The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Volume pedal with small amp
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Volume pedal with small amp
Paul Strojan

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 30 May 2023 9:22 pm    
Reply with quote

If I am playing through a volume pedal, the output to the amp is at most half of the unimpeded signal. Is there a way to boost the signal backup to fully utilize a small amp?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Raybob Bowman


From:
S. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
Post  Posted 30 May 2023 10:43 pm    
Reply with quote

Get a pedal that gives full output when stepped on. I use a Goodrich pot pedal but many others work well too.
_________________
Sierra U12 4+5 / 1933 Dobro / homemade Tele B-bender
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 31 May 2023 3:42 am    
Reply with quote

The point of the volume pedal is to have reserve volume to maintain sustain. If you pick a note at full volume there is no place left to go.

If it ain't broke we can fix that too!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Steve Lipsey


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 31 May 2023 8:13 am    
Reply with quote

Assuming that the amp has gain and master volume knobs, you can put the gain knob way higher than normal, in distortion territory, because you'll never drive it that high with pedal starting halfway.....so set your gain at that level...
_________________
www.facebook.com/swingaliband & a few more....
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 31 May 2023 11:39 am    
Reply with quote

The guitar volume (with the volume pedal at “max”) should be around 90% of the volume available if the guitar was plugged straight into the amp. But if you’re using a pedal designed for guitar players (which usually have a 250k pot), the max volume available may only be 70%-80%.

But in order to give you more precise info, we need to know what amp you’re using, what pedal you’re using (and the pot value), and what kind of pickup your guitar has. (Your problem may just be that the pedal has an issue which can be easily fixed.)
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 31 May 2023 11:04 pm    
Reply with quote

Have you checked and proven the pedal volume with another amp?

Is the pot in the VP in the 500K range.
Have you tried different cables.
If the pedal pot is gear driven, It may have jumped a tooth or two on the gear.
If the VP has a string that operates the pot.
If the string that operates the pot has slipped, The pedal will not give you full volume the guitar is producing.

If a miss matched larger sleeve has been installed in the pedal, It may not rotate the pot to full volume.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Paul Strojan

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2023 8:59 am    
Reply with quote

When playing with a volume pedal, only half of the max signal is used. In order to do get sustain with a volume pedal, a note is struck with the volume pedal at roughly 30 percent output and that level of volume is maintained by depressing the volume pedal at the same rate as the note is decaying. So, the input to the amp is never more than half of the maximum output of the guitar. Is there a way to boost the output of the volume pedal back up to the raw output of the guitar?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Georg Sørtun


From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2023 9:09 am    
Reply with quote

Paul Strojan wrote:
So, the input to the amp is never more than half of the maximum output of the guitar. Is there a way to boost the output of the volume pedal back up to the raw output of the guitar?
Of course; a 'guitar booster' that soundwise suits your taste and can raise the signal-level at least 200%, can be used.
Place this booster before the VP so you can control its output level, and play on.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Raybob Bowman


From:
S. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2023 9:14 am    
Reply with quote

Paul Strojan wrote:
Is there a way to boost the output of the volume pedal back up to the raw output of the guitar?

Bypass the pedal for full output. The purpose of using a volume pedal is to cut the raw output.
_________________
Sierra U12 4+5 / 1933 Dobro / homemade Tele B-bender
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2023 1:35 pm    
Reply with quote

Paul, now you know why most steel players (who are seldom using more than 40 or 50 watts) prefer 200-300 watt amps. Winking The power is always there if you need it. Of course, you can boost the signal to your small amp by using a powered pedal, like the Hilton, or some kind of preamp/booster. I’ve occasionally used an MXR “Micro-Amp” preamplifier, but if you use too much pedal with a preamp, or with a powered pedal cranked up, the amp will distort on the loud notes.

Everything is a trade-off, it seems.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2023 8:10 pm    
Reply with quote

In my list of things to check. If the VP uses a string driven pot. Check the set screw on the shaft sleeve.
If the set screw is loose the sleeve could be slipping on the shaft.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Fred Treece


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 4 Jun 2023 2:13 pm    
Reply with quote

Run the guitar straight to the amp input, and the VP into the amp’s effects loop, if it has one. That way you can get the full guitar output signal to the preamp at any volume level.

If that’s what you are asking about.

If you are asking about volume level from the amp with the VP maxxed out, as compared to the volume level going straight from the guitar into the amp, and those two levels are not equal, then Houston we have a different kind of problem, which I believe Raybob Bowman addressed in his first response. It is a volume pedal type issue.

Input/Output signal and Volume are related, but they are not the same.
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