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Pedalboard--necessary?

D

dubmon

Sep 20, 2007
78
0
#1
Hi JMJ,
I have a couple pro gigs I got offered coming up with a new artist, and well, I haven't played out much lately, and my touring experience is limited to vans and the DIY world:) This will be a pro level deal with a guitar tech, backline, etc.
My question is, I only need 2-3 stomps for this thing--a Boss tuner, some kind of distortion, and maybe a chorus or octave at most. Is it totally "un-pro" to have these things loose? Do I need to set up a little board to house them, even if I end up with just a tuner and one stomp, or is it OK to do what I'm used to and just plop 'em down? I recall reading your gear for the Dixie Chicks shows, and you only used a couple things I think. What do you do in a case like that?
Thanks!
 
#2
Im no pro, so JMJ, look forward to hearing how you do it. I do however play in 500+ clubs. My Signal path is:

Switcher - Tuner - Overdrive -Chorus

This is hardly a large pedal set, but I have it gaffa taped down to a piece of plywood. Why? Because when I set up I just walk on stage, plonk the thing down, power it up and im done. I have tried it without the board, and the hastle of putting every pedal in place, powering each one up, connecting each one and then hoping I don't kick the connections out during shows is too much for me!
 
#4
Yeah, I usually just use a stomp tuner and that's it, but on the rare occasion I use another pedal I just duct tape things down to the stage, old school.
I'm not adverse to setting up a simple board, I'm just broke! I THINK someone else will be setting things up---not sure yet.
I do want to come off as "pro" as possible:)
 
#6
I'd steer clear of those Rondo boards. The carpet is really poorly attached to the board, and the whole thing is just flimsy feeling. If you're going cheap, I'd say that the Gator Pedal Tote is a MUCH better way to go. It's small enough that you wouldn't look silly with four Boss pedals on it, but it is fairly sturdy and comes with a nice solid gig bag.
 
#8
Talk to your backline tech - he'll have some good ideas. I see a lot of one-or-two pedals pedal boards made of just a small piece of plywood with tape or velcro that travels in some case with other stuff. Maybe in your bass case or other misc case. Having them on a board saves time at setup and minimizes errors...
 
#9
Man even touring with beck in the Midnite Vultures days I'd just make a pedalboard out of plywood, paint that shizz black, velcro those b#%^*es down and rock. It's handy! Just go cheap and dirty, it'll save you some time for setups and teardows, and you'll get less wear on cables and the connectors in the pedals. Maybe throw a cheap power supply on there, you just have cable in, cable out, and power in. Done.
 
#10
jmjbassplayer said:
Man even touring with beck in the Midnite Vultures days I'd just make a pedalboard out of plywood, paint that shizz black, velcro those b#%^*es down and rock. It's handy! Just go cheap and dirty, it'll save you some time for setups and teardows, and you'll get less wear on cables and the connectors in the pedals. Maybe throw a cheap power supply on there, you just have cable in, cable out, and power in. Done.
Click to expand...
Yeah, when you price what a decent pedalboard costs, the plywood board painted black is quite the winner. That's what I ultimately decided to do for putting together my first pedalboard in 10 years. Hard to justify anything more than that for 3-4 pedals and a couple wirelesses. However, if your frontman is as wild at Trent Reznor, a switching system must really come in handy ;)
 
#12
seanm said:
Our lead guitar player uses a multi-effect pedal *because* he was tired of setting up a lot of pedals :p

Although, if you have the pedal already buying a multi-effect pedal is a lot more expensive than a pedal board ;)
Click to expand...
Wish I could do that, but I'm married to a couple pedals...an EBS Microbass II that I use to switch between electric and upright, and the VT. I didn't need a board when I was just using the Microbass, but I've recently got the effects jones again and I'm going to add a Zoom B2 in there, so I relied on my mad carpentry skillz to render a 21" x 14" piece of 1/4" plywood and paint it black. I then covered the edges with black duct tape to prevent splinters. That is the extent of my carpentry skillz.

:bassist:
 
#13
jmjbassplayer said:
Man even touring with beck in the Midnite Vultures days I'd just make a pedalboard out of plywood, paint that shizz black, velcro those b#%^*es down and rock. It's handy! Just go cheap and dirty, it'll save you some time for setups and teardows, and you'll get less wear on cables and the connectors in the pedals. Maybe throw a cheap power supply on there, you just have cable in, cable out, and power in. Done.
Click to expand...

Cool--thanks! I guess I'm a bit too worried about appearances since everybody else in this thing are regular touring guys, some for major label acts, who are used to this world but I'm coming from the "who's turn is it to drive?" world:)
For example, I have some seemingly silly questions, like, do I bring my own guitar stands? I will bring 2 basses (the main one for the set and a BU), a DI, any tuner/effects and cables. Is the best bet to purchase some kinda case for the misc. stuff, like a road case the pedalboard, DI, cables all go in(if it doesn't all fit in whatever pedalboard I end up with)? There will be a backline amp for me supplied. If they use in-ears, do I need my own?
 
#14
dubmon said:
Cool--thanks! I guess I'm a bit too worried about appearances since everybody else in this thing are regular touring guys, some for major label acts, who are used to this world but I'm coming from the "who's turn is it to drive?" world:)
For example, I have some seemingly silly questions, like, do I bring my own guitar stands? I will bring 2 basses (the main one for the set and a BU), a DI, any tuner/effects and cables. Is the best bet to purchase some kinda case for the misc. stuff, like a road case the pedalboard, DI, cables all go in(if it doesn't all fit in whatever pedalboard I end up with)? There will be a backline amp for me supplied. If they use in-ears, do I need my own?
Click to expand...
I certainly wouldn't use a set of ears that have been in someone else's ears, that's for sure! ;)
 
#16
Well slow down on the buying unless you're sure you need it. That's a lot of money to spend on IEM's if you end up not using them.

Also, you asked about guitar stands. Fender does make tiny little guitar stands you can stick in a suitcase, but when I use rented backline, we always have the backline company bring out a handful of stands. Just add them to your rider.
 
#17
Here's my plywood pedal board. Nothing too fancy, although the carrying handle was a non-negotiable ;)

2887024741_2f03663f18_b.png


this all slips into an aluminum briefcase for transport and protection.
 
#18
dubmon said:
Hi JMJ,
I have a couple pro gigs I got offered coming up with a new artist, and well, I haven't played out much lately, and my touring experience is limited to vans and the DIY world:) This will be a pro level deal with a guitar tech, backline, etc.
My question is, I only need 2-3 stomps for this thing--a Boss tuner, some kind of distortion, and maybe a chorus or octave at most. Is it totally "un-pro" to have these things loose? Do I need to set up a little board to house them, even if I end up with just a tuner and one stomp, or is it OK to do what I'm used to and just plop 'em down? I recall reading your gear for the Dixie Chicks shows, and you only used a couple things I think. What do you do in a case like that?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm no pro touring realm guy by any means but in my experience the importance of having a pedal board is saving you set up time, set up confusion(this is a big one) and wear and tear on cables/equip. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just a slice of plywood that you could then slide in any road case would work wonders. Trust me. Just being able to yank that baby out all ready to plug in and go - well worth it.
As far as all the other worries and investments - I would expect many of those amenities could be provided if you've been hired for your playing skills. I mean c'mon they've got to be providing ear monitors and stands, right?!
Good luck! Most importantly though - just relax and have a good time!
 

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