The Steel Guitar Forum

Do you use effect pedals with your Steel guitar? if so what do you use? thanks Russ

Zoom MS-50G

I have it programmed for steel reverb,dobro,organ,bagpipes, etc.

I just got a Line 6 M9 multi effects pedal. So far I really like it. I also have a TC Nova System multi effects unit that's good too.

Tony

I also have a Zoom MS-50G and I'm going to try some of Scott's programs.

Tony

Another Zoom MS-50G here. Great little pedal with lots of effects to choose from. And you can have up to 6 in line at once.

The only "pedal" I use is Brad Sarno's Earth Drive, but I do have a Lexicon MX300 in my rack for all the other stuff :-}...
Incidentally I mount the ED on the leg of the steel and have a toggle switch on it in place of the stomp switch.

Suhr Jackrabbit tremolo
MXR EVH Phase 90
MXR Carbon Copy delay
Dimebag Darrell wah
Wren and Cuff Caprid Fuzz
Older version Timmy overdrive pedal
Hughes and Kettner Rotosphere (Leslie)
Amp has great reverb tank

Plug either the guitar, Sierra lap steel or the Williams into the board.. Really use the delay, trem, reverb and Rotosphere with the pedal steel..

I use a Line 6 Pod X3, straight into my computer.

It took a long time for me to understand it, as all the presets were aimed at guitarists, so I found some 'cleanish' presets, and modified them for a pleasing (to me) pedal steel tone.

I have a bunch of pedals on my board, but most are for 6 string. The two I primarily use for pedal steel are the Boss RV-3 for reverb and the MXR Carbon Copy for delay. Once in a while I use an old MXR Dist+ set to max output/min drive for slightly fuzzy gain (more a grainy boost than distortion).

I use a Boss GT3. I recently bought a Boss GT8 but still working on a sound for pedal steel on this beast.

I think I prefer the GT3 for pedal steel though as it has more analogue components than the GT8 which is very much all digital and modelling. Warmer sound and less digital fzzzzz from the GT3. The GT8 has some nice features though, such as a level sense which can be used to switch in or out any effects depending on the level received. So if you are playing quiet you can have a certain sound, if you want to play a solo, just play a bit harder on the strings and the GT8 will switch to the 2nd programmed sound. Lots of possibilities there that I'd like to experiment with when I get time.

I came to the conclusion recently that the GT3 or the GT8 could be used as a preamp stage so bought a rack stereo power amp and plug the GT3 straight in. I also added a little stereo valve amp between the GT3 and the power amp, not really as a volume boost mainly to add a bit of valve warmth to the sound.

No buffers at the head of the chain? Or don't they count?

Some pedals do have buffers built in. However, for (in my opinion) the best buffer is the Li'l Izzy. There are multiple threads on here about it.

Scott,
Thank you for your compliments regarding the Li'l Izzy.

Alan,
Great question. There are some on the forum who think a good buffer at the head of the chain doesn't matter.

There are others on The Opry, on the road, and on hit records that think they do matter.

Thank you for asking and best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Paddy,
Just a question about your Earth Drive. I just received mine from Brad and am wondering if those are the settings you are using as shown in the picture?
Erv

Among others, but this one is super fun and such a great creative tool. In addition to the wacky effects like synth sounds, arpeggiations, diatonic harmonies... this pedal does single or dual delays, reverb, fuzz, chorus, flange, envelopes... just about anything if you're patient and take the time to dial it up.

Yeah, I like f/x...

Do you run all of your pedals before or after the volume pedal?

First is a homemade switcher/loop, for choosing PSG, lap steel, or guitar. The loop section of it goes into the B9 pedal, Tubescreamer & Rat in the same box, then into the Roto Machine. There's a tuner, Boss delay, reverb, & EQ at the end of the chain.