About The Steelrider

I have gleaned some info from the web about IVL Technologies Ltd of Victoria B.C. and the following is my understanding and not to be taken as actual fact.

George Spark and Brian Gibson were granted a Patent for their work on pitch conversion around 1980. Phil Scott was an original founder as well and from what I can gather,the Pitchrider 2000 was their first unit . There was also a Mark II 4000, the Pitchrider 7000 for guitar and then the Steelrider. The Steelrider turns out to be two of the Pitchrider 7000's in one box, with chips and pickups that reflect the frequencies of the Steel Guitar. The Steelrider also came with the foot pedal assembly shown in the pic at right.

Later IVL hooked up with other companies and the Steelrider went by the wayside. Slow sales for the unit was the reason it was discontinued.

I purchased my Steelrider in 1989. A year or so later I was notified that IVL would no longer make the unit, and I was able to get some chips and schematics. So far I have not had to use any parts as my Steelrider is still doing its thing. I occasionally search the web for another Pitch to MIDI unit that would be suitable for steel guitar and came across a steel player on the web that is using a Gibson Guitar converter. The unit is for six strings, so he is using it on the middle six, If the string spacing of the pickup fits, this would be an OK replacement for the Steelrider. Below is an In-Store add for the Steelrider.

By Wes B. Home Page