Ideal Pedalboard/Case

B3bopbass · #1 09-15-2007, 03:09 AM

To me, this is the perfect setup of an integrated pedalboard/case.

I'm looking at the Model A case, with a pedalboard attached to the bottom lid, so that all you have to do is remove the upper lid and you're ready to go...no removing the pedalboard from your case. And even though the board sits low to the ground, there's a shallow cavity underneath for routing cabling and such. The top lid has just enough space to accommodate pedals without wasting dead air space, and saving on overall weight.

1) convenient
2) neat and tidy
3) sturdy and (relatively) light

Problem is...the Aussie won't ship to the US. Sorry mate.

I've looked at so many pedalboard case builders, and short of the ones that will charge you an arm and a leg, none seem to have all these qualities in one pedalboard/case.

Right now I'm considering purchasing a case separately and building a board with a shallow under-cavity to attach to the bottom lid. Anyone know who makes a shallow, sturdy, light-weight ATA style case?

KarateKid25 · #2 09-15-2007, 03:36 AM

You want me to buy it and ship it to you?

EDIT: Just noticed they are in the state of Victoria which is a long way from me. I would have to get it shipped to me and then onto you, but if your keen, its not a problem

B3bopbass · #3 09-15-2007, 03:02 PM

That's a gracious offer! I'll continue to search and see if I can't get something domestic, and if all else fails...

Shipping costs aren't going to be fun. Sigh.

NoNoise · #4 09-15-2007, 06:58 PM

Did you look at nycpedalboards.com? It doesn't have the hidden cavity below the pedals, but I like them.

B3bopbass · #5 09-15-2007, 07:21 PM

Yeah, I have one.

I've been considering having him build just a case without the board part attached.

But as more and more pedals accumulate, the messier the cabling becomes. I don't think I'd mind it so much with a smaller board and fewer pedals.

Another idea is to get two smaller boards instead of one really big one. That will save on the individual weight, although heavier overall, but transportation would be simpler I would think. A large pedalboard case is an awkward thing to move around.

NoNoise · #6 09-15-2007, 07:57 PM

Yeah, I understand you there. I almost did the same thing. In the end, I didn't want to mess with two things instead of one. I take the same approach with amps, using a Schroeder 310212 now instead of two smaller cabs...

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

KarateKid25 · #7 09-15-2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B3bopbass

That's a gracious offer! I'll continue to search and see if I can't get something domestic, and if all else fails...

Shipping costs aren't going to be fun. Sigh.

no probs. let me know what you decide

steve66 · #8 09-15-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B3bopbass

To me, this is the perfect setup of an integrated pedalboard/case.

I'm looking at the Model A case, with a pedalboard attached to the bottom lid, so that all you have to do is remove the upper lid and you're ready to go...no removing the pedalboard from your case. And even though the board sits low to the ground, there's a shallow cavity underneath for routing cabling and such. The top lid has just enough space to accommodate pedals without wasting dead air space, and saving on overall weight.

1) convenient
2) neat and tidy
3) sturdy and (relatively) light

Problem is...the Aussie won't ship to the US. Sorry mate.

I've looked at so many pedalboard case builders, and short of the ones that will charge you an arm and a leg, none seem to have all these qualities in one pedalboard/case.

Right now I'm considering purchasing a case separately and building a board with a shallow under-cavity to attach to the bottom lid. Anyone know who makes a shallow, sturdy, light-weight ATA style case?

Check out http://www.rondomusic.net/pedalcases.html

JonathanD · #9 09-15-2007, 08:59 PM

Shipping should not be that expensive... really.
I shipped a 30lb amp head to Australia for $33 it took 6 days to get there.

Its more expensive to ship to california from indiana... yeash.

USPS for things $30Lbs and under. but maybe that wont work the other way round.

Jonathan

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #10 09-15-2007, 09:04 PM

The Pedal Pad boards have a ramped surface with lots of under-board routing and has the top of the case attach right to the board, but it's not ATA grade, and may weigh more than you'd wish.

Is it that important to have the board intergrated into the case? Dropping a Pedaltrain into its ATA case isn't much work

johans · #11 09-16-2007, 03:03 AM

yeah..

from the sample pedals. ..
that should easily fits into Pedaltrain PT-2 if that's still within the budget =) ..

Hookus · #12 09-16-2007, 07:00 AM

I think my SKB pedal board is one of the best investments I have made. With the built in power supply and three outlets, it lets me plug everything in, and only have one cord running to the outlet. 1 Spots may be great, until you throw something like an English Muff'n in the mix. You just have to unplug the wall wart to put the lid on, but overall, I'm very happy with it.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #13 09-16-2007, 07:25 AM

I actually returned my SKB pedalboard after two days. No place to route cables, no angle, and each of the power supply's outlets was limited to 100mA, so it couldn't power my 500mA MIDI controller, so I had to stick my 1-Spot on there anyways. Different tools work better for different people I guess

The lid was great though- molded plastic was lightweight and very sturdy- most boards either come with a bag, a heavy ATA case, or a wood case that be quite heavy.

EricF · #14 09-16-2007, 09:49 AM

Pedal-Racks (www.pedalboards.com) can make the same type of setup for you, but they might be a bit on the pricey side.

I was going to build the same type of thing myself from an ATA briefcase, but decided to go with a simple flat board that removes from the case for a couple of reasons:
1. With a removable-lid type case, you have to use carry a seperate box/bag/bucket for cables, tools, strings, etc. With a removable board, you can close the case back up and keep greedy fingers out of your stuff. I'm putting spacers in the deep side of the case for the board to sit on so the tools, etc. have a space below the board and aren't rattling against the pedals during transport.
2. Concealed cabling looks very nice and neat. However, if something goes wrong in a live situation, you have to take apart the whole board to get at any of the cables. I chose to keep everythiing on top of the board.

IMO, the Pedaltrain is the best combination for under-board cable routing while maintaining accessibility.

(IMO, YMMV)

B3bopbass · #15 09-16-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

The Pedal Pad boards have a ramped surface with lots of under-board routing and has the top of the case attach right to the board, but it's not ATA grade, and may weigh more than you'd wish.

The metal surface of the Pedal Pad board never looked very attractive nor neat to my eyes. On the other hand, carpeted surfaces are great for flexibility in terms of moving pedals around, but they sure do pick up a lot of lint and dust along the way. If you can't tell, I'm a little bit of a neat-freak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johans

from the sample pedals. ..
that should easily fits into Pedaltrain PT-2 if that's still within the budget =) ..

Not exactly. My current pedals just barely fit on a Pedaltrain Pro. I actually might need two PT-2s!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

Pedal-Racks (www.pedalboards.com) can make the same type of setup for you, but they might be a bit on the pricey side.

They were my second choice in terms of overall looks and neatness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

Concealed cabling looks very nice and neat. However, if something goes wrong in a live situation, you have to take apart the whole board to get at any of the cables. I chose to keep everythiing on top of the board.

Good point, something to consider.

I'm pretty close to going with a two board setup. Board #1 would have my essentials, mostly modulation pedals and a few others that I use a lot. I could then add Board #2 that holds my od/dist/fuzz pedals among others. With these "smaller" boards, I may find the under-cavity feature to be a non issue.

I think if weight and cost weren't issues...what a world that would be...I'd go with two Pumaboards and ATA cases to house them.

98dvl · #16 09-16-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve66

Check out http://www.rondomusic.net/pedalcases.html

Do you have one of those cases??

That's exactly what I need (in the appropriate size) to put my Pedal Train in! I just bought one on Craigslist, and it didn't come with a case!

I like the prices too... Hopefully, they're not too cheaply made.

B3bopbass · #17 09-16-2007, 10:32 PM

I don' know for sure the quality on those Rondo cases, but purely based on looks, they don't inspire a lot of confidence. Whether that's the deal in actuality may be something else altogether. If anyone has firsthand experience with these and cares to disprove my initial impressions of them, I would welcome that. Especially because they are priced so dang low! It just makes me wonder if it's one of those "you get what you pay for" scenarios.

EDIT: For $29.95, I'm tempted to get the small one just to find out for myself. I do have a need for a small case to fit a few pedals in.

hawaiianbass · #18 09-17-2007, 05:30 AM

Try KMC Pedalboards. That guy is great to work with.

CK

B3bopbass · #19 09-17-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawaiianbass

Try KMC Pedalboards. That guy is great to work with.

CK

Yes, I looked at his boardcases too...told ya I looked at a lot of em.

The fit and finish on these aren't the best from the pics I've seen; however, I do like some of the ideas he has implemented into his design.

I've ranked KMC 4th, just behind NYC's 3rd place spot. C&C still takes top honors so far.