The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi there,

I was wondering if anybody knew anything abou the Carter volume pedals that are sold as part of accessory pack to Carter Starter:
'CARTER PEDAL STEEL ACCESSORY PACK
A great add-on for the Carter Starter pedal steel. This pack includes a Carter 500k volume pedal, 3' cord, 10' cord, 7/8" diameter stainless steel slide, 2 finger picks and a thumb pick.
'

Currently I have an Ernie Ball which in any case needs a string replacement. Would this be much improvement?

I should mention that this goes for about US$125<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Paul Brennan on 11 October 2006 at 12:51 PM.]</p></FONT>

Well from what I can tell (looking on the outside) they look alot like a goodrich volume pedal. I have not taken a look at the insides of one to be able to say that they are like a goodrich on the ionsides as well.

I'm very disappointed in the Carter VP I purchased. I would not recommend it, instead, go for the EB Jr.

Thanks for that, guys. Twayn, I'm wondering is the EB Junior much different from the regular EB that I already have? Apart from the fact that the string is broken (but fixable ) I've been satisfied with it. But I've read posts here to the effect that it's not optimal design for pedal steel so I was wondering if that's been fixed in the Junior.

The only thing I might recommend is that the EB's generaly use a 250k pot and for tone quality you are better off with a 500K pot. I use the Goodrich 1000K pot pedal. The 10K affords a more stablized signal which produces better tone, but must be regulated with a battery powered circuit within the volume pedal itself.

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Carter D12, MSA D12, MSA S12, 1956 Rickenbacker D8, Evans FET 500LV, Evans SE200

There is zero difference in tone quality between a 500k and 250k pot. The difference in resistance affects the sweep of the pot...i.e. the "feel" of the swell. Doesn't do a thing to the tone, except they both have a slight treble bleed when turned down very low.

The EB Jr.'s have a taper switch, to switch from linear to audio curves. I prefer linear. If you use a good quality buffer (I use a Bad Monkey) in front of the volume pedal, then the difference between a 250k pot and 500k pot is minimal.

The EB Jr (with the rubber feet removed) is about 1/16" higher than the Goodrich. I vastly prefer the feel of the throw of the EB Jr. to the Goodrich. As always, YMMV.

Carter volume pedals I've seen my students use are not the same mechanical quality and build as standard Goodrich (120, etc.) or Hilton. Ernie Balls are too tall, imho, and older ones have jacks in the front, not ideal for PSG. I'd recommend the Hilton, the Goodrich LDR2, then the Goodrich L10K, in that order.

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E9 lessons
Mullen D-12/Carter SD-10/Webb amp/Profex II+Lexicon MPX-110 OR Line 6 Pod XT

The volume pedals designed for Pedal Steel guitar is the only way to go. The "guitar" types, although work, are not the "optimum" for steel guitar. When there wasn't any "steel guitar" volume pedals we used the ones for guitar, but now that we have the "right tool" for steel guitar that is what should be used.

For those coming from the guitar world - you have to think "steel guitar" and what works and has been proven to work with steel guitars. There are many guitar devices that we use with steel guitar but the volume pedal does not have to be one of those.

Whether it's a pot type like the Carter or Goodrich, or a far superior electronic model such as the Hilton or Goodrich that's the way to go.

I have a Carter volume pedal with the 500K PEC pot and I see nothing wrong with it at all. The only thing I don't like about this pedal is that it's open at the front instead of closed with the logo there. It's a low profile pedal with the same finish as the Hilton and is a good looking pedal that does what it's supposed to. I bought it because I have a Carter guitar and wanted the pedal to go with it but the only place it says Carter is on the bottom.

I think I understand the issue with the sweep... With regard to the 'low profile', I'm assuming that's so that you have a good access to the knee levers.. But here's the thing - I'm short! So maybe a low profile pedal wouldn't be such a good thing for me. I'll have to try a few different pedals and see.

Thanks for all your advice as ever! <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Paul Brennan on 13 October 2006 at 11:05 AM.]</p></FONT>

I just purchased an S-10DB and accessory pack from Carter. The pack contained the Goodrich pedal - for me, the L-120 to suit my height and seating position.