Boss FV-500-H

I bought this item as it was continually listed as the most solid / reliable of guitar volume pedals. I use it for ambient swells / home recording. First impression of the pedal is that it is very big & heavy & takes up a lot of room on a board. It doesn't require power, which is a plus. It is very easy to use, after a bit of practice. However, about 5-6 months after purchase it began to sound scratchy when engaged - something that showed up clearly on quieter recordings. I sent it for service - good response from Thomann / Boss. I got it back & it worked fine - again, until about 4 months of playing. It's been well taken care of, used indoors etc, but the issue with scratchy pots returned. From what I've researched, it seems difficult to open this pedal / clean it myself. I would recommend investing a bit more for something reliable.