Why do I need a new Volume Pedal?

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 28 Nov 2001 12:37 pm

This weekend, someone absolutely raved to me about the Hilton volume pedal. I've currently got several goodrich pot pedals and use a 7A matchbox.

I've spent some time this morning and last night searching threads on these pedals. I've also talked to two different dealers to get their take.

I'm currently not convinced that buying a new pedal is going to make a significant change in my sound. What specifically do I have to gain from this?

A couple of thoughts.... I currently use BL710 pups on one guitar and single coil on two others. The BL710 is designed to see that 500K pot. Will it function well in a pot free environment?

What does the Hilton offer over the Goodrich CD2A?

I know that at least some people don't agree with the general love fest over these pedals. I got a very pleasant email from some one who essentially told me to save my money.

Ok...why should I spend the money to replace something that isn't broke.

[This message was edited by Steve Stallings on 28 November 2001 at 12:41 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Nov 2001 1:37 pm

I don't think you should!

(But a lot of people will argue over that point.)

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 28 Nov 2001 1:56 pm

Ever since the Li'l Izzy, the Matchbox, and all the other buffer amp variants came out in the 70s, the problem with pot pedals was pretty much solved, either using an outboard box or one integrated into the pedal. Keith went one step further and eliminated the pot and came up with a great solution. There are other good (or great) solutions as well.

A volume pedal should do one thing: make the volume increase and decrease by moving your foot. (duuuuh) I firmly believe that the best volume pedal is akin to the best therapeutic drug -- the fewer side effects the better.

I do have an old Emmons volume pedal that I use from time to time and, without the MatchBox, I can easily hear the tone difference at different points in the pedal travel. But I could play a gig with it if necessary. I choose to use the Hilton pedal because it's the best solution I've found, but it is by no means the only one.

If you have a good pot pedal and a MatchBox, you probably DON'T need to spend more money, in my opinion.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 28 Nov 2001 2:10 pm

I run my pot pedal in the effects loop of my Boss GX-700 and don't even need my MatchBox anymore.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 28 Nov 2001 2:17 pm

The one, only, issue that has me considering--just considering--a Hilton or Goodrich CD2 is the reports I've read over the past year of extremely inferior pots on the market. If pot life starts diminishing to months instead of years then it won't take too many years for a potless pedal to pay for itself (assuming a long lifespan for the pedal--which does raise the question--can you expect 10-20 years out of a Hilton or CD2?)

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 28 Nov 2001 3:01 pm

Will a Hilton last 20 years? Ask me in 17. The Hilton is a zero resistance pedal. No mechanical noise. Everything between your pickup and amp adds resistance...the more you can eliminate, the more freqencies you get. I use Lawrence pickups exclusively, and the Hilton just lets them get more of their great range of sound to my speakers. Does the Hilton sound good with 710's? Absolutely.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 28 Nov 2001 3:08 pm

Jeff,
Do you use any buffer cicuitry as well? I suspect we are both using the 710s on a Legrande. Nice to hear your input.

------------------
Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Chuck Norris · Post by **Chuck Norris** » 29 Nov 2001 9:15 am

Steve, any chance of coming to Mesquite Texas. Norris Family Music has the Hilton, Goodrich cd2 and anything else Goodrich, come play,the proof is in the pudding or pedal Ha!

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 29 Nov 2001 2:40 pm

I play either a Carter with George L TPPP or an Emmons with Emmons 22k Humbucking pickups, directly into a NV1000, no effects, single wire hookup, with a pot pedal.

If it was any cleaner, I would have to tone it down. I play 2 nights a week and practice about 4 hours between. I have to replace my pot about every 18 months (yes I do keep track).

I actually like the sound and feel of the pot pedal the best.

I carry a spare and I would still want to do that no matter what pedal I use. Any pedal can go bad and it will usually be on a gig.

And besides all that, I don't want to deal with another wire or wall wart.

I know that both the Hilton and Goodrich (of which I am a dealer) are great non-pot pedals, but just not for me.

That's my 3 cents worth.

Bill Ferguson[This message was edited by Bill Ferguson on 29 November 2001 at 02:41 PM.]

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 29 Nov 2001 4:04 pm

I like my Hilton pedal, although I do hate to have to plug in it. My experience with pot pedals over the years has been that there is a tremendous difference in the tone of different pots. That is the one greatest effect on tone that I have experienced. Even more than different pickups or types of guitars. I have somtimes put in as many as four different pots, all the same type and brand, to get the tone I like. This can get expensive. I wish there were a way to identify the difference in tone of the pot you were buying before you buy it. This would be a good area for improvement from a dealer who sells these pots. I would be willing to pay more for a potentiometer that I was sure would sound good. I have seen as much as what would be a change from a (3) setting of treble on my amp, to a setting of maybe (8), and then would still sound muddy.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Dec 2001 8:54 am

Fred, when a pot is wired wrong, or the cords are reversed, you'll get the extreme differences in tone you're talking about. But, if it's installed right, and provided you plug it in right, I assure you there is NO difference whatsoever in the "sound" of same-type, same-value pots!!!

I have enlightened (embarrassed?) several players by merely reversing the wires at the pedal when I thought it sounded "soggy" (when I played their steels). When they asked "How'd you get it to sound so good?" I tell them that plugging the pedal in right sure helps!