Question:
After having a chance to play around with this guy's POD XT Live during a jam session, I realized how great a volume pedal would be in a live situation when I don't have time to fiddle around with the amp settings. The Ernie Ball VP Jr. caught my eye (compact, good reviews). Now I'm a n00b when it comes to technical stuff but I think my pickups are passive (vintage style Alnico V single coil pickups) so i'd be looking at the passive model. These pedals are basically just large resistors right? Increase the resistance to lower the volume? Does it require a power source?
Any opinions/testimonies regarding the Ernie Ball VP Jr or suggestions for other volume pedals? Size is a factor (don't want a massive one) and I would probably use a tuner out feature.
I'm also looking to pick up a wah eventually. I really like how the Crybaby Classic sounds. What do you guys think about the wah + volume in one pedal concept? Just from what's out there it doesn't look like it's too popular.
Thanks in advance!
Answer:
Love my EB jr. Havn't had any problems with it. I'm not a fan of the wah/volume pedals I've played, though if space is an issue, it might be a good choice. They are very simple, just a string around a volume pot controlled by the pedal.
Answer:
I have the full size ernie ball. Its a beast, but I like it. If the jr is just a smaller version of that, its probably good. (I use almost no pedals, and those I do, control my rack gear)
Answer:
Volume and wah are the only two pedals I currently own.
I also use the VP Jr, I like it, though I often wire it up backwards in the FX loop, and use the tuner output as an extra input that I plug my acoustic into.
I use a Morley Mark Tremonti Power Wah. Not a big fan of Tremonti, but it's a good wah. I'd go for a Vox, too. (I actually went to GC meaning to buy a Vox, but the Morley was on sale... )
Answer:
For the beginning volume user, I don't think there is a better pedal then the EB Volume Mono pedals. I loved mine when I had it.
As for wah, as it is in everything, it is all about personal preference. The three big budget wahs (in no particular order) though are the Dunlop Crybaby, Vox V847, and the Morley. My personal preference is the Vox, but others might prefer the Crybaby. It really depends on what you're going for in the sound. A few examples of bands you listen to might help us out in recommending one.
The wah/volume in one thing isn't very popular I would think just because it hasn't been seen a whole lot, and because it is a digital thing. I own a POD XTL and I have actually gotten to like the two in one concept. If i'm using a wah, i'm 99.9% of the time doing something with a good bit of OD/distortion, so with it I don't have to worry about accidentally hitting the volume down and making it sound bad.
Answer:
Anyone heard about Bespeco volume pedals? They are selling for 1/3 the price of the Ernie Ball VP Jr's. They are plastic and one review I read said it had low impedence and thus needed to be placed at the end of the fx chain (not sure of the significance of this).
I know in general you get what you pay for with effects but the concept of the volume pedal seem so simplistic that maybe it doesn't matter?
Answer:
I bought a bespeco for $5 at a garage sale once and was very happy afterwards. I owned and used it for the last 3 of 6 years that I played for my church and never had a problem with it.
Answer:
I run a Vox volume pedal. I like it alot. It's battery only, but you can leave it plugged in without draining the battery.