| Author |
Topic: Volume pedal advice? |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 4:31 am |
|
I got a nice Dunlop volume pedal for Christmas. About 10 years ago, I had both an old Bigsby pedal and then a Fender but never got comfortable with 'em and sold 'em off. If I recall, my right foot wanted to always tap to the beat which played havoc with the pedal. I want to try again. So, starting from scratch, what's your best advice for how to learn to use a volume pedal? Thanks!
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 5:33 am
|
|
To keep it simple, I really only use it for fading in chord pads and occasionally for effect with single notes--like a fast pumping tremolo effect, especially on bass strings, and emulation of a cello. It is really cool if you're doing the echo effect (know which one I mean?). I don't practice with a volume pedal, so I have to be careful how I use it on a gig.
The use of the VP to extend sustain is not something I have I ever gotten used to. I do think it sounds pretty cool when the pedal steel players do it, though.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Sam White R.I.P.
From:
Coventry, RI 02816
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 5:52 am
|
|
I just got my Dynalap Lap Steel a couple of weeks ago and I also just sold my Pedal Steel two weeks before I got the Dynalap Steel and I use my Peavey Nashville 112 Amp, Hilton Volume Pedal and my RV-3 and what a great sound I'm getting with lots of Sustain.The Dynalap Lap Steel is all solid Wood and what a nice Lap Steel.Mark Vinbury did a super job of building this lap steel.I like it a lot and I thought I would have a problem playing it after playing Pedal Steel for 15 years but I have picked it right up.I also have Sid Hudson's Steel Strings on it and WOW what a great sound.
Sam White
_________________
Dynalap lap 8 String Lap Steel Fender frontman 25B speaker changed Boss TU-12H Tuner.Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Founder of the New England Steel Guitar Association and the Greeneville TN Steel Jams and now founder of the North Carolina Steel Guitar Jams. Honorary member of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association,Member of The New England Steel Guitar Association.
Member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club,and member of Mid Atlantic Steel Guitar Association |
|
|
|
Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 6:35 am
|
|
Hi Andy,
In my opinion, the best way to learn to use a volume pedal is to connect it every time you play. Even if you are not really putting it to use you will become accustomed to having it there. Like Mike Neer, I don't really use it much for sustaining chords. But I do use it to lower my volume when playing backup, controlling dynamics, and sometimes for reducing attack.
As for the pedal itself, Chuck Campbell turned me on to the Morley Mini and I really like it. It does not attenuate tone (optical, no pot), is very compact, and cots about $60. Some people don't like the sensitive, short-throw movement, but as Chuck told me, you get used to it. Chuck has tried them all, including the Hilton, which he still owns, but does not use. I borrowed a friend's Hilton for a couple of days and to me the Morley was just as good--and $200 cheaper. And no pesky power supply. As long as you remember to disconnect the input cable when not in use the 9V battery will last a long time. I like the small size, too. Why does a volume pedal have to be big?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/morley-mini-morley-volume-guitar-effects-pedal
I hope some of this helps.
All the best,
Bob |
|
|
|
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 6:49 am
|
|
Thanks, guys. Since I have a Dunlop now that's what I'll be using. So it's not the "what" but the subtle aspects of the "how" and "why" for which I'm seeking advice. Much appreciated since I'm at the "volume pedal for Dummies" stage. Also posting on the pedal steel front since those folks are usually grafted onto their pedals on a daily basis.
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
|
|
|
Peter Lindelauf
From:
Penticton, BC
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 10:53 am
|
|
I have a Dunlop pedal, too, Andy -- the DVP1 low-friction band drive. Actually, now I have two of them as the band snapped after six months of use in the first, which seems to be a fairly common occurrence. I've ordered two spare bands from Dunlop so I can fix the first pedal myself and sell it -- and have a spare band on hand. If you have this model,you may want to take the base plate off and study how the band is installed. And take a photo of same...
In any case, it made me consider that I was riding the pedal too much -- kind of like riding the clutch while driving a standard. Whatever I was doing before, now I just try to use it more sparingly for extra volume to sustain tone when needed.
_________________
...but you are the music / while the music lasts (TS Eliot) |
|
|
|
Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 11:39 am
|
|
My transition from pedal to non-pedal: first thing to go was to go from 10 to 8 strings, then the pedals, then the volume pedal. I know that Jerry Byrd used a volume pedal. It IS easier than to move the volume pot by hand, but ....
_________________
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
|
|
|
Keith Cary
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 1:18 pm
|
|
| I sure use a volume pedal a lot less than I used to, but, unless I'm trying to sound like Bob Dunn I generally hook one up. I know you said you're satisfied with the "what" but I have to tell you, both as a player and as an electronics tech, that the combo of the volume pedal and the instrument is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. The taper and impedance of the pot on the pedal (if it has a pot) and the output impedance of the steel interact in strange ways, combined with whether or not your steel has its own volume pot. I have four volume pedals I think, including an old Fender volume/tone and an old Dunlap, as well as a couple of semi-home-brew pedals. Each is different with each steel and changes the way I use it. (And by the way not all audio tapers are created equal, far from it. There are some really cheesy tapers in the world.... just two linear tapers smashed together.) -- Before my blocking was very good (it's still not great, but..) I used the volume pedal all the time, sort of a knee jerk thing. It was a crutch. Now I use it consciously, on purpose. ----As someone mentioned above it's very nice for cello sounds with low notes.-- Another way I use it takes some practice but is very cool. A pro Hammond organ player showed me how he got percussion on Hammond B2s (no percussion). You hit the chord hard, pedal full on, then immediately back off, then gradually bring it back. Timing is everything with that one but it's super cool and does give some B3 feel, sort of a "twank". It seems to work better for me with C6 and close voicings. --- Lately I've switched to my left foot from my right because I feels better with my lap steel. I thought it would be impossible to get used to but it wasn't, not at all. |
|
|
|
Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 3:49 pm
|
|
I used to work with hula groups using a non-pedal steel on a stand and I found that constantly putting my weight on the left leg while controlling the volume pedal with the right caused problems with my spinal and hip alignment.
So, my suggestion is if you are standing while playing is to learn to use your left foot on the volume pedal as well as the right and switch from time to time.
_________________
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8: |
|
|
|
Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 3:49 pm
|
|
I used to work with hula groups using a non-pedal steel on a stand and I found that constantly putting my weight on the left leg while controlling the volume pedal with the right caused problems with my spinal and hip alignment.
So, my suggestion is if you are standing while playing is to learn to use your left foot on the volume pedal as well as the right and switch from time to time.
_________________
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8: |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Keith Cary
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 4:40 pm
|
|
| Beautiful, Doug! |
|
|
|
Sam White R.I.P.
From:
Coventry, RI 02816
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 5:01 pm
|
|
One great job of playing Doug. I need to get going and play like you.
Super.
Sam white
_________________
Dynalap lap 8 String Lap Steel Fender frontman 25B speaker changed Boss TU-12H Tuner.Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Founder of the New England Steel Guitar Association and the Greeneville TN Steel Jams and now founder of the North Carolina Steel Guitar Jams. Honorary member of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association,Member of The New England Steel Guitar Association.
Member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club,and member of Mid Atlantic Steel Guitar Association |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 6:29 pm
|
|
Doug (and everyone) thanks! Doug, your performance of So Rare is cool on so many levels ... the subtlety of your volume work plus the way you change hand positions up and down the fretboard to vary the tone, to the subtle blocking going on.
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
|
|
|
Peter Graham
From:
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 7:30 pm
|
|
| I haven't used a VP yet, but think about it often. I'm playing a Remington D8, and Herb told me himself he prefers the Goodrich L-120. I asked Tom Bradshaw to send me pot replacement instructions via email, so I'm thinking seriously about this, will you guys share some of your thoughts on this model. |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
Posted 26 Dec 2013 7:31 pm
|
|
Thanks Andy! I had a lot of fun playing "So Rare". There's nothing like a good melody, interesting chord changes, and a great sounding guitar to give a player inspiration.
The Jimmy Dorsey hit features an awesome sax playing the melody. My version is more low key (no pun). I learned it from sheet music, and didn't try to copy Dorsey's version. It lays out nicely on lap steel, C6 tuning. I especially like the "B section". thanks again
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel
Last edited by Doug Beaumier on 26 Dec 2013 7:45 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
|
Posted 27 Dec 2013 11:48 am
|
|
Hey Doug:
Great technique with the VP and also moving your picking hand toward the bar hand for a different tone and attack on the strings.
Regards,
Lenny |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 27 Dec 2013 2:28 pm
|
|
I still have the DeArmond volume pedal I bought in 1950, which ate volume pots. Still worked a few years ago, when I tried it  When I got a bit more serious about Hawaiian music, the pedal went in the closet.... |
|
|
|
