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Stacking Pedaltrain boards for a modular pedalboard setup

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by CoarseBass, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. Dec 21, 2014 #1
    CoarseBass

    CoarseBass

    Dec 28, 2002
    Fellow effects users,

    I'm far from the most hardcore pedal guy, but I like them. I've got a dozen, only 8 or so I've got on my board now, and realistically, only 3-4 I actually need to be more than covered for the gigs I do.

    I often do, but am irritated by, lugging my full board around. It's a Pedaltrain PT2, so again, not the biggest out there by far, but big enough. Added to an amp and 1-2 basses, the full sized pedalboard case is a hassle, particularly when I was using public transit around Boston a couple years ago.

    I'd love to be able to use something like a Pedaltrain Nano and a guitar tick to travel lighter, but I don't want to have to tear my board up every gig to do it.

    What I'm thinking is buy the Nano, buy the Volto, put the 3-4 have to have them pedals on it, and fix it to my larger board in such a way that I can pop it off for lighter gigs, or leave it on and use the full board when needed/warranted.

    I'm thinking arranging the board around the Nano, then fixing locating pins to the larger board and drilling corresponding holes in the Nano. I can get creative with duo lock to keep the nano firmly on the PT2 when they're together, and I'd rig the Volto to charge from my Pedal Power 2+ either wise a straight up USB connection via the courtesy outlet, or I'd maybe try to get fancier with power connectors so when I dropped the nano onto the big board, the connection to charge the volto would be made automatically.

    Thoughts? Anyone try anything like this before?
     
  2. Dec 22, 2014 #2
    Dave W

    Dave W

    Mar 1, 2007
    Westchester, NY
    I've thought about doing essentially the same thing (PT-1 instead of the PT-2). Stacking the Nano onto it made that section of the board really tall and thus difficult to fit into a case.

    I've used two Nanos before. Put the essentials on one and the other stuff on the 2nd board, then take what you need. You're still carrying two things though. I've use a Mini and a Nano...same "problem"

    I started looking at ways to carry both small boards together but never found a solution I really liked.
     
  3. Dec 22, 2014 #3
    Alien8

    Alien8

    Jan 29, 2014
    Check out Stompblox.

    Not a bad idea (no affiliation) but at least they break the pedal train recipe.

    Don't know that Stompblox solves the carying two things or not, but you could get an expandable bag.

    I use a modular pedalboard & always have to cary two bags, one for the PT Pro & one with a Moogerfooger rackmount & cables. It's worth the muscle in the end, but have often thought of the idea you propose.

    I like your power solution with the Volto.
     
  4. Jan 15, 2015 #4
    Jon Moody

    Jon Moody Commercial User

    Sep 9, 2007
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Manager of Brand Identity & Development, GHS Strings, Innovation Double Bass Strings, Rocktron
    The bag that comes with the Stompblox unit is already expandable. So if you have two boards screwed together, you can zip the bags together (much like sleeping bags) to make a bigger bag for the board. If you go more than two boards, it won't work that way.

    They also just released the Stompblox Extend, which is just another 4.5" or so addition you put to the back of the original Stompblox board (and when it's attached, still fits in the original bag). Might be an option as well.
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2015
  5. Jan 15, 2015 #5
    RickenBoogie

    RickenBoogie

    Jul 22, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    I use a PT mini with my must have fx, and a PT1 with all the crazy stuff. A PT nano with a double bypass looper connects the two boards when I want it all, or I just grab the mini for essentials.
     
  6. Jan 18, 2015 #6
    BassinCT

    BassinCT …still tuning… Supporting Member

    Jun 17, 2006
    Connecticut, USA
    I'm contemplating the same thing this week- keep those ideas coming!
    There are 4 effects that I use routinely and they fit tightly with a voodoo iso5 on the PT mini. As the needs change, I can't stand the idea of breaking it apart and re-configuring.
     
  7. Jan 18, 2015 #7
    jumblemind

    jumblemind I also answer to Bryan Supporting Member

    Aug 27, 2011
    Knoxville
    The problem I always run into when thinking of this approach is pedal order. Invariably, one of the pedals "last" on the Nano isn't one I want before some of the pedals on the second board. Conversely, there will be some on the second board I don't want following some of the pedals on the Nano. To combat that involves duplicating a pedal or two, and that starts defeating the purpose. Guess that's why a lot of folks have board dedicated to each band/gig type.