Hilton Regular pedal vs. Low Profile

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

I am interested in a Hilton pedal, but I am not sure which one to buy. I have long legs and the legs on my steel have 1" height extenders. I am using a Goodrich 120 with no problems. If I had a low profile pedal, then that would put my leg down a little lower, which would be that much better because my leg would be hitting the knee lever a little lower, giving me more leverage. I am concerned that a low profile pedal might have a different feel to it and that the slighest movement would increase the volume more than a standard height pedal. I don't think I would want a short action volume pedal. Is there a difference in the physics and the feel between the 2 pedals? Also, isn't there an older model of the Hilton and a more desirable, newer model?

David Martin · From: Kingsport, TN 37660 USA

Hey George, I've not seen you for a while, how is it going.
I have a Goodrich 120 and a reg. Hilton. I found the Hilton to be about a 1/4 inch lower than the 120, but the action was the same.
I bought a Goodrich low profile and didn't like the short action and sold it.
I can't speak for the action on the low Hilton, but I believe Keith said there was very little difference in the height of the reg. and the low.

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

George, I will try and answer your questions.
There are many things to consider when looking at my standard pedal and my low profile pedal. First-my standard pedal is lower than 90% of the pedals out there. Another thing you must consider is up and down movement. Standard up and down movement for pedal steels has always been 1 1/2 inches. Both types of my pedal both move up and down, in front, 1 1/2 inches. There are some pedals like the Earnie Ball pedals that move up and down almost 3 inches. In my opinion these pedals were made for stand up 6 string standard guitar players. I've seen pedals that only moved up and down one inch. There is only about 3/8 of an inch difference in my standard pedal, and my low profile pedal, at the center of the pedal. Since the hinge point differs on my standard pedal, and my low profile pedal, the height at the front and back, and off and on positions will also differ slightly. With that said, let me explain the major difference. The major difference is the hinge point is set back 3/4 of an inch on the low profile pedal. I might add that my hinge points are the same as Goodrich's hinge points on their pedals. Goodrich pedals and my pedals are designed for pedal steel guitar players first--not stand up guitar players first. Any time you set the hinge point back, even 3/4 of an inch, the feel of the pedal is different. Remember: I said that both types of my pedals move up and down 1 1/2 inch in the front. Because the hinge point is set back 3/4 of an inch to the rear, on the low profile pedal, it seems like the 1 1/2 up and down movement happens quicker. In other words the action feels quicker on the low pedal, even though it moves up and down in front the same distance as the standard pedal.
Sales figures: Which do I sell the most of? I sell about 85% standard pedals and 15% low profile pedals. What happens if you buy a Hilton pedal and find that you wish you had bought the other type of Hilton Pedal? I have a 30 day money back try out period. Send it back and trade for the other Hilton pedal. Our low profile pedal costs $20.00 more than our standard pedal. Hope this information helps. Keith Hilton

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

Now that's what I call an answer Keith. I am sorry that you had to write a manuscript, but it answers my question very well. Quite educational, I am sure not only for me but others as well. This may have been discussed on the forum before and if so, I apologize for making you answer it again. An order will be forthcoming for a regular pedal.

Larry Hamilton · From: Amarillo,Tx

George, I just got my Hilton low profile and love it. I used a Goodrich L120, (low profile) for many years, the switch to my Hilton was very simple. The big thing is the tone and how clean and crisp it is all the way through the pedal travel. I know you will love your new pedal. I tried my friends reg. height pedal and it would have been very easy to live with but I opted for the low profile. Have fun using it.

------------------
Keep pickin', Larry

Ben Slaughter · From: Madera, California

Well, Keith, you've answered more than one man's question. I have an old Ernie Ball pedal (I'm a converted 6 stringer), and have been disappointed with my use of the volume pedal. I never even thought about the fact that your pedals have 1/2 the travel that the EB has, and I'd figured out that having so much travel was my biggest problem.

Once I finish the remodel on my music room, I'll place an order.

Thanks

------------------
Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.

Jeff A. Smith · From: Angola,Ind. U.S.A.

I love my black Hilton low-profile.

It looks cool, and does its job so well that you never know it's there -- unless you're coming back from another pedal.

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Don't worry about heighth. Get a Hilton. You will never be sorry.

------------------
1985 Emmons push-pull,S-10 Marlin,Evans SE200,Hilton pedal

Tom Diemer · From: Defiance, Ohio USA

I have a Goodrich standard height pot pedal, and recently got a Hilton low profile pedal.

I am 6 feet tall, and maybe it's just me, but I find the inside knee movement easier, and the right movement harder with the low profile. I used to have to fight to keep from pumping the pedal, but now I think part of it was because the height of the pedal put the movement range out of my comfort zone (too far forward and on top, with my foot not in the center of relaxed movement). It seems more natural to me with the lower profile pedal.

I heard lots of people saying how good the Hilton was. They were all right. It's smooth as glass, and the tone improvement over the pot pedal is breathtaking.

The only thing against low profile is the right knee movements seem to take more effort.

If I had it to do again, I would still get the low profile. I found moving the pedal a little more to the right than I was used to helped with the RKR lever movement, the rest was just getting used to it.

You'll love the Hilton. Mr. Hilton should call it an expression pedal instead of just a volume pedal.

David Mullis · From: Rock Hill, SC

I wish I had gotten a low profile. I have a fat back Emmons and it's a little hard to get under with the regular Hilton. At the time I had a lift kit on the guitar, so I didn't notice it, but, I didn't like how the lift kit threw off the angle of my right hand and I took it off. Of well, live and learn

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

David, return your pedal, and I will send you a brand new low profile pedal. The low profile pedal has always been $20.00 more. So, send $20.00 plus $12.00 shipping, and you will have the pedal you want. How's that? Keith Hilton

Lyle Bradford · From: Gilbert WV USA (deceased)

I used a low profile Goodrich so I tried the low profile Hilton and it was to low. I traded it for the standard size and it was just right. It felt more like the Goodrich to me that i was used too. The Hilton is the only way to go no matter which one you choose.

[This message was edited by Lyle Bradford on 24 March 2004 at 07:39 PM.]

David Martin · From: Kingsport, TN 37660 USA

Is Keith Hilton a great guy to deal with or what? I've had mine about a year and would never use anything else. Smooth as a minnow's tail.

Forum Index > Electronics		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: