EHX Steal Leather

IronChains · #1 12-11-2008, 08:00 AM

Saw a video for it, seems like it could really improve the attack. Any experience with it?

Video demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O2yVl1Qmqs

Noosh · #2 12-11-2008, 08:03 AM

I Hear its like "Steve Harris in a can"

other than that i have no idea...

stflbn · #3 12-11-2008, 08:03 AM

Every time I see that video I think 'man, why would I want to do that to my fantastic sound'. Sound like 'instant Metal band nonexistant bass in the mix' to me.

Godbody · #4 12-11-2008, 08:32 AM

That demo drives me nuts, cuz he plays the exact opposite kind of music you'd want this pedal for.

I tried one out, but I wound up going with the exact opposite, a compressor. My attack already bites very hard, any more would make it grating. Steve Harris in a can would be about right if you played a P, but I play a Jag, which has heavy mids to begin with.

I'd say if your in a band that's bigger than a power trio, you risk getting buried. It'd sound great for solos and bass breaks, however.

IronChains · #5 12-11-2008, 08:41 AM

I play simple hardcore/punk with only one other guitarist. Naturally, there are a lot of bass leads and solos, so I'm just looking to up my attack. I have an ESP Viper 254 (active). I use an ODB-3, but I was just interested to see if this would punctuate the bass a little more.

crapusername · #6 12-11-2008, 11:51 AM

there is a fairly recent thread about it somewhere.
the search button is your friend!

4StringsEnough · #7 12-11-2008, 01:35 PM

I love the Steel Leather (as long as you don't overdo the effect). Instant Steve Harris is how I described it. More attack? Yes. Cut though more? You got it!

Godbody · #8 12-11-2008, 02:13 PM

Try it out. Buy the thing, take it to band practice, and if you don't like it, return it. Power trio hardcore punk is what my band does, and its all about midrange bite. I almost had too much bite, but if you need more, then try it out with the band.

katri · #9 12-11-2008, 02:42 PM

i tried it out and didnt really like it, it didnt sound like it was doing anything to my sound what so ever

Poor Tom · #10 12-11-2008, 02:59 PM

sounds horrible.

whoatherechunk · #11 12-11-2008, 03:26 PM

ewwwwwwwww.

Eland · #12 12-27-2008, 04:16 PM

I play a tele bass with a big mudbucker. The Steel Leather really bring some definition i my sound.

RCCollins · #13 02-14-2009, 08:01 AM

Sorry to dig up this thread. I came into one of these recently and I thought I would give it a second chance since.

I've owned one before and I flipped it, but since then, I've switched from stainless steel strings to nickels and flatwounds, so the SL is way more useful to me now. When I'm playing flats and I want that "metal edge", I find it works VERY well with the intensity at 9 oclock and the senstivity around 11. It's easy to overdo but it works great.

And here's a "new" application I "found" for the Steel Leather: they guy I sold my last one to mentioned how it helped him push open the envelope of his FX25. I regretted never trying it with envelope following effects so I gave it a try as soon as I got this one.

It works great with my Maxon AF-9, not only helping push the filter open with a lowish output passive bass, but also at making the already wet-sounding filter sound even wetter! Envelope mode on the ehx Polyphase gets more dramatic and just plain funkier. It makes my playing dynamics seem more... dynamic?

Has anybody else tried this? Or something similar? I know it seems counterintuitive if you are the type who runs a compressor after the envelope filter, but it is definitely worth a try!

fretlessman71 · #14 02-17-2009, 09:54 PM

Just ran mine in front of an envelope filter tonight for the first time. Sounded like laserbeams coming out of the amp until I adjusted it right. I'm very impressed for a $65 pedal! I call it the "Clank Machine". Who needs new strings when you can just turn these babies up!

RCCollins · #15 02-17-2009, 10:38 PM

seriously, this thing has all kinds of potential - I was messing around today with my SB-2, and switched to bridge pickup only - who the heck does that? It sounded pretty cruddy. Then i switched on the Steel Leather - WOW. I never heard a tone like that.

Yes, demos coming.

IronChains · #16 02-17-2009, 10:49 PM

I'm ready to hear somebody else try out the pedal, besides the oh so annoying video demo guy

fightthepower · #17 02-18-2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

seriously, this thing has all kinds of potential - I was messing around today with my SB-2, and switched to bridge pickup only - who the heck does that? It sounded pretty cruddy. Then i switched on the Steel Leather - WOW. I never heard a tone like that.

Yes, demos coming.

I don't see myself ever buying one but I'd love to hear these clips.

bassman03 · #18 02-18-2009, 06:27 AM

Yeah... the only thing that really amazes me in that video is how he's able to change the knobs with out using his hands...

IronChains · #19 02-18-2009, 07:27 AM

I mean, it's a good video demo, but his voice and phrases...

RCCollins · #20 02-18-2009, 07:32 AM

It's a decent demo but he has the thing turned up WAY too much. I can't imagine having both knobs north of 12 o'clock with this thing. Also, he SLAPS all the way through, while I think it's a much more useful device for fingerstyle players.

I'll try to get some clips together in the next few days. I mostly want to show what it can do for flatwound strings, but I'll do a couple envelope follower clips with the SL as well.