Hilton Volume Pedals

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

I have a Hilton volume pedal and also a couple of Goodrich pot pedals. I love the quality of the Hilton. The Hilton has an even smooth tone, but to my ears it is not as dynamic sounding as my pot pedals. What is causing this? The Hilton is a top notch pedal and I am not trying to say otherwise. The one I have just does not seem to have the fidelity that my pot pedals have. Is there a way to overcome this perhaps with tone adjustments?
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Zumsteel, Evans 500 LV, 2-Webb 610-E, Lexicon MP-1

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Please clue me in as to what dynamic means.
I guess I don't know the precise definition of the word but would like to.
Jerry

richard burton · From: Britain

Adjust the tone mini-potentiometer on the pedal.

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

Jerry:
I use the word "dynamic" in the context of being big sounding with very full highs,mids and bass. It may not be the word of choice , but is the one I chose to best describe my problem. I have adjusted all the settings as recommended by Keith Hilton. If you have any ideas, I would sure appreciate it. Thank's.

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

Morton, thanks for using my pedal. My first thought was Richard Burton's suggestion. Then I got to looking at the equipment you are using, and wondered if there was a hookup problem. My pedal will accept a instrument level signal, or a line level pre-amp signal, just like the input of a Peavey amplifier will accept both signals. Not all pieces of equipment will accept both types of signals well. If I am not mistaken, the Webb has an input for a instrument level signal and one for a pre-amped signal. The only instrument level signal you have Morton is the one leaving the end of your Zumsteel. From then on, everything is pre-amping, or increasing the signal to the amplifier. If the signal gets too hot from pre-amps in series, this can cause tone problems with equipment down stream. Some equipment is designed for instrument level signals. Sometimes providing a signal that is above a certain level causes tone problems. With too many pre-amps in line, you have to start turning stuff down, and sometimes the signal gets degraded by turning down the wrong pre-amp. Another problem I see all the time is people not knowing how to program multi-effect processors. If processors are not programmed properly there can be dramatic tone differences. Morton, what I would do is this; Start trying different hookup combinations, until you get the one that sounds the best. Try every hookup combination you can think of. Make sure you plug into the line level input of the Webb. Play with the adjustments on the Lexicon. Try putting my pedal in different points in the signal chain. My pedal is designed to work with all kinds of signals anywhere in the signal chain. Unfortunately some other equipment works best with a limited range of signals. You have good equipment, and by experimenting with different hookup combinations you can arrive at a great tone/sound. Or as you say,"Dynamic quality." Hope this information helps. Let us know what happens?

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Just shooting in the dark but......is it possible that you are accustomed to a slight high frequency attenuation from the pot pedal and when you hear your higher fidelity Hilton signal with more highs than you are used to, you are turning everything down, thus losing the meat of your tone? Maybe a little high cut (at the pedal or at the amp) would then enable you to push the amp the same way you do with the pot pedal (amps do like to be pushed) and get your body back.
I'm sticking my neck out without a chance of knowing your situation but this thought passed thru my brain and spilled out all over this post. (Clean up in aisle 3).

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Just my opinion, but I have to agree with the problem. I recently added a Hilton to my line up. I had been using a Goodrich L10K and I really like the extra "gain" and "bite" I could get on the Goodrich. After several hours of testing in different areas on my equipment, the Hilton ultimately won. However, I must say it was a close contest. I seem to get more volume and extra gain, particularly on the highs, on the Goodrich. But, on Keith's pedal, I get more smoothness and even tone. I did have to add volume to my amp using the Hilton. I also like the adjustments available on the Hilton. So again, the Hilton is here now and the Goodrich isn't. That isn't saying the Goodrich was a bad pedal. But I certainly understand the problem at hand.

Dave

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Carter S-10 3&5 W/BL-705,Webb 614-E

John Hawkins · From: Onalaska, Tx. on Lake Livingston * R.I.P.

Keith,
Please check your e-mail ! I wanted your advise on a subject regarding your pedal .,

Thanks ,

John Hawkins

[This message was edited by John Hawkins on 30 March 2004 at 05:13 PM.]

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

John, I checked my e-mail and couldn't find anything in it from you? Try again. Jon I run into the situation you tell about, in your post, once in a while. Some people have heard a certain sound frequency range for 20 plus years, and hearing a broader frequency range sometimes seems foreign to them. I am not saying this is the problem with Morton or David's situation. The suggestions I posted earlier are the best bet for a solution. Here is a sure fire experiment that will set the record straight:
Un-hook everything between your guitar and your amp. Plug in a straight guitar cord from the guitar, straight to the amp. Listen to the tone. Without changing tone setting on the amp, hook an old pot pedal between the guitar and the amp. Listen to the tone. It "will" be more bass sounding. If it is not--you need your hearing tested. Now, without changing tone settings on the amp, hook my pedal between the guitar and the amp. The sound of the pot pedal will have more bass sound than a straight cord. A pot pedal will have more bass sound than my pedal. My pedal sounds like-(more high end frequency)- a straight cord between the guitar and amplifier. With this test--all the effect units and other equipment between your guitar and amp is eliminated. This eliminates any confusion. This will let you know if something else is causing your problem. Guys, rest assured I would not be selling volume pedals to all the great shows out of Nashville, and all the famous players, if my pedals had less high end frequency than an old pot pedal. It simply would not happen. There just has to be something wrong with the way you are hooking up or the input and output impedance requirements of the devices you have in line.

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

Forgot something. One thing that can cause my pedal to have a bass sound is one of the 3 adjustments on the bottom being broken. There are 3 adjustments on the bottom of my pedal. They only turn 1/2 turn. A half turn is 90 degrees. If one of these ajustments is forced past it's start or stop point, it ruins the adjustment. I have had this happen about 4 times out of thousands of pedals. I really can't understand why someone would twist something until it broke.
It would be like taking pliers and twisting off the knobs on a amplifier. Anyway it has happened. If your adjustments on the bottom of the pedal will turn in a complete 180 circle, then they are broken and will cause a bass sound to your tone. If this is the case you need to send the pedal into me for repairs.

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Hi Keith, one of the other reasons of choosing your pedal that I failed to mention is the fact that you take a great deal of pride in your products and take the time to give detailed info at no charge! This is just "outstanding customer service" without exception. Please don't misunderstand my previous reply. I am totally satisfied with my Hilton Pedal. I mentioned that I spent quite some time comparing sounds. One was the method you mentioned. I always eliminate anything between the pickup and amp as a starting reference for the sound I am seeking. I used the 3 adjustments on the bottom of the pedal that to acheive my desired tone and travel. Options not available on the Goodrich. I am only trying to convey that I understand the problem mentioned earlier. The person that I purchased your pedal from had it a year and decided he was going back to a pot pedal for the same reason mentioned. Again, please do not accept this as any criticism of your "fantastic" creation, only that tone and sound are highly subjective depending upon individual taste. Again, the Hilton pedal sleeps here with me!
Thanks,
Dave

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

David, thanks for using my pedal. And thanks for the kind words. I always try and help people no matter how large or small the problem is. Let me say something about loudness when the pedal is wide open. I try and set the wide open loudness of each pedal where it is equal to a straight cord to the amp. I personally test every pedal. Even though I am not perfect I try my best. It might be possilbe that the pedal you have could have a little less volume. Sometimes things change over time. Not all pot pedals will have the same output volume either. This can be caused by the string winding or the carbon in individual pots. And as I said, things can change in time. You said you bought this pedal used, maybe something has changed since it left the factory. I can easily increase the wide open volume. I can make it equal to a straight cord, or a little more if you like. If you will send the pedal to me, I will be happy to work on your pedal parts and labor free of charge. Just send $12.00 for the return shipping. If you want me to increase the output a little, send the pedal to me: Keith Hilton 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721. If you ever need to talk to me on the telephone, here is my home number 417-581-4158. David you are right about one thing, I am very particular. I am never satisfied until the customer is totally happy.

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

Thank you Keith and everybody else who posted on this subject. I will try the different tests recommended to help eliminate the problem I am having. If I don't have any luck, I will call Keith direct. Once again, Thank's.

Grayson Joe · From: Raleigh,Ms.39153

this is my 2 cents opinion, the problum is not the Hilton, its the best in action and tone bar none, it lays with one of the other, the typy amp. pick-up or the effects that is not matching up with the other in tone,first you must have a pick-up the has a good mid-range, and a single-core is the best for a true tone of the steel guitar, bar none. down threw the years, i,v tryed all this high dollar rack mount eq. with profex, lexicon,diffrent brands foot vol.2 amps, pre-amps ect. and i,m back to where i were 25 years ago, one Nashville 400,ddl-5 delay box, Hilton foot vol.useing a Jerry Wallace single P/u 18.50oms. and my tone on stage with other players gets thir attention in a big way. everthing has got to match or it will like something in tone, and you will spend a lot of money that want help you in the tone that you are looking for.

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Joe Grayson,Monticello ms

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Morton Kellas · From: Chazy, NY, USA 1

You can close this thread. When I stated the problem I was having with tone, I was going direct from steel to pedal to amp with no other effects in line. I am very pleased with the tone I get with my Goodrich. I was asking for help because I like feel of the Hilton Pedal and know there must be a way to tweak something to make it sound even better. Last night I connected direct from the steel to the amp and listened to the tone and volume level, then as Keith recommended, I put the pedals in line and listened. Both pedals were set at full volume for the test. The Hilton had more highs but not as much gain as the Goodrich. I think the problem is in the output of the Hilton being less then I have been used to. The setttings on the Hilton are as recommended by Keith in the instruction manual. I am going to adjust my amp levels to see if I can overcome this, if not, I will send the pedal to Keith and have him adjust the output as he mentioned he can do. Thank's for all the help.

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

Morton, sounds like a great solution. I will be happy to increase the output. If you send the pedal in, drop a note in with the pedal reminding me of what I am to do. This up dates my memory.
Donny, keep me straight! You are correct, I should of said, 180 degrees. That reminds me of the fellow who was asked to add one and one. His answer was 11. I am thankful for the nice people who keep me on track. Thanks!

[This message was edited by Keith Hilton on 01 April 2004 at 11:13 AM.]

[This message was edited by Keith Hilton on 01 April 2004 at 11:14 AM.]

David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Morton, you have stated my experience with the difference exactly! You also stated my intended solution. Keith is one fine person to deal with and will not rest until every user is happy. He and Mike Brown at Peavey have a great deal in common. "Great Customer Service"
Dave

John Hawkins · From: Onalaska, Tx. on Lake Livingston * R.I.P.

David ,
I might add my 2 cents worth to your post to say this :

" A Great Volume Pedal" and " Great Customer
Service" by a "Great Inventor" by the name of Keith Hilton .

No volume pedal is better than his !!!!

John

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Yep!
Jerry

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