Is a Li'l Izzy Necessary?

Jerry Berger · From: Nampa, Idaho USA

I have a Li'l Izzy plugged into my psg. My other gear consists of a Hilton volume pedal, and now, a newly acquired Quilter Steelaire amp. Do I still need the Li'l Izzy?

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

Wouldn't think so. With a good cable directly down from PSG to the Hilton VP, the buffer in the Hilton will do fine for loading the PU without any loss of highs.
But, since it is so easy to test both with and without the Li'l Izzy as first stage, you should just go ahead and try both ways and find out for yourself what you like best. Most likely you won't notice any difference.

Bobby Boggs · From: Upstate SC.

For me it's not. But if you feel you sound better with it? Chances are you'll be inspired to play better.

b.

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

Try with and without. Decide. Problem solved.

Howard Steinberg · From: St. Petersburg, Florida , USA

I use one with a Hilton pedal and a Steelaire with Lawrence 705's on my guitars. It just sounds better to my ears, particulabrly in terms of string separation.
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Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar.

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

While those who use a Li'l Izzy agree with Howard regarding the enhanced string separation, the downside is: there is always the risk that someone might confuse you with Gary Carter, Tommy White or Norm Hamlet.

It's never happened to me personally, but there's always that chance.

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

John Booth · From: Columbus Ohio, USA

On some setups I have found that the Lil Izzy makes ALL the difference.
On other setups, not so much.
If your guitar sound is dull, lifeless, you should try one.
JB
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Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

On paper, probably not. I'd try it both on the output of the guitar and the output of the volume pedal.
I bet you'll find a difference, and whether or not you like the difference will be personal taste.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Mike Bowles · From: Princeton, West Virginia, USA

I will never have to take a lie detector test to prove im not one of them.
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Mike Bowles

Jerry Berger · From: Nampa, Idaho USA

Thanks for all of your help. I really appreciate it. I know what I need to do now.
JB

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

Unless Craig tells me otherwise; the Li'l Izzy is a high quality high impedance to low impedance buffer, not a "magic gismo". The Hilton VP also has a high quality high impedance to low impedance buffer built in, and the only difference - on paper - is that there has to be a length of cable from the steel down to the Hilton VP, while the Li'l Izzy can be plugged into the steel before any cables.

Thus, with a high quality (low capacity) cable down to the Hilton there really should not be any loss of highs or less string-separation. Thus, adding the Li'l Izzy as buffer before the Hilton's buffer, is - technically - somewhat like putting butter on fat.

But, that's on paper. As no two buffers are built exactly the same way using the same components etc, which buffer that comes first may make all the audible difference in the world in some sound-chains. Cannot argue with what resulting sound-qualities people like, so just about any combo of buffers and whatnot anyone put into their sound-chains, is OK as long as they like the end-result.

I use neither a Li'l Izzy nor a Hilton VP in my sound-chains, but I do use a high impedance to low impedance buffer (with adjustable parameters) directly after the steel - before anything but a few inches of cable. Makes my steels sound like I want them to (when I happen to play the way I want), and once I have gotten to that point I (literally) eliminate all "unnecessary" electronics in my sound-chains.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

In one of Jeff Newman's classes, he played something that he said was musically incorrect. But he said do it anyway because the golden rule is "If it sounds good, do it, and forget about whether is technically correct or not." Same applies here: If it sounds good, use it.

If you use a 3 cord hookup with your Steelaire, you are adding a buffer with the amp. This is supposed to make a passive pedal an active pedal. If you haven't tried this, give it a shot. I like it on my Steelaire. I would recommend that you use George L cables to diminish loss of the highs. I was using a Black Box and a Wet Reverb before I got the Steelaire. Now, just the Steelaire alone. To my ears, the Steelaire sounds best by not messing with anything else.

Cass Broadview · Posted 30 Jan 2016 2:25 pm

You ALWAYS need a Li'l Izzy...... Very Happy

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Richard & Mike,
I wasn't suggesting that you would sound like Gary, Tommy, or Norm. Just that the sight of a Li'l Izzy plugged into your guitar might lead to the confusion. LOL

Georg,
You are correct; Li'l Izzy can't do any magic tricks or overcome any of the laws of physics. There are many problems that Li'l Izzy can't solve, but it does what it was designed to do. . . very well. Several players have stated that depending on the pickup, even a short length of the very best guitar cord can audibly attenuate overtones. In my opinion, it is the overtones that make a steel guitar sound so pleasing and perhaps this is what leads to the string separation many customers report. I really don't know if that's the case or not, but I've always felt it best to protect your signal as close to the pickup as possible, before any cord.

While I wouldn't suggest using an inferior cord, when you employ a well-designed buffer the quality of the guitar cords you're using becomes almost unimportant. That remains true whether your cord is 5', 50', or 500'. With a buffer, if you have a working cord, you'll enjoy all of the overtones your guitar can produce. Whether you prefer a Freeloader, Matchbox, Li'l Izzy or build your own as Georg did, I can't imagine a serious player not trying a low impedance buffer.

Cass,
Thank you. I always enjoy your posts. You're one of my favorite authors !

All the best,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

John Gould · From: Houston, TX Now in Cleveland TX

The Izzy is a great buffer , Craig put a bunch of knowledge and thought into the design. The fact that it plugs right into the guitar is important because it does it's thing right at the beginning of the signal chain. I have experimented with different buffers and putting them in different places in the chain and found Craig's solution to be one of the best. For my guitar rig I have built buffers and put into different points in the signal path that I can switch in and out because it makes such a difference in tone. But for the pedal steel you can't beat the Izzy if you're using a non-buffered volume pedal. I've been using one for years and never have a problem with the device or getting tone from either of my steel guitars. I've also found it useful when tracking bass guitar direct. So it's not a necessity but it's a wonderful luxury to have the option.
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A couple of guitars
Fender GTX 100 Fender Mustang III Fender Blues Jr. Boss Katana MKII 50
Justice Pro Lite and Sho Bud Pro II

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

I use an Izzy between my P/P and Telonics VP which feeds into a Steelaire. It definitely yields a much more articulate sound than without it in the signal chain or by using the 3-cord Quilter hook-up.

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

I've tried E66 pickups several times. While I consider it a pleasant sound, it has, as Lane put it "no soul". As a bonified tinkerer I felt compelled to try it again in my Mullen along with a Li'l Izzy. Winner! I couldn't be more pleased.😉 Thanks Mr. craig for the product and service.
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J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member

Mike Wilkerson · From: Luther Oklahoma

I could not imagine myself without my Lil Izzy....Slim
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S12 MSA Classic Nashville 400 with fox mods amp 1 volume pedal 1 Lil Izzy and 3 cords

Keith Currie · From: Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada

I run a three wire hook up to my Peavey amps and see no difference with or without. that is with a Franklin pedal.

J.C. Norris · From: North Carolina, USA

Hope I never have to play without my "Izzy". Lots of bang for the buck. J.C.N.

Mike Daly · From: Tennessee

I recently acquired a Lil' Izzy, ( thank you Craig), and have found it most useful when recording direct. Some studio's cannot accommodate an amp. Putting this in my signal chain seems to accomplish the subtle tone boost you all have mentioned, clearer string separation, transparent highs and lows.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

and it's so easy a caveman can do it!
they've been around since the stone age.

Lee Dassow · From: Jefferson, Georgia USA

Why carry more stuff to the job that can get busted?
Tenn.Lee
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2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars,

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