What do you think of this pedal board design?

[BruceBass3901]

Hi there, I posted this in the 'Post your Pedalboard' Thread asking for any improvements or ideas to include, but didn't get much feedback, so I though I would start a thread and ask again.

This thread could also give anybody else with designs a chance to share them

Here is my design made using PTC ProDesktop 8.0



The dimensions are as follows:

Height: 166mm (back of slant) 98mm (front of slant)

Width: 584mm

Base Depth: 356mm

Shelf Depth: 178mm

I intend to mount this section on top of a box like base in order to allow the patch cables to loop comfortably underneath the pedals. I also intend to mount 'Send / Recieve' jacks in the side.

Thats about it really. Please post any ideas / criticisms

Thanks in advance

[Swimming Bird]

It looks very ungainly. If it works, great, but the shelf looks very steep.

Again, I can't judge practicality from this draw-up... could you make pedal-sized boxes in the program and put them where you'd put each effect? Also, what's going where?

[Kosko]

I would have to agree with above. My suggestion, cut out the middle brace on the shelf and make it just high enough to stick your power strip under there (including adapters). Also push back that opening slot on the bottom board, then the pedals on the bottom will have there input and outputs and power right at the opening. If you put a small lift on the back bottom edge you can consolidate cables underneath the board, cutting down on clutter.

I like the idea of designing it for the actual pedals that are going on it as well. So... what do you have?

[grimniggzy]

Looks like it'd be a pain to transport with that high shelf. Also I wouldn't trust the shelf not to fall off if I were the one
(ab)using it.

I stuck with a much simpler slight incline design that worked well for me and the thing is rock solid.

[henryjurstin13]

Looks like you are puttin a lot of effort into your project & that is very cool/admirable. I don't want to be insulting, but I really think it's gonna be overkill. I've attempted a few projects like this & built a board before... but, having gone thru so many steps -- the Pedaltrain 2 seems to fit most applications EXTREMELY well. I've done the whole upper area thing for pedals before --- what are your needs/expectations of this project? Any special requirements that the average pedalboards won't meet?

Not trying to say don't do it, but unless you have specific needs -- it might be overkill (that's always been my experiences). YMMV.

[Kosko]

Me too, make it easy on yourself on just screw some pine slats together. Boom, pedal board.

[BruceBass3901]

Currently, I have a Boss TU-2 Chormatic Tuner, a Boss CEB-3 Chorus, an EHX Big Muff Pi and a Dunlop Crybaby Wah pedal (The standard guitar one, not the bass)

Currently, these aer just running off of batteries, but I'm gunning for a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2.

Also, I've got alot of pedals that are on the ''To Get'' List, so I wanted to be able to accomodate a few more as I get them.

I have a few of the pedals mocked up in the same program, so I'll attach them and post another pic

[gjbassist]

I have to agree what others have said about the top shelf. It just looks too big and will make it harder to transport the board. I would do away with the shelf all together and just make the bottom board slant upward a bit. If you use a smaller power supply like the 1Spot http://www.visualsound.net/index.php/products/1spot
then you wont have to worry about having a bunch of room underneath the board for a power supply.

[henryjurstin13]

I AGREE & STRONGLY, STRONGLY, STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE VISUAL SOUND 1 SPOT. The 1 Spot is affordable, reliable, EASY, cheap, reliable, affordable, easy, and easy.

[BruceBass3901]

Here is the board with t a couple of pedals on it. The green box is the Big Muff Pi, the large purple box is the Crybaby Wah, and the pink boxes are the Boss Pedals



Can the OneSpot power more than one pedal?

[BruceBass3901]

Well I based the design on an NYC custom board I saw, and then I saw the price and though ''I could make something like that for a fraction of the price''. I had looked at the Pedaltrain boards, but they too were a little pricey.

I love making things, so I thought that perhaps a pedal board would be a fun project that I had a motive to finish

[SoonerMatt]

Yes, you can power multiple pedals with a OneSpot. Its max output is 1700 mA and you can power multiple pedals if you daisy chain them together.

I'm going to echo everyone else and say that the rise is overkill. If you use a OneSpot (or possibly even a PP2+) then you won't have a need for it.

If you want a cheap pedalboard, head over to Ikea and get a Gorm shelf. I used one for my pedalboard and the total cost of the shelf, velcro, spray paint, and feet was around $25.

[dozicusmaximus]

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ack?sku=150373

[Bryan R. Tyler]

A Lyt pedalboard is pretty much the same design/size:

[Swimming Bird]

With the size of your setup, I would encourage you to simply put the board at an angle (ie wedge-shaped). If you measure your intended power supply, it wouldn't be hard to make the back height such that you can place it under the board.

I took a basic design down to my local hardware store and they fleshed it out & built it for me. $15, plus another couple to get gorilla tape to make it black & shiny plus some more for a whole lot of velcro.

[BruceBass3901]

Just had a look at some other power supply options. I've heard that the Dunlop Brick is pretty good, but is similiar to the 1Spot in that it is basically a daisy chain. Also, read a few things saying that the EHX pedals don't mix will with either of these supplies. Has anybody here had this problem?

I've also had a look at the Diago Powerstation and the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2.

Currently, I'm leaning towards the Diago, just becasue of the reviews on the site and the price and output ability.

Are there any other ideas?

[grovest]

I think your diagram looks fine. Honestly I would probably say that no matter what it looked like, because I can tell you had fun designing it and will enjoy building it. And you'll only know what works for you from first-hand experience. So go for it.

But... I had a nearby case / trunk manufacturing firm (Maxline) build a fairly complex set of pedal boards with integrated case and shelving. They did a great job turning my drawings into reality. In the end it was far too big and cumbersome and I have a bright white $500 bookshelf to show for it. But it's all part of the adventure.

My stock answer would probably be to pick up a pedal train and voodoo labs power supply if you lose the ambition for this build.

[Kosko]

Take a look at the T. Rex Fuel Tank Jr. Its only 99 bucks instead of 199 for the Voodoo. Of course, you may have a power strip at home thats free :P Also, just a reminder, you'll still need to plug in the power supply after the board itself, any adapters for AC / high voltage pedals and the amp...

[cheapbasslovin]

Two things:

1. Your board, as designed, will be a pain to transport and will likely succumb to your GAS for pedals that don't fit on it well (i.e. pedals with top mounted jacks, a second volume pedal, etc.). You will want to build it light because these things add up fast and before you know it your spine is weeping. You may want to try to build it as part of a transporting case to make it more portable.

2. Build the damn thing anyway!! I've undertaken a handful of projects like this. Some have gone well, others have gone horribly awry. All of them have given me some level of joy and frustration and were worth every ounce of it. YMMV.

[newbold]

It works with the right luggage.

You may want to do a search for 'ccouch7' in the 'post your pedalboard' threads, as well as perusing the DIY creations there that involve hinges, compartments, and quality finishes.

Best of luck: I did the Gorm thing and am very pleased.