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Hey guys,

I did a search around here for chat about pedalboards, but the threads were all about the pedals, not the boards. I'm looking for opinions on the various board offerings: PedalTrain, NYCPedalboards, PedalPad, etc. etc. What do you guys like, what do you hate?

I'm mostly interested in boards that can be put in flight cases, or come with them(even better!), but any chatter about pros and cons of various boards would be great!

Mike

i made my own pedal board and used a voodoo lab pedal power 2 for juice. im quite happy with it. ive never really messed with pedal boards much but my friends use pedal train stuff and seem pleased with it

I have the NYC pedalboards Gigman model and love it. Its not in a flight case, but rugged enough for local gigging. I got mine with the second level riser. This is the board:
I power mine w/ a DC brick under the riser.

I used to have an MKS PedalPad, and now use a Pedaltrain Jr. and a Visual Sound 1Spot to power it.

I personally love the Pedaltrain, and prefer using an adapter to power my board vs. using a self-contained quot;self poweredquot; board. The power cord used to plug the MKS in was only a few feet long, and thus demanded a plug-in at the front of the stage or running a long extension cord (plus any cables needed to run from the pedals to the amp).

With the Pedaltrain/1-Spot I can plug into power in the backline, and run both power and guitar cable to my board via one line by using a PedalSnake. Much more efficient, and easier to set up and tear down.
I've got one from here: from : localhost/ It's extremely well-made, and FTA approved. Usually you can get them a little cheaper on eBay, the seller name is tmcases. I'm thrilled with mine. And definitely go with the Pedal Power 2. Get the newest version, it's been modified to power the Boss twin pedals on two of the outputs.

I use the biggest powered Pedal Pad that MKS makes the MPS-XL which also has the quot;patch padquot; stereo routing setup for use with FX before the amp and those going into the loop which is real handy. i was kinda forced to go with this board b/c it was the only one with a fairly resonable price (i think they are all overpriced for what they are) with built in power (a feature that i wanted) that was large enough to fit (almost) all of my pedals. i have no real complaints with it, it works as needed and is very well built. however, due to my quot;XSSIVEnessquot; it is massive and quite heavy.

old pic with 2 pedals not shown...-Mike

If you are looking at 11 pedals or less, I recommend the Furmans SPB-8 pedalboard. Furman's professional power conditioning and built-for-the-road durability.

Here's the Furman (complete with my pedals of course ): Thanks, guys! Keep 'em comin'!

I like the idea of not having to run power to the board with an extension cord. The Pedal Snake/OneSpot combo looks like a good approach. I'd have to have two power runs, though, because of my Tonebone.

The NYC Pedalboards look good. I like the 2nd tier approach. I don't think the latches could take being checked on a plane too well. I actually emailed him once asking him to make a version with recessed latches and handles...

The Pedaltrains seem like the best comprimise of weight, price, and durability. I don't think the Pedaltrain2 is quite big enough for me, but the Pedtrain Pro is FREAKIN' HUGE! It does have wheels, though...

Anyone else?

Mike

Does the Furman come with daisy chain cables?

I prefer to make my own, I power this with a One Spot - works great. I use Carvin mixer bags, they cost under $30.00, are nicely padded and have plenty of zip up storage space for cable in the outside pockets.
Hmm...the mixer bag is a good idea for in town storage...I made my current board, and I suppose I could get a flight case for it when I'm on the road...

Here are a couple of my pedalboards from a long time ago. The first one, circa 1980:

And a later version, a couple years later:

The latest is in the shop now for a new top amp; effects, after ten years of no playing. Same idea, though: the 1/8quot; aluminum top plate replaces the back plates of the pedals, and the wiring is routed underneath. It's not flexible, but it's neat and indestructible. You need to think about the layout very carefully before drilling the top.


Originally Posted by taphappyDoes the Furman come with daisy chain cables?

Yes it does


Originally Posted by msawitzkeThanks, guys! Keep 'em comin'!

I like the idea of not having to run power to the board with an extension cord. The Pedal Snake/OneSpot combo looks like a good approach. I'd have to have two power runs, though, because of my Tonebone.

The NYC Pedalboards look good. I like the 2nd tier approach. I don't think the latches could take being checked on a plane too well. I actually emailed him once asking him to make a version with recessed latches and handles...

The Pedaltrains seem like the best comprimise of weight, price, and durability. I don't think the Pedaltrain2 is quite big enough for me, but the Pedtrain Pro is FREAKIN' HUGE! It does have wheels, though...

Anyone else?

Mike

Hi Mike!
I ordered and bought a custom built board from NYC Pedalboards to make a home for about a dozen or so pedals. I researched a lot, thought much about building my own (which, if you're handy with a little wood-work it's probably a snap) but when I talked on the phone to Mike (I think that was his name) at NYC he gave me great detail as to how he builds 'em and how he could make one to suit my needs (my quot;casequot; is about 32 inches long), I decided to go with him.
I think he can build one for you with heavy-duty outer material and better locking devices if that's what you need....I had mine done in some cloth material due to mainly being just a home-player. But it's got a heavy-duty handle on it plus good hardware, and it's a good thing, cuz it's a heavy s.o.b.
Bottom line is that I like the quality of their work at NYC, I got exactly what I wanted at a reasonable price, and have no probs endorsing them.
Hope any of this helps!

....Bob


Originally Posted by msawitzkeI'd have to have two power runs, though, because of my Tonebone.

No biggie, the PedalSnakes are modular and expandable. Check out their site, the snake I got is very simple and is still probably one of the best gear investments I've made.

www.pedalsnake.com


Originally Posted by FretFireNo biggie, the PedalSnakes are modular and expandable. Check out their site, the snake I got is very simple and is still probably one of the best gear investments I've made.

I've been eyeing them for awhile. I'll definitely be doing this. I use my effects loop and the pedalsnake should seriously simplify my current approach. Did you get the one with the MIDI plugs that you attach various adapters to? Any concerns or issues with that model?

Mike

I love SKB pedalboards personally. You can get them for about $50 on eBay. I love mine.

Hey Rich, how'd the MXR Delay? I've always loved old MXR stuff and need a delay most likely. How much did you buy yours for?


Originally Posted by Slash2987Hey Rich, how'd the MXR Delay? I've always loved old MXR stuff and need a delay most likely. How much did you buy yours for?I used to have one of those old green MXR Analog Delay's...it was a great unit for short delay and slapback echo stuff...not much delay time but a great tone...I sold it to a buddy of mine and still try to buy it back everytime I see him...they sell on Ebay all the time in the 200-300 range...


Originally Posted by FretFireNo biggie, the PedalSnakes are modular and expandable. Check out their site, the snake I got is very simple and is still probably one of the best gear investments I've made.

made my own for my bigger pedalboard out of custom cable and split tubing that cost about $2. I don't run any DC to this pedalboard, just an AC IEC cable, and since the pedalboard is a midi connector, some additional control pedals, there is no audio to get noisy.

The smaller baord which isn't used with the rack is battery powered- I hate dealing with power cords to my pedals when I am playing live.