The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm expanding my style of play a bit and have been asked to play lap on a song that was originally done on a PSG. In short, my Ernie Ball VP Jr. aint cuttin' it. It works but you have to move the pedal too far for the desired effect IMO. It is time for me to invest in a pedal that is designed to be used in a seated position that better fits the steel sustain. I know the basic brands out there, Hilton, Emmons, ShoBud etc.

What are you guys using and why?

I have no problem with a new pedal or even a used one. I was thinking of going to Steel Guitar of North County this Saturday and seeing what Jim has in stock. Are there good online sources for new pedals? What should I expect to pay for a good used and/or new pedal of your recomendation?

Thanks in advance,

RH

PS: I did look at the Hilton pedal online that uses infrared technology instead of a pot and string. Anybody using one?

Earnie Ball, but only because I also play standard guitar and I love it for that. I actually have no trouble using the EB while seated but interestingly I don't like using a wah pedal in a seated position... just can't get used to it.

Rich, may be more info than you're looking for but here's my 2 cents. Any Goodrich pot pedal you're likely to buy will need a new pot put into it, see below for that. I have the Goodrich model 120 and the new lightweight Hilton and they are both fine pedals in all respects. Either one can produce great tone and be very reliable.


Hilton Review

Goodrich LDR2 Review

Goodrich Pot Replacement


Greg

There's a Goodrich for sale here on the forum if you decide to go that way.

Go for the Hilton, for sit-down or stand-up work.
It will always sound the same. Much more reliable.

Jim P. knows.

R2

I haven't used the one with the string set up. Wondered how well that held up. Mine is ancient, a DeArmond, with a rack & pinion gear set. It EATS pots but I seldom use it.

I use a Boss ME-20 multi-fx pedal. The volume pedal works really well in a seated position, the buffer is workable and you get some decent delay/mod/distotion tones. And a good tuner.

In short, my Ernie Ball VP Jr. aint cuttin' it.

Did you ever think about reversing the wires on the VP. Then you raise your foot to control the volume rather than press down. Try it. It is easy to do and it might make a differance.

Aloha,
Don

I use a Boss GT5, similar to Twayn's but have just got hold of a Roland VG88 which works as a straight guitar multi FX unit as well as doing ridiculous things (drop D, DADGAD, capo 7, 12 string etc) at the touch of a switch) with a Godin XTSA.

I find the vol pedal on the GT5 a bit notchy but certainly usable on stage, the FX are very good indeed (reverb, tremolo, delay, overdrive etc. etc.)and I've had it for years with no problems at all

Cheers Bob

As far as reversing the pot wiring is concerned, there are reverse audio (curve) pots available, so that the logarithmic curve is reversed from the standard pot, which would make it operate the same way in the oposite direction.

Most Ernie Ball's have a 250K pot which IMOP do not create a likeable tone. I have used everything except a Hilton and have went back to using Goodrich H10K or L10K. The 10K's have a battery, but the battery lasts an extremely long time and the circuit buffers the highs and mids to create an even distribution of all the strings, highs and lows. My new custom made 12 string non-pedal is nearing completion and I will only use a Goodrich 10K with it. But, as they say, everybody hears and plays differently.

What's IMOP?

In My Own Pinion ..... college here. lol