Favourite expression pedals?

[Ryan]

Hi guys!

I want to start experimenting with expression control for the RRR upgrade and it's totally new to me, I've never used it in a circuit and I've never owned an expression pedal. *hangs head in shame*

So I'm wondering what are good expression pedals? What do you savvy group of expressers like to use? Do you have a resistance value that you hope to use or see in a pedal? Like say you get a pedal with an expression input, do you think, I hope it's 10k or 100k or 1M or is that even a big deal?

I guess I'm mostly looking for what expression pedal models you like that are good ones, that people use, that work with lots of effects, that kind of thing.

Much appreciated!

[Gunner Recall]

I've got a fancy 4 input/multiple value custom expression pedal, but if we're talking commercially available...
I think the ernie ball vp jr (25k) is the most solid/dependable expression pedal out there. Most others are just cheap plastic.

A funny thing I've noticed about expression pedals is that most people are unaware that expression pedals differ in value, and that their expression pedal won't work (or at least work smoothly) with every pedal.
Sometimes builders weren't even able to give me exact/straight answers when I was collecting info about my pedals for my custom one

Most expression pedals seem to be geared towards lower pot values, so I guess keeping it 10-50k might be a good idea. I wouldn't go over 100k (that's as far as mine goes, for zee goatsekeeper)

[Scruffie]

Hey Ryan, how about an internal (or external if you wanted) DIP or 3 Way Switch etc. That runs resistors in parallel with the jack to lower or raise the value to accomodate higher or lower value expression pedals?

[aen]

Loev my Moog. The old standard plastic one. I dont tend to beat the fuck out of my pedals, so it works wonderfully.

[my bloody television]

I don't have much experience with expression pedals...though I'll be eyeing this thread as I could use a good one, but I hated the m-audio exp. pedal that came with my HOG. Maybe I'm just stupid and overlooked some screw I could tighten but it would never stay in place...it would always just dip down toe forward. Plus I thought the build quality was shit.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

moog expression, i think i have the 2nd one. has a nice wide range.

[Ryan]

I've got a fancy 4 input/multiple value custom expression pedal, but if we're talking commercially available...
I think the ernie ball vp jr (25k) is the most solid/dependable expression pedal out there. Most others are just cheap plastic.

A funny thing I've noticed about expression pedals is that most people are unaware that expression pedals differ in value, and that their expression pedal won't work (or at least work smoothly) with every pedal.
Sometimes builders weren't even able to give me exact/straight answers when I was collecting info about my pedals for my custom one

Most expression pedals seem to be geared towards lower pot values, so I guess keeping it 10-50k might be a good idea. I wouldn't go over 100k (that's as far as mine goes, for zee goatsekeeper)

Great tips there, Jon, thank you very much! I was under the impression that the resistance value was important and could change how the effect works or sounds if the value is too far off. For example, in the RRR, the mix control needs to be 10k otherwise the dry signal gets loaded and sounds darker and distant-er. Plug in a 100k exp pedal for mix and your RRR will sound way off.

Hey Ryan, how about an internal (or external if you wanted) DIP or 3 Way Switch etc. That runs resistors in parallel with the jack to lower or raise the value to accomodate higher or lower value expression pedals?

I was thinking of something like this to make sure everybody's expression pedal would work nicely... but I was also thinking the circuit and pcb are going to be complicated enough and I'd rather not mess with internal switches or add an external switch just for exp control pedal matching... a nice little pcb dip switch would be slick though, good one, Pete!

Thanks for the tips, Aen and Garrett and the good Dr.... I'm going to round up a few exp pedals and I'll definitely get a Moog one. The EP2 I believe? Or Aen, did you mean the model before that, an EP1 maybe?

I was clicking around on eBay and I noticed some exp pedals get pretty pricey.. upwards of $200! I was thinking $30 to $50 was probably a more normal/reasonable/common price?

[aen]

Ep1,i think. No options on it at all.

[Gilmourish]

I've always wanted an expression pedal i can use as a volume pedal when not using it with one of my pedals, but i read somewhere that volume pedals don't work as expression pedals? I did however, see a boss expression/volume pedal which i assume works as both...

Does anyone know if a volume pedal can actually work as an expression pedal?

[Pick Me]

I think gunner pretty much covered it. I would just try and grab the most common ones
ie. EB epjr., boss, line 6, moog etc. I think the dip switch idea is great but in the end i would just make sure it works with one thats high quality and durable (ebjr,etc) and one thats cheap and readily available. (boss)

[Pick Me]

Gunner ---> do you have a picture / information on that multi expression pedal you were talking about.

Ryan ---> If i were you i would seriously consider designing your own expression pedal. Its been discussed multiple times in the forums that everyone wants a small foot print quality expression pedal, and volume pedal. If you could somehow combine the two and make them foot switchable to be used as both i think you could probably retire off it. (don't do that) No one is happy with whats currently available so the market is open to another better player...

[magnus02]

Yea I really don't get it...

The Ernie Ball Jr seems like a sold route bc its built well etc, but why is it still so BIG?

Its a junior... should be small. Why cant there be a legit tiny expression pedal for those of us with cramped boards? Is it just not possible?

The Digitech Whammy WH-1 has a pretty tiny pedal...

I think the time has come for one.... I will dub it the Magnus JR

[Superfuzz]

Gunner ---> do you have a picture / information on that multi expression pedal you were talking about.

Ryan ---> If i were you i would seriously consider designing your own expression pedal. Its been discussed multiple times in the forums that everyone wants a small foot print quality expression pedal, and volume pedal. If you could somehow combine the two and make them foot switchable to be used as both i think you could probably retire off it. (don't do that) No one is happy with whats currently available so the market is open to another better player...

Yes +1! I don't really know if you need to make it foot switchable though. To answer some other peoples confusion, almost any volume pedal can used as an expression if the pot value works with your pedal. This is why the 25k Ernie Ball is a popular choice. If your expression input requires TRS you just use an insert cable. If not, regular 1/4" to input usually works fine.

[oinkbanana]

25k Ernie Ball jr.

[magiclawnchair]

i have only used moog expression pedals.