[Terje]

I can't make up my mind on this. Sometimes I use a volume pedal. Together with slide it's really nice, I can do some pedal steel sounding things with it and most importantly, I can stretch any note, make it seem twice as long as it normally would, by gradually raising the volume as the note fades.

This is a very musical trick and goes well together with my playing. I'm not a fast player. I have a solid, clean slide tone. When it's good it sounds pretty vocal, with the pedal even more so.

However, working the pedal takes some concentration from my playing. Without it my playing gets better. Maybe this is just a matter of practice. Also the pedal is another thing to carry around and plug in. Not a big hassle but still, the day I'm dependent on that thing for my music it'll be a pain if I forget it when I go to the gig.

Is there another way? Learning how to play more dynamically? Raising the volume on the amp and playing with a much softer touch, then picking harder for the long notes to ring, could that be it? I know this is my desciosion but if anyone has any insight to share I'd be thankful.

[Frankenstrat2]

I haven't been here in a while, its good to see some new posts.
Hi Terje
Everybody has to figure out what works for them.
I was never comfortable with a volume pedal, I prefer to use the volume knob on the guitar to play slide.
I do like the volume pedal for lap steel, I think its quite necessary.
For me its easier to deal with the pedal sitting down.
For bottleneck electric, I prefer using a compressor to get plenty of clean sustain, and I usually add an overdrive pedal too when I want it to get nasty.
But if the pedal works for you, go for it.

[manwithaplan]

Its up to you, I lik to use the volume that is directly on my guitar rather then a pedal. This always seems to give me the most control over everything.