Volume Pedal recommendations

BobTheSalmon

Hi all.

I am looking for a volume pedal and would appreciate some advice...

Think I want it after my gain stages so possibly want low impedance.

Have looked at Behringer, Boss, Ernie Ball & DOD mini

Any thoughts offered are greatly appreciated!

merlin

I have a Boss FV-500H going spare....

jellybelly

Ernie ball Vp Jr was far an away the best I’ve owned. 

If if I was after one again I’d be looking at a bypassable/buffered effect with adjustable taper along with a good expression pedal. The way Strymon have implemented it in the Sunset, for example, is a brilliant idea, or the Earthquaker Swiss Things for example

viz

Is it for swells? I have found vol pedals introduce a bit of hiss. You might want a couple of clean boosts in the loop instead, for 2 stage volume boost (or a boost and a mute, that’s what I’ve got)

ICBM

If it's after all true-bypass pedals then it still needs to be high impedance. High works fine anywhere, even after buffers - but low doesn't work properly without a buffer in front, so if you don't know or you want to have the option, get high.

I personally don't like the Ernie Balls despite them being some sort of industry standard - I don't like the steep heel-down position, pot taper or string mechanism which can break and is a total pain to replace. I much prefer Boss, especially the big metal ones, but the small plastic ones are surprisingly good too.

JDE

FV500L is a sweet, swelly low impedance babe of a pedal. 

gatheredinsong

Also prefered the Boss to the Ernie Ball, for the reasons mentioned...buy Merlin's. Lehle looks nice too mind. 

markv

Mission VM Pro is a good, very sturdy option, with low/high impedance, and a couple of other options, switchable inside.

NorthernStomps

merlin said:

I have a Boss FV-500H going spare....

This is what I use and I’m perfect happy with it 

Moe_Zambeek

The best I’ve tried is the Lehle. Good buffer, decent throw, boost available and a tuner out. Have had a passive Hilton - treble sucking device - Mission VM pro - didn’t like the throw and it didn’t like my amp; Boss FV50 - long time ago and had no issues with it, but at the time I only had a Guv’nor, a cry baby and a 100 Watt JCM800 and 4x12 so treble loss was never an issue...

BobTheSalmon

merlin said:

I have a Boss FV-500H going spare....

Thanks for the response...INTERESTED!

BobTheSalmon

Glad to hear that many prefer the Boss ones. 

Thanks all for your input. 

BobTheSalmon

ICBM said:

If it's after all true-bypass pedals then it still needs to be high impedance. High works fine anywhere, even after buffers - but low doesn't work properly without a buffer in front, so if you don't know or you want to have the option, get high.

I personally don't like the Ernie Balls despite them being some sort of industry standard - I don't like the steep heel-down position, pot taper or string mechanism which can break and is a total pain to replace. I much prefer Boss, especially the big metal ones, but the small plastic ones are surprisingly good too.

This is really useful - many thanks!

musteatbrain

I had a scout around for volume pedals a few months ago and ended up buying the Jim
Dunlop one that Guthrie Govan uses based on the volume swell stuff he did with Hans Zimmer live, but mainly the price.

I was expecting issues with it, but it’s been great up front or in the loop. The tuner out is really useful too

Jay123

I have a Goodrich 120 that i might sell, which is really good and sturdy etc.  
Ive heard lots of good things about the Moyo volume pedals from Colorado.  He has a shop on Reverb, that u could check out.  I might get one of those at some stage as its good and compact, that, or I might just get the Dunlop (mini) for the price , which seems to be really well liked.

VJIves

There's a Lehle fs on the £fx page, they're great and work with magnets so you don't have to worry about any moving parts needing maintenance.

schrodinger1612

I went through a few before I settled on the lehle... 

I had the mini AMT version which is just garbage, and the Mission VM Pro, which had a very sudden sweep, even with adjustments. 

Greatape

Volume pedal: most essential (and underrated) pedal next to a tuner....

I just had my venerable EB repaired - new pot and string - after fifteen years of use. So they do need maintenance, but you might go a fair time before it becomes necessary.

I really wanted to like the smaller Boss one, but the sweep felt odd. 

Having spoken with Lehle, I know they are considering a smaller model of their pedal. That's what I'm hoping for.