Lehle Mono Volume 90

I bought this pedal to use with my pedal steel guitar. I used to have an Ernie Ball passive volume pedal that I used with the pedal steel, but that all changed when I finally started to get online lessons and learnt what I really needed. The Ernie Ball was fine but essentially it is designed for electric guitar and the applications of a volume pedal are much different to those of a pedal steel.

My pedal steel teacher recommended a Goodrich and I did some more research on some other famous pedal steel volume pedal brands and I set out to get one of those. Being an American instrument that isn't really popular in other countries; the only problem was that none of those brands are available in Europe, so I would have had to order an expensive volume pedal from the States and pay the extra hefty import tax.

So I did some more research and I found the Lehle Mono Volume 90. I was very surprised to find a volume pedal designed for pedal steel guitar that was made in Europe! I ordered it immediately and it arrived in time for my next pedal steel class.

It is an active volume pedal which is essential for pedal steel as it maintains clarity and a steady volume for volume swells. I love the minimum volume knob feature that you can set a minimum volume for when you have the pedal all the way open and the gain knob is very responsive. You can set it to have a light clean boost or even distort the signal. It is very well built, absolutely solid construction and comfortable to use. This particular model is designed for pedal steel as the inputs and outputs are on the side of the pedal, rather than on the front (like most volume pedals) so that your cables don't get in the way of the pedal board (the bar across the bottom of the instrument, not your effects). The sound is balanced and gives you the same sound every time you put your foot in the same position.

Overall this is a must if you have a pedal steel guitar. I even showed my online teacher in the States and he has bought one!