The new Pedal-Board Challenge: Making the most of what I got

Jazzman105

I'm sure this post has played itself out in numerous guises in the past, but I'll take a chance anyway.

The pic below shows all the pedals I have at the moment. I don't use any of them right now. I solely use my GT-100 with which I am very happy. It serves all my needs. I have never gigged with any pedals other than a GT-10 or a GT-100, so I have absolutely zero experience with separate effect pedals, other than messing around with them at home. Despite this, I always wanted a "proper pedal-board".

The plan is now to start building one. The catch is that I am not prepared to spend more money, other than on a power supply and the actual board. You will notice that there is some duplication in my pedals. I am prepared to sell some of them, but the sold ones must off-set the cost of any other pedals I buy to complete my board.

Your thoughts on which pedals should stay, which should go (and suitable replacement, if applicable), and why will be appreciated.

Consider the following:
- I don't use effects heavily as I play mostly Jazz... and to a lesser extent, Soul, RnB and some African Grooves.
- I will almost always play into my mic'd-up Marshall Valvestate or Gibson Goldtone Amp.
- The "Sans Amp" pedal is purely for the very unlikely occasion that I will play straight into the PA (but I won't sell it).
- Chorus, Delay, Overdrive, Compression and Reverb is not negotiable (both my gigging amps have very decent Reverb btw)

Jazzman105

Jazzman105 wrote: - Chorus, Delay, Overdrive, Compression and Reverb is not negotiable (both my gigging amps have very decent Reverb btw)

Wah is also not negotiable. But I am looking to replace the FW-3 Wah with something way smaller. A Morley mini-wah is the ideal

V8

I not pedalboard connoisseur, though I've seen more than a few in my time. I'm happy with a decent multifx (GT-100 qualifies), mainly because one can store patch values - I hate having to tweak a pedal mid-gig for a certain part or (imho, worse) having extra pedals on a board just for that one part.

More pedals = more things to go wrong & troubleshooting a pedalboard is not fun. Ask Norman86 :roflmao:

If this is going to be gigged, it'll need to be portable - so you'll need some kinda pedaltrain/pedal case. That will limit how much space you have on your board and thus what pedals you'll have on it to cover your needs.

The need to DI w/o amp could mean you'd also want a speaker emulator (ala Redbox) to go with your sansamp? And keep a reverb on your board as well. Thats two pedals you'd normally not need, seems a bit of a faf to keep them on the main pedal board if you hardly ever will use it. I'd probably separate that onto a smaller secondary board.

You may well need a loop switcher - that is to switch multiple pedals on at one stomp. E.g. I need 3 basic sounds. Clean, Driven and 'Spacey'. Clean is just eq, Driven is drive pedal + octave and Spacey is clean, reverb, modulation. The noise gate and tuner would be external to the loops, depending on how it worked out, I'd probably run a compressor external too.

So I'd work it that I'd have three patches comprised of various pedals I could activate with a loop switcher. Only way I could see it working live, I'm not much of a tap dancer and the chance of making a mistake is tooooo likely!

Heard good things about the Dunlop mini crybaby, from what I heard on youtube, it sounds really good and comes with three voicings.

I don't see a tuner anywhere? That would be a must have. I don't like the Boss Tu-3 (I'm a heretic), it'd be Korg pitchblack or the Polytune for me. I'd be tempted with one of those clip-on polytunes, but the likelihood of loosing it is too great. I'd have to have a pedal.

I'd keep the DE7 over the analog delay, the DE7 sounds pretty good to me (I think it has tap tempo? That's a must have for a delay). Dunno which reverb I'd go for, that's personal taste? The overdrives/dist is again personal taste, though I don't much like the DS-1. I'd be happy with one of those Joyo vintage overdrives (TS clone), they sound great.

Happy pedalboarding!

Stoffeltoo

Will post pics soon of my pedal board with an assortment of pedals of which the three favourites are TC Electronic tap delay and two Electro Harmonix stomps namely the Key9 and B9. It works fine as is for the band's needs

Jazzman105

Meron Rigas wrote: More pedals = more things to go wrong & troubleshooting a pedalboard is not fun. Ask Norman86 :roflmao:

This is the biggest factor that has prevented me from making a move on this earlier. I will probably be cursed by some for this, but I often wonder if it isn't more trouble than it's worth! I hate the thought of spending valuable time sorting out technical issues when I could be practicing.

Meron Rigas wrote: If this is going to be gigged, it'll need to be portable - so you'll need some kinda pedaltrain/pedal case. That will limit how much space you have on your board and thus what pedals you'll have on it to cover your needs.

Agreed. There is a guy in Goodwood making and selling them with a bag for about R1500. I'll check him out first... You won't find me building my own btw

Thanks for a comprehensive response! I am quite prepared to change these pedals up with some other ones. Neither of the delays have tap, for instance, and I agree re the importance thereof. I suppose selling these two will go along way towards buying the one that will suit me best.

V8

Jazzman105 wrote: You won't find me building my own btw

Honestly, I don't know why more people just don't do this : http://www.tdpri.com/threads/pedal-board-in-a-laptop-bag.443152/

Possibily a bit small for some, but with the mini pedals and a touch of compromise I could cram in a lot of functionality into a 17in laptop bag. Stick a velcro covered board in the bottom and hey presto!

Jazzman105 wrote: Thanks for a comprehensive response!

Ahh a pleasure. Was fun to put down some thought I've been having recently since I've had to consider a live rig for the band. It's been a great way to approach building a board/rig, After a year of jamming, one gig and tracking a album I have a fairly good idea of what I need and will use.

We're playing originals so I don't need versatility. With a 8 string & 7 string guitars there ain't a lot of space to hear the bass fx - in this band, I'm fattening the sound 90% of the time and maybe get a groove or three one my 'own'. So I can concentrate on getting good sounds that are easy to use live instead of trying to cover 1000 sounds that I'll never use (aka The bedroom guitarist...which was me about 5yrs ago ?)

I'm holding off committing to any one solution until the album is done and I can pick the engineers brains, he's mainly using Line6 plugin's and gear, and the bass sound he's dialed in is damn good. And if I go that route, I can get almost exactly what he's got in studio, live. I'm a fan of Line6 sounds (though I don't feel they are nearly as reliable as Boss), so we'll see.

P.s. I'm a fan of the hardwire DL-8, Line6 echo park and flashback x4 delays. The DL-8 & echo park are pretty good budget options at around R1k, both have tap tempo.

Jazzman105

I do in fact have a 17" laptop bag going to waste in a corner somewhere.... maybe worth a try :?

Jazzman105

Meron Rigas wrote: I'm a fan of Line6 sounds (though I don't feel they are nearly as reliable as Boss), so we'll see.

P.s. I'm a fan of the hardwire DL-8, Line6 echo park and flashback x4 delays. The DL-8 & echo park are pretty good budget options at around R1k, both have tap tempo.

I am also keen on Line6 tones. I've had a Flextone XL amp with FBV shortboard for a year or so, and I was very happy with it... Big, true tone! I've only sold it due to it's size and weight. I shall definitely check your suggested delay pedals out.

Jazzman105

Meron Rigas wrote: The overdrives/dist is again personal taste, though I don't much like the DS-1. I'd be happy with one of those Joyo vintage overdrives (TS clone), they sound great.

I'm hoping to replace the OS-2, DS-1 and VOX Big Ben with a TS-mini or TS clone (space-saver). The OS-2 is decent and the multi-functionality is great, but I don't want to bend down and switch between OD and DS mode on stage (not that I ever use distortion). The Big Ben has the sweetest OD but it's simply too large for my needs, and the OS-2 I only bought cos it was part of a deal. It's a Monte Allums mod and I'm not even sure what that means as I've plugged it in once and never touched it again. The only reason I'm wondering if I should keep it, is because the Goldtone amp is a little lazy to break up. Great news for Jazzers, but sad news if you're looking to get real dirty on the odd occasion.

I've successfully used the Fender Deluxe Reverb pedal (FDR-1) as a mild drive pedal. It's also great at fattening up your tone and is able to flatter any cheap-ass pups straight into the PA ?. Don't count on the reverb however. I dial it all the way down. The reverb is wet and muddy with clicks and pops. (Apparently its supposed to be that way... being true to the actual amp). It was the first pedal i ever bought and it served its purpose but I have no use for it anymore.

Jazzman105

Jazzman105 wrote:
and the OS-2 I only bought cos it was part of a deal. It's a Monte Allums mod and I'm not even sure what that means as I've plugged it in once and never touched it again.

I meant DS-1

V8

Jazzman105 wrote: I do in fact have a 17" laptop bag going to waste in a corner somewhere.... maybe worth a try :?

Fate is conspiring with you! I need to go find my old cases and fit a chunk of baltic birch in one with some velcro, that sounds like a fun & easy project.

Jazzman105 wrote:
Meron Rigas wrote: The overdrives/dist is again personal taste, though I don't much like the DS-1. I'd be happy with one of those Joyo vintage overdrives (TS clone), they sound great.
The only reason I'm wondering if I should keep it, is because the Goldtone amp is a little lazy to break up. Great news for Jazzers, but sad news if you're looking to get real dirty on the odd occasion.

Lots of peeps swear by the Monte Allum mods - I'm undecided really, if it works your you and your rig, then it works. There are sooooo many options for drives that I get a bit "analysis paralysis". For guitar, I'd prefer the amp to do most of the work and the pedal(s) to add a little bit of colour/boost. I've got a old Elk FS-22 SS amp (surprisingly dynamic for a solid state), that is warm and slightly muddy. A Klon/TS clone brightens it up sweetly for a strat - I can do a lot with those two tones.

Maybbee try it as a boost to drive the amp a little harder (like you are using the FDR-1) and move the break-up point. What's nice is that you have options already to play with. Mess around a bit with backing off the volume/tone on the guitar and there's sweet spots to be found.

Was chatting to the Bothner's tech this week - he has a tele w/greasebucket tone mod that we was getting the sweetest jazzy tones out of it. Warm but retained that single coil clarity (no mud). Just backed off the vol a little bit and the tone a little bit. Very, very nice!

daveo1977

Hi Jazzman105!

I gleaned a lot of good information from Guitar Gear Tech Talk, here: http://www.g2t2.com/videos.html

Last week's "That Pedal Show" episode was also great, Dan & Mic each building a board to a maximum value of £350.00:

The thing I'm recently investigating is the need for a buffer pedal. Lots of differing opinions about it, but it seems that if you run long guitar cables, and have more than four stomp boxes on your board, the guitar signal may benefit from a dedicated buffer. I was fortunate to find a Wampler Clean buffer at a good price, and its the newest addition to my board. I haven't jammed much with it, so the verdict is still out.

I'm curious about the Catalinbread "Naga Viper": and the Digitech Hardwire Reverb RV-7:

Best of luck with building your board! For some inspiration, look at Schuur's Fine Timber Products: http://www.schuursproducts.com.au/

Kind regards,

Dave

Jazzman105

daveo1977 wrote: Hi Jazzman105!

I gleaned a lot of good information from Guitar Gear Tech Talk, here: http://www.g2t2.com/videos.html

Thanks for weighing in Dave. Obviously now I want to watch all the episodes. When am I supposed to get any work done! ?
Those Schuur boards are ridiculouly beautiful btw.

FatBoy

No tuner? Even if you tune by ear I find them useful to mute the entire setup

Jazzman105

Fritz Brand wrote: No tuner? Even if you tune by ear I find them useful to mute the entire setup

I'm quite happy with a clip-on tuner

Norman86

Meron Rigas wrote: Ask Norman86

You called Meron??
My board isn't that hectic. I understand what's going on. :bopping:
with rebuilding it, I have also been making sure each patch cable has continuity BEFORE installing. I'm a big proponent of measured cables. Even if soldered ? They don't all have to be 50m long.

Decide which pedals you have use for, sell the rest.
I'd keep the DE7 over the Joyo, even though it doesn't have tap tempo.
2 delays are lots of fun! Delays don't need tap tempo to be creative ? but one of each type would be fun ?

Start by putting the Chorus, Delay, Overdrive, Compression and Reverb in order of:
Compression, OD, Chorus, Delay, Reverb.
If the pedals don't do what you want, sell them and buy some others.
If you can, try before you buy! especially through your rig!

Cry baby mini is the way to go, great pedal, versatile, choose your wah type and have your wah with it! If you get bored, put it on another setting.

Otherwise, Meron's advice was spot on!
Try before you buy... try and try again if possible ?
No use wasting money!

Stoffeltoo

Well here is a pic of my board, not a work of aesthetic art and few boutique pedals. Norman 86 the B9 has found it's rightful place. 8) I have ditched (read Sold) all of my multi's as i could never find a satisfactory setting and keep it in the patch list. As we battle with retaining the services of keyboard players and also have to deal with some inflated ego's, I have decided to go with the B9 and Key 9 of EHX. Besides the other pedals on the board, these two pedals have opened up a universe of possibilities and lent audio credibility to our performance and rehearsals. So I cannot complain about key players any more :D For blues, country. reggae, pop and rock the EHX make for fine key substitutes within reason. The delays create a sense of depth with the compressor and reverb creating space. The blues pedal is in the train for when I feel reaally adventurous. My preferred guitars are in this order, SX tele, Fender American Special strat with grease bucket wiring on the pots, Fender Sonoran acoustic and a Tokai LS92. The 'leccies go through a Marshall JTM60 with no inserts in the effects loop and the acoustic either through an Albion TCT50 or a lined Fishman mini loadbox. The Albion also favours the pedals with the Fender strat.

warrenpridgeon

Stoffeltoo wrote: Well here is a pic of my board, not a work of aesthetic art and few boutique pedals.
Norman 86 the B9 has found it's rightful place. 8)
I have ditched (read Sold) all of my multi's as i could never find a satisfactory setting and keep it in the patch list.
As we battle with retaining the services of keyboard players and also have to deal with some inflated ego's, I have decided to go with the B9 and Key 9 of EHX.

Besides the other pedals on the board, these two pedals have opened up a universe of possibilities and lent audio credibility to our performance and rehearsals. So I cannot complain about key players any more ?

For blues, country. reggae, pop and rock the EHX make for fine key substitutes within reason.
The delays create a sense of depth with the compressor and reverb creating space.
The blues pedal is in the train for when I feel reaally adventurous.

My preferred guitars are in this order, SX tele, Fender American Special strat with grease bucket wiring on the pots, Fender Sonoran acoustic and a Tokai LS92.

The 'leccies go through a Marshall JTM60 with no inserts in the effects loop and the acoustic either through an Albion TCT50 or a lined Fishman mini loadbox. The Albion also favours the pedals with the Fender strat.

Nice toys!!!

Jazzman105

Norman86 wrote:
Decide which pedals you have use for, sell the rest.
I'd keep the DE7 over the Joyo, even though it doesn't have tap tempo.
2 delays are lots of fun! Delays don't need tap tempo to be creative ? but one of each type would be fun ?

Start by putting the Chorus, Delay, Overdrive, Compression and Reverb in order of:
Compression, OD, Chorus, Delay, Reverb.
If the pedals don't do what you want, sell them and buy some others.
If you can, try before you buy! especially through your rig!

Thanks for the input Norman86! Yes, I suppose it is that simple... or is it? ?

V8

Norman86 wrote:
Meron Rigas wrote: Ask Norman86
You called Meron??

Hehehehe, it's like saying beetlejuice three times... :roflmao:

Jazzman105 wrote: Thanks for the input Norman86! Yes, I suppose it is that simple... or is it? ?

Hah, I reckon, were it simple Norm wouldn't do it. ?

On the other hand, if you don't try/experiment you may miss out on tones that'll inspire you and/or give you that something different. For guitar inspiration I'll stick a looper with wah in front and one behind, then a delay (or two) + drum machine. Then use the wahs as filter sweep's either on the loops or on the live. Get's a bit busy, more of a ambient /solo setup, but it's a experiment I've come back too many-a-time - much fun!