FruitarGeek
So myself and a friend, are going to be designing a custom pedal board for me soon. But I just gotta ask you wise people some things before we go:
1. Velcro? What type should I use, I had this intense stuff, that was so strong even the glue couldnt handle it
2. Type of Board?
3. Power Supplies - We trying to design the board to accommodate the power supply and cables. Do most power supply cables connect seperately to the supply, or do they go via a daisy chain? Cause what we were thinking, is building kinda like a second level for the pedal board so that the power supply can go under the second level, and the pedals can sit on top of it, then we want to drill small holes for the Power cables to make the board neater.
If there is anything else you think we should know, please suggest
Thank you all.
Pictures will DEFINITELY be put up once its done
raithza
I recently built myself a case/board - planning to take some pics tonight (getting guitar back as well).
I used leftover carpet from my parents house, and weakish velcro from a haberdashery super-glued to the back of my pedals. It's strong enough that I can hold it upside down and shake the board without pedals coming off. My crybaby has more intense velcro on the bottom though, but I got it like that. The industrial strength velcro is quite overpriced though.
My board is built into a suitcase and has a support beam running down the middle (right below crybaby) so I just used chipboard for the platform. Builders express had everything that I needed.
I don't recommend drilling holes for power cables - having holes is awkward when you want to move things around. If you only have a few 9V pedals, daisy chain is fine. I just use small strips of velcro to keep the cables neatish.
FruitarGeek
Hey so you say you used "Superglue"
I got this hardcore contact adhesive stuff, to attach the velcro to the back of my pedals, but its so frustrating, takes 15 minutes to get going, and once its 'attached' and i put it on the velcro board, and decide to take the pedal off, the velcro from the back of the pedal peels off. What can I do?
My board is complete, I just need to attach velcro to the back of these flippen pedals. So please give suggestions.
Also, for pedals with rubber feet? how do you attach the velcro, cause the feet elevate the pedal slightly, thus making contact with the board's velcro even more difficult
AlanRatcliffe
Get proper contact glue. Also clean the bottom of the pedals with alcohol before you apply. Remove the rubber feet.
The rush board I made recently, I just used some mirror tape, which works, but isn't reusable like velcro is when you want to reorganise things.
Riaan
Is the length of patch cable between pedals really such a big deal? Ok I realise it would be with a large pedal board, where the total length of patch cable might become significant and contribute to signal loss, especially when most are true bypass. But a buffered pedal or two somewhere should take care of that?
Reason why I'm asking is I've learned that no matter how sure I am about my pedal order, I always end up changing it after a while. And of course, the combination of variables (pedal order, power supply, patch cable length, space on the board) can make it a challenge. Especially if there are three signal paths....two electric and one acoustic... ?
So I was thinking lately: keep the pedals in their place on the board, make a nice top (ala Pete Cornish) with gaps in the top for the pedal top surfaces and switches, and change the pedal order with the patch cables only?
FruitarGeek
Remove the rubber feet? ah thats scary, I have sentimental value attached to my pedals :'( wont it reduce their worth or something?
On the other hand, the contact glue I used is legit, its that stuff you have to wait till 15min to let it dry, on both objects, before pressing them together. I press and I press, but still it peels off like sunburnt skin. Its not a Pick n Pay brand.
I never tried cleaning with spirits first, might be a good idea. But what about the Velcro with adhesive on the other side of it, will that be strong enough?
AlanRatcliffe
Riaan wrote:
Is the length of patch cable between pedals really such a big deal?
Not if you stick with high quality cabling. And, as you said, a buffered pedal in the chain minimises the impact the cabling has.
Another option would be to set up a patchbay of sorts on your board. Otherwise look at the switching systems that let you preconfigure patches with your pedals (something like the Cornish stuff). Someone was selling something like that in the classifieds recently BTW. You get simpler things like the Carl Martin Octaswitch, but if you want to change the order of effects you have to look at other, more boutique solutions like the Wobo Proglooper (maybe the Carl Martin Combinator? I'm not sure there...).
Riaan
Wobo Proglooper
I had a look, now that's a nice bit of kit....thanks Alan!
The advantage of starting out with Guitar Rig is that it enabled me to discover the tone and effects I like without having to buy each bit of hardware and try it out. The downside of course, is I now expect my pedalboard to be as versatile as the software and that's a different kettle of fish altogether...!
Riaan
Get proper contact glue.
I had the same problem with the bottom velcro coming loose from the board. A nice glue to use is Pattex No More Nails (the Outdoor version) or Alcolin Fix All. When given sufficient time to set it really sticks like the proverbial faecal matter to a woollen blanket and your velcro won't come off anymore.
AlanRatcliffe
Riaan wrote:
The downside of course, is I now expect my pedalboard to be as versatile as the software and that's a different kettle of fish altogether...!
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean - I'm spoilt too. GR is the first piece of kit that can keep up with absolutely everything I want to do and there is no way that
any hardware can keep up, let alone humble footpedals. So you have to simplify. You also have the same problem I do - multiple signal paths, which ups the ante significantly.
FruitarGeek
Sorry to raise this from the dead, BUT. I think I have the solution for future members and non-members with regards to Velcro not sticking on Pedal.
I tried everything, literally, I used Super glue, Adhesive, and NO more nails, the problem wasn't the glue, but the Velcro.
I went to the hardware store again today and looked specifically for Velcro with less hooks (the hook side not the fluffy side). The velcro I was using up till now had many hooks tightly compacted whereas this stuff now has less hooks and more widely dispersed thus not making it as grappy, and doesn't pull off. The upside too is that this Velcro I had also had adhesive, so it was a matter of, pull, stick and stay.
Hope this helps with future issues.
Mr-M
If I may suggest, try 3M Self Adhesive Industrial Strength Velcro - incredibly strong stuff. You can get it at Micah. Usually around R150 - R200 for a roll, so a bit pricey, but worth it. Around this time last year, I did a gig in Potchefstroom, which is about 130km from where I live on seriously bumpy roads. On the way back one of my band mates had packed my pedal case upside down. When I got home and realized it was upside down I thought I was going to open the case and find a mass of tangled pedals and cables. Amazingly this velcro managed to hold all my pedals (about 15 back then) including my really heavy power supply over seriously bumpy roads for 2 hours. They didn't budge.
I've also tried all sorts of different velcro types as well as various adhesives and this 3M stuff is the best. The only drawback is that it can be really hard to get your pedals off your board on purpose. 8)
FruitarGeek , I think you might have found the exact stuff I've been using.
Reinhard
I think I used the same stuff as Mr TM. Pricey, but no complaints, sticks like a mofo.
