Line 6 M9: Substitutes for EX-1 Pedal?

[FenderGuy53]

I did it, guys!

I just ordered a Line 6 M9 Stompbox Modeler, after having spent some face time with one last weekend.

I have already read that the recommended EX-1 Expression Pedal is prone to early failure. What are some worthy substitutes for the Line 6 EX-1 pedal?

Thanks for any help.

[alexpigment]

Congrats!

I haven't had any first hand experience but a lot of people swear by the Ernie Ball VP Jr 25k (the 25k version is important).

[callaway]

I've used an EX-1 for a year and a half with no problems. But for a complete list, check out this thread on the Line 6 forums:
http://line6.com/community/message/29334#29334

Scroll a couple of threads down and find the list someone posted. They copied the list from a thread on the old forum... I wish that old thread still existed. People were posting confirmation of whether or not different expression pedals worked.

[getbent]

you can use an Ernie Ball Jr 25k

[FenderGuy53]

Guys, can the Ernie Ball VP Jr 25k be used as a volume AND expression pedal?

[FenderGuy53]

Originally Posted by callaway

I've used an EX-1 for a year and a half with no problems.

First of all, Jack, that's a good link that you posted. Thanks.

Regarding your success with the EX-1, what's your secret? From the little that I've read, you seem to be in the minority on this one. Maybe it's because you're easy on your gear?

The EX-1 may be worth a try - I found a retailer who sells it for $42.95.

My second choice would be the Ernie Ball VP Jr 25k - I found another retailer who sells it for $71.94, with free shipping.

Thanks, Jack.

[vjf1968]

Originally Posted by FenderGuy53

Guys, can the Ernie Ball VP Jr 25k be used as a volume AND expression pedal?

I think that all depends on how you assign it via the M9.

[alexpigment]

Originally Posted by FenderGuy53

Regarding your success with the EX-1, what's your secret? From the little that I've read, you seem to be in the minority on this one. Maybe it's because you're easy on your gear?

The EX-1 may be worth a try - I found a retailer who sells it for $42.95.

I know this isn't directed at me, but I figured I'd chime in on my thoughts on the EX-1. I have one that I'm using on permanent loan from my girlfriend, but I really do hate it. It's not broken nor has it failed to function, although it does feel cheap and breakable. More importantly, I feel like the heel position is too far back. As a result, it's very hard for me to use something like a wah and actually take full potential of it - I can only comfortably access like 75% or less of the range. I'm just waiting for an ernie ball pedal to show up locally.

[Faraldi]

Originally Posted by getbent

you can use an Ernie Ball Jr 25k

+1 I've been GASsing for one of the Jr's for a while and should be pulling the trig pretty soon. GB do you have one?

And congrats on a great choice FenderGuy53!!! You're gonna love it!

[zombuswoof]

Mission Engineering makes an indestructable expression pedal for Line 6 gear. I have two and couldn't be happier with the quality.

[FenderGuy53]

Originally Posted by Faraldi

+1 I've been GASsing for one of the Jr's for a while and should be pulling the trig pretty soon. GB do you have one?

And congrats on a great choice FenderGuy53!!! You're gonna love it!

Thanks, Faraldi. Hopefully, the M9 will be here mid-week and I'll be able to start experimenting with it.

Regarding the volume pedal, earlier today I received a email quote from Music123, beating my best price by a few dollars - $68 for the Ernie Ball VP Jr 25k.

The EB seems to be a popular replacement, so I may spring the extra $$$ for it, but I'm waiting to see if Music123 can beat the best price of $42.95 for the EX-1.

[FenderGuy53]

Originally Posted by zombuswoof

Mission Engineering makes an indestructable expression pedal for Line 6 gear. I have two and couldn't be happier with the quality.

Yep, saw them mentioned, too. It's just that $105 is too rich for me right now.

[callaway]

I am easy on my gear, so maybe I'm not a good reference. I'd have likely bought another one if I didn't get the EX-1 free to begin with. (Periodically, Line 6 has run a deal to get a free one in the mail after buying an M13 or M9.) Although there are lots of guys on the Line 6 forum saying they also find the EX-1 surprisingly reliable. Shoot, that old Boss volume pedal is plastic and people swear by those things.

The things I like about the EX-1:
1. I got it for free. Even for $43, I might consider it. Normal price of $65 or so and I think I'd pay more for an Ernie Ball or something.
2. It's very compact.

Things I don't like:
1. Well, really the only thing is that it has a very light resistance. If I had my way, I'd have an expression/volume pedal with a pretty heavy resistance.

Oh, I don't know of any pedal that you can use as both volume and expression. Fender (I think) made some funky effects a few years ago where they had a rocking and a swiveling motion, allowing you to control two parameters at once. But there's no standard expression/volume pedal out there that will let you do both simultaneously.

[FenderGuy53]

Originally Posted by callaway

I am easy on my gear, so maybe I'm not a good reference. Although there are lots of guys on the Line 6 forum saying they also find the EX-1 surprisingly reliable.

Me, too.

Originally Posted by callaway

The things I like about the EX-1:
1. I got it for free. Even for $43, I might consider it. Normal price of $65 or so and I think I'd pay more for an Ernie Ball or something.
2. It's very compact.

If Music123 comes back with a price beater under $42 for the EX-1, then I may chance it; otherwise, I'll take the EB VP Jr 25K @ $68.

Thanks, Jack.

[getbent]

Originally Posted by Faraldi

+1 I've been GASsing for one of the Jr's for a while and should be pulling the trig pretty soon. GB do you have one?

And congrats on a great choice FenderGuy53!!! You're gonna love it!

yes. but I only use it as a volume pedal.

our fiddle player and rhythm guy also have eb's and like them.

I prefer my goodrich, but don't use either very much... I don't use an expression or volume pedal for gigging... no explanation for it.. just don't.

[FenderGuy53]

Originally Posted by getbent

I prefer my goodrich, but don't use either very much... I don't use an expression or volume pedal for gigging... no explanation for it.. just don't.

In researching the Ernie Ball VP Jr 25K pedal, I watched a YouTube video regarding how to install the repair kit for the pedal. The kit consists of two pieces of varying length string and a small spring! The string is used to hold the pedal in place and to rotate a pulley. Anyway, I don't know much about all of this, but it just doesn't seem to be a very good system to me. My Artec Power Wah with its Magnetic Field Sensing System seemed better built than the EB - and costs half the price!

I'm like you, getbent. I don't use a pedal much at all.

I think I'll just stick with the M9 for now...

[alexpigment]

FenderGuy,

I'm also in the "don't use an expression pedal that much" camp. As I mentioned earlier, I have one on permanent loan from my girlfriend and that's pretty much the reason I have one. I'd like to upgrade to the EB, but I haven't yet because I just don't use it enough. If I saw one locally for a good price, I might consider the upgrade.

On the other hand, you can do wonders with a footswitch serving as an expression pedal. Here's a video from a guy who builds them:



I happen to have an amp footswitch that works for the same purpose, but I know that not all of them do, and this guy can probably build one that better suits your needs for pretty cheap.

[getbent]

Originally Posted by Faraldi

+1 I've been GASsing for one of the Jr's for a while and should be pulling the trig pretty soon. GB do you have one?

And congrats on a great choice FenderGuy53!!! You're gonna love it!

Originally Posted by FenderGuy53

In researching the Ernie Ball VP Jr 25K pedal, I watched a YouTube video regarding how to install the repair kit for the pedal. The kit consists of two pieces of varying length string and a small spring! The string is used to hold the pedal in place and to rotate a pulley. Anyway, I don't know much about all of this, but it just doesn't seem to be a very good system to me. My Artec Power Wah with its Magnetic Field Sensing System seemed better built than the EB - and costs half the price!

I'm like you, getbent. I don't use a pedal much at all.

I think the EB pedals are really reliable. My goodrich has been repaired a few times over the years (easy)... I have been learning (kind of) pedal steel for awhile and that is mostly what I use a vp for and if I have a job where I need my acoustic... my larrivee doesn't have a volume control... so, I need a vp.