volume pedal

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SLicata

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I will be aquiring a guitar within the next month or so that has not only 2 outputs (electric and acoustic), but also active and passive electronics. I was leaning towards the Ernie Ball 6165 Volume Pedal. It is a stereo pedal, so I assume it would handle the dual outputs, however, I read this review and became concerned: "The dual potentiometer has a 500k ohm resistance suitable for the audio path of passive instruments."
Does this mean the pedal will not transmit the signal if switched to active? I know Ernie Ball makes a volume pedal for passive electronics, but it is mono. If anyone has any insight as to whether the 6165 will work it would be greatly appreciated...
 
Well, the issue wouldn't be so much that the signal wouldn't transmit, but instead that the signal would be too strong. All electronics have a certain input range, and active electronics have higher output, so this may cause clipping/distortion if the pedal is not designed to handle higher outputs.

Still, I'm guessing it probably would work for active PUPs regardless. Usually they design these things with a pretty high input range. Maybe you could go try the pedal out in a store or something, or get it from somewhere with a return policy. If it doesn't work, you won't hurt the pedal, and you can just take it back. The problem is there's no definate way of telling unless you get all the technical info on the electronics in the pedal and your guitar first.
 
Imaduck said:
Well, the issue wouldn't be so much that the signal wouldn't transmit, but instead that the signal would be too strong. All electronics have a certain input range, and active electronics have higher output, so this may cause clipping/distortion if the pedal is not designed to handle higher outputs.

Still, I'm guessing it probably would work for active PUPs regardless. Usually they design these things with a pretty high input range. Maybe you could go try the pedal out in a store or something, or get it from somewhere with a return policy. If it doesn't work, you won't hurt the pedal, and you can just take it back. The problem is there's no definate way of telling unless you get all the technical info on the electronics in the pedal and your guitar first.

The signal won't be too strong...the potentiometer (variable resistor) goes between it's max resistance value (500 K) (guitar volume off) and 0 ohms - (guitar full volume, or like not having the pedal at all.) It's the swell rate that's affected. Instead of going between 0 and 500K, their pedals designed for active pickups go from 0 to 25 K, I believe.

Electrically, it'll work fine...but performance-wise you may get a lot of volume change in a short bit of travel on the pedal. You may want to try one out first.
 
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