Ernie Ball Volume Pedal (Large one)

[Mars Amp Repair]

Hello f'olks,
I wonder if anyone has had the issue replacing the strings on these pedals that way I have. I actually recall doing one of these years ago without the hassle I've had this time. First of all I confirmed I didn't have the string for their JR pedal. I procured the string from the Ernie Ball site.
Once I got front string wound around the vol pulley as prescribed & the front string attached to the spring from the rear string, there was no freaking way I could get the string to reach around the front pulley, unless I stretched the spring ridiculous amount that frankly I felt would cause premature wear of the string. (see attached pic with solution).
Perhaps that is actually how they want it, but I just got tired of futzing around with the thing & added a 5mm link to the spring & resolved my issue.
From the angle of the pic, it doesn't look like the spring is stretched all that much, but from a side angle, it is stretched about the amount you would expect for adequate tension.
Any comments of course appreciated.
glen

[nevetslab]

I've had to maintain the collection of Ernie Ball VP Jr's as well as the full size Ernie Ball VP. AND YES, they ARE a MAJOR PITA to deal with. Over the years, I've made my own tools from 12AWG Electrical House Wire, which is stiff enough to work with, forming a hook at one end and a handle at the other. I think I was purchasing the fresh Loop strings for both the VP and the VP Jr., along with replacement Springs. I have also played with making my own strings from Lacing Cord (used in cable harnessing rather than using cable ties), and while those have been made to work they don't work as well as the original string loops purchased from Ernie Ball or distributors for them. (Strings by Mail was one such source. I'll have to dig into my receipts to see if I have the contact info).

Like anything, these pedals require re-learning the art of dissection of these very cool and frustratingly complex pedals that work VERY WELL once all of the hardware and pots and springs and loop strings are wound and set up. When years go by between servicing them, I have to relearn it again, though it all comes back to me. I've been repairing these for CenterStaging, LLC in Burbank, CA since 2010. What I don't have is photos of my attempts and service procedures. Mostly due to not having some head-worn camera to see what my eyes are seeing while trying repeatedly to hook the spring onto the string without losing the tight rap around the pulley.

I do have a few schematics along with the Cord Spring Kit Directions that I've gathered in my Ernie Ball file:

cord_spring_kit_directions_03-17-04.pdf

po6166_vp_mono_250k_1987-06-29.pdf

po6166_vp_mono_250k_with_taper_pot_1979-01-03.pdf

po6166_vp_mono_250k_with_taper_switch_1997-08-20.pdf

po6165_vp_stereo-pan_500k_with_trim_pot_1985-01-22.pdf

[Mars Amp Repair]

Thanx, Nevetslab.
I actually have a couple of spring hooks, however as you put it, PITA! I do wonder if slightly less tension on the system will cause it to not wear so quickly, or if it will cause it to slip prematurely...Perhaps I'll find out.
Thanx again for the diagrams. They are duly stored on my schemo thumb drive for 'Posterior' sake (:- )
Glen

[Mick Bailey]

The first few times I restrung these pedals I never had any difficulty at all. I had a few where owners had tried to restring them and gave up, but I could never see why anyone would have a problem in doing this. I could almost do them blindfold. I then went maybe three years before seeing another. The owner bought it along with a packet of genuine strings and I really did break out in a sweat trying to restring it. I think I spent about an hour or more trying to figure it out. I convinced myself that the only reason was that the strings must be slightly shorter than they used to be. Or maybe it's just me.......

[Mars Amp Repair]

The first few times I restrung these pedals I never had any difficulty at all. I had a few where owners had tried to restring them and gave up, but I could never see why anyone would have a problem in doing this. I could almost do them blindfold. I then went maybe three years before seeing another. The owner bought it along with a packet of genuine strings and I really did break out in a sweat trying to restring it. I think I spent about an hour or more trying to figure it out. I convinced myself that the only reason was that the strings must be slightly shorter than they used to be. Or maybe it's just me.......

Hello Mick,
Your 2nd point must have been what I ran into with the original strings from Ernie Ball. I'm telling ya, at the last step where you pull the front spring to get it on that front pulley, I would have had to stretch that spring way past the point of being reasonable as well as its final resting point would have been WAYY too much tension on the entire system.
I'm now satisfied that there was an issue with the string length. As I mentioned in original post, I had done this before about 10yrs ago, and I don't recall having any issue just as you mentioned. Perhaps that replacement string set came from a non-OEM source. Been too long ago to recall.
Thanx for the info....glen

[nevetslab]

Hello Mick,
Your 2nd point must have been what I ran into with the original strings from Ernie Ball. I'm telling ya, at the last step where you pull the front spring to get it on that front pulley, I would have had to stretch that spring way past the point of being reasonable as well as its final resting point would have been WAYY too much tension on the entire system.
I'm now satisfied that there was an issue with the string length. As I mentioned in original post, I had done this before about 10yrs ago, and I don't recall having any issue just as you mentioned. Perhaps that replacement string set came from a non-OEM source. Been too long ago to recall.
Thanx for the info....glen

There ARE two sizes of those loop strings. That for the Ernie Ball VP and the Ernie Ball VP Jr ARE two different sizes. Springs remain the same, as I recall.

I looked to find my Ernie Ball VP and VP Jr loop strings and such, and only found used loop strings that I believe are from the VP model. I had one shorter loop string that I see was one of my make-shift loop strings using White Lacing Cord (used in wire harness work), and some larger-sized ferules (all I could find at a local surplus hardware store). Also found two springs that don't look like those used in the Ernie Ball pedals. No new unopened packages from Ernie Ball, so going from memory.

I did take photos of the two originals, being worn, and three others that i cobbled together. I'd have to either order more parts, and/or go fetch both the VP pedal and the VP Jr pedal and pull them apart to get the details.



So much for fresh memory of these machines. Sorry about having the scale backwards.

[nevetslab]

I just found this information on Cord & Spring Kit - Full Size Volume Pedal (ernieball.com) and Cord & Spring Kit for Volume Pedal Jr. (ernieball.com):

in the comments regarding the kit being sold for $3.99, it states: *NOTE* This kit will NOT fit a standard size Ernie Ball volume pedal. For a string and spring kit for models 6165, 6166, 6167, or 6168, click here.

selecting that 'Click Here' on the website, takes you to the larger size Loop Strings for the larger pedal.

Clicking on the two Cord and Spring Kits DO take you to the Ernieball.com website to order the replacement Loop Strings and spring for the two size pedals.

[Mars Amp Repair]

I just found this information on Cord & Spring Kit - Full Size Volume Pedal (ernieball.com) and Cord & Spring Kit for Volume Pedal Jr. (ernieball.com):

in the comments regarding the kit being sold for $3.99, it states: *NOTE* This kit will NOT fit a standard size Ernie Ball volume pedal. For a string and spring kit for models 6165, 6166, 6167, or 6168, click here.

selecting that 'Click Here' on the website, takes you to the larger size Loop Strings for the larger pedal.

Clicking on the two Cord and Spring Kits DO take you to the Ernieball.com website to order the replacement Loop Strings and spring for the two size pedals.

OOPS ! I guess that explains it all. Thanx Nevetslab for the pix & information!!

[nevetslab]

This just inspired me to order two kits of each size so I have fresh parts for the next time either pedal shows up for repairs here at CenterStaging LLC Burbank,CA

[Marrk]

Great pedal. I recently used a crochet hook to connect the string mechanism. It made the job much easier.

[Mars Amp Repair]

Great pedal. I recently used a crochet hook to connect the string mechanism. It made the job much easier.

Yeah, great idea. Throughout the years I've also been cajoled, kicked, & dragged into Joanne's Fabrics! As techs the only solace in there is to gravitate to the most familiar stuff in that store...THE GADGETS