Pedalboard designs

andyg_prs

Hi,

I'm thinking about putting a new pedalboard together.  My main set up uses a Pedaltrain - I can't remember which one, maybe 18" by 12" at a guess, and uses velcro to attach pedals.  The only unusual thing is I use a pedalsnake so have my Diago powerstation powersupply off the board and just run a single fat cable with my guitar in, fx loop and power etc etc.

I'm sure I've heard of different design of pedalboards that hold the pedals down with something other than velcro.  Not sure if there are any super dooper ideas for keeping the individual pedal signal and power connections under control as well?

 I can / will research but trying to get a headstart here on alternatives to the standard way we tend to put pedalboards together.

Thanks,
Andy

rsvmark

Lots of options for you. Velcro is the default for the majority but options are:

pedal board tape- Velcro on steroids 
Zip ties- requires holes in the board
Bike chain links- screw the pedal base plate screws through these and then screw into the board. Iirc these can be purchased as a product?
Proprietary board- suits single manufacturer eg if you have all boss pedals

Theres probably several creative solutions others can provide too

TimmyO

Never used one myself but there are these: https://www.aclamguitars.com/store/smart-track 

andyg_prs

TimmyO said:

Never used one myself but there are these: https://www.aclamguitars.com/store/smart-track 

That looks cool in that, unlike some of the other systems with non-velcro / zip tie fsatenings, it includes all the locking parts needed.  But....the mechanism does seem to force a larger gap between pedals than I would usually use.....as I'm always trying to squeeze too many pedals onto too small a board

Musical_Mystery_Tour

If I was going to design one myself rather than use the one I have; I'd make it in a arc with the power supply in the middle so the power wires could be very short. That'd be way easier to use and shorter power wires would probably mean less hum too.

TimmyO

Musical_Mystery_Tour said:

If I was going to design one myself rather than use the one I have; I'd make it in a arc with the power supply in the middle so the power wires could be very short. That'd be way easier to use and shorter power wires would probably mean less hum too.

milliamps At 9v don’t cause hum due to ‘long’ cables 

andyg_prs

My power is off the board - Diago Powerstation, 3000mA - Pedalsnake takes the power to the board, I use a daisy chain on the pedalboard.....zero noise.

Secret_Sam

When I lay out a board, the first consideration is space.  Not that my opinion is any better than the average internet Muppet, but IMHO most boards you see on the interweb are far too small for the number of pedals on them. 

There should be at least half the width of a size eleven Doc Marten between foot switches, to prevent embarrassment, and to save you from peering at pedals when you should be soloing.

And pedals sideways in a second row?  Not exactly foolproof is it?

If you space them out on the Doc Marten scale, there's plenty of room for brackets/bicycle chain/cable ties/g-clamps/whatever. 

Secondhand Doc Martens can be bought quite cheaply, and you can recoup some of the cost by selling the left one to another forum member.

andyg_prs

Yup - I get it.....but I use the ES-5 for the vast majority of my switching......

Secret_Sam

Well that would work too :- )

rsvmark

And plan for flexibility. The board will not remain constant- pedal changes, lessons learned, new gadgets….. 

Musical_Mystery_Tour

TimmyO said:

milliamps At 9v don’t cause hum due to ‘long’ cables 

not suggesting they do, I'm pointing out that longer wires can pick up more interference by acting as an antenna. Shorter wires are tidier too of course.