Boss volume pedals?

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 6 Oct 2001 1:22 pm

I just read the post about replacing pots in the good ol' Goodrich pedals. Having just replaced mine for the first time I was reminded of the need to have a backup pedal in your box.

Well, sure, it's a no-brainer. You just pony up an extra $120 or whatever and buy a second pedal. Well what about an "alternative" pedal, i.e. a non-Goodrich, Emmons or brand-x steel guitar pedal. Has anyone tried the Boss FV-300H or the FV-50H pedals? They're less expensive (around $70 for the FV-50H) and a whole lot lighter. There may be others, you tell me. It would sure be nice to have an emergency "lite" pedal, sorta like the doughnut spare tire in your trunk, cheap, but capable of getting you home.

--JR

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 6 Oct 2001 4:17 pm

As long as it works and controls the volume and you can manipulate it, it shouldn't make any difference.

It may be a different height, and it may be a different size pot (if you use anything less than 500K you'll start to notice a difference), and it may not be as heavy duty, and...., but in an emergency it'll work just fine.

I have a Fender volume pedal that's at least 30 years old that I could use if I had to.

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 6 Oct 2001 8:27 pm

I've got a BOSS volume pedal that I bought w/ my ME-8. I only carry it around as a 3rd spare.

Quesney Gibbs · Post by **Quesney Gibbs** » 7 Oct 2001 2:38 am

I have one of the old Goodrich light pedals that has served me well for 20 years without any failure of any kind. I have often wondered why anyone would have a pot pedal which might fail at any time.

Spare pedal....? I don't need one...

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 7 Oct 2001 6:42 am

I guess I've been winging it for 40 or more years with just one pedal. The only real problem I ever had was with a Fender tone and volume unit. One day a friend and I drove to the port of Bremerhaven in Germany to pick up his car. I noticed how they would loop the rope around a dock post to hold those big boats in place.

When I got back, I did a couple extra loops on each shaft and never had the problem again but I have always had it in the back of my mind that a light bulb was more prone to failure than a potentiometer so I never went that route

Recently, when I was thinking about trying something else, I followed Bobbe's advice and said: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it !!

Regards, Paul

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 7 Oct 2001 9:30 am

I should add that i'm not as concerned w/ the pedal failing rather it "disappearing" as has happenned to me!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 7 Oct 2001 4:54 pm

A spare??? Just pick up any used pot pedal (Emmons, Fender, Sho~Bud), and put in a new pot, and then you're ready...tomorrow, or 20 years from now!

Outlay? Probably under $100. Reliability...total. (No plugs, no power supply, no battery, no worry.)