Guitar volume reduction pedal

[bowesj]

Hi, I just had to send back an amazon ordered guitar foot switch to boost volume (Nux Drive Core). It did not do what I want properly. What I really want is a guitar foot switch with a varipot and a light. When the light is off the varipot is not engaged and when the light is on the varipot is engaged (in a way it would be better if the light was reversed such that the light being on shows full volume). I want it such that I would set the guitar to full volume at all times and this would be the lead setting. So when I want the quieter rhythm setting I would press the foot switch and it would do the reduction in volume based upon my varipot setting. So in other words the varipot can be turned up full to allow all the guitar signal to come through or it can be turned down to the lowest setting so zero guitar signal comes through. If I can get this without a battery I would forgo the light. If it needs a battery I would want a plug for an ac adapter (I will hate replacing batteries to the point that I will drill a hole in it and use a regulated ac adapter but I would rather not have to do this if I can). Is there a pedal that can do this volume reduction. If not are there any instructions on how to make one.
Thanks, John

[potatofarmer]

Most guitarists approach this from the opposite direction - they want their guitar & amp set all the time for the quiet bits, then step on a pedal to get a volume (and/or distortion) boost for leads. The pedal you just returned looks like it was designed with this in mind.

The simplest solution is to just adjust the volume control on your guitar, and you could wire up a passive volume control in a stomp box fairly easily, but it would just do the same thing.

I have seen people use EQ pedals for this; normal (full) volume with the EQ pedal off, and the EQ sliders set for a small cut. This also gives you the option of shaping the quiet bits a little more, whether you want the quiet bits to sound like an old radio speaker so the full-volume bits sound more hi-fi in comparison, or if you want the quiet bits to be more Fendery with big bass+treble but scooped mids while the full-volume is more Marshally with bigger mids and treble but reduced bass. Or just pull all the sliders down.

[Enzo]

Agree, an EQ pedal makes a nice level shifter. You can use just the level control, switching on and off toggles between level settings, or you can use the Eq aspect too, maybe goosing the mids a little to give solos a bit more body to cut through the mix. Even just shoving all the EQ sliders up - or down - the same amount delivers no tonal change but a level change. And Fish n CHips still sells for under $30 as far as I know.

And I think it has a light too.

[bowesj]

Thanks guys, that is very helpful. I am checking into these Eq pedals now on Amazon. The tone adjust (especially graphically and with a light) sounds useful. Maybe https://www.long-mcquade.com/ has some I could actually try before buying.

[olddawg]

For decades it was all about big volume and distortion. But nowadays it's trying to get the same big sound at bar volume and bar volume is a lot lower than it was in the 80s. I've downsized my gear for most gigs. Usually using a 18-20 watt 2 channel tube amp through a single 12" speaker. After trying clean boosts, a passive footswitch volume control, and a volume pedal in the effects loop, I have found what works best for me at club volume that covers all the bases. An OD pedal and a dirt box on the front end and a foot switchable attenuator on the speaker. The attenuator (I use the 50 watt Weber Mini Mass) is barely on. If I want to get on top of the mix I turn the attenuator off. I modified the attenuator footswitch to have a status LED. This setup gives me a lot of tones and a lot of control at bar volume. And, of course you can still use the guitar controls.

[Enzo]

yeah, not to tangent too hard, but in the 60s we were loud not only because it was cool, but also in those days we had 4 or 6 channel PAs, and those lucky guys with a Shure Vocal Master were the tops. Nothing in the PA but voices, maybe an organ, and I had a small Sure submixer for four drum mics in one PA channel. We had to fill the hall from the guitar and bass amps themselves. Nowdays even beginner bands have 16-24-32 channel mixers with a monitor send or two and several auxes, and instead of that 100 watt PA head, hundreds or even thousands of watts is common. Today you can put everything in the PA mix, get the stage volume way down, and still have extra capacity.

[Mark Hammer]

Here you go:
EHX.com | Signal Pad - Passive Attenuator | Electro-Harmonix

[The Dude]

Enzo,

You reminded me of this (beginning of video). Indeed, in the old days the instrument's sound came off of the stage. Certainly no giant PA rigs like there are today. That's why there were stacks of loud guitar/bass amps back then which are quite unnecessary these days. Many small clubs have larger rigs than were used at stadiums back then. As an example, look at the array of "vocalmaster-like" speakers the Beatles used to play Shea Stadium back in the day. Imagine trying to hear anything over the crowd noise.

[bowesj]

Thanks Mark Hammer for this. I am checking into it right now along with the EQs.
EHX.com | Signal Pad - Passive Attenuator | Electro-Harmonix

[bowesj]

I think I have decided on the Danelectro DJ-14C Fish n Chips 7 Band EQ
Robot Check

It occured to me that a boost would be useful for me and this Passive Attenuator does not have that of course. Also one review said this Attenuator introduced hum where as the Fish n Chips reviews say it is very clean even with boost.
Electro-Harmonix Nano Signal Pad Passive Attenuator
Robot Check

The only negative is the fish n chips is plastic but one reviewer said it is pretty strong and has not broken.

[Enzo]

A lot of things are plastic. How about all those powered PA speakers that every brand makes. I have yet to see one of those cracked. My tool box is plastic, it weighs 50 pounds. I used to fly all over the country with it, and the baggage monkeys at the airlines never broke it.

[Mark Hammer]

The durabiity of plastic enclosures is a function of the thickness of any walls, relative to their area. The small plastic Danelectro boxes are as rigid as rigid can get. They will melt if you hold a heat gun to them, whereas a cast aluminum enclosure won't. BUt how often do you expect to be holding a heat gun to the enclosure?

[bowesj]

Yes the "Danelectro DJ-14C Fish n Chips 7 Band EQ" looks like really thick plastic. I have read a lot of reviews on this box and I have not read anything bad except two people fear the plastic. I will be clicking the button with my foot roughly this amount (360 days a year * maybe 15 songs * 5 times per song) = 27,000 times a year (give or take a few thousand probably). I will let you know if the button finally breaks or the plastic holding the button breaks :-)

[Enzo]

So two people FEAR the plastic will break. How many complained that theirs ACTUALLY BROKE? And the tens of thousands of these that have been sold, any reports of breakage? Or just fear?

[bowesj]

I saw no actual reports of breakage which is why I went ahead and ordered it.