The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Ernie Ball volume pedals...?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Ernie Ball volume pedals...?
Scotty Wenzel


From:
Fort Collins, CO
Post  Posted 23 May 2004 5:54 am    
Reply with quote

I am considering one of the Ernie Ball volume pedals. Are these clean enough for PSG? If not, what's a descent sounding, clean with no high freq rolloff, mid-priced option? TIA...

sw

[This message was edited by Scotty Wenzel on 23 May 2004 at 06:55 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

CrowBear Schmitt


From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
Post  Posted 23 May 2004 6:29 am    
Reply with quote

Goodrich 120 over Ernie
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Scott Appleton


From:
Ashland, Oregon
Post  Posted 23 May 2004 10:14 am    
Reply with quote

scratchy itch itch .. I remember my EB vol pedal
I had to warm it up for about a minut or two everytime i wanted to play a set. the throw is really designed for a standing person. Goodrich or any of the fine pedals made for steel is the way togo.

------------------
Mullen S12
Acoustic 165 100W tube
71 Tele, Regal 45, Gretch
Lap, Columbia Lap, Line 6
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Nate LaPointe

 

From:
Los Angeles, California, USA
Post  Posted 23 May 2004 10:48 am    
Reply with quote

I use an EB for my guitar rig, I love it. But for steel, my right leg won't fit under the guitar if I use the EB, I use a Goodrich.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Stephen Gambrell

 

From:
Over there
Post  Posted 23 May 2004 2:09 pm    
Reply with quote

Nate, Scott, you guys make good points. I use an EB pedal on my guitar pedalboard, but my height wouldn't allow my legs to fit unde my steel with an EB pedal. Plus, the jacks on the front would make the pedal set too far back from the pedal rack.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Herb Steiner

 

From:
Spicewood TX 78669
Post  Posted 23 May 2004 2:30 pm    
Reply with quote

The EB pedal is designed for guitarists, not steel players, IMHO.

And replacing the pot in one of these puppies is among the more challenging tasks I've encountered in the world of steel guitar maintenance. An RPITA.

Go with the Goodrich, which is the standard of the industry in pot pedals, or the Emmons/Derby type, if you like the pedalrack mounting system. The Goodrich has a pedalrack mounting bracket as well, but it's a heavier and bulkier pedal than the Emmons/Derby type.

------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Scotty Wenzel


From:
Fort Collins, CO
Post  Posted 24 May 2004 1:45 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks guys! Looks like it'll have to be a Goodun....I mean Goodrich.

sw

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Gary Jones

 

From:
Mount Vernon, Wa
Post  Posted 24 May 2004 7:11 am    
Reply with quote

Actually the EB volume pedals were designed for steel guitar. It's just that over the years the design has changed many times.

In 1978 and '79 I was manager of the volume pedal shop in San Luis Obispo. I did all of the machine work, wiring and final assembly of all volume pedals made during this period.

The pedals were designed by a fellow named Ron Saul, who has since retired from EB. He consulted with many southern California steel players during the initial design period. Keep in mind that Ernie was a steel player(Bobbe Seymour told me that he has sold Ernie's old Bigsby 3 times).

Originaly the pedal had input/output jacks on the side, and used an AB 500k ohm pot. It had a taper control (which some people mistakenly refer to as a tone control). This control was not in the active signal path, but provided a variable resistance to ground for the AB pot, thereby changing the volume taper.

I have 3 of these left over from my days working at EB, and they are the only volume pedal I use. Since I have short stumpy legs the height of the pedals is not an issue. The only reason I would buy another pedal is to get one with active electronics, such as a Hilton or Goodrich.

To my mind the EB volume pedals have one advantage over other brands (which I have spoken of in other forums). That is, because the foot-plate itself is so light, if you take your foot off the pedal, it stays where you put it. In my experience other pedals tend to creep one-way or the other.

I agree that the newer pedals, with the jacks on the front, and 250k ohm pots, seem to be better suited for guitar players. The jacks seem to be set up for pedal-board use, rather than steel guitar purposes. I also agree that other brands would be a better choice at this time.

edited for splelling

[This message was edited by Gary Jones on 24 May 2004 at 08:37 AM.]

[This message was edited by Gary Jones on 24 May 2004 at 11:08 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ben Slaughter


From:
Madera, California
Post  Posted 24 May 2004 12:19 pm    
Reply with quote

I'm using the EB pedal from my guitar rig right now and can't wait to get rid of it. Is great for guitar, but I don't like anything about it for PSG (size, travel, tone, etc).

------------------
Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.
View user's profile Send private message

Bobby Snell


From:
Austin, Texas
Post  Posted 24 May 2004 12:33 pm    
Reply with quote

One good thing about EB pedals...readily available at most music stores.

I just got one of the new, smaller ones from South Austin music. About $80. Works just fine, although I do prefer the 500K I will replace in my Goodrich.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Scott Swartz


From:
St. Louis, MO
Post  Posted 24 May 2004 12:34 pm    
Reply with quote

I use an EB and love it.

It seems to have a larger angle of rotation, ie not so touchy or more foot movement for a given volume change.

Here's a trick to that may help changing the string. I take the screws out of the pot bracket, get the new string wound, and then get the bracket back in position, put the screws back in.

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jeff Peterson

 

From:
Nashville, TN USA
Post  Posted 25 May 2004 12:34 pm    
Reply with quote

Ernie Ball makes a fine volume pedal--will last forever. Please don't put it down just 'cause it doesn't melt your butter.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

Stephen Gambrell

 

From:
Over there
Post  Posted 25 May 2004 1:55 pm    
Reply with quote

There ya go, Jeff. It's the only pedal I know of that I can stand on (240 lbs.) and not injure! Built like a Tonka truck!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bobby Lee


From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
Post  Posted 25 May 2004 3:35 pm    
Reply with quote

I use mine when I stand up with my Fender Stringmaster. It stays put when I take my foot off it. My Goodrich pedal doesn't do that.

------------------
Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 25 May 2004 3:47 pm    
Reply with quote

Moved to 'Electronics' section.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

Bob Hoffnar


From:
Austin, Tx
Post  Posted 25 May 2004 8:56 pm    
Reply with quote

Ernie Ball pedals worked fine for me for years. I switched to Emmons style pedals so I don't use Goodrich or EB these days. As far as a comparison goes of Goodrich and EB:
They sound exactly the same ! Its just a freakin pot and a couple wires after all. If I remember right the EB might have a bit more throw which is a good thing. The new ones have the plugs in an awkward place though.

Bob
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

John Bresler

 

From:
Thornton, Colorado
Post  Posted 26 May 2004 6:56 am    
Reply with quote

Bob is absolutely correct. I have an early EB pedal and I like it. It compares to the Goodrich in every way. The EB throw is actually better for me but I don't have a preference. I use both pedals.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Bob Sedgwick

 

From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
Post  Posted 5 Jun 2004 2:49 pm    
Reply with quote

I too owned an Ernie Ball pedal and used it for years. (I now own a Hilton). For changing the strings, wrap the string around the pot as it should be. Here's the easy way to finish> borrow a Crochet hook from your wife, girl friend, now you can hook the string and place it over the pulley with no problem. (Hints from Heloise )
View user's profile Send private message

KENNY KRUPNICK

 

From:
Grove City,Ohio
Post  Posted 5 Jun 2004 7:28 pm    
Reply with quote

Either Goodrich,if we all can obtain some good 500ohm pots,or a Hilton pedal.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP