• Registered: 2009-03-23
  • Posts: 70

Topic: Volume Pedal

Hi,

Today I have bought a Boss FV50H volume pedal. I looked at Boss' website after buying it and noticed it says the pedal is 'designed for connection before guitar effects units'. I intend to use the pedal after my effects (or in the effects loop) as I want it control the overall volume rather than effect the level going into my overdrive pedals. Is the FV50H still ok for this or is the FV500H better suited for this? Not sure if i've made a mistake.  Can anyone help out please.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Volume Pedal

So basically they are saying use it infront of your effects so it works just like your volume control on your guitar.  You can put this in the effects loop but I think you will find a huge change in volume because it is cutting the volume to the Power amp side of the amp when you cut it back.  I think that this will be a sound mans worst nightmare.  But I've never tried it before so I can't say.  I think a clean boost pedal would work better because you could set a regular volume and right when you need the extra volume which shouldn't be much to cut above the band hit that boost pedal.  DOD 250 are good at this, BBE Rio Granda and hundereds of other pedals as well.  The volume pedal will work to but I think you have a hard time controling it compaired to a switch that puts it exactly where you need it.  Most of these boost pedal's give you anywhere from 1-30dB boost and if you've ever seen clapton use his stratocasters in the last 20 years his have a 25dB midrange boost.  Run that in a clean amp loud and turn the mid boost up, you really will be surprised by how loud a difference that really is.

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  • Registered: 2009-03-23
  • Posts: 70

Re: Volume Pedal

The clapton Strat is my main guitar so I know what you mean about the boost on it.  It's an amazing sounding guitar but I've found it hard to work with for my current bands set.  It's almost like having two volume knobs on the guitar. I'm constantly changing the mib boost and volume throughout songs but sometimes I really need the boost all the way up but for the overall volume to be a bit quieter and if I drop the main volume off it cleans the sound up a bit.  This is why I was thinking about a volume pedal.  Previously I had a Pod xt which has the volume pedal on it.  Since moving away from that I have really grown to appreciate the power of the volume knobs but for my current set I really need a volume pedal to quickly and easily change the overall volume.  He do a massive mix of rock, pop, soul, funk and all sorts.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Volume Pedal

I know all to well what your talking about with the clapton strat not playing well with other volume wise.  Its a very versital guitar but its soooooo loud.  Just try the volume pedal and worst case you have a volume pedal to make your swells easier if it doesn't work for reducing the overall volume.  I totally think it will work for what you want to do, it will be like a master volume on your amp turning up and down I just worry that you'll find it hard to get back to where you were.  EC's secret is that he's playing a 50 watt amp wide open so it really to your ears doesn't sound much louder when boosted but at lower levels it really stands out.  After a certain dB your ears can't tell a noticable difference in volume, and this is when guitarist and drummers start going deaf.

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