Volume loss, dynamic loss, what can I do?

[Dreamert]

Hi folks,

I was all hyped up and excited to bring a new Mark V home, tried it out with my Strat straight into it at the store...loved it instantly, so rich and deep sounding, so many possibilities.

Brought it home, took all my old pedals out the closet (been playing acoustic for a few years) and connected all that stuff to it, some through the loop some straight through (see below about that) and all of a sudden it sounds like nothing I fell in love with at the store. The guitar's dynamic is about half what it's supposed to be, volume has seen a dramatic decrease as well...very disapointing.

Here is what I have:
Strat (texas specials) -> Crybaby Wah -> Korg Pitchblack tuner -> EB passive Volume pedal -> AMP
Effect send -> Boss Chorus -> Boss DD3 -> Digitech Jamman -> Effect return

My shot on this is that I'm lacking a buffer or booster of some sort in there to minimize signal lost...but I may be wrong.

What do you think I can do.... for now I only use the amp, put it all back in the closet but it saddens me to have all this and not be able to use it with such a great amp...

Help?!

 

[Vogelsong]

So just to be clear, now that all the stuff is back in the closet the amp is fine? If so then I'd have to say yes on a boost, or you have a pedal that is faulty in some way that it is draining more signal than it should be.

 

[MesaGod666]

If your pedals aren't true bypass that would explain a lot.

Try boosting the FX send.

 

[Dreamert]

Yes the amp by itself is fine.

I haven't tried every pedal by itself though. I know the Crybaby sucks a bit of tone but I don't know about the other ones.

The EB VOlume is passive, can't be this one. The Pitchblack tuner is true bypass, that would leave the Bosses...

What kind of pedal provides such a 'boost' ?

 

[SBG200]

I haven't tried every pedal by itself though. I know the Crybaby sucks a bit of tone...

"A bit?" Ya think?? :lol:

The EB VOlume is passive, can't be this one.

Mine was a huge tone suck. Took it out of my chain completely.

...that would leave the Bosses...

Or the fact that you have like 8 patch cables, plus twice that many plugs/jacks of questionable quality in your chain. All that stuff takes its toll. Bosses actually have pretty decent buffers--I wouldn't be so quick to blame them. Ditch the deadwood, esp that volume and wah pedals. You'll hear a difference.

 

[SBG200]

double post

 

[eudaimonia02912]

So, it sounds like your pedals are the culprit. I'd either get some better pedals or try a buffer (e.g., Creation Audio Labs Redeemer).

 

[Dreamert]

Any comment on the RC Boost pedal ? .... small, compact, got an EQ... http://www.xotic.us/effects/rc_booster/ ...

 

[Dreamert]

I wonder, the Boss Compressor/sustainer..... hasn't it got a buffer in it?

What if I put in in front of everything...Guitar -> Boss Compressor -> the rest...

How does that work with a Wah after it, is that against the laws of nature?

 

[BostonRedSox]

Sounds to me like you need to turn your amp UP as well. What cab did you use at the store? That makes a difference too.

 

[MBJunkie]

FWIW.....my suggestion would be to get to know your V for a while without adding any effects.......it is one of few amps that sound great stand alone IMO. You can always add effects later if you so desire. My .02

BTW....yes, I feel that your volume/dynamic loss is pedal/cable related.....and it could be any/all that you mentioned.

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

In short, I would say try and get better pedals, a buffer for your signal chain up front, and use better cables...

 

[Dreamert]

I bought a combo, no cab in play (well original combo box's own to be correct so that hasnt changed).

I'll try to put the compressor up front but it kinda makes no sense to me being in front of a Wah.. :|