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Volume Pedals

V

vtwo

Dec 16, 2006
631
1
Connecticut
#1
Which do you recommend? I don't really need stereo output or a tuner output but a tuner output could be handy. The expression pedal output on the high end Boss isn't needed, but it looks like a solid pedal.

I'm looking mainly at the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain, Ernie Ball VP. Junior Active/Passive, Boss FV-500H, or you can recommend others.

Questions:
Can the non-specified "active" pedals handle hot basses?
Is it important that a high/low impediance pedal be placed before or after the other effects?

Thanks! :)

Links:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dunlop-GCB80-High-Gain-Volume-Pedal?sku=151003
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ernie-Ball-VP-JR.-Passive-Volume-Pedal?sku=152107
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ernie-Ball-VP-Junior-25K-Active-Volume-Pedal-?sku=152108
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Boss-FV500H-Mono-Volume-Pedal?sku=151042
 
#2
I have the Boss 500L (stereo) volume pedal. High Imp pedal would be better placed before effects and used with a passive bass. However, changing the volume before gain-based or envelope-based effects will change how the pedals respond, so I don't reccomend this.

I have the 500L at the end of my chain so I can make volume changes on the fly without changing the dynamics of my effects. I got it because I knew Boss was rock solid, and it really is. I could probably run over it with my car. Granted, I drive a Daewoo... but that's almost like a really fat person stomping on it. One drawback, though, is that it's huge. And I mean HUGE. Much bigger than a dunlop. I wear a size 13 shoe, and I can almost fit my entire foot on this pedal without hanging over the end.

It's a big, solid hunk of metal. It's gotten a pretty linear sweep and a nice, heavy action. This is good because when I take my foot off it, I know it won't move and change volume. Dose that make sense?

I don't have much experience with the other pedals, but I hear Ernie Ball is nice.


Edit: Oh, and it's passive which is nice because it's one less thing I have to plug in.
 
#4
I like the Ernie Ball, but I currently use an Alesis F2 because it doubles as a very good expression pedal, and doesn't take up so much pedalboard space.

Regarding impedance, yes it is important, but no there is no easy rule for how to figure what will work best with your other pedals.
Also, impedance =/= output level. For example, my P with 1/4 pounders and my Aria both have very hot output, but low output impedance.
 
#5
Thanks, that review was helpful. I'm still wondering about the Dunlop though...

If the Dunlop can be placed after effects, then it would be perfect. I don't need all the extra features, except maybe a tuner output but it still wouldn't be necessary. It's also the cheapest by a considerable margin.
 
#11
Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain
Don't know the first thing about it, but the frames are solid. Replacement pots are likely to be expensive because Dunlop like to use custom taper stuff with unusual mounting methods.

Ernie Ball VP. Junior Active
This would be my choice. Switchable taper, tuner out, and handy for when the vans parking brake fails.

Boss FV-500H
Solid, yes. Enormously humungous, yes. So enormously humungous as to be too big to fit anywhere on my board, yes.

Avoid the plastic Boss volume pedals as if you're Superman and they're Kryptonite.

Can the non-specified "active" pedals handle hot basses?
Click to expand...
Most volume pedals are passive, meaning they do not contain battery powered circuitry, meaning they can handle virtually any signal amplitude you're likely to throw at it.

Is it important that a high/low impediance pedal be placed before or after the other effects?
Click to expand...
It's important to get the right pedal, but it's much, much, much easier than you think. There's only one rule:

If you are running a passive instrument directly into a volume pedal, buy one with high impedance. (250k and up.) Otherwise, buy a low impedance one.
 
#13
vtwo said:
What if it's an active instrument into the volume pedal?
Click to expand...
My rule still applies;
niftydog said:
There's only one rule:

If you are running a passive instrument directly into a volume pedal, buy one with high impedance. (250k and up.) Otherwise, buy a low impedance one.
Click to expand...
Can a high impedance pedal be placed after effects?
Click to expand...

Either high or low impedance pedals will work to some extent in all circumstances, and you won't damage anything... but, the response of the pedals sweep will be different, potentially bordering on uncontrollable.

eg; using an active bass with a high impedance volume pedal, you might find that the volume remains relatively unaffected until you get 90% of the way to the heel-down position, at which point the volume drops off dramatically.
 
#19
I have a Dunlop High Gain. It's very solid, no batteries etc. However, the heel down position/minimum vol is not 0. If I'm using it for a bowed effect with an overdrive the gain of the OD negates the volume pedal. I actually haven't tried it after the OD because I use a multi and don't want the volume after the delay/reverb.
 
#20
I'd recommend the Ernie Ball Jr. It's nice and simple. For the record I use the Passive one, which for some reason seemed to work just fine with the active basses I have plugged into it out of curiosity as well.
 

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