BOSS FV-50L Volume Pedal

Name of Product: BOSS FV-50L Volume Pedal
Serial Number: IH83504
Production Date: September 1995
(Production date sourced from Boss Serial Number Decoder)


The FV-50L has worked well for me in terms of controlling the output of a BOSS ME-30 in the late '90s, and more recently; a ZOOM G2. This passive low impedance stereo volume pedal has 2 inputs (1&2) and 3 outputs (1, 2 and Tuner Out); and is meant to be connected after one's effects units. It boasts a 'Minimum Volume' knob that allows one to adjust the minimum volume from 0 - 10. This feature comes in handy when one is using a deep distortion | overdrive sound, and needs to balance the volume with the rest of the band. Sure beats bending over countless times to adjust the volume on a stomp box, or fiddling with the guitar volume knob. By the way, I don't recommend controlling one's distortion | overdrive volume from the guitar itself (unless you have Jerry Garcia's unique stereo setup). This is because a low volume knob setting on the guitar will not produce a signal that is strong enough to drive the input of a stomp box. The end result: a weak, thin and totally unsatisfying distortion | overdrive tone.  

L-R: Tuner Out jack and Minimum Volume knob.

2 input and 2 output jacks.

The rear end of the FV-50L.

The sturdy metal bottom plate of the FV-50L

Faded serial number sticker.

Bottom Plate Unscrewed

Bottom plate removed completely

Input and output jacks.

Rear view of the input and output jacks

Circuit board for the input and output jacks.

Tuner Out jack.

Volume control harness and pot.

Volume control harness circuit board.

Volume control harness circuit board.

Minimum Volume pot and circuit board.

Minimum Volume circuit board.

Minimum Volume pot/circuit board

Minimum Volume circuit board. 

BOSS DI-1 Direct Box

Name of Product: BOSS DI-1 Direct Box
Serial Number: BB 70998
Production Date: August 1990
(Production date sourced from Boss Serial Number Decoder)

Have used this sturdy and dependable direct box since the late '90s as a direct interface between my bass and the mixing board for both recording and live performance. It runs on either a 9V battery or 24-48V phantom power from the board. I usually use an Energizer 9V alkaline battery as most of the boards I've worked with have not been that reliable. The only niggle concerning my DI-1 is when it is in Auto Power On/Off mode. In this mode, if I don't play for around 5 minutes, the DI-1 automatically turns itself off. My battery loves this thoughtful feature. However, when I come back after a break, the first note I play turns the DI-1 back on automatically; along with an annoying audible thump through my bass amp as well as the PA system (if I forget to turn off my channel on the board). It's a hassle, no doubt; but the tonal clarity and otherwise noise-free operation of the DI-1 make it a winner in my book. Enjoy the pics. Please note that any fur seen is from one of my cats or kittens, not me :).

Block diagram of the DI-1 circuit

Clearer view of the DI-1 circuit block diagram. 

Faded serial number sticker.