Effects box on steel

Curtis G. Greene · Post by **Curtis G. Greene** » 21 Dec 2008 9:00 pm

Who uses a Effect box on their steel and which one do you prefer? Thanks, C.G.G

Glen Derksen · Post by **Glen Derksen** » 21 Dec 2008 9:54 pm

I like to use a Digitech RP100 guitar processor. Like I said in another post, it doesn't sound too good with my regular guitars, but it sure sweetens the sound of my steel. I use a low gain setting.

Brian McGaughey · Post by **Brian McGaughey** » 21 Dec 2008 9:55 pm

I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I've been getting into using an MXR Carbon Copy stomp box.

It's an analog delay, real warm with a modulated or non-modulated delay, user choice.

Almost gotten away from reverb completely, not quite.

I suppose the music you play would dictate what direction to go in effecting your sound.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 21 Dec 2008 11:51 pm

If the band doesn't have a keyboard, I use an H&K Rotosphere.

I've been using a Line6 Pod XT lately for delay and rock effects (phaser, auto-wah, distortion), mainly because it's easier than hooking up a bunch of different boxes. I can't seem to get a good Leslie sound out of it, though. It can't compete with the Rotosphere.

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 22 Dec 2008 12:09 am

I have a Rat Distortion, Peavey Delay and a Phaser but I never use them any more. My rig sounds so good with just a volume pedal.

JW

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 22 Dec 2008 5:45 am

PodXT into an ART-SLA-2 with 2, 15"BW cabs

I can't get a good Leslie sound out of it either,my only complaint.

BF

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 22 Dec 2008 6:11 am

An "effects box" is a wide open statement, covering everything from multi-effects units to distortion to reverb.

What do you mean? What sound are YOU looking for?

Effects are used to achieve certain sounds - without knowing what your "target" is it's impossible to give an answer.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 22 Dec 2008 7:25 am

b0b,
If you really want to know their socks off, try a POG along with the Rotosphere.
It will make your guitar sound like an organ with Leslie speakers.
I plan to use this setup for a Christmas eve program I'm playing.

Cliff Kane · Post by **Cliff Kane** » 22 Dec 2008 8:25 am

Sometimes I use a pedalboard that has a typical collection of old analog pedals. It sounds good and gets some good effects, but the tone is better plugging straight into my amp. I use the amp's spring reverb because it sounds good and I can't see using a pedal when a good reverb is already there in the amp. I also have a Roland Space Echo tape echo that works fine and sounds great. What I've been doing lately is ditching the pedalboard and just using the tape echo in front of the amp. The amp I've been using lately is a Magnatone M13--a clean and loud tube amp with an enclosed Jensen 15" speaker. The Magnatone has spring reverb and also a great sounding pitch vibrato. Right now this setup sounds best, as I've got verb and modulation from the amp, and a tape machine with a good sounding preamp if I need echo/delay.

Mark MacKenzie · Post by **Mark MacKenzie** » 22 Dec 2008 10:08 am

Hey Cliff!

I have a suitcase Magnatone... M 15 with stereo 6" speakers with tweeters. Looks exactly like yours.

The old Magnatone vibrato is amazing especially in stereo. It pans back and forth like a Fender Rhodes. I wonder if your M13 has stereo external speakers?

Is there a stomp vibrato that is both pitch and stereo?

I think, but am not sure, that Magnatone achieved its vibrato by modulating a sub aural tone instead of just varying the volume by playing with the bias on the output tubes ala Fender.

It would be great to get this stereo vibrato in a stomp box but I don't know of one.

Happy Holidays, y'all!

Mark

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 22 Dec 2008 10:33 am

Jim Sliff wrote:An "effects box" is a wide open statement, covering everything from multi-effects units to distortion to reverb.

What do you mean? What sound are YOU looking for?

Effects are used to achieve certain sounds - without knowing what your "target" is it's impossible to give an answer.

Curtis asked which effects you (the reader) prefer for steel, Jim. Not an impossible question at all. I answered it, as did several others.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 22 Dec 2008 10:41 am

EHX "one echo" good slap back effect that can be cranked up for the occasional space jam. Plays well with reverb.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 22 Dec 2008 10:53 am

I use a DigTech RP-150. Both my Evans FET-500 and my Fender Steel King have great spring reverbs; however, once you get a taste of beautiful Lexicon digital reverb, it's hard to go back. The RP-150 has several Lexicon reverbs. I can also blend in a little bit of digital delay or very subtle chorus with the reverb. All in one box.

Cliff Kane · Post by **Cliff Kane** » 22 Dec 2008 11:07 am

Hi Mark,
very cool! I used to have an M15A (like your M15 but with two 12" speakers). That amp had two seperate output transformers for the true stereo vibrato, as you describe. Getting rid of that amp ranks on the "four most regrettable sales of my life" list (the others being a '65 Tele, a '71 Les Paul, and a '61 "pre-unit" Triumph 650 Bonneville with factory magneto

). The pitch modulating vibrato is awesome, and in panning stereo is reallly fantastic. My M13 has a 15" with four 3" tweeters, and it has a huge sound, but alas it is not stereo. Rivera made an amp called an S120 that had two output tranformers for sereo output, an effects loop with stereo returns, and a stereo chorus that sounded pretty cool, too. I think Vibroworld may make a rackmount Magnatone type of stereo vibrato. If this amp also had tremolo it would be the ultimate amp. I'm kind of surprised that Magnatone did not add a tremolo to their amps because they had so many other deluxe features and appointments.

Greg Wisecup · Post by **Greg Wisecup** » 22 Dec 2008 11:17 am

What Lee said. $85.00 Guitar Center. Tons of stuff and it's a very good recording interface. My 2 cents. Greg

http://www.guitarcenter.com/DigiTech-RP ... e=4WWRWXGB

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 22 Dec 2008 11:51 am

I always have a stomp box reverb unit in my pac seat in case the stage is bouncy and the amp 'verb is exploding all over the place. Sometimes I'll use it anyway, just to take advantage of some different types of 'verbs for different applications. It depends on whether or not I'm in the mood to plug it in. That's about it for me. I don't use delay, chorus, overdrive, or any other effects.[/i]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Dec 2008 7:05 pm

I have about 20 stomps, but my amp has built-in verb, echo, and chorus, so about the only things extra I might use are a Phase 100, a Bosstone, and a Mu-Tron.

Jerry Bull · Post by **Jerry Bull** » 24 Dec 2008 8:07 am

I just got a RP150 and I really like it. Its so easy to program and there are a few guys on here that use them, so we can share settings. once the new wears off of it and you learn how to manually program it, you can dial in your own personal tastes, but when you first get started you can use someone elses patches to get up and running instantly. Greg Wisecup helped me get started. Buy the way Greg, I haven't changed any of those settings you sent. Out of all the "boxes" I've used, this one is my favorite. It has some excellent "rock" capabilities also. And from what I can tell it is very quiet. I played with two different bands the other night. The first set was a blues band(SRV style) and the other was a country cover band, and I just sat right there in one spot and pushed one buttona couple of times, and shazamm, I fit right in with the next band. Totally different tone in seconds.

Jerry Bull · Post by **Jerry Bull** » 24 Dec 2008 8:09 am

I just got a RP150 and I really like it. Its so easy to program and there are a few guys on here that use them, so we can share settings. once the new wears off of it and you learn how to manually program it, you can dial in your own personal tastes, but when you first get started you can use someone elses patches to get up and running instantly. Greg Wisecup helped me get started. Buy the way Greg, I haven't changed any of those settings you sent. Out of all the "boxes" I've used, this one is my favorite. It has some excellent "rock" capabilities also. And from what I can tell it is very quiet. I played with two different bands the other night. The first set was a blues band(SRV style) and the other was a country cover band, and I just sat right there in one spot and pushed one buttona couple of times, and shazamm, I fit right in with the next band. Totally different tone in seconds.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 24 Dec 2008 11:24 am

Donny Hinson wrote:I have about 20 stomps, but my amp has built-in verb, echo, and chorus, so about the only things extra I might use are a Phase 100, a Bosstone, and a Mu-Tron.

Hi Donny,
Which Mu-Tron pedal do you have?

I have a MuTron III, a MuTron octave divider, and a Mu-Tron Phasor II (the rate knob went out on the Phasor, so i have to send it off for rehab).
Love 'Em!!!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Effects box on steel

Effects box on steel

Which Mu-Tron?