looking for a decent (not hard core) pedalboard

[GONZO-X]

i'm not gigging, this is more for convenience in the studio....
i need space for about 4 pedals and a wah....
possibly a wah and a volume pedal, and 3 pedals...
either way...
any suggestions?
thanks!

 

[Creamyapples1]

I've been looking for one myself, but I'm having a hard time paying what everyone is wanting for one. I decided that I'm going to just build me one.

I'm thinking 3ft wide, 14, maybe 15-16 inches deep on a 3/4 thick board. With a 3ft long 1 inch square piece to put along the top side to angle the board forward. Cover the whole thing with the type of carpet they use for speakers. I'm even planning so far as to map out where the pedals are going and pre-drilling holes in the board before I put the carpet on, then cutting an X in the carpet where the holes are so I can feed the cables through the bottom and up to the pedals so it looks all nice and neat. I'm hoping to get started this weekend, I'll post pics if I get a chance.



Edit - added the layout

Leaves some room to expand if desired, can be scaled up for larger setups, or down for smaller. I'd attach the pedals using velcro strips unless I think of something better before hand.

 

[metalhead28]

I've seen some fairly nice pedal boards but they were the very expensive ones. I've always built my own (which used to be pretty damn complicated when I was in a cover band and used tons of effects).

In a pinch I have simply taken a piece of MDF, spray painted it flat black and mounted my pedals with double sided tape and put some rubber feet on the bottom.
On the other end of the spectrum I once built a board that doubled as a case with reinforced corners, a carrying handle, and a clamping mechanism to hold the pedals in place and hide all the wiring. That was an extreme custom job though.

I've found velcro to be a joke for really holding pedals in place. I like for them to be either clamped in place or held with some really durable double sided tape. However that makes for a pain in the ass when you inevitably change up your effects.

I use very few effects these days. I can now live with the black painted MDF panel with the pedals taped down (the wah pedal screwed down) and the cables routed nice and tidy and zip tied to the board. In fact I quite like that look these days.

 

[Codmate]

I use a Boss BCB60 - it does the job.

 

[hungovermorning]

velcrotastica

Buy a shelf and some velcro if you plan on moving it. The great thing about it is that you can take the pedals off and they'll typically hold in place well all for like $10.

 

[GONZO-X]

Creamyapples1
thanks for all that good stuff...
diagram and all....
building one custom, of course, makes sense, if you've got decent tools and experience...
i have a cabinet builder friend, who could probably make me a really nice looking wood based model, that wouldn't look like the lame-o plywood one i'm capable of! LOL

metalhead28-
the one you describe, sounds just like the one i used to have when i gigged fulltime....
and you're right about the velcro...
maybe, if you carry the pedal board around, like a waiter at a french restaurant....!


Codmate -
i'll look into that one..... thanks!

hungovermorning-
i DO have some shelving...some of that nicer finished stuff.... i've got one that's only 24" long....
if i could find industrial strength velcro......

 

[Anfontan]

Dual-lock velcro

At work we use a industrial velcro thats called Dual-lock velcro, its velcro on steroids and-believe me-it holds stuff super tight. Try a web search and see if you can find it.

 

[PhiloBeddoe]

I used to use velcro with no real issues, except I'd have to remove the rubber from the bottom of the old Boss pedals because the velcro didn't adhere well to rubber. You can buy velcro that's very strong. MDF should work fine with some rubber feet to keep it from slipping around. I also like to have a power strip on the board to plug my amp and whatever else into if necessary.

Cables are often a killer with these things, make sure you have good ones and that they are easily removable.

Best of luck