A Neophyte's Question About Volume/Effects Pedals

Larry Carlson · From: My Computer

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Hi guys,

I have a question which will display my lack of knowledge so please don't go "Oh my God what a maroon."
I am well aware of being a maroon and I have searched everywhere but could not find an answer.

I played acoustic guitar for a few decades so I have no experience with volume pedals or effects pedals.
I am now a couple of years into lap steel. Having a great time.
I just bought a couple of effects pedals, one being a Boss SD-1.

I have two volume pedals.
1. A Boss FV500H which is passive.
2. A Lehle Mono 90 which is active.
Both pedals behave the same when hooked up as described below.

My problem/question is:

1. If I plug the guitar into the volume pedal, volume pedal to the effects pedal and then effects pedal to the amp
I get nothing. No sound, no hum.......nothing.

2. If I plug the guitar into the effects pedal, the effects pedal to the volume pedal and then volume pedal to the amp it works as it should.

My logic told me the first method should work, which it does not and I do not understand why.
I know I'm missing something obvious. I have read that folks will put their volume pedal almost anywhere
in the chain but they never explain why or how it works. I have read that some use more than one volume pedal when using a pedal board.
Mine only works with the way I explained it in the second example.
Would someone mind helping me understand what is going on please?
I am confused and my head hurts.

Thanks for any help and have a good day
_________________
I have stuff.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying.

Bill Sinclair · From: Waynesboro, PA, USA

Usually when I get nothing at all out of a pedal, it's because I've hooked up the inputs and outputs backwards.

Barry Coker · From: Bagley Alabama, USA

You might want to start by checking your cables. I recently had a problem with a Boss DD-3 Delay and I thought the pedal was bad. Then a few weeks later I was trying another setup and the DD-3 Worked I got to checking and found I had a stereo cable mixed in with my regular cables I started measuring and noticed that some of the newer Chinese 1/4" plugs were not uniform in size and one of those was the problem with my pedal. So start with volume pedal only and add 1 at a time different cables just to see.

Good Luck Barry

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

The sequence alone doesn't cause signal to pass or not pass. There is likely some information missing - can you post a couple of pictures of the pedals, cables and amp? Also name the specific jacks you are connecting to.

The DD-3 has an input, output and "direct out". Which are used when connecting in which sequence could be the issue, but knowing how *you* connect things is what's important.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Larry Carlson · From: My Computer

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Ok......first, thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.
Second.....I just may be a maroon.

I went back this morning and started all over using different patch cables etc.
After 437 different variations in cables I got it to work the way I thought it should.
That is; guitar to volume pedal to effects pedal to amp.

So it appears I have at least two bad cables.
Which I guess is my fault as most of them are at least 10 years old.
So I'm going out tomorrow and buying some good quality cables and toss out this old rats nest I have here.
Sorry for the stupid question. I was really getting frustrated and close to taking up the piano.

Thanks again folks and have a good day.

And yes........

_________________
I have stuff.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying.

Barry Coker · From: Bagley Alabama, USA

I'm glad you figured it out a simple V/O meter can be a life saver when checking cables and can save you a lot of time, Money and confusion. A 10 year old cable can be fine and a brand new one can be bad.

Good luck again Barry

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

FWIW, I suggest you invest in George L. Cables. Some music stores have them or you can get from Bill Ferguson here on the forum.

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