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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Rotary pedal? Budget!
Rotary pedal? Budget!
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Martin
1323 posts
Nov 10, 2017
6:12 AM
Playing music, as we know, is a never-ending pursuit of various expensive gadgets, hopefully interfoliated with some practice time and the occasional gig, before we enter on the next spending spree.

Now, as the proud owner of a EHX POG 2 I immediately realise that my rotary pedal(s) -- I have one from Tomsline, as well as a rotary function on my RP 150, also a tremolo pedal -- are completely inadequate. Toys, not for serious use.
Thus, rotary pedal needed. I´m quite aware that there are good stuff out there, roughly in the same price range as the POG, but I wonder, has anybody ever met up with a budget item?

I´m going to try one from Hotone, but another pedal from that company left me stone cold, and I´d appreciate suggestions.
Even if I´m pessimistic about the budget aspect, one can still "have hope".
Raven
115 posts
Nov 11, 2017
7:07 AM
Martin, if you're not already on the e-mail lists of different suppliers, quickly hook up with some of them as both Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming right up. Some of the major pedal manufacturers curtail discounting by their retailers, but you can sometimes find deals through the suppliers for special sale events, discontinued or B line items. I recently picked up a Lester K that you'll see on Amazon for $178 to $278 and I paid $121. All depends on what one considers to be a "bargain" price and what effect is desired. I worked in radio for 16 years and you could pick up a mic for $100 (SM 57/58) or you could pay several thousand for a high-end. There is definitely a distinct difference in the higher priced mics, but budget will generally dictate the level you'll actually go to. You'll see that constantly here on this forum wherein one member will consider a certain amp to be a bargain if it's under a grand and the next member will be looking for something under $150. When a member posts that he's saving up for a $60 harp, I think to myself, "Go check out the price of a quality sax, axe, keyboard or drum set and you won't hesitate to spend $60 on a quality harp." When I was first building my collection, SP 20's were going locally for $22, including low registers. Now try to buy a T-Bird for under $150! A good vintage mic w/crystal element from one of our rebuilders is generally going to be in the 300-400 dollar range. The most I've spent for a mic is $150, so I guess I have my limits as well, although every once in a while I treat myself to a new harp, pedal or amp. (Just don't tell the wife how much you spent!)
Martin
1325 posts
Nov 12, 2017
1:24 PM
Thanks Raven, I´m not sure Black Friday is a big thing over here in Sweden but I´ll give it a check.
Raven
119 posts
Nov 13, 2017
7:21 AM
I guess it would depend on international shipping rates, whether or not it's worthwhile buying from a USA supplier. The major suppliers here are already hyping Black Friday and Cyber Monday through e-mails and with TV ads. Locally we also have a newer deal called "Small Business Saturday" which does well for independent family-owned businesses. Do you have any similar events in Sweden? People go crazy here in the states during special sale days.
Martin
1326 posts
Nov 13, 2017
10:09 AM
So I´ve understood. And now that I check it out it seems that some Black Friday has travelled across the Atlantic (that ain´t unusual -- whatever´s going on in The States, for good or bad, tend to drop by here sooner or later).
I´ll take a closer peek if there´s anything interesting to be had.
Thanks again.
hvyj
3501 posts
Nov 13, 2017
4:53 PM
Suzuki-Hammond is about to release the Hammond Leslie K PEDAL, which will replace their G PEDAL. The K PEDAL is red and the same size and configuration as the black G PEDAL, but with a different mix of features.

My point? The G PEDAL is likely to go on sale once the K PEDAL is released. The G PEDAL is a very serviceable and authentic sounding rotary pedal IMHO.

Last Edited by hvyj on Nov 13, 2017 5:54 PM
Martin
1327 posts
Nov 14, 2017
4:29 AM
@hvyj: Yes, I recall that you had what you claimed was a convincing Leslie pedal. I listened to it on Youtube and it sounds gorgeous. I also noticed the price tag -- but if there´s a sale it could be interesting even for a poor SOB like me.
Thanks for the tip.
hvyj
3502 posts
Nov 14, 2017
9:35 AM
That was a Strymon Lex>MicroPog>Carbon Copy Delay. But the Hammond Leslie G Pedal is comparable, and perhaps a little easier to dial in.
Raven
121 posts
Nov 14, 2017
2:52 PM
@hvyj: The "G" stands for guitar and the "K" for keyboard, so it's not likely that the "G" will be discontinued, unless you know otherwise. That's how EHX identifies their usage with their pedals. I find deals on open box items sometimes.
timeistight
2241 posts
Nov 14, 2017
3:07 PM
Are the Suzuki-Hammond Leslie pedals the same as the EHX "Lester" pedals?
hvyj
3503 posts
Nov 17, 2017
6:21 PM
No. The Hammond Leslie Pedals are made by Suzuki-Hammond which makes Hammond organs and Leslie speakers. Suzuki currently owns the rights to Hammond and Leslie products in addition to making harmonicas.

The Lester is made by ElectroHarmonix which is a different company that, btw, also makes the POG2 and MicroPOG.

Last Edited by hvyj on Nov 17, 2017 6:23 PM
Mensh
69 posts
Nov 18, 2017
8:24 AM
Good rotary is my vital go-to for laying down sound behind my guitarist. After trying so, so many pedals, the only one I truly feel is a killer, plug & play Rotary/Leslie is Richard Hunter's "rotary patch" for digitech pedals. I feel it's the absolute best - single- solution for the Jimmy Smith organ sound for harp. (for what it's worth)
Heath
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www.thebluesprofessors.com
timeistight
2242 posts
Nov 18, 2017
3:46 PM
I know they're separate companies. I wondered, given their similarities, whether the Suzuki pedals are rebranded versions of the EHX ones.

Last Edited by timeistight on Nov 18, 2017 9:42 PM
hvyj
3504 posts
Nov 18, 2017
6:52 PM
No.
wheel
569 posts
Nov 19, 2017
10:34 AM
I use option 5 destination rotation single and it's good. All analog with easy controls. It emulates Fender Vibraton
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Konstantin Kolesnichenko(Ukraine)
http://kolesnichenko-harmonica.com/
Martin
1330 posts
Nov 21, 2017
5:14 AM
@Mensh: May I ask what RP edition you have? I´ve got an old 150, and there are two rotary sounds on that one (Richard´s settings) but I´m not entirely convinced by either of them. (I´ve tried fiddling a bit, but still no cigar.)
Of course this is a very subjective thing so we may quite simply like different sounds.

I´ve been introduced to a second hand Boss rotary thing (half the price from a new one) and am considering a test, even though it stretches my very strained budget to the impossible. But from what I´ve heard on Youtube it does not really stand up to the EHX stuff.
Mensh
71 posts
Nov 21, 2017
6:26 AM
I have the 350, for what it's worth. I think on my patch list there was only ONE rotary. Yes, subjectivity - what we hear in our heads is different.
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www.thebluesprofessors.com
Martin
1332 posts
Nov 21, 2017
8:03 AM
Thank you Mensh. I would not hold it above probability that the 350 is a bit of an upgrade from the 150 even when it comes to the sounds themselves.
As hvjy said in another tread on the pursuit of the organ sound, if you have a really good rotary pedal it sounds like an organ even before you engage your octave generator.
Arrick
121 posts
Nov 26, 2017
6:16 PM
I couldn't justify the $ of a goodrotary pedal. I bought a Mooer Soul Shiver and am pretty happy with it. Doesn't do swells, but I kinda dig using breath control or my volume control on my mic to getsimilar effect. I even made a jig for the speed knob so I can turn it with my foot. It's true bypass and has chorus / tremolo / rotory sim modes.

Last Edited by Arrick on Nov 26, 2017 6:18 PM
HarpNinja
4273 posts
Nov 27, 2017
10:00 AM
If money were no object, I'd probably get a Neo Venitlator.

That being said, I have a Lex, first generation, I got for $150. I use it liberally here...



I did not like the Digitech or Line 6 emulations. I've tried other pedals in the past with mixed results. The Lex works well and is easy to use. The slow speed isn't terrific, but I tend to only use the fast anyways.

The pedal responds to your playing and I love that. A loose cup gives less effect than a tight grip. Playing hard makes the effect stand out more...really cool.


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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
HarpNinja
4274 posts
Nov 27, 2017
10:02 AM
Sorry...I use the effect starting at 2:20. At 6:15, I start to solo and forget to turn it off so you can hear pretty pronounced there.

I always play chords and octaves when using it...unless I forget it is on like I did here.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
Arrick
122 posts
Nov 27, 2017
2:49 PM
After giving HarpNinja's sound a listen in that vid, I gave my setup another go. I'm not even getting close to the vibes from his Lex. I might even prefer the Modulated Reverb on my HoF to my Mooer Soul Shiver. Might need to add a Lex to my wish list. ;-)

@HarpNinja, is that a Maxon AF-9 you're using in your solo? I really dig that!!
HarpNinja
4275 posts
Nov 29, 2017
8:07 AM
@Arrick

I am using a Zoom 100BT with an octave down and resonance effect turned on.


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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog


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