volume pedals

**mikerbooks** · 01-12-2011, 06:57 AM

does anyone have experience of using these pedals - how practical are they? how does price affect quality with different brands?

**CGKnight** · 01-12-2011, 07:25 AM

Coincidence. I am looking for one, too - my first one, at that. No real life experience yet, sadly.

However, from reviews and discussions on the net, I have gathered so far that low priced (and in fact, most mass-produced ones) ones -
a. are pot-based, which wear out over time (not a problem with the ones with optical/infrared and other alternative, potless systems)
b. do not have an even taper
c. have bad pedal action
d. suck the high end from your signal (using another pedal as a buffer amp before it, or investing in an active volume pedal as opposed to a passive one, are said to counter this)
e. otherwise color your sound
f. are prone to breakdowns, due to design defect or otherwise.

Most folks recommend a Goodrich or a Hilton.

**mikerbooks** · 01-12-2011, 08:25 AM

thanks cg, i'll look into those 2
the 'sucking the high end from the signal' sounds the major and although not having to use batteries etc is preferable - i wouldnt want to compromise the sound too much.
thanks again

**Dad3353** · 01-12-2011, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by mikerbooks

...i wouldnt want to compromise the sound too much...

Good afternoon, mikerbooks...
I have never had to complain of Morley pedals (I must add that as a drummer, I've not been using them on stage , but have 'had them around' for many years...). The older models were mains power only; the current version use batteries or mains adapter (recommended, although the battery lasts ages...). The build quality, audio transparency and ergonomy are adequate justification for their price, in my experience.
Just my tuppence worth; hope this helps...

**mambosun** · 01-12-2011, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by mikerbooks

does anyone have experience of using these pedals - how practical are they? how does price affect quality with different brands?

I currently use a Boss FV500L volume pedal placed at the end of my pedal board (low impedance) and I am quite happy with it:

Sturdy construction
reliable volume pot
transparent sound
2 inputs/outputs
Actually rather cheap when compared with other brands

You can either pick up the 500H or 500L version, depending on your effect rig.

**JakeAcci** · 01-12-2011, 10:42 AM

I think mine is the Boss FV 50L and it's terrible, do not get it.

b. do not have an even taper
c. have bad pedal action

yes...

**cosmic gumbo** · 01-12-2011, 12:50 PM

Find out what's popular with pedal steel players, they usually use the most dependable, since it's part of their normal set up and get incredible use.

**mikerbooks** · 01-12-2011, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by mambosun

You can either pick up the 500H or 500L version, depending on your effect rig.

how exactly is that dependance?

**mikerbooks** · 01-12-2011, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by JakeAcci

I think mine is the Boss FV 50L and it's terrible, do not get it.

b. do not have an even taper
c. have bad pedal action

yes...

thanks i'd have to try it out first

**mikerbooks** · 01-12-2011, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by mikerbooks

thanks cg, i'll look into those 2
the 'sucking the high end from the signal' sounds the major and although not having to use batteries etc is preferable - i wouldnt want to compromise the sound too much.
thanks again

could be a tad more expensive than i'd want to go to

**monk** · 01-12-2011, 01:12 PM

I've been happily using a passive Goodrich volume pedal since 1983. It allows me to run my guitar wide open and use my foot to control my volume levels for comping and soloing.

I had to have the pot replaced 6 years ago when it became scratchy with a long life ceramic pot. So, I got 22 years of trouble free service. My advice is to save up and buy the highest quality pedal you can.

Regards,
monk

**mr. beaumont** · 01-12-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

Find out what's popular with pedal steel players, they usually use the most dependable, since it's part of their normal set up and get incredible use.

Goodrich is the standard. They're costly, but excellent.

I have a "poor man's goodrich," an Ernie Ball, and it's lasted me about 15 years, so that's cool. They're a good tool to have, especially if your guitar has a touchy volume knob, or two volume pots and you'd like to be able to control "total volume" no matter which pickup you're on...

**CGKnight** · 01-12-2011, 01:19 PM

And evidently it's a major big deal if you place them at the start of your chain, or after specific pedals, or in the effects loop of the amp, or after the chain...all I wanted was a simple. no BS. volume. pedal. *facepalm*

**Otto** · 01-12-2011, 01:20 PM

I have used Goodrich and Hilton pedals. Both great quality. I am now using a new pedal manufactured by Telonics, Inc. in Mesa Arizona. The pedal provides for multiple tapers, movable rotation axis, and comes in stereo if desired. The pedal does not color the sound chain at all. It also comes with the capacity to have a remote sensor attached so that it can be operated other than with one's foot. The most popular alternative is to attache the sensor to a hat. It is top quality equipment.

**docbop** · 01-12-2011, 02:33 PM

I have a Sho-Bud volume pedal I still have from my Clone-Carlton days. They are pedal steel volume pedals and built for a lot of use.

**customxke** · 01-12-2011, 03:32 PM

I use a Bigsby.

**newsense** · 01-12-2011, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by mikerbooks

how exactly is that dependance?

This is an issue of matching the pedal to the high impedance of your pickups. Although you can use the 500H anywhere in you signal chain, if you want the pedal to be the first effect (i.e. the one into which you plug your guitar), it must be the 500H (i.e. high impedance) to match the high impedance of your pickups. Or, put the other way, the low impedance pedal (the 500L) must be in the low impedance segment of your signal chain - either in your amp's effects loop, or before the amp, but after any other conventional pedal, such as a compression or distortion pedal. You cannot plug your guitar into it without severe tone suckage.

I use the Fender classic Volume/Tone pedal - the volume portion is perfect - transparent, noise-free, linear pot, works anywhere in the signal chain, - but the tone control only works as a high impedance control, i.e. if it is the first effect in the signal chain.

**JazzyJim** · 01-12-2011, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by CGKnight

And evidently it's a major big deal if you place them at the start of your chain, or after specific pedals, or in the effects loop of the amp, or after the chain...all I wanted was a simple. no BS. volume. pedal. *facepalm*

It can get a bit overly complicated, to be honest. From past experience the main thing to really concern yourself with in regard to loops and pedal chains is determined mostly with gain pedals and delays:
How do you want it to effect gain pedals - before or after makes a difference with the noisefloor level and the amount of gain. After gain boxes reduces the noisefloor when the pedal is lowered: think of turning your amp's master volume down while playing. Before doesn't really reduce the noisefloor, but does decrease the gain: think of turning your guitar volume down while playing.
If you do not want it to control the level of your delay repeats (assuming your delay is in your FX loop, of course) then either do not put it in the loop, or put it before the delay in the loop.
If you want to control the volume of your delayed loops from a looper/sampler (like, say, Bill Frisell), the easiest way is to have the looper in an FX loop with the volume pedal after it. Then use another volume pedal going straight into the amp to control your "real-time" playing volume.

The only other golden rule is:
If you have active pickups in your guitar, you "must" use an active or low-impedance volume pedal. These can also be used on keyboards/synths etc.
If you have passive pickups in your guitar, you "should" use a passive or high-impedance volume pedal. These can be used on other instruments, although they do tend to create a lot of strange noises.

Personally I use a Dunlop Hi Gain volume pedal as all it's basically just a volume pot in a rocker box. Doesn't need batteries, built like a Crybaby wah (tank-like) but slightly noisy. I put it first in my chain as i use it like an extra master volume pot for my guitar. The Ernie Ball Jr is great and I have used them often in the past. I'd like a Goodrich but they're quite hard to find in the UK.

Sorry this was such a long post!

**pingu** · 01-12-2011, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Goodrich is the standard. They're costly, but excellent.

I have a "poor man's goodrich," an Ernie Ball, and it's lasted me about 15 years, so that's cool. They're a good tool to have, especially if your guitar has a touchy volume knob, or two volume pots and you'd like to be able to control "total volume" no matter which pickup you're on...

My Ernie Ball passive Vol pedal is excellent
doesn't take any tone away
and the taper is good and musical ,
passive
heavy tho ...... I'd get the smaller version ernie ball next time

**caravan** · 01-12-2011, 09:37 PM

I agree with "pingu". I have two Ernie Ball passive volume pedals. I use them to mute the guitar, kind of like an on-off switch that doesn't make a "click" sound. For $100 US, I wouldn't exactly call it a "poor man's" pedal.

**pingu** · 01-13-2011, 04:37 PM

have you got the smaller ones ?

**CGKnight** · 01-14-2011, 12:03 AM

JazzyJim, thanks, that was a helpful and informative post! And while I only knew of using a VP as a master volume, like an expression pedal on an organ, those were some interesting and creative applications you mentioned.

Otto (Telonics), pingu and Mr. B (EB), thanks for those names. ^^

**Otto** · 01-20-2011, 01:12 PM

Someone has reviewed a variety of volume pedals on "The Gear Page." The link appears below.

Volume Pedal shootout: looking for the best volume pedal for ambient swells - The Gear Page

**pingu** · 01-20-2011, 02:38 PM

No tone suck on my old EB pedal
the only componant in it is a pot so it would be difficult for it to
mess with the Fz response and indeed mine doesn't ....

Possibly the reviewer was testing the 25k ohm version
with normal passive pickups that would suck the tone

the 250k ohm version should be fine

**mr. beaumont** · 01-20-2011, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by caravan

I agree with "pingu". I have two Ernie Ball passive volume pedals. I use them to mute the guitar, kind of like an on-off switch that doesn't make a "click" sound. For $100 US, I wouldn't exactly call it a "poor man's" pedal.

Have you priced a Goodrich or a Hilton?