Ernie Ball Volume pedal issue

[P90s]

Just switched from an integrated effects board to individual pedals.
Tuner -> Wah -> overdrive -> delay -> volume pedal.
Very simple.
The Volume pedal is obliterating the high end. Is this an Ernie Ball issue? Advice/insights/suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks!

 

[Shizzrock]

You sure it's the volume pedal? Either way I would put the wah first and try that. If there's still high end loss (which there probably will be) try a true bypass looper or a transparent buffer pedal

 

[garrettb]

Passive volume pedals are tone suckers in general. An active buffer is a good way to overcome the load being put on the signal by the guitar and pedals. That will get your clarity and high end back.

 

[drdoom8793]

Agree with Garret. If you're using the VP jr. (the passive version) or one of the older models, it will do that. If you aren't sure, just test it by pulling a single pedal out of your chain each time. I had the same problem you describe when I had a VP jr. Swapped it out for an MVP (active version) and all was well!

 

[P90s]

Agree with Garret. If you're using the VP jr. (the passive version) or one of the older models, it will do that. If you aren't sure, just test it by pulling a single pedal out of your chain each time. I had the same problem you describe when I had a VP jr. Swapped it out for an MVP (active version) and all was well!

It's definitely the volume pedal. I went through the process of disconnecting every other cable. Active version is a better fix than buying a buffer?

 

[Ovibos]

If your tuner is true-bypass, you could replace it with a buffered one (like the Boss TU-3 and Polytune) and that would do it, right?

 

[drdoom8793]

It's definitely the volume pedal. I went through the process of disconnecting every other cable. Active version is a better fix than buying a buffer?

It's basically the same. The Active version just has the buffer built into it. Saves you some room on your pedalboard.

 

[andy474x]

This is a jerk comment to make, but I'll make it anyway: ditch the volume pedal if you still can! When the string breaks, it's a massive PITA to fix, and in general, very difficult to nail the volume right where you want it because it's so sensitive to small changes. I struggled with one for years, finally the string broke and I couldn't get the replacement back on (I'm a dentist, work with my hands all day and used dental tools to try and do it, still couldn't). The most liberating day of my guitar life was when I took that thing off my board for good.

I set my amp for the appropriate volume for the gig, and then use either an EQ pedal, or a Boss Line Selector (which has adjustable level controls) for a solo/volume boost. The nice thing about that is, my rig has the same baseline volume when I'm being mic'd up and there's a sound guy to consider. They really don't like your volume jumping all over the place!

Sorry to troll.

 

[P90s]

This is a jerk comment to make, but I'll make it anyway: ditch the volume pedal if you still can! When the string breaks, it's a massive PITA to fix, and in general, very difficult to nail the volume right where you want it because it's so sensitive to small changes. I struggled with one for years, finally the string broke and I couldn't get the replacement back on (I'm a dentist, work with my hands all day and used dental tools to try and do it, still couldn't). The most liberating day of my guitar life was when I took that thing off my board for good.

I set my amp for the appropriate volume for the gig, and then use either an EQ pedal, or a Boss Line Selector (which has adjustable level controls) for a solo/volume boost. The nice thing about that is, my rig has the same baseline volume when I'm being mic'd up and there's a sound guy to consider. They really don't like your volume jumping all over the place!

Sorry to troll.

All very good points, no worries! I love swells, and that's much easier with a VP than running the volume knob on your guitar.

 

[andy474x]

All very good points, no worries! I love swells, and that's much easier with a VP than running the volume knob on your guitar.

Ah, for that purpose, I would agree that a VP is nice. A swell choice, one might say.

 

[László]

A good buffer ahead of the volume pedal will likely fix ya right up (and by this I don’t mean most Boss buffers).

Volume pedals suck tone because they add a lot of capacitance. If you’re using the tuner out on the pedal, for some reason, it’s an even worse offender. Capacitance takes the high end away from passive pickups. There’s no getting around it, except to use a buffer.

Here’s an article you might want to check out:

https://tonereport.com/blogs/tone-tips/volume-pedal-expose

I have two separate buffers I use in my signal chain, one at the beginning, and one just before the switcher I use to send signal to my three amplifiers. Admittedly, I’m a little over-the-top about preventing tone suck, but damn, it works and sounds great!

 

[Ovibos]

A good buffer ahead of the volume pedal will likely fix ya right up (and by this I don’t mean most Boss buffers).

So you saying my 20 year old TU-2 isn't doing the trick?

 

[László]

So you saying my 20 year old TU-2 isn't doing the trick?

Nope. It certainly will work to buffer the circuit.

But as with anything audio, there are great sounding circuits, and less great sounding circuits.

 

[Sculptair]

I've only got the wah upfront. I lean on the amp to distort. Everything else is in the FX loop. But when I use a cord longer than 20 feet, I add a buffer before the wah. The tone is inspiring.