The Steel Guitar Forum

I bypassed my volume pedal, and went straight to the amp (w/reverb), but kept the volume pedal under my right foot and used it normally as if it were plugged in.

As I played through all the normal playing modes (intros/outros/fills/vamps/harmonics/solos) I could swear that the volume pedal was plugged in, but in reality it was like my right hand was responding to the brain signal that usually goes to the volume pedal.

It was really a wierd exersize/expierience in dynamics, kind of teased my brain a bit, and made me wonder if I really need to have the volume pedal plugged in at all times, or is it just another "effect box" that needs to be used only for certain effects (like any effect, if you leave it on all the time, it's no longer an "effect", it's the "norm").

'Thinking about putting a bypass switch in line with it.

Give it a try and let me know if you get the same "wow, that was weird" feeling!

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 24 October 2002 at 10:51 AM.]</p></FONT>

Most of the time one really does not need a volume pedal. I learned to play without a volume pedal and then I learned how to use one later.

Rick

A while back I was using my Hilton volume pedal and had left the power supply at home. I had to play the whole night with no volume pedal. It's tough on those slow country ballads but it'll make you really get in touch with your hands and your sense of touch.

Peter,
I pulled that same trick on a buddy of mine a year or so ago (Robin Mimms). He played better and with more feeling than he ever had. When I revieled to him what I had done, he couldn't believe it. I took the volume pedal out from underneath his foot and he couldn't hardly hit a note.
BB

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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!

Pete,

That is a good trick. I recently started playing lap steel... since I've been working out of town a lot, I wanted to keep up my chops. I play the lap without a volume pedal and it is very natural.

The kicker is when I got home and sat down at my Sierra PSG to practice and was too lazy to plug in the pedal and went straight into the amp...I realized that my foot was pumping the volume pedal by rote (it was in-place, unplugged) to the song that I was playing. Although my right hand was comping for "feel", my foot thought it had to get in on the action also.

It makes me think that I am using the volume pedal incorrectly...duh! It is a good experiment to see if you are over-using the pedal.

Always learning,

Tom Jordan

edited fer spellin'

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tom Jordan on 23 October 2002 at 04:20 PM.]</p></FONT>

If we could just get the manufacturers to install accessible tone and volume knobs on the tops of our pedal steels,like in the good old days,we could probably live without that pedal. Want a REALLY DIFFERENT IDEA? I have a steel player friend who successfully installed a volume control on a knee lever. That frees up both feet for use on the pedals!!!.. ..
W.C.

Bobby Bowman.It's probably a good idea that you didn't type the exact words Robin used. I can only imagine.

One of the funniest comments I ever read on this Forum was when someone (cannot remember the name) broke the string on his volume pedal at a gig. He said he asked his wife to put her hand on the volume control of his amp and to watch his foot on that inoperable volume pedal and turn the volume knob as he moved his foot! As I recall, she declined!

At least I thought it was funny!<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Frank Estes on 24 October 2002 at 07:30 AM.]</p></FONT>

I tried to plug my guitar straight into the amp but the hum was too embarrassing

Wayne
The great Ron Hallderson uses a knee volume control, and has for years, on his Linkon II 14 string steel. Uses both feet for the pedals.

Joe<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Joe Delaronde on 24 October 2002 at 10:11 PM.]</p></FONT>

In early 1951, Jerry Byrd stated in his JBFC Journal that he had just recently recorded "Over the Waves" and had dubbed a two part harmonic passage and........and a three part foot pedal passage..."the first time I'd used a foot pedal in years and years".
Just tho't this appropriate for the post.

I've heard that Jerry Byrd wires his volume pedal backwards - pressing the heel increases the volume.

b0b: I've seen that in several places over the years and I think I have read something by Jerry himself that backs you up. Interesting thought, eh ???

Regards, Paul

Bobby and Paul you're both right.........but JB's comments I quoted were from the 1950's.....1951, most likely. We all pretty well know about Jerry's foot pedal in later years. When I visited his home, he showed it to me and if I recall accurately, "that one" he made himself. He uses it I believe with his left foot and there's an affect he uses that sounds like he's barred the 12th fret with no fingers on the strings while pumping the volume pedal (He refers to this affect, as "NERVOUS FOOT">>>>)and gives a tremendous ECHO like sound. No gimmick.......just a unique sound and skill with his guitar.