Li'l Izzy

Gene Sharp · Post by **Gene Sharp** » 17 Oct 2000 4:37 am

I was looking through my old PSG junk box and found the Li'l Izzy that I used many years ago. I had forgotten all about it until yesterday. As I recall, the Li'l Izzy improved my sound in the old days.

Now I use the Goodrich Matchbox, hooked up to a New Carter E-9th/Bb6 Universal with a 1201 and playing through a Peavey N-1000.

Can anyone tell me if the Li'l Izzy will improve my sound? Also, how many of you ever used or is still using this electronic wizzard of old, and what do you or did you think of it?
G#

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 17 Oct 2000 5:12 am

Gene,
The Lil Izzy and the Matchbox are both buffer amps and serve the same purpose. They help minimize the tone loss that results from having a potentiometer in the circuit. The effect that the player sees is that the tone response is the same no matter whether the pedal is wide open or barely on.

I owned one in the 70s, but had a problem with a malfunction. Its design prevented a technician from working on it -- it was sealed in some sort of resin and the result was that it became the Bic lighter of matchboxes -- use it and throw it away.

Hope this helps.

LTB

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 17 Oct 2000 5:23 am

Why don't you plug it in and try it, then you can tell us if it improves your sound!

Steve Allison · Post by **Steve Allison** » 17 Oct 2000 7:35 am

The "Lil' Izzy" was designed by Craig Baker, who just happens to run a radio station here in Eatonton Ga.
One of the endorsers of the device in the 70's was a little known Steel Player named Buddy Charleton!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 17 Oct 2000 7:37 am

Another Jimmy Day story that Lynn Owsley can verify:

Jimmy was setting up for a gig, turned around and said, "where's my Little Izzy?"

"Hey man, I didn't think you used equipment like that?"

Jimmy: "Wouldn't play a gig without it!" He then took the Izzy, angled his amp backwards, and stuck the box under the front edge of the amp. "See? The perfect angle to hear the amp!"

True story.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 17 Oct 2000 8:01 am

I'm moving this to the Electronics forum.

Bill Sharpe · Post by **Bill Sharpe** » 17 Oct 2000 10:43 pm

Hi Gene:

I've had a Lil' Izzy for 20+ years, and quit using it with my Emmons PP as it was pretty bright sounding. However, when I purchased a Sho~Bud last year, the Sho~Bud was a bit too mellow so I tried the Lil' Izzy with it, and it was just about right tone-wise, but a little too noisy. (Trebly) so I've put in back in the box. I think Jimmy Day had the perfect use for the Lil'Izzy.

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B#

[This message was edited by Bill Sharpe on 17 October 2000 at 11:44 PM.]

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 18 Oct 2000 11:35 am

Herb,
I saw Jimmy Day do just this at the conv. in St. Louis,
Scotty even commented on it at the time.
Lynn was there also that year.

BTW, for you folks who do not have the LeMay mod in your Pro-Fex, the Izzy is a perfect waker-upper for the tone.

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kenny
66 Emmons 8&7

Dennis Manuel · Post by **Dennis Manuel** » 19 Oct 2000 5:53 am

I have had a Li'l Izzy for years and never had an ounce of trouble with it. When ever I use a Peavey amp I always use the device. However, if I use the Webb or the Emmons amp it seems to make things to bright.

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 19 Oct 2000 12:09 pm

Dennis,
would you be interested in maybe selling it or tradeing for something ? I wouldn't mind having a spare.
BTW, how's EMMO ?

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kenny
66 Emmons 8&7

[This message was edited by KENNY FORBESS on 19 October 2000 at 01:12 PM.]

Dennis Manuel · Post by **Dennis Manuel** » 19 Oct 2000 5:20 pm

Hi Kenny:
I will trade you my Li'l Izzy for your 66 Emmons push pull, YIKES!
"Emmo" is doing quite fine and she is one of those guitars that make people actually cry because her sound hurts so good, or, maybe its sympathy for me because of my lack of playin' ability. Yeah just never know.
E-mail me and tell me what you have to trade. If we talk to much swap and shop Bob will switch us to buy and sell.
Have a good one.[This message was edited by Dennis Manuel on 19 October 2000 at 06:22 PM.]

Skip Cole · Post by **Skip Cole** » 19 Oct 2000 7:01 pm

As I live and breathe, if it ain't my 2 Emmons pals, Dennis and Kenny! Hey guys, I'm an Izzy user too, along with my recently aquired Lashley and my Peavey gear. The tone is really brightened up a bit, not so much as to cut a diamond, but just enough to make the notes less brassy sounding. Dennis, ol "Emmo" really sounded good with Izzy attached; I'm really pleased with your ex Emmons Lashley. Kenny, I'll be to see you and family soon as I can. God's blessings to all.-------Skip

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 19 Oct 2000 7:56 pm

Thanks Herb,I needed that! Still laughing

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 19 Oct 2000 11:43 pm

How much is a li'l Izzy worth ?