Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $98
Standard/Professional
$60
$161+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Elevate your dynamic range with the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal, a true staple for the discerning musician seeking precision in their play. Crafted with durability and performance in mind, this pedal stands out for its heavy die-cast housing, designed to endure the rigors of the road and the intensity of passionate performances. Unlike its peers, the GCB-80 doesn't just offer volume control; it delivers it with an unparalleled smoothness thanks to its one-million cycle potentiometer. This isn't just any pedal—it's a testament to Dunlop's commitment to quality, ensuring that your sonic expressions are not just heard but felt, without the need for external power. It's a seamless blend of reliability and high fidelity, making it a perfect match for guitarists and bassists alike who seek to push their musical boundaries.
Key Features:
- Heavy die-cast housing for unmatched durability
- One-million cycle potentiometer offers smooth and responsive volume control
- Passive design, eliminating the need for power input
- Ideal for both guitarists and bassists
- Designed for extended use, ensuring longevity and consistent performance
Product specs
| Brand | Dunlop |
| Model | GCB80 High Gain Volume Pedal |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1990 - 2025 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Controller, Expression and Volume Pedals |
| Pedal Format | Standard |
FAQs
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Does the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal require a power supply?
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No, the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal is a passive design, so it does not require a power supply to operate.
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What makes the Dunlop GCB-80 suitable for high gain applications?
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The Dunlop GCB-80 is designed with a one-million cycle potentiometer, providing smooth volume control ideal for high gain settings without signal loss.
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How durable is the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal?
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The Dunlop GCB-80 features a heavy die-cast housing, ensuring durability and reliability for extensive use in live performances and studio settings.
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Can the Dunlop GCB-80 be used with both electric guitar and bass?
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Yes, the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal is versatile and can be used with both electric guitars and basses, offering consistent performance across instruments.
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How does the Dunlop GCB-80 handle signal clarity?
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The passive design of the Dunlop GCB-80 ensures that your signal remains clear and uncolored, maintaining the integrity of your tone throughout its range of motion.
Videos
LeFevers Audio
Worship Pedalboard Walkthrough 2014
Reviews
PROS
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Handles high gain without tone compromise
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Plug and play, easy setup
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Durable, solid construction
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Smooth, responsive rocker platform
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Passive, no power required
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Affordable for a Dunlop product
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Compatible with crowded pedalboards
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Broad sweep of motion for subtlety
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Intuitive taper, no added noise or hiss
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Versatile across the signal path
CONS
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Some units don't go to absolute zero volume
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Limited control between 0% and 50% volume
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Superior control and smoothness found in competitors
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Misleading "Hi Gain" name, no active electronics
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Not completely silent, even when off
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Some experience looser treadle teeth, affecting sweep
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Range limitations with certain guitar effects like fuzz
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal.
Features and functionality
Setup and maintenance
Build quality
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The pedal is noted for its heavy and bulky build, similar to the Crybaby casing.
Source
User experience
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Some users find the pedal's sweep to be flimsy and not ideal for volume swells.
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Some owners report that their GCB-80 silences the signal fully without any modifications.
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Minor adjustments to achieve silence do not significantly lower max volume, according to user feedback.
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After modifying the pedal to include an auxiliary output, users report no significant tone suck, enhancing its utility for various applications.
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Comparisons
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The Ernie Ball VP Jr. is recommended as an alternative with a more natural swell feel, despite some tone suck.
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Mods and upgrades
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To improve durability, consider an active Ernie Ball VP with a Kevlar string to prevent breakage.
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A simple mod involves adjusting where the potentiometer's teeth meet the wheel to ensure full silence in the heel-down position.
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An auxiliary output can be added to the GCB-80 for constant volume use, ideal for tuners, by adding a 1/4" jack with black and red wiring from the circuit board.
Source
3.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 22 Ratings
387
Solid Volume Control
Ok, so I'm not really a player who tinkers a lot with volume. The styles of music I play tend to favor extreme tones, whether it's loud, saturated distortion/fuzz, or heavily layered time and modulation effects. I'm not someone who's going to "roll back the volume knob" to clean up a fuzz or an overdrive, because I just don't play the kind of music where that's particularly desirable. When I use this pedal it's basically for doing swells, or turning the volume down in a live setting between songs. The sweep is good enough for those purposes.
I will say that despite feeling like a brick, the teeth on the treadle got loose from the volume pot on mine, and I had to take it apart and reassemble it to get the full sweep back, so maybe the build quality could be better.
2155
Smooth function, great taper, stays in place, never lets me down.
There are tons of volume pedals out there. I've seen some with marked volume levels, knobs, boosts ... All I really need in a volume pedal is off and on and the taper in-between for swells. This model never really goes completely silent, which is why I've given it 4 stars. But everything else is spot on. Quiet - no line noise - and does NOT color my signal. And yes, I've found other volume pedals that color the signal. Main reason I love this one. Does what it says and no extra surprises.
2065
There are Better Options
Might be that it's just touchy, but I don't enjoy it much. If the pedal is at half, the guitar isn't heard at all through the amp. At full power, it's screaming. This is with the amp volume at 12 O'clock. Might need some work done, but I'm not impressed.
120
Shut up quickly or slowly
This is a volume pedal that does the exact same thing your guitar's volume knob does.
Artist usage
Add artist
"These volume pedals are always on my pedal boards, ever since I was a teenager. Tuner and volume pedal are as essential as having a guitar and an amp for me. It's a quick way to adjust the output level as well as tone on the fly while you’re busy playing and or singing. Also, for me it's a comforting feeling to be able to rest my foot on it near a mic stand to know where I am at all times (as I tend to close my eyes quite a bit while playing shows). All of these pedals have been used on stage and or to record. I never not have one, and they are all signed or drawn on, because I’m silly like that." - Frank
In a photograph of John 5's pedalboard, a Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal is visible next to his wah pedal. Despite the photo's low quality, the word "volume" can be discerned at the top of the pedal, confirming its identity.
In the "Exclusive Steve Hackett Pedalboard Demo" on YouTube, Steve Hackett uses the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal. While it may resemble a Crybaby wah pedal, it functions as a volume pedal in his setup.
Juninho Afram uses the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal, as seen in a user-uploaded photo on Wordpress.
In an interview with GITARRE & BASS, Axel Rudi Pell emphasizes his reliance on traditional stage setups, mentioning his preference for a full sound from amps, monitors, and sidefills, which aligns with his use of the Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal. This setup is integral to his rock 'n' roll performance style, contrasting with the more polished sound of in-ear monitoring systems.
In this GuitarGeek rig diagram, made by Adam Cooper, Brian's rig includes a Dunlop High Gain Volume pedal.
Album Usage
The Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Dunlop GCB-80 High Gain Volume Pedal, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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