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Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal

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Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal

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$89.99 to $111.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (249)

26 Reviews

All time low price

Find out who is using Ernie Ball VP JR.

45 community setups

Featured in

Best Volume Pedals: Turn It Up

94 wishlisted

629 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 7, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.0 (66)

$99.99

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4.0 (36)

$99.99 $99.00 $0.99 · All time low

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4.6 (965)

$99.00 New

$90.09 Used (Like New)

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5.0 (126)

$89.99 77 available New

$24.30 96 available Used

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4.0 (78)

$99.99 $99.00 $0.99 · All time low

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5.0 (1)

$109.99

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4.7 (493)

$111.00

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£109.75

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Average Price: $92

Standard/Professional

$60

$161+

Price Tier

In the Volume Effects Pedals category, Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Ernie Ball VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal: An Essential Expression Tool for Every Musician

Meet the Ernie Ball VP Jr. Passive Volume Pedal, a compact yet potent expression tool that offers dynamic control at your feet. This pedal is expertly crafted to handle passive signals, providing consistent volume control and smooth transitions, ideal for creating dramatic swell effects or subtle volume shifts.

A standout feature of the VP Jr. Passive Volume Pedal is its internal Micro Taper switch. This easily accessible switch offers two distinct volume swell rates for maximum control and expressiveness. Choose between a faster swell rate for pedal steel-like effects or a slower rate for subtle volume shifts as per your performance needs.

The VP Jr. Passive Volume Pedal is not just about flexibility and control; it's also about durability. With its robust construction featuring aircraft-grade aluminum housing and a stainless steel pivot shaft, this pedal is virtually indestructible, ensuring it can withstand the rigours of regular gigging.

At the heart of this pedal is a 250k potentiometer, ideally suited for passive pickup signals. This ensures your natural tone comes through clear and unchanged, regardless of how aggressively you work the pedal. The pot is connected to the rocker pedal via a durable Kevlar cable and stainless steel springs, making for a rugged yet responsive design.

Key Features:

Expertly voiced for passive signals, providing smooth and consistent volume control
Internal Micro Taper switch offering two distinct volume swell rates for maximum control and expressiveness
Robust construction featuring aircraft-grade aluminum housing and a stainless steel pivot shaft
Equipped with a 250k potentiometer ideally suited for passive pickup signals
Durable Kevlar cable and stainless steel springs connecting the pot to the rocker pedal
Silent tuner output for quiet onstage adjustments
Compact design to fit comfortably on even the most packed pedalboards

Product specs

Height	2.4"
Width	3.5"
Depth	10"
Weight	2 lbs.

FAQs

Is the Ernie Ball VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal suitable for use with passive electronics?: Yes, the Ernie Ball VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal is designed specifically for passive electronics, making it ideal for guitars with passive pickups.
How does the Ernie Ball VP JR. compare to the full-sized Ernie Ball Volume Pedal?: The Ernie Ball VP JR. is a more compact version, offering the same functionality in a smaller footprint, which is ideal for pedalboards with limited space.
Can the Ernie Ball VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal be used as an expression pedal?: Yes, the Ernie Ball VP JR. can be used as an expression pedal with the appropriate cable and compatible gear, allowing for versatile control over effects parameters.
What is the impedance rating of the Ernie Ball VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal?: The Ernie Ball VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal has a 250K impedance, which is optimal for use with passive guitar electronics.
Does the Ernie Ball VP JR. require any power supply to operate?: No, the Ernie Ball VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal does not require any external power supply as it is a passive pedal.

Videos

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YourGuitarSage

Ernie Ball VP Jr. Volume Pedal - Gear Review

YourGuitarSage

Ernie Ball VP Jr. Passive Volume Pedal | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Ernie Ball VP Jr Lifetime String Instalation

shnobel

Ernie Ball VP JR Tuner - Demo

Guitar World

Ernie Ball VP Jr Review and Demo

Groundbreak Creative

Reviews

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PROS

Smooth action with adjustable resistance
Passive operation; no power required
Versatile for both guitar and steel guitar
Durable build, described as "built like a tank"
Transparent tone; minimal quality loss
Features an internal switch to change volume sweep
Useful for swells and dynamic volume control
Comes with durable cables as a bonus
Can be used as an expression pedal
Equipped with a tuner out for convenience

CONS

Some users report tone loss, especially without mods
Occasional noise issues, particularly when using the tuner port
Potentiometer and string may have a limited lifespan
Some reports of sudden volume jumps or drops
String mechanism considered outdated by some

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR. Passive Volume Pedal.

Features and functionality

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Some owners use the VP Jr. between drives and modulation to mute output and prevent buzz without using an effects loop.
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Using a TRS splitter allows the VP Jr. to function as an expression pedal, but compatibility with specific gear should be verified, as it may not work with all pedals.
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The passive VP Jr. does not require a power source, unlike the active version, which includes features such as a clean boost and minimum heel adjustment.
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Mods and upgrades

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The ZepplinDesigns kit eliminates string issues and allows for a boost adjustment, enhancing pedal functionality.
Source
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A Kevlar string upgrade from Shnobletone is recommended for durability and is considered worth the investment.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The VP Jr. is particularly beneficial for achieving swells in solos, like “La Villa Strangiato,” without relying on the guitar volume knob.
Source
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It can be creatively used after effects like pitchfork, envelope filter, and bit crusher for unique soundscapes or video game sounds.
Source
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For ambient swells, the passive VP Jr. is deemed suitable, especially in setups that include a buffer pedal like the Boss TU-3 tuner.
Source

Other

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The pedal can function as a splitter using the tuner out, although only one side is affected by volume adjustments.
Source

Comparisons

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The Dunlop DVP4 is suggested as a better alternative for combining expression and volume functions, though it requires getting used to its smaller sweep.
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The active VP Jr., unlike the passive version, offers additional functionalities like a clean boost, making it more versatile for users needing extra signal enhancements.
Source

Software and compatibility

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It's noted that not all pedals are compatible with expression functions due to varying ohm ranges and design differences, such as Line 6's TS and Source Audio's TRRS requirements.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Placing the passive VP Jr. between phaser and delay pedals is recommended for maintaining tone with minimal signal loss, particularly in buffered setups.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 26 Reviews and 249 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

liam_thomas

234

over 11 years ago

Simple as you'd expect, nice and reliable

You shouldn't ever expect much from a volume pedal, ultimately you should never really think about it too much either! The VP JR is great for a reliable piece of equipment to easily take for granted. Being passive there's next to nothing to go wrong, and being a simple mechanical operation it's easy to fix if it ever did break.

Having the internal switch to change the shape of the volume sweep is nice as well. For those who don't know what I mean, you can have it to either increase in a linear fashion, or flick the switch so that at first the volume increases very little and then a lot faster when the top is pushed further down.

I like it, it hasn't broken yet, that's good.

jacobhoekwater

485

10 years ago over 10 years ago

Thanks for the review! had no clue about that switch!

ryanbisson

282

almost 5 years ago

It’s fine.

It’s nothing crazy: not the smoothest or most sensitive taper but it gets the job done. After 8 years or so the pot in mine has finally said enough is enough. I’ll be replacing it soon, but probably not with a other Jr.

nils813

552

over 10 years ago

4 stars because it isn't powered, which would be nice

It does the job well, especially considering its the junior. It would be nice if it were powered, but that could be fixed by buying the JHS modded version, which my buddy got, and he loves it. Perfect for swells and any transitional changes of volume.

ryanrbrown

141

over 9 years ago

Solid pedal and pretty reliable!

I've had this one for a long time (who hasn't) and it has yet to fail me! Every once in a while the volume will have a jump from nothing to about 30%, but every time that has happened I just fiddle with the spring a little bit and it has fixed the problem. I love to use it to create swells and ambient sort of sounds and the volume has a very nice even rise. Definitely a staple in my board!

michaelbenson

120

over 11 years ago

Great Pedal

I know a lot of people have issues with these because of tone suck or the string breaking, but the string is an easy fix, and as long as you're smart with placement and buffering, the tone suck isn't a problem at all. It does what it needs to do, and it does it well. I've had mine for two years with no issues.

codywellons

124

over 6 years ago

Great pedal but not the strongest around

Works great most of the time, but doesn't have the longest lifespan. Had one go out after only a couple of years of use. Haven't found a better option to replace it with however and my new one is still going strong after a few years so hopefully something improved.

seedystrums

896

about 5 years ago

Fantastic Volume Pedal

Smooth foot action. Little to no quality of tone lost when run through this pedal! Overall, a fantastic pedal!

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Alternative rock Indie rock Soft rock

noah_quiles

142

over 9 years ago

Easy, simple, and effective

The VP Jr. is a well-known volume pedal among guitarists, mostly for being one of the cheaper options while remaining reliable. While it's not the best, nor is it particularly preferred over other volume pedals for things like swells, manual tremolo, etc., the VP Jr. is the best option for beginner guitarists who are learning the art of creating pedalboards.

travis_shallow

over 10 years ago

Used it for ten years and love it. (Other than having yo replace the Kevlar string once a year when it breaks)

Other than the string breaking inside the volume pedal every year and having to replace it, which is cheap, (it only cost five dollars for the string and you can put it on yourself), the volume pedal is a standard and my acoustic and my electric shows.

andris_gabor

319

about 7 years ago

Classic volume pedal

It looks good, lot of pros use it, it does the job pretty well. My only complaint is the string technology... Isn't it a bit too old school and unreliable?

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Folk, World, & Country Blues