I Need a pedalboard, but which one?

Kwesi · #1 02-20-2010, 01:54 AM

Hey guys, earlier this month I went on a effect pedal binge and bought virtually every pedal I've ever wanted but now I need a board and I'm not exactly sure where to start. I'd like this all to be able to fit on the board comfortably with room for one or two more (either a Subdecay Prometheus, or MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter, and maybe a small delay later):

EHX Bass Micro Synth XO
3Leaf Audio Groove Regulator
MXR288 Bass Octave Deluxe
Source Audio Bass Distortion Pro
Boss RC-20XL

I've been looking at the Pedaltrain PT-JR and Gator GPT but I can't decide which I should get. Of course the GPT is powered and would probably save me some cash but I see lots of Pedaltrain boards around so I'm inclined to think that one of them and a separate power source (a DC Brick maybe?) would be the way to go. I don't want to spend huge amounts of money (so no Voodoo Labs PP2) just something that is sturdy and capable of handling these few pedals easily. Just to be clear I'm not looking to build my own, just to purchase something nice that will fit my needs. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated

Snakeman1066 · #2 02-20-2010, 02:16 AM

if i were currently in the market for a board.....I would be buying it from this guy:

http://rocksolidboards.com

lowfreq33 · #3 02-20-2010, 02:20 AM

My advice would be go to rondomusic.com and get one of their boards, then with the money you save go ahead and get the Voodoo Labs PP2. It's much better than the DC Brick in my experience. Some people use the Brick with no problems, but a lot of people run into ground loop issues with it depending on the pedals they use. It also may not deliver enough current depending on your setup, or if you add more pedals later. I tried the Brick myself, and ended up getting the PP2 later after running into all of the problems I mentioned. I've seen a lot of different bandmates have the same troubles with the brick and similar items like the Onespot, T-Rex Fueltank, and the integrated supplies on Gator and SKB boards.

Kwesi · #4 02-20-2010, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeman1066

if i were currently in the market for a board.....I would be buying it from this guy:

http://rocksolidboards.com

Thanks for the suggestion but I'd like to get a bag of some kind. Call me quirky but I'm not a fan of hard cases.

Kwesi · #5 02-20-2010, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

My advice would be go to rondomusic.com and get one of their boards, then with the money you save go ahead and get the Voodoo Labs PP2. It's much better than the DC Brick in my experience. Some people use the Brick with no problems, but a lot of people run into ground loop issues with it depending on the pedals they use. It also may not deliver enough current depending on your setup, or if you add more pedals later. I tried the Brick myself, and ended up getting the PP2 later after running into all of the problems I mentioned. I've seen a lot of different bandmates have the same troubles with the brick and similar items like the Onespot, T-Rex Fueltank, and the integrated supplies on Gator and SKB boards.

Lol, the reason why I said I didn't want the PP2 is because... well, I don't want the PP2

. It's just too far out of my price range. It may be an industry standard but I wouldn't even use half the the features. Yes, the isolated inputs are nice but I can get that for $60 cheaper by buying a BBE Supa Charger. The BBE seems to have gotten good reviews so I think as far as power it would be able to handle whatever I could throw at it. I think I'm probably going to end up getting that. I suppose it's better to be sure than gamble on a DC brick and hate it right? I can't stand noise in my signal chain so it's probably better if I get something that eliminate that worry from the get go.

**kenstee** · #6 02-20-2010, 03:13 AM

Check out: http://www.lytpedalboards.com/

Also, for power check out the T-Rex Fuel Tank Jr. It has isolated outputs (like the PP2+) and all the power and many of the options you need at a much cheaper price. That said, the Source MWP needs it's proprietary power source and the Boss requires a lot of power as well (draws 120mh - which is at the outer bounds of the FT Jr (120mh per output) BUT could be handled by getting a power doubling cable which would occupy 2 of the 5 outputs. ) Think rest of your pedals could be handled in the remaining 3 outputs including a daisy chain for one output. Good luck!!

lowfreq33 · #7 02-20-2010, 03:25 AM

I haven't tried the BBE, but the specs look good. That's probably a safe bet.

carlos840 · #8 02-20-2010, 06:17 AM

Just got a pedaltrain JR and its great! Would probably be big enough for you, and its really light!
I find it better than the gator cause you have room under it to put your power supply and an extension...

www.pedaltrain.com

CPplaysBASS · #9 02-20-2010, 08:16 AM

I have the Gator board ... it's great, but if I was starting over again, I would with the PedalTrain Jr as carlos840 says.

The ability to route the connector cables underneath the board is something I appreciate better now. And while the Gator power supply is attached nicely underneath and out of sight, I had some ground loop issues with mine once I got up to 8 pedals. Expensive as it is, I eventually had to get the PP2 which definitely does not fit underneath the Gator board.

The Pedaltrain board simply allows for more flexibility.

shaggy45 · #10 02-20-2010, 08:19 AM

PedalTrain all the way

Kwesi · #11 02-20-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenstee

Check out: http://www.lytpedalboards.com/

Also, for power check out the T-Rex Fuel Tank Jr. It has isolated outputs (like the PP2+) and all the power and many of the options you need at a much cheaper price. That said, the Source MWP needs it's proprietary power source and the Boss requires a lot of power as well (draws 120mh - which is at the outer bounds of the FT Jr (120mh per output) BUT could be handled by getting a power doubling cable which would occupy 2 of the 5 outputs. ) Think rest of your pedals could be handled in the remaining 3 outputs including a daisy chain for one output. Good luck!!

Is there any specific reason why the MWP needs the proprietary power source? Is there a way to get it to work with the power source that I choose (either the Fuel Tank or the BBE)?

warwick.hoy · #12 02-20-2010, 09:34 AM

I had the Gator Pedal Tote and yeah,...it's a good starter board. I upgraded to a PT2 (larger than the JR) and velcro'd the G-Bus-8 power supply from the Pedal Tote. It works but I'd really like to have a power supply with isolated outputs. The G-Bus-8 is basically a daisy chain in a box. IOW I plan on upgrading to the PPII+ at some point in time. Honestly,...there is a reason that Pedal Train includes mounting hardware for that power supply.

cheapbasslovin · #13 02-20-2010, 09:54 AM

I don't know about the Source Audio, but the BMS requires its own isolated output. The brick and the gator boards don't have isolated outputs.

**JHorstmann** · #14 02-20-2010, 10:07 AM

I run through the PT-JR. But then again I only have 4 pedals hooked up right now so I can just run it all through a 1 spot.

warwick.hoy · #15 02-20-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

I don't know about the Source Audio, but the BMS requires its own isolated output. The brick and the gator boards don't have isolated outputs.

I'm not really sure on the SA either. Specing out the MWBD itself it is center negative 9VDC 150 mA min. Regulated power supply only.

nalapit13 · #16 02-20-2010, 10:30 AM

i have a trailer trash board and love it!! all powered by a brick which is hidden underneath.

**kenstee** · #17 02-20-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Is there any specific reason why the MWP needs the proprietary power source? Is there a way to get it to work with the power source that I choose (either the Fuel Tank or the BBE)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I'm not really sure on the SA either. Specing out the MWBD itself it is center negative 9VDC 150 mA min. Regulated power supply only.

Not saying it wouldn't work. But.......

Source Audio MWP manual (page 8) states: "Use of non-Source Audio power supply may cause damage and void the warranty."

Source Audio MWP manual Quick Start (Page 4): Same caveat as above.

With a $200+ device on the line I'll be following their instructions. There's apparently a reason they included a power supply at no additional cost. That is quite atypical in the marketplace. In most instances, firms charge extra for a wall wart.

lowfreq33 · #18 02-20-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenstee

Source Audio MWP manual (page 8) states: "Use of non-Source Audio power supply may cause damage and void the warranty."

Source Audio MWP manual Quick Start (Page 4): Same caveat as above.

With a $200+ device on the line I'll be following their instructions.

Everybody says that. As long as the voltage and polarity is correct and the power output is sufficient there shouldn't be a problem.

FWIW I tried the T-Rex Fuel Tank before I got the PP2 and I had the same noise issues as with the DC Brick. YMMV.

cheapbasslovin · #19 02-20-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Everybody says that. As long as the voltage and polarity is correct and the power output is sufficient there shouldn't be a problem.

FWIW I tried the T-Rex Fuel Tank before I got the PP2 and I had the same noise issues as with the DC Brick. YMMV.

The big Fuel Tank doesn't have isolated outputs but the baby Jr. does. Go figure.

**kenstee** · #20 02-20-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

The big Fuel Tank doesn't have isolated outputs but the baby Jr. does. Go figure./

FWIW I tried the T-Rex Fuel Tank before I got the PP2 and I had the same noise issues as with the DC Brick. YMMV.

If I'm following this correctly this isn't a surprise. The big Fuel Tank AND the DC Brick both have outputs that AREN'T isolated. Correct? Hence, the issue and problems.