I have owned the Telonics volume pedal for a couple of months. I feel that audio differences between my Hilton pedal and the Telonics is negligible. The different tapers do not affect the tone, but rather the ratio of volume and pedal travel. The on-point adjustment is similar to the Hilton and pickup loading/tone adjustment is similar as well. The Telonics has a signal out for a tuner, and apparently this is an option on the Hilton.
The big difference for me is the pivot point. The image below shows the front and rear pivot points on the Telonics pedal.
When my Telonics/Mullen arrived it was set on the rear pivot (blue). So while pedal travel was longer, the action under my foot felt strange and I could not get a good feel vs volume. I messed with the tapers, on-points, and drag but still could not get it right. I put larger feet on the back, and this helped a little. At this point I did not know what the problem was. An email to Dave at Telonics was answered almost instantly. After a brief communication, a loaner with the front pivot was sent to me, and I returned mine to them to switch to the front pivot. The net of all of this is that my Hilton and Telonics ended up quite similar unless I would look down at it.
What I would like to see is firmware upgrades be available online through the usb port on the pedal, and that future tapers have the tonal changes that a traditional pot imparts as the volume changes.
Des Hetherington wrote:Paddy awsome mate, just starting to arive now, got 5lb today, but got there to late, should have had 15, but will be there at sparrow fart in the morn, when is your brother going to be here Pad? just let me know and will flick you over a good fresh lot, cheers , Des
Can someone please translate, we don't speak Kiwi here on the forum!
Ok TC I know it sounds unusual !!! What Des and I were referring to is "Whitebait" ...which is a small fingerling fish which comes up-river at this time of year to develop into bigger fish ... in their millions. Your allowed to catch them in big hand-held scoop nets (but only during the season) ! They are a real local delicacy - since they are very small you mix them up with an egg and a bit of flour into a pattie and throw them in the pan !! Unbelievably good tucker ! and also very expensive to buy in fish shops. So Des is down there at the river mouth at the moment subsidising his income - and hopefully putting a few KG's aside for me You have to be on the spot to catch the "run" -- !!! (only slightly off topic)
Ok Mr Murdoch, now that you have got one(without telling the boys), what is your opinion of the pedal.Will try and come here you use it soon.Regards Malcolm
Hey guys,
Can you put a delay in between the pedal and the amp? Looks like the manual says not to, but I was wondering what y'all thought? Or between the guitar and the VP?
Dennis,
Since first getting My pedal I have been putting an outboard delay immediately after the pedal and have had no bad "Effects" on My sound.
I did'nt see anything in the manual which says not to do this.
Best regards
Billy
The PDF manual has a whole page telling users of the telonics pedal to only use effects (stompboxes) in an effects loop or the tone of the Telonics would be greatly compromised. That could be a problem for those who have amps without an effects loop.I still am considering getting one of these pedals, though.
I talked to John Lemay and he told me you can run an effects pedal before the pedal if it has a true bypass, if it does'nt have a true by pass the tone could be compromised going thru the circuitry of the eff pedal
When using a Fender Twin, I've put my DD2 between the pedal and amp and between my steel and pedal. At a gig I don't notice any differance, maybe someone with delicate ears might or in a studio situation.
I notice if I put my BoBro between the pedal and amp it howls but works fine between my steel and pedal.
Dave told me the same thing as to using stomp boxes in line but I don't always use an amp with an effects loop. No matter, I love my pedal!
It's the best pedal out there. I couldn't be happier with the sound, the feel, and the customer support. I don't know of any other pedal company that really listens to their customers so they can make adjustments and improvements on an already amazing product.
Telonics FP-100: the best I have found. I love it. I have 'em in stock. I also have available the great LeMay Mark I preamp (by Telonics). Email me for prices.
Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498 widcj@hotmail.com
All of Dave s stuff is great heres what I use, and will have all the power you need to make your ears bleed !! 26 lbs!!!! makes it easer for Red to carry..
I cannot speak highly enough about the entire product line this company offers and will continue to offer. Their preamp/power amp combos feature a richness with separation like you wouldn't believe.
As for the volume pedals, try plugging from the guitar jack straight into your amp. Play a passage and listen critically to all of the nuances. Then put the Telonics volume pedal inline. Play the same passage and listen for a tone difference. Perform this comparison with any other pedal of interest. That will be your answer. I personally feel it is the best volume pedal in existence.
Just got mine a week ago and will have to agree with all the great things that has been said about this pedal. I played through my light pedal first and then through the Telonics pedal so i could do a fresh comparison between the two, i could tell the difference immediately, very clean and smooth , the seperation of the strings are more pronounced and letting the tone of the guitar shine. It is set just like it came from the factory, the taper on 4.
MPO, it's worth what it cost.
What Des and I were referring to is "Whitebait" ...which is a small fingerling fish which comes up-river at this time of year to develop into bigger fish ... in their millions. Your allowed to catch them in big hand-held scoop nets (but only during the season) ! They are a real local delicacy - since they are very small you mix them up with an egg and a bit of flour into a pattie and throw them in the pan !! Unbelievably good tucker ! and also very expensive to buy in fish shops. So Des is down there at the river mouth at the moment subsidising his income - and hopefully putting a few KG's aside for me 
