Boss FV-500L expression pedal - range variations

[Schorsch]

Hi,

I've discovered something interesting recently, have got a Boss FV-500L which I use as an expression pedal with my Nord Stages. I had connected it to one of my Stage 3 with a stereo jack cable and found that the range of the pedal was between 3% and 100%, not from 0% to 100%. Connected it to my other Stage 3 and found the same thing.

Then changed the cable to a second one which is exactly the same cable type, same vendor, same order number and everything - I had ordered 2 cables of the same type together. With the second cable the problem disappears, the range is now from 0% to 100% on both my Stage 3. Wondering what the reason could be, maybe variations in cable impedance or something like this?

Probably nothing to be discussed intensively here but I thought I just let you know in case someone has a similar problem and is wondering how to solve it then go and try another cable first if possible.

[maxpiano]

Assuming you didn't accidentally move the pot on teh side of teh FV-500L, then probably the first cable was defective (or its jack not making a good contact with the pedal EXP out), you could measure it with a multi-tester to check if that's the case

[Schorsch]

Hi Max,

no the pot remained unchanged. Have to check the cable with a multimeter, but can likely just check each wire with the ohmmeter which might be digital - connected or not connected. Wouldn't it not work at all if one of the three jack contacts to not connect properly with the EXP out?

[cgrafx]

No, you would want to measure resistance, not Connect/No Connect. I'm sure the cable would show connection, but there is some variation in resistance between the two cables.