Volume Pedals for Guitar and Pedal Steel – How They Work and Why They Matter

A volume pedal is one of the most powerful tools for shaping tone, dynamics, and expression. At Goodrich Sound, we’ve been building professional volume pedals since 1965—trusted by pedal steel and guitar players for smooth response, durability, and tone preservation on stage and in the studio.

Explore our volume pedals or see how players use them on stage.

How Goodrich Pedals Are Built

At Goodrich Sound, every pedal is built the same way it has been for generations—by hand, with attention to every detail that affects feel and tone. Each chassis is hand-drilled, tapped, and sanded to ensure a precise fit and smooth operation. Our raw castings come from a trusted foundry in Ohio that we’ve worked with since 1965, and all finishing is done locally to maintain consistent quality from start to finish.

Each pedal is finished with a high-quality, professionally applied powder coat designed for durability and long-term stage use. This finish resists wear, corrosion, and everyday abuse while maintaining the clean, classic look Goodrich pedals are known for—built to hold up night after night under real playing conditions.

We use only top-tier components throughout, including premium Switchcraft jacks and a custom-made string actuator built to our exact specifications. That string—constructed from seven braids of stranded nylon and treated in a specialized curing process—is a key part of the smooth, reliable response players expect from a Goodrich pedal. We continue to use the finest potentiometers available, and we’re currently working with a major manufacturer to bring our own custom pots back into production.

Every pedal is assembled, tested, and dialed in by hand—and before it leaves, it goes underfoot to make sure it feels right. That hands-on process is what gives a Goodrich pedal its consistency, reliability, and unmistakable response.

What Is a Volume Pedal for Guitar?

A volume pedal for guitar is one of the most powerful tools for shaping tone, dynamics, and expression. While it may look simple, it gives players real-time control over their sound—letting you swell into notes, smooth out transitions, and control your overall level without touching your amp or guitar knobs.

Used correctly, a volume pedal becomes part of your playing. It can clean up an overdriven tone, add sustain to leads, and bring a more vocal, expressive quality to your phrasing. From country and blues to ambient and rock, guitar players rely on a responsive volume pedal that feels natural underfoot and preserves their tone.

Players like Doug Pettibone, Greg Leisz, Pete Anderson, John McFee, Nils Lofgren, and Dean Parks have all used volume pedals as part of their core sound—proving how essential this tool is at the highest level of playing.

The Evolution of the Guitar Volume Pedal

Early volume pedals were basic foot-controlled devices, but they often came with trade-offs—tone loss, noise, and uneven response. For guitar players, that meant sacrificing clarity and consistency, especially in live settings.

As players demanded more control and better tone, the need grew for a volume pedal that could:

Maintain the integrity of the guitar signal
Operate quietly and reliably
Deliver a smooth, predictable sweep

That evolution helped turn the volume pedal from a simple accessory into a true musical tool—something players like John McFee and Dean Parks have relied on for decades across studio sessions and live performance.

How Goodrich Helped Shape the Modern Volume Pedal

Since 1965, Goodrich Sound has been at the forefront of volume pedal design, working closely with serious players to refine performance and feel. While deeply rooted in pedal steel, Goodrich pedals quickly found their way into the hands of guitar players who needed the same level of control and reliability.

Respected musicians such as Greg Leisz, Nils Lofgren, and Doug Pettibone have gravitated toward gear that stays out of the way and lets the instrument speak naturally—exactly the philosophy behind Goodrich design.

Known for their smooth action, low noise, and minimal signal loss, Goodrich pedals set a standard that translates perfectly to guitar. The result is a volume pedal that responds naturally to your foot and stays transparent to your tone—exactly what guitar players demand.

The Volume Pedal Today – Trusted by Generations of Players

Today, Goodrich volume pedals are used by guitar players who value tone, control, and consistency—from working musicians to world-class professionals.

Whether on stage or in the studio, they offer:

Smooth, musical volume control
Reliable performance night after night
A natural feel that becomes part of your playing
Tone preservation without unwanted coloration

From the nuanced phrasing of Doug Pettibone to the expressive control of Dean Parks and the atmospheric textures of Nils Lofgren, the volume pedal continues to be a defining part of modern guitar expression.

Built for players who hear the difference, Goodrich pedals carry forward a legacy of precision, durability, and tone—trusted by generations of musicians.

Explore the Goodrich Product Line

Since 1965, Goodrich Sound has built volume pedals and tone tools trusted by generations of pedal steel and guitar players. From classic passive volume pedals to advanced active designs, every Goodrich product is built for smooth control, dependable stage use, and natural tone preservation. Explore some of our most popular pedals and electronics below.