Morley volume pedal

[simonscott]

Wondering if anybody has tried using a Morley pedal for psg?
I have just bought one and I would have to say in standard form it's pretty much useless.
The first 1/4 of pedal travel from heel down does almost nothing, then it goes to 100% really quickly, long before fully toe down.
So its on or off essentially.

The circuit is much more simple than I had expected. The output comes from the centre of 2 light dependent resistors in series. the other side of the 1st ldr is input signal and the other side of the 2nd ldr is ground.
so it is a voltage divider circuit exactly the same as a pot in a passive pedal.
Having learnt this I have been mucking about with the shutter aperture that varies the amount of light getting to the ldrs and the position of the LEDs that provide the light.
It's still not perfect but the sweep is now much smoother and closer to the feel of my carter pedal but without the scratchy pot and the string that keeps slipping on the pot.
I've also added an output jack on the right hand side and made a much bigger plate to the treadle to get better control. this will get some grip tape when I'm next back at work to grab an offcut.
This has made the pedal about 10mm higher than the carter which hasn't been a problem so far but might be when I try boots with a taller heel. the angle and range of motion is almost exactly the same.
Overall I'm pretty happy with it now especially as it cost less than £50.

[highrisejesus]

Hi Simon. I have tried quite a few volume pedals, including the Morley. If you have found a way to work your Morley, then go with that. I ended up getting a Hilton pedal about 15 years ago. They are pricey for sure, but the quality is unmatched by all except the Telenics. What you get is perfect volume control; the fact that there is no pot, means pedal travel is really smooth and highly responsive. I say it is expensive, but I have been using constantly for the past 15 years, 100s of gigs and rehearsals, and it is still in perfect working order. So in summary, if you are happy with the Morley, then stick with it, but if you want excellence, then I recommend the HIlton.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

i could have found you a Carter pedal for 50 quid when are you coming up this way ?