Make it simpler

[Ken Byng]

I have decided to cut down on my floor effects. I patch only my digital reverb into the send and return of my amp. The reverb pedal sits on top of my amp. I have one lead from my pedal steel into my volume pedal and one from there into my amp.

Result? Less leads, less stage clutter and cleaner tone. Should have done it ages ago.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

Ken, are you just playing steel on your gigs? or do you double on guitar? i was never one for a cluttered, untidy stage, especially with big footed singers tramping all over delicate leads, my current uncluttered stage set up is, a 3 unit SKB shallow rack case which sits on my amp, 4 rubber feet and a clip that hooks into the amp handle, the rack case comprises a TC ELECTRONICS PROCESSOR, for my reverb and delay, into the fx loop on the amp, plus two SESSIONMASTER pre amps, one for PSG, one for lead guitar, so just two 10' leads, one into volume pedal for steel, the second for the lead guitar, no clutter

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

forgot to mention, also one of the reasons i didnt like using my HILTON volume pedal onstage, because of another delicate trailing adaptor lead, in fact i recently did n A B test with my HILTON and my trusty old ERNIE BALL pedal, and while the HILTON was a much cleaner sound, i actually preffered the tone thro' my ERNIE BALL, in fact i would say i found the HILTON far too clinical sounding, against the 'full of character' sound of my ERNIE BALL, i know that is at odds with the views of a lot of happy HILTON users,but that is my take on it, in fact i recently sold my HILTON pedal, in fact, i would say i only ever bought my HILTON because they were so hyped up, and i felt i had to have one,

[bazzrd9th]

Hi Eddie
I agree re the pedals. Apart from the extra hassle of leads with the powered pedals I much prefer the pot pedals. I've learned not to follow slavishley the hype that goes with the 'must have brigade'. I carry an Ernie Ball as a road spare to my Emmons (guitar) pedal and Sho-bud (guitar) pedal. They are a superb and well made pedal. particularly the older ones with the inputs on the side.
Ken
I have a 3u rack with pre-amp, effects, and 1u power amp, all permanently wired. Including my two leads to and from the vol' pedal, I only have four leads on stage and don't lose the versatility of the rack facilities.
Barry

[Ken Byng]

Barry/Eddie
I too have a 3U rack, complete with Lexicon multi effects, DBX compressor and Korg tuner. 3 audio stage leads and one mains lead. Even having it by my side though increases stage clutter. I used that set up for many years, but have now gone for a simpler system. I remember playing on the same stage as The Hillsiders many years ago, and I couldn't believe how clean and uncluttered their side of the stage was compared to the band I was playing in. We had leads and gear all over the place. That is one element of professionalism, and also has the advantage of minimising trip hazards. We took a leaf out of their book after that.

I tend to vary between my Hilton and Emmons pedal. The Hilton is fine, but I don't like the mains feed. However, it is one of the joys of having a pot-less pedal.

Going back to pot v pot-less pedals - there is a definite difference in tone. I have friends who will not entertain a pot-less pedal, saying they sound too clinical. I am fairly ambivalent about it. I've seen some of the greatest players in the world play through good old fashioned pot pedals and have a simply wonderful sound. I just get hacked off with having to replace pots and not having the quality there any longer. I've tried them all, PEC, HotPotz, you name it I've tried it. None of them come near the good old Allen Bradley type J 500K log pot. My Emmons pedal has an original AB pot, as has one of my 4 ShoBud pedals and my Fender Vol/Tone has its original AB pots. The Hilton does have a tone adjustment to knock off a bit of top end if required, but it doesn't sound quite the same.

[James Crowbear]

another rack user here too
i have what i need in it ( effects, tuner, preamp, & amp)
the Telonics vp & a mains strip is all i have on the floor
i try to keep things as compact & uncluttered as possible

i'm always surprised at the all the pedals present day guitar players are using, the windmill it creates & the space it takes up