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Topic: Using the volume pedal |
Pete Nicholls
From:
Macon, Georgia, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2013 7:18 am |
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Not much is said about using the volume pedal, but I know I need to learn how to properly use it. It can be used like a volume knob, as a sustain extender and i guess for effect.
As a relative new comer, what advice do you have on properly using a volume pedal.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
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Justice The Judge SD-10, 2007
Justice Pro Lite SD-10, 2011
Quilter Steelaire
Quilter Labs Tone Block 202 Head
Roland Cube 80-XL
American Stratocaster - Yamaha Bass Guitar
1 Fender Telecaster Nashville Edition
Ham Call: N4BHB |
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Clark Doughty
From:
KANSAS
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Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Feb 2013 8:44 am
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Pete
you can take this for what it worth -- the volume pedal can be a problem for the newcomer -- what i would suggest is having it under your right foot but go direct to the Amp from the guitar and bypass it for now ---- the reason being -- in learning to play SG , you will tend to use the volume pedal to hide you mistakes .
Just MO |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 13 Feb 2013 10:16 am
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What helped me when I first started to get better control over my ankle, so as not to pump it all the time, was to cut a piece of 2x4 about the size of the pedal and nail another small piece under one end to create the angle of a volume pedal. That way, I could train my leg/ankle muscles. I was a drummer prior to playing steel, and my right foot wanted to pretend I was still playing the bass drum. I found that just having the pedal under my foot but not plugged in did nothing to control my ankle. I just kept pumping it, but had no audible clue as to how bad it sounded.
On the use of the pedal, I tend to NOT back off to cover the initial attack of the picks on the strings, but do back off enough as to not blast everyone out with that initial attack, if I had happened to have the pedal pressed down far to have added sustain to what I had just previously played. That is a common problem for new players, and actually (in my opinion) stifles the correct methods of picking and blocking. You can actually control most of that initial attack volume with your hand and how you pick the strings. That comes wit time though.
You will hear many say it is more of an expression pedal than a volume pedal. I believe it is both. You need to add sustain to held out notes and also to control how loud you are when soloing as opposed to doing pads, rhythm or back-up licks.
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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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Jerry Jones
From:
Franklin, Tenn.
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Posted 13 Feb 2013 11:27 am
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What Richard said, and I would add....think of using your volume pedal in the same way a vocalist would use dynamics. Too many steel swells can be annoying as they would be if a singer were to swell every note.
One trick I use is to hang my heel slightly off the back of my volume pedal...taking my ankle off axis somewhat. That gives me better control and would make it harder to "pump" the pedal.....if I was a "pedal pumper."  |
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