Volume Pedal too 'Quiet'

Carter York · Post by **Carter York** » 22 Sep 2003 3:35 pm

Hi y'all,

I was playing with some folks this past weekend, and originally was plugging my
Stringmaster into a (older, keyboard) volume pedal and then straight to the PA. I was not getting enough volume, even with the pedal and the guitar opened all the way. We took the volume pedal out of the equation, and went direct from Stringmaster to PA, and suddenly it was....well, it was REALLY loud. (so I adjusted accordingly, and played without the pedal)

What is happening here? I have had good results with the pedal in the past, this drastic of a volume drop is recent. What all can I take a look at or clean or replace? I searched and found a lot of talk about 'pots' and whatnot, but didn't see anything specifically. I am not really in a place to get a 'gooder' steel player's pedal right now, but I know that's what is probably the best option. THanks for any help with this.

Carter

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 22 Sep 2003 3:53 pm

Sounds like an impedance mismatch- a volume pedal designed for keyboard wouldn't "read" your pickups optimally. Best to use a guitar-specific volume pedal. You can't go wrong with the Hilton, it is amazing in that you keep your pure tone- so if you like the guitar direct w/o the volume pedal, you'll love the Hilton...so even if you don't have the bucks for one now, consider it for later, and meanwhile, find you a guitar volume pedal.[This message was edited by John McGann on 22 September 2003 at 04:54 PM.]

Carter York · Post by **Carter York** » 22 Sep 2003 3:58 pm

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply, is that something that could happen over a short amount of time? I had been using that pedal with six string lap as well as the Stringmaster, and haven't had this happen before. Additionally, I had played with a friend's 'guitar' volume pedal and was at the same basic level as with mine. I've read enough good things about the Hilton pedal to warrent a test drive, though.

CY

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 23 Sep 2003 9:07 am

Carter, Sounds like the linkage may have "gone out of adjustment" for some reason. I'd pop it apart and look at the travel, and check for a loose/broken wire. You have been using it for a while, and it suddenly shows this sympton? Or did it gradually "sneak" up on you? What brand are we talking about? Hope this helps. James

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 23 Sep 2003 9:59 am

If this exact pedal worked in the past, and if it now sounds clean, only lacking volume, I'd suspect a mechnical problem.

Possibly it's a gear driven linkage and has slipped, so it is never full on.

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 23 Sep 2003 10:27 am

If it is a Goodrich, Emmons, or other pot with a string driving the pot, the pot may have backed off a bit. Loosen the string by loosening the set screw, but be careful! (You may want to make a drawing of how the string goes aroung the pot shaft.) Advance the pot to maximum and retighten the string and screw. [This message was edited by Buck Dilly on 23 September 2003 at 11:28 AM.]