The Song Fight Bulletin Board

Hey all,

I'm trying to work out a pedal chain rig that will be powered by a generator (long story).

I'm going to simply matters by only using 9V pedals and mini amps.

The question the guy I'm working with has (that I don't know the answer to) is:

- Can guitar pedals handle fluctuating voltage up to 14V?
- Is there standard amp/watt specs for pedals?

If there's anyone out there who knows about this stuff, please let me know, thanks!

Ben

120V generator>power strip(s)>normal use of amps, pedals, etc.

Don't know about 14v, but I have seen in the past that the "sound" of various guitar effects can change based on how much voltage they're getting. Those cheap 9v batteries generally get charged to 10 or 11 volts, but don't last as long; the alkaline ones are charged around 9v, but stay at that level longer. I could definitely hear the difference based on the type of battery I was using - in general, the higher voltage batteries would give a brighter sound (more highs), but would grow duller as time went by. (don't quote me on those voltages, but I know that the cheapo batteries are charged to a higher voltage)

So I suppose the point of this would be to say that if you have fluctuating voltage going into the effects, you may find that you have fluctuating sound quality coming out.

Isn't this what they make "voltage regulators" for? Not sure how much it will add to the cost of the project, but you might suggest that your friend look into those.

As far as amperage, I think most effects boxes have the amp requirements written on them - if you provide 1 amp for each effect box that should do it (830 ma is generally as high as they get unless it's a big multi-fx box). If by "mini-amp," you mean, like a pignose, that will take more amps, info should be available online or printed on the amp.

Charles (KA)