Confusion on Ernie Ball volume pedals, active or passive?

Lorenzini · #1 11-03-2009, 05:13 PM

I want to get one of these two pedals, the EB VPJr 25k active, or the EB VPJr 250k Passive (I'm also open to others!)

My question is, what happens when you use both active and passive basses? In this case, what is the best one to use? Is the active version safe to use with both, or is it vice versa?

I tried using a Boss FV-50 which was just killing my top end and majorly degrading the sound of my bass. As I said before, I'm not stuck on an EB pedal, but have just heard nothing but praise about them, whilst hearing mixed reviews about Morleys or Bosses.

EDIT: Looks like I was using an FV-50 (H) which didn't jive well with the Cirrus bass I was using. Perhaps due to its cheapness it still would have killed the high frequencies? Lemme know - I'm new to this stuff

Grimoire · #2 11-04-2009, 02:52 AM

If anyone can compare the EB and Boss pedals that would be great. I am looking at either the 6167 stereo EB or the FV500L Boss. The EB is over three times the price in the UK, but is it that much better?

Lorenzini · #3 11-04-2009, 11:39 AM

I'm also curious about this comparison.

In the meantime, would someone kindly step in and learn me about the better choice, High or Low impedance pedals? Thanks!

bassman1185 · #4 11-04-2009, 12:51 PM

The issue is impedance. The active volume has a much lower impedance, so it is designed to work with buffered signals; either the.buffered signal from a preamp, or a signal that has been buffered by a non-true-bypass pedal. If you are butting your pedal late in your chain, then the low impedance active model is the one you want. If you have it first, just get the model that corresponds to the type of bass you play most.

niftydog · #5 11-04-2009, 03:55 PM

Exactly - if you're putting the volume pedal after some buffered effects pedals then go with the low impedance (active) version.

If you're putting it at the top of your signal chain and you play passive basses then you probably should consider the high impedance (passive) version.

Oh, and IMHO, yes the EB is almost worth three times the price! Look at it the other way around - the Boss is el cheap-o compared to the de facto industry standard EB's.