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Double Bass volume pedal?

R

Richard Simon

Supporting Member
Dec 6, 2003
443
265
Los Angeles, CA
www.richardsimon.com
#1
Can you, bass brethren and sisteren, recommend a basic volume pedal?

Usually the Underwood pickup plugged directly into a Genz Benz Shuttle 6 provides just the right volume and tone, a.k.a. My Bass, Only Louder.

But sometimes during a bass solo, when a pianist's busy comping occasionally conspires with band mates' conversation, I find myself over-playing just to be heard. I'd like to see what a simple volume pedal might do to give me a temporary boost. (Hoping the cats chill a bit on their own isn't working.)

The Yamaha FC7 looks like the kind of no-frills pedal I seek.

Does this one work for any of you, or is there another one you'd recommend?

I want no additional effects or pedals; as I get older, it seems there is plenty of natural 'delay' creeping into my playing...

Thank you.

-ricardo
 
#2
Using the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] now, as I foolishly passed on a steal-of-a-deal for a Visual Sound one.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Plus side:
Its chunky rubber grips well, large enough for a Size13, heavy enough it doesn't creep about. Can be used as expression pedal if ever you need that sort of thing. Cheap (got mine on sale). Could be used as a blunt weapon, repeatedly, and still retain its functionality as a pedal for years to come. Robust, to say the least.
Manufacturer's blabber
"Our patent-pending Low Friction Band-Drive allows for a smooth range of motion without the fear of breakage or change in feel or range, and for maximum comfort and precision, the DVP1XL’s rocker tension is fully adjustable.

When using the DVP1XL as an expression pedal, you can use the internal pot to set the minimum level of the parameter you’re controlling with the rocker. If you want to reverse the function of the heel-down and toe-down positions, the DVP1XL has an internal switch that allows you to do so. "​

Negative side:
Big, heavy.


I've never used the Tuner Out, as I run my tuner from a dedicated output from my preamp-DI. It sits on the floor next to my wee utility pedalboard (preamp-DI, EQ, Limiter & other tone shaper-manglers)


Not having the visual cue of the Visual Sound isn't as big of a deal as I thought, though I'm sure if I had that pedal I'd be totally relying on that ocular crutch...

Visual-Volume-Pedal-150-300x295.jpg
 
#6
A passive volume pedal directly after a passive piezo pickup has a low input impedance and degrades the sound quality.
So with a passive piezo pickup either put it after a high impedance preamp/buffer or get an active one with an input impedance of at least one MegOhms.
If you have an effect loop, you could connect a passive volume pedal like an effect there.
 
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#9
Richard Simon said:
Does a Fishman Platinum EQ device qualify as a "high impedance preamp/buffer"?
As an upright-only player, I don't use an "effects loop."
The Underwood pickup is "passive," I presume.
Click to expand...

Yes.

Even you might not use it, your amp might have an effect loop and you would be able use it for the pedal (100% wet). That way you don't need a high impedance preamp if your amps input has a high input impedance.
But if you have a Fishman Platinum EQ that you use, you can forget about the effects loop idea. Just put the volume pedal somewhere after the Fishman preamp.

Yes an Underwood is a passive piezo. Active pickups need a power source like a battery or phantom power. BTW, even "active" piezos are passive ones with a high impedance preamp/buffer, so if you look at it as a unit with a permanent connection you can call your passive Underwood together with the Fishman Platinum EQ as an active piezo. But then the connection between these parts can not be split up to connect something else in between.
 
#10
Ernie Balls are great, until they break, and they always break.

I never had much luck with getting them to feel the same after the tortuous repair job on them.

I'm currently using a Morley, which is bulky and not great ergonomically, but it's built like a tank.
 
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#11
Carl Hillman said:
Ernie Balls are great, until they break, and they always break.

I never had much luck with getting them to feel the same after the tortuous repair job on them.

I'm currently using a Morley, which is bulky and not great ergonomically, but it's built like a tank.
Click to expand...
The cheaper Ernie Ball ones I find to be more like a switch than a gradual change--the more expensive ones are better.

HOWEVER, I use the Dunlop GCB80 High Gain Volume Pedal --which is a passive pedal--and it works nice & smooth--and I haven't had any issues with signal loss or deterioration. Although I do have active controls on my bass, I use it with passive guitars & no issue.
 
#16
I've been using a Morley Volume Plus pedal for the last few months. It is an active/powered volume pedal, but it has been working pretty well for me. My favorite feature about it is the ability to switch the pedal from being a regular volume pedal (heel down = no volume, toe down = full volume) and being able to set a minimum volume using the knob on the top of the pedal...since I'm in the same boat at Jeff Bonny - I can't seem to make accurate-enough adjustments while trying to play at the same time (see also why I have used envelope filters versus traditional treadle wah pedals on EB ;) ).
 

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