 2003 8:24 am

AFAIK, Goodrich has never made a volume/tone pedal. Wish they would!

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 7 Feb 2003 10:39 am

Personally, I use my Goodrich pedal always, with my lap steel, however I do so sparingly.
I've read a lot here on the Forum about pumping them........... I don't do it. Never have. I use it for whatever is needed at the moment; to turn it off immediately, OR,
to enhance the sustain on a long chord slide up the neck. I use it when playing palm harmonics so as to minimize the harsh pick noise that sometimes occurs, if you miss it slightly.
In the early days, the way the flat top or arch top guitar neck used to fit snuggly up against the inside of your LEFT KNEE, it left the big end of the guitar at a higher elevation than the headstock end. Using my volume pedal under my right foot with the leg slightly, comfortably extended, it raises the right end of my guitar whereby it is much easier to play and fret.

Until guitar legs/stands arrived on the scene, most guitars slanted down hill from the picking hand. No adays, everyone expects the guitar to be perfectly level or flat like a tabletop or work bench.

That's just my view from where I sit.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Feb 2003 11:41 am

Goodrich has a nice foot volume with the Match Box built into it that works good for lap steel. It is called the Goodrich Model LSW, Dual-function Volume Pedal. Try it, you'll like it!
Erv
p.s. It has a switch on it to disable the Match Box part if you so choose.[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 07 February 2003 at 11:43 AM.]

Rob van Duuren · Post by **Rob van Duuren** » 7 Feb 2003 3:01 pm

A little while ago I witnessed a hawaiianlapsteel player using a volumepedal. I thought it was interesting to notice he played most of the time with pedal completely
open, making most of the dynamics with his fingers. Only in a few occasions he used the pedal for swell(sustain)-ing purposes,whilst hitting the strings relatively harder.
He sounded quite "authentic". rob.

Page Wood · Post by **Page Wood** » 7 Feb 2003 6:01 pm

I've never seen a combo vol + tone pedal- can someone explain how the tone is operated (side to side?). Is it basically a wah-wah?

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 7 Feb 2003 6:20 pm

From www.analogman.com:

The following has been quoted from an article in Guitar Player Magazine entitled Wah: The Pedal That Wouldn't Die, by Art Thompson, May 1992. This article is recommended for more on the subject.

The first Wah type sounds could be found on Country albums in the late 50's and early sixties. These were largely achieved by the player working the tone knob. The Fender volume pedal, popular with steel players of the day, may also have created a Wah type sound. This pedal varied tone when moved left to right and volume when moved up and down. [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 07 February 2003 at 06:20 PM.][This message was edited by Andy Volk on 07 February 2003 at 06:21 PM.]

Ralph H. Moorehead · Post by **Ralph H. Moorehead** » 9 Feb 2003 2:56 pm

I use a High gain peddle but sparingly. Inever pump it but sometimes will backit off and sweel into a note or chord for an organ effect

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 9 Feb 2003 9:43 pm

Hi Andy,

Oh heck man... Even a piano has volume and sustain pedals.

My instructor told me to think of it as an expression pedal. Not a volume pedal. That changes the paradigm. (like 'em big words?)

Nonpedal steels, and Benoit 8's with pickups, the expression pedal helps. Sustain, pull back a little to play rhythm, go up a little for emphasis.

Use that BooWah on swing numbers! Sound like a horn section.

I can talk a good game. But really, I need to get back to practicing.

Ron

------------------
Stringmaster T8, Benoit 8, National Tricone

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 9 Feb 2003 11:15 pm

Goodrich has never made a volume/tone pedal. Wish they would!

I have one and I wanted them to make another for me, but they declined. Evidently it was more trouble than it was worth.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 9 Feb 2003 11:22 pm

Well, I did say, "AFAIK", (As Far As I Know).

Chas, I do have a Goodrich swivel pedal, but it's made for blending steel and MIDI sounds or switching from one to the other. Can you send me a picture of yours? I can send you a picture of mine, if you'd like.

------------------
Jim Smith jimsmith94@attbi.com
-=Dekley D-12 10&12=-
-=Fessenden D-12 (coming soon)=-
Stereo Steel rig w/Boss GX-700
IVL SteelRider w/JV-880

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 10 Feb 2003 12:49 pm

"AFAIK", (As Far As I Know).

So that's what that means, damn, I hate to appear ignorant in public....

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 10 Feb 2003 1:12 pm

Not to worry Chas, with your wealth of knowledge and experience, that will never happen.