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Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:40 am
by frigid midget
Requierments: Sturdy and solid, big enough with and with a nice range, accurate control, reliable, no tone bleed/suck or noise or anyt other crap like that,...

Things like volume control, stereo or tuner outs, etc...Would be nice, but not at all deal breakers.

Like the title says, I'm basicly just looking for an EB VP jr that doesn't suck so bad.

The string on mine broke, after many years of small issues and annoyances. It never even had to endure a lot - of any- of stages/tours.

I'd hate to spend too much money on what's essentially just a volume control, but I'd rather just go on without a volume pedal at all, than buy another damn EB volume pedal :mad:

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:13 am
by UglyCasanova
Mission Engineering VM 1. I have the VM pro, but for what you're describing, this has all that you're looking for. I think it's $120 though. But it's really good and takes a beating like no other volume pedal.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:30 am
by frigid midget
Thanks, exactly the sort of suggestion I was hoping for.

I guess I'm a little picky when it comes to size, anything bigger than a VP jr would take up too much board space, and pedals that are a lot smaller aren't as convenient for my clumsy foot work. Also, as far as aesthetics go: I'd prefer a pedal that's not overly gaudy or bling or whatever.

Those Mission Engineering pedals score excellent on both accounts, thanks again.

Just google'd a bit more though, and found out about the Dunlop 'high gain' GCB80. Costs considerably less, and I can't see what the big difference would be with the VM1 :idk:

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:58 am
by Tristan
I'd get the Dunlop Volume X DVP3 or Dunlop Volume DVP1, they have a much nicer sweep than those wah style enclosures in my opinion.
The Boss FV500 is pretty good too.
My favourite is the Visual Sound Visual Volume because it's got those led's to show where you are in the sweep so you can also preset it quite accurately to get different sounds out of your drive pedals.
I prefer all of those over the Ernie Balls, better sound quality, better sweep, more sturdy.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:07 am
by tjlong
I have a EB VP Jr, a Mission VM, and a Dunlop Volume X.

I like the Dunlop best. The sweep is smooth and is much longer than the Mission (which has really small sweep due to the RMC style wah chassis) and it doesn't use the EB's string/spring mechanism (which can break). Also: Metal chassis, tuner out, adjustable tension, and doubles as an expression pedal.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:28 am
by Disarm D'arcy
You can change the string on your VP junior. It's cheap, but a bit tricky / requires some time. There's a tutorial vid somewhere on youtube.
You can buy the stuff here: http://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-String ... misc_img_z

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:39 am
by frigid midget
Disarm D'arcy wrote:You can change the string on your VP junior. It's cheap, but a bit tricky / requires some time. There's a tutorial vid somewhere on youtube.
You can buy the stuff here: http://www.leboncoin.fr/instruments_de_ ... tm?ca=18_s
Yeah, I read online that it can be done, but since the string on mine broke for no apparant reason, I'd rather just replace the pedal with one that's more reliable.

I'll probably try fixing it anyway though, if I can sell it it'll help me fund the new vol pedal.

You mind checking that link again? I can't seem to find what need, and my french isn't even that awefull:)

Thanks.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:43 am
by Disarm D'arcy
Edited the link, sorry ;)

My point is that the VP Jr, in spite of its more fragile string technology, has IMO the nicest feel and most even curve. I'd fix it and keep using it. But yeah, I get how the string thing could easily be frustrating.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 12:19 pm
by alexsga
The best!
Image

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 3:03 pm
by frigid midget
Disarm D'arcy wrote:Edited the link, sorry ;)

My point is that the VP Jr, in spite of its more fragile string technology, has IMO the nicest feel and most even curve. I'd fix it and keep using it. But yeah, I get how the string thing could easily be frustrating.
I don't have much experience with other vol pedals, so if what you're saying is true, I might fix my VP jr and keep it after all. Apparantly my bank account isn't ready for another new pedlol, even a cheapish one :s

I might even try to fix it the diy way, I think I have the right type of wire laying around somewhere. Thanks for that link though, I'll definatelly bookmark it in case I fuck up.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 4:13 pm
by tremolo3
Dunlop DVP1/DVP3.
Construction, size and feel are unbeatable. It won't let you win a "pedalboard" contest though.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:16 pm
by frigid midget
ramonovski wrote:Dunlop DVP1/DVP3.
Construction, size and feel are unbeatable. It won't let you win a "pedalboard" contest though.
My board is already as un-ilf as a pedalboard can get anyway. If there's ever a "non boutique cheap ass board" contest...Watch out :)

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:22 pm
by HAVN
Just bought the Mission VM-1, and I like it.

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 1:25 pm
by frigid midget
HAVN wrote:Just bought the Mission VM-1, and I like it.
So what's the sweep like, compared to that of a VP jr?

Re: Ernie Ball VP Jr...Alternatives?

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 4:08 pm
by frigid midget
Bump!

My volume pedal's still kaputz, I can't for the life of me find a european supplier who'll sell me a replacement string.

I spend an hour trying to fix the damn thing using what's left of the broken string, I'm almost ready to throw the motherfucker of a clff :mad: