Rockboards (pedalboards)

[the swede]

His "no" was to if there was an "official" pedalboard tape... :)

I know. The very prompt "no" made me feel ashamed of my self.... that i am such a nerd. I really am.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I know, I may sound like a broken record, but seriously: Why not go for a "semi-DIY" board? Yes, you would end up with something made of case plywood, but it's usually not heavier, doesn't take more space (but a handful of millimeters), but wood allows you to do easy modifications yourself and, even more important, you would start with exactly the right size, tilting and whatever form factor related things to start with.
I have been doing just that 3 times by now, went to a local casebuilder with the exact dimensions and had him cut a bunch of case plywood stripes in the very dimensions I wanted. Overall cost less than €50. I even got one for free as an addon of a case (another semi-DIY kit) that I've ordered.

 

[laxu]

I know, I may sound like a broken record, but seriously: Why not go for a "semi-DIY" board? Yes, you would end up with something made of case plywood, but it's usually not heavier, doesn't take more space (but a handful of millimeters), but wood allows you to do easy modifications yourself and, even more important, you would start with exactly the right size, tilting and whatever form factor related things to start with.
I have been doing just that 3 times by now, went to a local casebuilder with the exact dimensions and had him cut a bunch of case plywood stripes in the very dimensions I wanted. Overall cost less than €50. I even got one for free as an addon of a case (another semi-DIY kit) that I've ordered.

How do you handle transport?

For me, despite only occasionally wanting to move a board, one of the issues is finding a suitable case or bag for it. I once considered the D'Addario board that can be just expanded wider if needed...until I saw its bag which has to be the size of the max width of the board when fully expanded.

If you want a further option, Makerbeam parts make for good DIY pedalboard parts. They are not cheap, but fun to build. I built a small pedalboard for a few pedals with the parts and it's been very solid.

 

[Sascha Franck]

How do you handle transport?

In a case. But there's also been a (now unfortunately discontinued) outdoor specialist shop who has sewn me a nice bag (padding included) for one of my earlier boards (unfortunately I sold board and bag, so no pictures). However, that was admittedly a bit more expensive than a stock bag. If I had to do it today and wanted to transport the board in a bag, I'd possible decide on the final board size depending on what bags are available (and would certainly also look outside of the music shop realm). OTOH, there's some little sewing shops (where you can have, say, your jeans and jackets and stuff repaired) who are amazingly versatile.

For me, despite only occasionally wanting to move a board, one of the issues is finding a suitable case or bag for it.

Despite being changed now (because there's other stuff on the board), with the one I used for the longest period of time ever, I had everything made in one step. I measured the required board size and then ordered that semi-DIY kit (you only have to do all the riveting work yourself) and the actual board, so it was a very snug fit. I was able to use the board with or without the case. Considered an additional bag but usually I manage to transport the case (I have straps that I can mount, it fits on a small trolley or in my bike trailer, so all possibilities are covered).

Really, all of these have been the best boards I ever used, as I was always able to easily modify them to my needs. In fact, even today my small Stomp board and the riser inside the main board are leftovers from the last big board. Case plywood is a most excellent material IMO.

 

[Chocol8]

I made my first few boards. One wood, one a mix of wood and aluminum angle, and one out of aluminum angle and square tubing. I am not eager to do it again. The result wasn’t better and the savings didn’t justify the time.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I made my first few boards. One wood, one a mix of wood and aluminum angle, and one out of aluminum angle and square tubing. I am not eager to do it again. The result wasn’t better and the savings didn’t justify the time.

As said, the most I think I've paid was less than €50 and screwing it together took a mere 10 minutes. That got me a raw pedalboard frame, hence exactly what you get when you buy from any of the usual suspects.

I'm not saying anyone else should do it, but especially in case the size you need isn't available from the typical companies, it's a great solution.

 

[Fishbulb]

I know, I may sound like a broken record, but seriously: Why not go for a "semi-DIY" board? Yes, you would end up with something made of case plywood, but it's usually not heavier, doesn't take more space (but a handful of millimeters), but wood allows you to do easy modifications yourself and, even more important, you would start with exactly the right size, tilting and whatever form factor related things to start with.
I have been doing just that 3 times by now, went to a local casebuilder with the exact dimensions and had him cut a bunch of case plywood stripes in the very dimensions I wanted. Overall cost less than €50. I even got one for free as an addon of a case (another semi-DIY kit) that I've ordered.

Years ago, when the only pedalboards around that you could buy at the store were the plastic Boss and SKB ones, I used to build them in small ATA-grade mixer cases with plywood. This could be pretty heavy and didn't leave a lot of room for transporting cables and stuff like some of the bags do. Wish I had thought to take some photos back then, those got me thru a lot of rigs and bands.

 

[JiveTurkey]

The pieces on my Temple Board now all "fit" but there is no way in h#ll I am finding a case for it. Unless it's some HUGE foam filled flight case that adds 50lbs to the proceedings. Ugh.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I used to build them in small ATA-grade mixer cases with plywood.

Fwiw, my last *really* big board sat in a case that was deliberately "console style", so that the side facing me was flat, but the rear part was high, with sloping sides. That way, all plugs and what not were nicely protected.
The current main board is somewhat similiar, as in being kind of an L-case. It's very old already, and back then I didn't consider console-style, which would be better as the L-portion is wasting some space on the lid and the switches all the way to the left/right might be a tad more difficult to operate. Yet, great protection for all the stuff in the rear.

(Got some velcro inside the L-part, though, allows me to "mount" one or the other cable there, but I usually don't do that)

 

[Sascha Franck]

Fwiw, to kinda support what I wrote, here's a pic of the old larger board:

My lack of OCD aside (phew...), you can see how I had things pretty much in a way they would fit well, especially true for the Mooer loopswitcher (and partially the Stomp), which are sitting nicely on a single stripe of plywood mounted below.
The main layout was however made with some other pedals I used before.

And here's a gut shot (did I mention my lack of OCD already? Nice Boards Canada wouldn't approve for sure...):

So I could move things in and out as I see fit, nothing was fixed in the case, for transport duties I simply slapped a layer of foam on top so nothing would move around.

 

[Sascha Franck]

The pieces on my Temple Board now all "fit" but there is no way in h#ll I am finding a case for it. Unless it's some HUGE foam filled flight case that adds 50lbs to the proceedings. Ugh.

What about a custom case? If you have a case builder sort of close, they might offer you a similar semi-DIY kit. Over here the guys cut everything (super accurately) and all you need to do is the final assembling. Compared to a ready case the savings are around 50%. A case like the one shown comes in at around €200 instead of €400. And I always found the assembling to be fun (the guys over here would lend you rivet pliers and even some proper drill bits).
Apart from that, even Thomann has a case configurator and a pretty high-end-ish case would cost you around €300.

 

[JiveTurkey]

What about a custom case? If you have a case builder sort of close, they might offer you a similar semi-DIY kit. Over here the guys cut everything (super accurately) and all you need to do is the final assembling. Compared to a ready case the savings are around 50%. A case like the one shown comes in at around €200 instead of €400. And I always found the assembling to be fun (the guys over here would lend you rivet pliers and even some proper drill bits).
Apart from that, even Thomann has a case configurator and a pretty high-end-ish case would cost you around €300.

I have a HUGE flight case I got with this board. It weighs a TON. I just wrap the board up in a thick piece of protective cloth and load it in the vehicle. I could also make something myself but this board is at the limits of what I want to schlep that ISN'T a big loud amp

 

[Sascha Franck]

I have a HUGE flight case I got with this board. It weighs a TON. I just wrap the board up in a thick piece of protective cloth and load it in the vehicle. I could also make something myself but this board is at the limits of what I want to schlep that ISN'T a big loud amp

What's the weight of the board?
(pepare for being called a wimp...)

 

[Chocol8]

that ISN'T a big loud amp

Speaking of big loud amps, have you ordered your SLO yet?

 

[JiveTurkey]

What's the weight of the board?
(pepare for being called a wimp...)

It's probably at most 25lbs? It moreso the fact that it's wide and tall vs. the full weight of it. If it was the 28 or the 34; I'd just mount wheels and a handle on it

 

[Fishbulb]

Fwiw, my last *really* big board sat in a case that was deliberately "console style", so that the side facing me was flat, but the rear part was high, with sloping sides. That way, all plugs and what not were nicely protected.
The current main board is somewhat similiar, as in being kind of an L-case. It's very old already, and back then I didn't consider console-style, which would be better as the L-portion is wasting some space on the lid and the switches all the way to the left/right might be a tad more difficult to operate. Yet, great protection for all the stuff in the rear.

View attachment 46975

(Got some velcro inside the L-part, though, allows me to "mount" one or the other cable there, but I usually don't do that)

I remember seeing a few touring bands back in the day using these cases with the L shaped lids, and I loved the idea, just didn't have access to that. I was always the guy standing up at the front for the set at smaller club shows, but then also really would check out setup and tear down between bands to see how everyone was traveling with their gear. Total nerd!

Lately I've been looking into one of the Pelican cases for my boards - I have been using a Mono bag (board doesn't go in the trailer or a plane much these days) but the lid organizers that Pelican sells caught my eye for extra strings, tools, etc, and I could space out some room in the bottom for cables and an extra pedal or two. I'll swap guitar board or bass board depending on what I'm doing in a day, recently though I've had to bring out both a few times and just end up carrying around a raw pedalboard for one of them which isn't good.

 

[Sascha Franck]

It's probably at most 25lbs?

Hm. That's about the weight where (for me personally, mind you) a) a case doesn't matter too much, even if it's roughly about the same weight and b) the weight might cause enough of a damage should things ever fall down, even just from 20cm height.
Seriously, I'm the least person someone would call "anal" when it comes to rig management and what not, but whenever possible, I just use a case for my precious board. Doesn't hurt it doubles as a seat here and there.

 

[DrewJD82]

I’m actually finishing a new board today-

Not ideal in the weight area, but these things are indestructible. Getting some textured spray coating and the feet in a few minutes. A couple years ago we had a tenant move in to a new suite and they didn’t like the handles on the cabinetry and as we replaced them all I had my staff save the existing handles specifically to make pedalboards with.

 

[Orvillain]

@Whizzinby

Just re-jigged mine now. The Quad 4.4 is a pretty decent size tbh.

 

[Desertdweller]

Fwiw, to kinda support what I wrote, here's a pic of the old larger board:

View attachment 46977

My lack of OCD aside (phew...), you can see how I had things pretty much in a way they would fit well, especially true for the Mooer loopswitcher (and partially the Stomp), which are sitting nicely on a single stripe of plywood mounted below.
The main layout was however made with some other pedals I used before.

And here's a gut shot (did I mention my lack of OCD already? Nice Boards Canada wouldn't approve for sure...):

View attachment 46978

So I could move things in and out as I see fit, nothing was fixed in the case, for transport duties I simply slapped a layer of foam on top so nothing would move around.

Far too many possible points of failure for my taste. Any live rig I’ve ever used was simple to make troubleshooting a problem cable quick and easy. For home use, fine though.