Pedalboard Tips – Before Buying a Pedalboard Read This!

After building my pedal board I found out some things. I wish I would have thought about ahead of time. In this post I have some pedalboard tips for you to think about. Before buying a pedalboard. This way you will make sure you get the right one for your needs.

Here’s 10 Guitar Pedalboard Tips you need to know. Pedalboard tips to think about: What size pedalboard. Isolated or not isolated power supply. What positions to place the pedals. Pedalboard Velcro Tips, What power source to use, Open faced or Covered In a case. Leaving room for more pedals. What wires are the best to use. Pedalboard with wheels.

If your ready for some pedalboard tips then read on …

How Big of a Pedal Board do I Need?

This is one time size does matter. When your picking out a pedalboard. Most guitar players have a small collection of guitar pedals.

So Usually when you are first starting out your not going to need a massive pedalboard. But your going to want to measure your pedals to get the right pedals to fit the board.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but place your pedals out how your going to set it up on the board. This will give you some idea of the size of pedal board your going to want to get.

Another thing to think about is the future. Are you done buying pedals? Or in the future do you know that your going to want to buy more pedals. If so and you know which ones. You might want to consider getting a pedalboard that will fit all of your pedals that you have now. And make sure it is big enough for the pedals you know you are going to acquire.

When your considering what size of pedal board you will be getting. When looking the manufacture will tell you how many pedals fit on that specific board. Unless you never plan on buying another pedal. I would recommend getting the next size up. This way your pedal fetish will fit the size of pedal board.

Something else to consider; Even if your not gigging, you still are going to want the effects pedal board to be light weight. And portable if you want to take it anywhere. Even if it is from one room to the next.

And when the board is sitting for a long period of time it gets very dusty in no time at all. But Boss has the perfect solution. The Boss BCB Effects Pedal board and Case. The all in one solution that comes with all the cabling. And an onboard power supply powers up to 7 devices. See the current price on Amazon.

Boss Pedal Board Case BCB – 60


What Order Should I Put My Guitar Pedals in?

Usually you would put your pedals in this order. First off the Wah Wah pedal. If your not using a Wah pedal a volume pedal would go first. Next is the Pitch pedal, Such as a harmonizer or Octavers. Then a drive effects pedal. Which could be a distortion pedal, Fuzz or overdrive. After that modulation pedals. Such as a Flange, Temelo, Phase or Chorus pedals. Then Digital or analog Delay and last but not least Reverb. Interested in learning more, check out the article Guide to Guitar Pedals and Board Setup.



How to Power a Pedalboard

When your talking about one pedal. yeah maybe you want to use a battery. But if you have several pedals. the best thing to do is to connect them to a power source. There are several out there. But what you need to know is the difference between isolated and non isolated. Non isolated is when you have a chain of power running through each component. And if there is any buzzing from one pedal. It will be heard through all of them. It is recommended to get an isolated power unit. So that each individual pedal has isolated powered.

I use the Donor DP-1 Power Supply. It comes with 10 isolated power outlets great for 9V/12V/19V effect Pedals. Each Pedal has it’s own blue light. Which is great for lighting the board and also indicates if there is a short. Also it comes with the power cable. The best thing about it is it not expensive. Check the current price on Amazon.

Patch Cables

A necessity for every pedal board. You need a way to connect everything together. So that when you power up all pedals are ready. I wouldn’t recommend spending a lot of money on the cables. But you want a well known brand which usually means good quality. Some of the pedal boards come with the cables too. So just be aware that you are going to need patch cables.

Pedalboard Velcro Tips

  • Tip Number one; Before removing the Velcro backing adhesive strip. Measure the length of Velcro you are going to use on the Effects Pedalboard. Then cut it off at the end so that it goes to the edge of the board.
  • Place a strip of Velcro across the pedal board. It doesn’t really matter which side of the Velcro. Although I placed the harder or rougher side down across the width of the Pedalboard. Mine has 3 different section to apply the Velcro strips.
  • Before attaching Velcro to the Effects pedal board. You want to place the pedals on the board. Attach the patch cables. This way you know that the pedals are far enough apart. And the cables all fit nice and neat.
  • Then what I would do is one pedal at a time measure and cut the Velcro. When I say “measure”, just put the Velcro across the bottom of the pedal and cut a strip. Then remove the backing and stick it to the pedal. And then place the pedal onto the board. Then go to the next pedal.
  • To make sure the pedal is secure on the pedalboard. After you have the Velcro on the board and the effect pedal. Place the Pedal on the board. Twist it to the right and to the left. This will allow the Velcro to attach itself to both sides. And take a firm grip. Now your pedal should be secure. If you have any doubts give the pedal a tug and see for yourself.

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Related Topic: Top 3 Guitar Effect Pedals for all Guitarists(Review).

Boss Pedal Board Case BCB – 30

If you only have a few pedals and you know that your not getting any more pedals. Or at least not for a long time. Then you may want to go with a very portable and light weight Pedal Board Case. The Boss BCB – 30 Pedal Board Case. This case comes with the cables and fits 3 Effect Pedals.

Boss BCB Effect Pedal Case

Pedalboard Case with Wheels

The Ultimate Stomp box carrier. An innovative carrier for guitar players that are on the go. Transport your Pedals Safe and secure in the Boss BCB 1000X Deluxe Pedal Board and Case. This innovative design meets most airlines carry on luggage policy’s. So that you can take your pedals with you. And you don’t have to worry about the pedals becoming damaged or disconnected.

The design of Boss BCB 1000X Deluxe pedal board & case. Makes transporting easy. See Current price on Amazon.

Features:

  • Foam lined interior lid – Keeps Everything Secured in place.
  • 4 Custom Latches that lock the lid in place.
  • Sturdy handle
  • Heavy duty molded design added protection during transport.
  • Aluminum Surface to attach pedals with plenty of room. And space underneath to keep the cable hidden.
  • Junction box for quick plug and play.
  • 2 rows for pedals.


Conclusion

You can get small cases for your pedals. But it is beneficial to go with one that is bigger. You never know once you start buying pedals it’s hard to stop. Also I would recommend a case. This way you can keep it covered when not in use and the pedals stay cleaner longer. A soft case is kind of a pain in my opinion.

Although it does the job of carrying the pedalboard. You will have to buy a power chord and cables. The best buy which has everything your going to need to get up and running quickly is the (boss pedal board and case on Amazon). It is lightweight and rugged.

About Guitar Pedal Boards

A guitar pedal board is a container that is usually flat. And has a power supply for Effect Pedals. They often have a cover that protects the pedals during transportation. There are soft cases and hard cases. The hard cases have locking latches, and reinforced corners and foam padding. When in use the and the lid removed the bottom is a pedal board. Most pedal boards are a flat surface where the pedals, and power supply’s are attached. Source

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