Problem with hilton pedal

Chuck Miller · Post by **Chuck Miller** » 12 Sep 2005 10:10 am

It sounds distorted, almost like it's being overdriven. Happens on both necks and with various cables. When I run the cables direct to the amp, it sounds normal ( undistorted ). Tryed an old Jordan pedal I used with guitar years ago, no distortion but not many highs due to low value pot. It acts like the 10-1 is overdriving the input to the Hilton, it get's worse if I pick harder.

76 MSA D-10 George-L 10-1 on E-9 and Supersustain on C-6, to the Hilton pedal then Session 400.

Any help is appreciated, Thanks Chuck

Chick Donner · Post by **Chick Donner** » 12 Sep 2005 10:25 am

Read the directions that came with it; you can adjust gain on the bottom. Other than that, use the "low" input on your amp, if you have one.

Chuck Miller · Post by **Chuck Miller** » 12 Sep 2005 10:59 am

I've done exactly that. Turned the volume adjustment nearly off. Still distorts. According to the directions that came with the Hilton, that volume adjustment controls the output from the pedal. This seems to be an input problem.

Thanks for the input, Chuck

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 12 Sep 2005 11:53 am

The best thing is to contact Keith and let him troubleshoot with you. If it's a problem he stands behind his products 100%.

Chuck Miller · Post by **Chuck Miller** » 12 Sep 2005 11:57 am

Thanks Jack, I've sent him an e-mail and am waiting for a reply.

Chuck

autry andress · Post by **autry andress** » 12 Sep 2005 12:00 pm

You might try turning the little blue adjustment screws back & forth, & see if that clears it up.

Chuck Miller · Post by **Chuck Miller** » 12 Sep 2005 4:54 pm

Thanks for the idea Autry.I tried that too but no help.
Problem solved however. I discovered that I had quite a bad hum at full pedal( though I don't play that loudly) so I unplugged the wall wart from it's normal place on the power strip and connected to an outlet across the room. Hum gone, distortion gone. Plugged it back into the power strip, still ok. Must have been an intermittent ground in the power strip that caused all the trouble.

Thanks to all for the help, Chuck

Chuck Miller · Post by **Chuck Miller** » 12 Sep 2005 5:55 pm

Actually I was reading a posting by Brad Sarno about single coil hum causing problems with an electronic tuner. The hum was so bad it was causing the distortion. The forum is a wonderful place to look for helpful ideas.

Thanks all, Chuck

Close er up Joey

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 12 Sep 2005 7:02 pm

If un-plugging, moving plug location, then plugging back in solved the problem, it could be bad cords. It could also be a transformer laying on top of a guitar cord. That will cause hum. If a transformer is near a guitar head, or effect unit, that will cause hum sometimes. Keep tranformers away from pickups also. I am here if you still need any assistance. Sounds like you solved the problem. Thanks for using my pedal. Keith Hilton

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 13 Sep 2005 12:48 am

& THANX fer makin' em Keith !

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 13 Sep 2005 10:31 am

I have a sterio steel setup. Thought there was hum from the pedal, nope one of the cords between the amp and effects unit bad. Cords are a great thing to check if you're getting distortion.