The Ernie Ball Volume Pedal is a volume pedal, currently around $99. Close alternatives include the Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer and the Maxon CP-9Pro+. It pairs well with the Park P50 Classic and the Marshall Bluesbreaker.
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Unknown brand · pedal
The Ernie Ball Volume Pedal is a passive volume control pedal known for a smooth, responsive sweep rather than an abrupt on/off taper, making it well suited to gradual volume swells and expressive dynamic control. As a passive design it can add a touch of high-end loss depending on placement in the signal chain, so many players run it early, close to the guitar, to minimize coloration. Its treadle-based control lets players ride volume for clean-up on drive pedals or for swelled, pad-like textures without engaging a separate effect. It suits players who want hands-on real-time control over gain and volume rather than a fixed setting.
What stands out
“the ernie ball volume pedal is a passive volume control pedal known for a smooth”
— from the listing
“responsive sweep”
— from the listing
“[Pros] ✓ Quality construction ensures durability ✓ Quiet operation ✓ Can be calibrated for optimal expression control ✓ Versatile for both volume and expression pedal uses ✓ Smooth action allows for precise volume contro…”
— from the reviews
“It suits players who want hands-on real-time control over gain and volume”
— from the listing
“Its treadle-based control lets players ride volume for clean-up on drive pedals or for swelled, pad-like textures”
— from the listing
- smooth
- responsive
- cleaner sound
- swell
- expression pedal
- quiet
- touch
Good for
- Live
- Worship
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Amps that pair well with the Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Park P50 Classic
Park
24% matchPark P50 Classic leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Marshall Bluesbreaker
Marshall
23% matchMarshall Bluesbreaker leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
ENGL Special Edition E670
Engl
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put ENGL Special Edition E670 after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Ampeg Rocket Watts
Ampeg
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Ampeg Rocket Watts goes after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal in the chain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Hughes & Kettner Coreblade after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Blackstar Unity Bass U250
Blackstar
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Blackstar Unity Bass U250 goes after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal in the chain
Pedals that stack with the Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
J. Rockett Archer Ikon
J Rockett
25% matchJ. Rockett Archer Ikon leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus
Dunlop
23% matchDunlop MXR Distortion Plus's own warm character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Echoplex EP-3
Echoplex
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Echoplex EP-3 after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Ernie Ball Volume Pedal — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Alexander Pedals Now We Are Ghosts Reverb
Alexander Pedals
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Alexander Pedals Now We Are Ghosts Reverb after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Ernie Ball Volume Pedal — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dophix Dante
Dophix
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Dophix Dante goes after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal in the chain
Dunlop MXR Randy Rhoads Concorde Distortion, model RR104C
Dunlop
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Dunlop MXR Randy Rhoads Concorde Distortion, model RR104C after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Wampler Moxie TS10 Tube Screamer Style Mini Overdrive
Wampler
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Wampler Moxie TS10 Tube Screamer Style Mini Overdrive goes after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal in the chain
Dunlop MXR M78 Custom Modified OD, also known as the Bad Ass Modified OD
Dunlop
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Dunlop MXR M78 Custom Modified OD, also known as the Bad Ass Modified OD after Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Boutique & premium upgrades
Morley Mtvbo
Morley
66% similarityShared character: volume control, lead
Morley 20/20 Volume Plus
Morley
56% similarityShared character: volume control, durable construction, smooth
Origin Effects SlideRIG Compact Deluxe
Origin Effects
42% similarityShared character: signal chain
Similar character
See all alternatives to the Ernie Ball Volume Pedal (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ernie Ball Volume Pedal?+
The closest matches in character are the Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer, the Maxon CP-9Pro+, the Keeley Bassist. Boutique upgrades: Morley Mtvbo, Morley 20/20 Volume Plus, Origin Effects SlideRIG Compact Deluxe.
What pairs well with the Ernie Ball Volume Pedal?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Park P50 Classic, Marshall Bluesbreaker, Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head — Park P50 Classic leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.
How much does the Ernie Ball Volume Pedal cost?+
Around $99 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).