Any good passive volume pedals that don't tone suck?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DragonCrestPC
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DragonCrestPC

DragonCrestPC

Well-known member
Looking to buy my first volume pedal and would like a passive one. Every passive pedal has reviews of it tone sucking. The pedal doesn't have to be passive but would really like it to be. Any recommendations?
 
You can use any pedal if you buffer the signal. I use a Boss fv500 h in front of the amp. The tc bonafide buffer comes first after the guitar. This is an absolutely noiseless buffer.
I had to try a bunch and most buffers add noise if you use distortion.
Active volume pedals have buffers built in. There you go.

btw, I use the volume pedal to control gain, not volume.

If you want to control volume, it needs to go in the serial loop and it has to be low impedance (50 kOhm). No buffer needed.
For that purpose I would just use a pot in a box.
http://ews-us.com/item_volumeCtrl.php?item=custom

You can build that for 10 bucks.
 
I'd recommend both the Lehle Mono and Hilton Volume Pro. The U.S. Hilton uses an infrared sensor while the German Lehle uses a Magnet. They're pricey, but you get what you pay for in this case. I personally went with the Lehle since I got a 20% off price match at Sweetwater and I couldn't be happier, but I'd probably say the same for the Hilton if I got it.
 
If controlling volume is your goal, I'd go into the FX loop.
 
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