I'm currently designing my home built pedal board. I'd like to have my pedals on an angulated (and back hinged) platform with the power supply (Voodoo Labs 2), an electrical power strip and Shure wireless device placed underneath the angulated platform.
Note: I am good with my hands, enjoy working with wood and electronics and don't mind spending some extra time and money to get the project done right.
I want to build a hard outer enclosure with latches to secure the entire unit during transport. The bottom of the outer case would be permanently secured to the angulated pedal platform, and the top would come off. I'm thinking of making the width and depth dimensions the same as my Eden rig (22.5"W X 18"D), using the same corner pieces Eden does and just placing it on top of my Eden rig (which has wheels) while transporting it. Then when I set up to play, I just remove it from the top of the rig and place it on the ground. I also already have the kind of black carpeting used by many cabinet makers to cover all the pieces (interior and exterior).
So my questions are as follows:
1. What kind of materials are lightest, yet durable for the outer case? What grade and thickness of plywood? Is MDF better than plywood or does it dent and chip more easily? Is oak or other hardwoods lighter, yet equally durable than plywood? If so, what thickness is desireable? Note: I'm not traveling in airplanes, but it's in and out of the car four to eight times a month. If it's built efficiently enough, I may bring it to rehearsals too. I want it durable, yet not weighing a ton. I'm 45 and getting older with each gig/rehearsal.
2. What kind of latches do you recommend to secure your top and bottom outer enclosure pieces, and where did you get them?
3. Where are you buying your accessories? I started building my pedal board four years ago, then stopped playing. Now I'm playing again and back to this project. Four years ago, I used
www.parts-express.com for most electronic accessories and
www.yourautotrim.com for the speaker cabinet carpeting. Are these companies still reputable or are you guys using other businesses for your accessories?
4. How long is too long to run my cable to my amp? I'm planning on running my signal like this: Bass--> Shure wireless transmitter--> Shure wireless receiver (in the pedal board)--> effects--> amp. How long is too long to run the 1/4" cable from the last effect pedal to my amp without getting too much signal loss? Most of the time, I keep my pedal board near the bass rig, but sometimes I like to keep it out at the edge of the stage.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Bob
PS: I placed this exact post at the end of another thread, but got only once reply. Hopefully I'll get more replies with it's own thread. Even if you can help with one question, please feel free to respond.
Thanks again.
