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Post by jeff1 on Mar 4, 2010 20:39:01 GMT
Hi everyone, I have been trying to perfect the use of a volume pedal in tunes such as Argentina and cavatina etc. I have to say that im failing miserably to get anything like the right effect. Although I have no problem to keep on trying and training I am wondering if im missing something obvious about their use. If anyone has any tips I would be most grateful for your advice.
Kind Regards Jeff
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Post by Charlie Hall on Mar 5, 2010 2:07:22 GMT
Hi Jeff, I use a volume pedal all the time but not for Hank's style of volume swells. I use mine to vary my volume more like a soundman would control the guitar mix out front. I can back off a bit for rhythm and increase volume for more drive and lead lines. I can also play harder and back off my volume or play more softly and increase my volume to compensate. It gives me a lot of dynamics that can be effectively heard. The technique you want, and how Hank does it, is to back the pedal right off so the guitar is silent, then pick the note and press the pedal down smoothly. For all other playing leave the pedal at full volume. The trick is in getting the timing right between the picking and the volume swell. Some pedals do not have as smooth a taper as others. For example there can be nothing, then all of a sudden too much volume with just a small pedal increase. This can make it very difficult to get the required smooth volume increase. Regards, Charlie
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Post by jeff1 on Mar 5, 2010 9:04:39 GMT
Thanks Charlie, I know that its a skill like everything else, I will keep working on it for now. Im not sure if the Volume pedal that I have is up to the job of producing the violin type swells that hank gets on some of his tunes; however I will presume that the fault is mine and not equipment for the time being. Thank you also for your patches im really impressed. If only id stuck at it 40 years ago LOL.
Regards Jeff
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Post by twang46 on Mar 5, 2010 9:58:28 GMT
"If only i'd stuck at it 40 years ago". I'm with you on that Jeff. I find it so hard to try & play to a decent standard these days after not touching a guitar for almost exactly 40 years. The fingers won't stretch, the brain can't seem to remember more than a few notes at any one time, barre chords are just a distant memory thanks to arthritus & a 3 times broken left wrist. I've even considered trying to play "lefty" style There is always the consolation of all these lovely toys that we can get now, Charlies echo's and the shelf full of pedals & gizzo's ( some with very nice flashing lights ) I know the answer is practice & playing with other people, I'm retiring next year when I hit 65 so should have more time to have a "proper" go at the guitar. Good luck with the pedal, the odd time I've caught it right, it sounds so good ;D Cheers Dick.
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Post by Tone on Mar 5, 2010 12:23:12 GMT
Hi
I have a Morley volume pedal in my effects chain and I can usually get the violin swell effect OK. However, the other day I had the opportunity to try out an original De Armond 610 volume/tone pedal in pristine condition. For those who don't know, this was the pedal Hank was using in the Burns Era and has an up/down movement for volume and side to side for tone. Hank used a combination of both on those classic tracks but, being a mere mortal, when I tried it I couldn't get the hang of moving the pedal in two directions at once, not to mention getting the timing and correct notes right as well. I guess it takes a fair bit of practice.
BTW, Dick, don't be under the illusion that when you retire you'll have more time to do the things you want. Since I retired I seem to have less "Me Time" than when I was working!
Cheers.
Tony
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Post by twang46 on Mar 5, 2010 13:22:23 GMT
Your perhaps right in that Tony as the list of "jobs" & "things to do" seem to be getting longer by the day & there's still 14 months to go
Cheers
Dick
ps................ I tried one of those D'Armond pedals too & it is an unusual way of playing, but I suppose way back then it was all that was available so it had to be mastered.
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Post by alanmckillop on Mar 5, 2010 23:25:29 GMT
If you listen carefully to many of the numbers played using the DeArmond, Hank deployed the side action (tone) more often than any other combination.
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Post by dobroman on Mar 9, 2010 9:35:46 GMT
Hi All,
Has anybody had any experience of the Fender Volume/Tone pedal? I was hoping to TRY and use it for volume swell technique.
Regards
Brian
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Post by alanmckillop on Mar 10, 2010 20:05:13 GMT
I now use one and I think it's very good, a solid pedal.
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Post by dobroman on Mar 11, 2010 9:35:15 GMT
Thanks Alan,
I think that is the route I shall go down. On another site somebody posted that Burns are bringing out the Shad-O-Tone (mk2) pedal for around £195, having seen the demo of the Fender (and Boss) pedals on YouTube, I think they will do what I want (swell), for approx a quarter of the price of the Burns.
Regards
Brian
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Post by derekdelboy on Mar 11, 2010 9:46:52 GMT
Hi everyone ibterested in the Fender pedal.
I am not very good with a pedal but bought the Fender Tone/Volume about 9 months ago and although like most of us have not managed to get a decent left / right and up / down movement going together I find the up / down movement for violining super and the pedal also allows you to nake subtle tone changes to your guitar and chain.
Yesterday I posted Wahine which perhaps give some idea of the pedals scope.
Derek
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2010 11:57:50 GMT
GOODONYA DEREK ,, HOW"S those hand's treating you in your ''ICY-WEATHER'' ?? they must have improved somewhat as your tunes are great!! ON the pedal issue I am not that good but have a behringer active pedal & they are robust[heavy ] & great [no scratchy-noise] as I also have a ''dunlop'' one and it is very noisy even after spraying & cleaning the pot etc ,the active one's do not have that problem & can be used in stereo if needed!!!& have a minimum adjustment as well!! CHEERS MATE.............barry
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