Volume Pedals

With a volume pedal, you can create pedal steel-style swells and violin-like leads. You can also use one as a utility pedal to manage your level in real time.

You can’t get much more simple than the mechanics of a volume pedal. They are simply a volume control like you’d find on your guitar that you can control with your feet. They are housed in a pedal format with a treadle and look similar to a wah pedal. They are usually ‘passive’ effects which mean they don’t need any power. Some volume pedals, such as the ones in the Dunlop range, are also able to function as an expression pedal.

Volume pedals for guitar are always found on the huge pedal boards of ambient musicians. They use them to swell into chords, removing percussive attack and creating gentle synth-like pads. Country players often adopt volume pedals to mimic the distinctive wail of a pedal steel guitar.

Aside from these creative uses, they can be a useful utility during a live set. They enable you to balance your volume for each song or simply have a rhythm volume and a lead volume.

Popular volume pedals are made by Ernie Ball, Dunlop and Boss.

Why Should I Choose a Volume Pedal?

• Transform your guitar into a pedal steel, violin or synth
• A guitar volume pedal balances your level hands free
• Some double as expression pedal