software

Hi all,
I'm making my own pedalboard. The layout is such that the cables to/from the amp will run parallel with the power supply lines. Should I be concerned about interference - the 50-cycle hum etc.? Just a thought...

Thanks

Tony

I don't think you should have any trouble if you use good quality cables. I wired my board with George L cables, I can't say enough good things about them. I made my board about 4 years ago and have never had any trouble with it. The cable that run from my Amps to the board are also very High grade cables. I only get a slight 60 hz hum when playing single coils. With HB pups it is dead quiet. I also use 2 Amps and even with the A/B box it is still very quiet. I powered the whole setup with a One spot, except my Wah and I also have a DOD TR3 that is AC powered. The one spot was chaep and it works well.

As long as you're talking about DC power, running them parallel to the signal cable should be OK, also assuming you're using a well filtered DC supply. If AC wires need to cross DC and/or signal wire, they should be perpendicular to minimize noise.

George L's are supposed to be very good quality, well shielded cables.


Originally Posted by Big Boy BobAs long as you're talking about DC power, running them parallel to the signal cable should be OK, also assuming you're using a well filtered DC supply. If AC wires need to cross DC and/or signal wire, they should be perpendicular to minimize noise.

George L's are supposed to be very good quality, well shielded cables.

Yes, I'm talking the DC cables from the adapter that are connected to the stompboxes. The 220V/50Hz mains cables (Europe) will not be placed anywhere near the pedalboard. So that's great knowing I should not have any problem with that. As for the power supply, it's an Ibanez adapter, it seems to have worked fine with my pedals.

As for George L's cables, I'm not sure if they're available here in the Czech Rep. But I can get Planet Waves that I've heard good things about, both long instrument to amp/amp to efx etc. cables and short patch cables. Are Planet Waves really good? I mean I read an article in a local musician mag and it said there sure is a difference between el cheapos and the PW. Of the musicians I know, nobody has used them to tell me.

I use Planet Waves. I like 'em. So far, I think the quality is good. I have a 20 foot instrument cable with a cut out switch in the guitar end, amp; it dosen't seem to mess up tone.

However wiring up a pedalboad with them will get expensive. A pair of 1 foot long patch cables is about $30.00.

I usualy make my own patch cablea. I have a big spool of old Beldon instrument cable, amp; I like to use Switchraft plugs when I can get them.

Have fun. The best thing about a big pedalboard, is that it's a great way for a guitarist to mark his territory!

I like Planet Waves cables. As of right now I use Bayou long cables and Bill Lawrence patch cables and love them to death.

Thanks for your replies guys. I'll examine other opportunities besides Planet Waves when I get a chance to go to some music shops.

But there's one more question: how do you affix the effect boxes to the pedalboard? I heard some systems use velcro but I don't know how exactly they do it. Do you superglue a velcro strip to the box's bottom and then attach the box to the pedalboard's velcro-covered top?

Or do you put a velcro strip over the box like a seatbelt?

Or do you fasten the boxes with wires with loops?

I still haven't figured out how I'll do it. I originally planned to rout shallow cavities in the pedalboard plank to stabilize the boxes, and then fasten them with a piece of wire with loops on both ends running across the box and screwed down to the board. Not the easiest way to do it, but it may work.

Is there an easier AND more efficient way to do this?

I'm also building a pedalboard...and trying to make it as clean and elegant as possible so there will be no extra wire hazzels around. simple and clean.

And I do have the same problem as you, how to fasten the pedals... I do not want to velcro them on to it. But I was thinking of something like this:

from : localhost/gonna post pics of it later on ...still waiting for my Marshall footswitch to arrive.


Originally Posted by Tony_H...

But there's one more question: how do you affix the effect boxes to the pedalboard? I heard some systems use velcro but I don't know how exactly they do it. Do you superglue a velcro strip to the box's bottom and then attach the box to the pedalboard's velcro-covered top?

Or do you put a velcro strip over the box like a seatbelt?

...

I usually put carpet on a 3/4quot; plywood board, and the hook part of the velcro on the bottm on the pedal. I use velocro with a sticky back. The hooks of the velcro grabs to the carpet.

For the last one I built, I did something like what you're planning. I recessed the foot print of some of the pedals and used an industrial hook fastener system by 3M. Very strong. This stuff will take paint off your pedals if you try to remove it.

Those little screw tabs mentioned in the previous post look cool.

Most of the boards I have seen use velcro in some fashion.

My advce is to plan for change. After about 6 monthe you'll want to add or change one of the boxes, so try to keep it flexible.