Best Volume Pedal for Guitar (our top pick)
Ernie Ball VP Jr.
For a cost effective option and multiple impedance versions, the Ernie Ball VP JR is the most popular choice among pros and amateurs alike. Of all volume pedals, it's our best recommendation.

The volume pedal is a simple, one-dimensional piece of guitar gear.
While some of them have added features (like a stereo connection, tuner output or adjustable boost), most of these pedals just control volume.
The technology is simple, which makes picking out the best volume pedals a little trickier.
Are there features that actually matter?
There are, and we'll look at those features while covering a list of the four best volume pedals for guitar, having filtered out everything we don't like or haven't tested ourselves.
Best Volume Pedals for Guitar (top 4 picks)
These are volume pedals we recommend with links (in the orange buttons) to Sweetwater, who we partner with. Shopping through these links helps support Guitar Chalk and no extra cost to you.
VOLUME | Title | Rated | Browse |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Ernie Ball VP JR
| n/a | |
![]() | Morley Volume PLUS
| n/a | |
![]() | Ernie Ball MVP
| n/a | |
![]() | Boss FV-500H
| n/a |
1. Ernie Ball VP JR


The Ernie Ball VP JR is by far one of the most popular volume pedals in existence, and also happens to be one of the most affordable.
You'll note that there is a 25K and 250K version available, which mean a low and high impedance option.
The "feel" of the VP JR foot pedal is a lot smoother than pedals like the Dunlop High Gain. It feels as if it's not letting you push down or roll back too quickly. Cheaper volume pedals can feel a little clunky and haphazard in this regard, but the VP JR does a good job of leading your foot and sort of guiding you into certain positions.
For the basic functionality of a volume pedal, guitar players usually don't look any further than the VP JR, and neither do we.
It's our first recommendation for all musical styles and skill levels.
IDEAL FOR: Smaller pedalboards and budgets
SOUND/TONE
n/a
FEATURES
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BUILD QUALITY
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COST/VALUE
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THE PROS
THE CONS
2. Morley Volume PLUS Volume Pedal


Morley's Volume PLUS is designed to work in both high and low impedance scenarios - which basically means we can use it either in or out of an effects loop.
These pedals are also designed without any pots, in favor of an electro-optical design that's a lot quieter.
The design is similar to the Morley Little Alligator, which used to circulate as another Steve Vai signature pedal.
Morley also adds a minimum volume knob allowing you to go back and forth between two specific points. This is a fantastic feature we don't see with many other volume pedals in this price range.
If the minimum volume setting is something that you'd use frequently (and that you'd prefer over the tuner output), the Volume PLUS should get a ranking bump over the Ernie Ball VP JR.
IDEAL FOR: Budgets, all scenarios
SOUND/TONE
n/a
FEATURES
n/a
BUILD QUALITY
n/a
COST/VALUE
n/a
THE PROS
THE CONS
3. Ernie Ball MVP, Most Valuable Pedal


This iteration of the Ernie Ball volume series adds two notable features to the front control panel: Minimum volume and gain control.
The minimum volume knob functions the same way as the Volume PLUS, allowing you to go back and forth between two distinct volume points at the top and bottom of the pedal's sweep position. The gain knob is basically a boost option. This turns your volume pedal into a signal booster that you can use for solos- making the MVP ideal for live performances.
The MVP retails somewhere around $20 - $30 (more than the VP Jr.), which means we'd only recommend it above that pedal (and the Morley) if you'd use the gain knob and the minimum volume control. Those are performance-friendly features, so folks shopping for a gigging pedalboard might want to invest in the MVP.
IDEAL FOR: Budgets, all scenarios
SOUND/TONE
n/a
EQ/CONTROL
n/a
BUILD QUALITY
n/a
COST/VALUE
n/a
THE PROS
THE CONS
4. Boss FV-500H High Impedance Volume Pedal


Boss's entry into the volume pedal arena is - in our opinion - a successful one, particularly since they offer two variations of the FV-500:
An H and L version for a mono/high impedance connection and a stereo/low impedance connection.
The sweep motion on the pedal is also really smooth - comparable to both the Ernie Ball and Morley offerings. We also like the rubber grip on top of the pedal which gives an additional level of control since the surface isn't completely flat.
The only knock against the FV-500H is the lack of a minimum volume control.
We like the FV-500H (assuming you need the more common high impedance version), for any and all volume control situations.
IDEAL FOR: Budgets, all scenarios
SOUND/TONE
n/a
EQ/CONTROL
n/a
BUILD QUALITY
n/a
COST/VALUE
n/a
THE PROS
THE CONS
What to Look For When Buying
It's true that volume pedals are simple devices, yet there are a few things we should keep an eye out for when buying one. Primarily the strength of the devices is the most important feature to consider, since volume pedals tend to get used a lot and more abuse than your average pedal.
Additionally, you should make note of whether you're buying a mono or stereo volume pedal. Stereo volume pedals allow you to connect two instrument or output to two different sources, while mono volume pedals just have one input and one output.
You should also look to see if it handles expression functionality (can manipulate settings in expression-compatible guitar pedals) and if it has a minimal volume setting, which we've found to be a really helpful feature.
What does a volume pedal do?
Though we've already touched on a volume pedal's basic functionality, we'd summarize by saying that a volume pedal controls output from your guitar or - more properly - you gain. As mentioned above, it can also handle expression duties. In very rare scenarios it can also double as a wah pedal.
Where to Place your Volume Pedal
Strymon has an article that explains this in detail and provides some helpful graphics. For volume pedals, they would be placed near the front of your signal, after compression (if you're using compression) but before wah or filter effects.

Typically a volume pedal will be placed after your compressor, but before all other pedals in a signal chain. Image via Strymon
Here's our own diagram with just compression and wah:

Volume goes after compression, but before any wah, pitch shifting, or filter effects.
Best Way to Use a Volume Pedal
In most cases your volume pedal should connect like any other pedal, with the input coming from your guitar and the output continuing onto your next pedal or amplifier.
Stereo Volume Pedal Connections
The connection for a stereo volume pedal is also simple in that it allows you to plug two instruments into an A and B input or send the signal of one instrument into two A and B outputs.
Here's what it would look like on the 25K Stereo volume pedal from Ernie Ball.

A stereo volume pedal connection diagram showing the functionality of both inputs and outputs.
A setup example would be if you wanted to run the signal from one guitar to two different amps or two different pedal lines. If you're using only one input, you're running a "mono connection."
If you're using both inputs you're running a "stereo connection."
Volume Pedal VS a Guitar Volume Knob
The important thing to understand when you're using either a volume knob or a volume pedal to reduce your signal is that you're technically reducing gain.
The difference between gain and raw volume is the following:
- Gain- Refers to signal levels going into the preamp
- Raw or "Master" Volume- Refers to signal levels going into the power amp
In other words, gain is the signal coming directly from your guitar before it gets to the three-band EQ in your amplifier. In this respect, both a volume knob and volume pedal are controlling the gain, since they're able to reduce signal before it reaches a preamp.
The difference is that volume pedals are easier to control and often have more dynamic features like swell points or "pan" mode.
Conclusion
Have questions about these volume pedals that we didn't address?
Jot it down in the comments section below and we'll see if we can help.
We also love hearing pedal suggestions and recommendations for these types of articles. So if you know of a pedal that you think should make our best volume pedals roundup, let us know about it.
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Written by Bobby on Pedals and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Pedals and Roundups
EQ IS a gain stage. Carry on.