Show us your home made pedalboards

[Midgetje94]

I’m working in a pedalboard currently. Using all small company made pedals. I’ve used Pedaltrain boards for years. With no issues. I like them. But feel with the spirit of the “small company” thing. I’m thinking about just building my own.

I’ll say I’m not much of a carpenter but do enjoy working on things. Not saying I have to build the most amazing board ever. I’m still waiting on a few pedals to come in. Once I do I’ll plan out my placement and see what size I need.

So until then. Let’s see what yall have done!

 

[wrathfuldeity]

I've used salvaged wooden racks which are cut to size. One is a drawer with a rack and 2 hinges... in the mole hole. The office rig is just some old rack.

 

[Killing Floor]

I’ve made dozens from 4 to 20 pedal size for myself and friends. Here’s a plan you can follow and add a row for double depth, add a top deck, angle the skids if you want it to be sloped.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/simple-pedalboard-build-play-by-play.1515090/#post-25249844

 

[bottlenecker]

Here are some of mine. These are for practicality and gigging.

I use 3/4" thick pine board, covered in tolex, with #6 sheet metal screws and little tabs to hold the pedals on.
The mounting tabs are cut from a roll of steel plumbing strap (copper clad for looks).
The screws go straight into the pine with little effort and no pilot holes. They can be driven by a 1/4" hex or the slot in the head.

I used to think the flat pedalboard style required me to make custom patch cables that fit right, but then I discovered tour gear designs cables. Flat and tiny, cheap, any length, and available in an "S" shape (90° plugs going opposite ways) so they can fit any jack to jack gap. The last board with the rat has these. You can barely see them, and the pedals can really squeeze on tight.

I've been gigging flat boards for 12 years.
Easier than most boards to pack and carry, and I can make them any size and shape I want.

Current board

Previous version

Sub compact

Current sub compact

 

[SparkleFart]

From bottom to top, Thing #1, Thing #2, & Thing #3.

rear view

top view

 

[doof]

I drew up the design in AutoCAD and got it cut out of some scrap stainless with the laser, and bent up, at the steel supply company where I work. A friend of mine donated the wood. The powder coating cost me $60. I'm pleased overall, but I really wish I had spent more time planning things out (the placement of the slots could be better for cable management). If I were to do it again, I'd make a mock up on cardboard first.

Edit: adding this smaller pedalboard I just remembered about. I got it at Home Depot, one of those boards you mount house numbers onto. Added some cabinet handles.

 

[Midgetje94]

This is what I’m thinking. Pretty simple straight forward. I have access to tools I may need. But with this idea I’d have everything I need. Hand saw, wood glue, clamps, drill/screws.

Probably just cheap White Wood from Lowes. Doesn’t need to be crazy. I’m not standing on it lol.

Forgive my Picasso level drawings. Nothings to scale. Heck I don’t even know what dimensions I’ll need yet. Just making a game plan. Using 1”x2” and 1”x3” posts. Simple but effective. Obviously use the 1x3” for my top portion. With the 1x2” capping the sides. With another 1x3” on bottom creating a side support. As crude as a sketch I did. I thing it shows the picture in my head. The joined 2” and 3” create the side 90° angle. And the top 1x3” will be secured to the lip the bottom 1x3” leaves…. Hell the picture may explain it better than I just did

 

[Midgetje94]

I’m thinking 15”x10” will be good. I won’t want them all packed in to where I can’t plug anything in. But I don’t really like a lot of dead space either. So I made a 15”x10” piece of cardboard. And drew out a replica. If I’m using 3” planks. I’d use 3 layers. So that’s a .5” gap between to allow the cables to run under. I think this will work.

 

[arlum]

To be honest I don't have mine anymore. There was a point in my life when none of the pedal board manufacturers were making anything big enough to cover my requirements for a psychedelic stereo board I was setting up. Psychedelic music requires a huge amount of pedals and stereo requires doubling up on a lot of connections. Add the required power supplies and your building a machine.
I purchased one 1" x 6" x 10', one 1" x 4" x 8' white pine board and a 4' x 4' x 1" piece of ply. It worked beautifully. The issue was the weight. With the pedals and power supplies mounted it took two people to pick it up and move it around. Down the road Pedaltrain came up with their Classic series. All Aluminum. Less than half the weight and sturdier. I purchased a Classic Pro and a Classic 3 and retired the homemade board. At my age I just couldn't lift / carry around my homemade board anymore.

 

[strateles]

I have built several for myself and friends, the most current version is made from recycled skateboards, super strong and super light

 

[Midgetje94]

I have built several for myself and friends, the most current version is made from recycled skateboards, super strong and super light View attachment 1294152

Did you build it to fit that case or just get lucky finding one?

 

[strateles]

Did you build it to fit that case or just get lucky finding one?

friend gave me the case, so I built to fit. Have LOTS of old skateboards lying around waiting for a project, if you want send me some dimensions and a sketch for your pedal board idea and Ill build you one

 

[Midgetje94]

friend gave me the case, so I built to fit. Have LOTS of old skateboards lying around waiting for a project, if you want send me some dimensions and a sketch for your pedal board idea and Ill build you one

That’s cool. I actuallly have everything to do mine. Simple concept. Thought about trying to hunt down one of the older vintage style slimmer suitcases in a similar size At least. May have to foam and cut out

 

[strateles]

I did the old pedal board in a suitcase thing for a long while, it worked great! Just make sure to find a case that sits flat and opens flat!

 

[Midgetje94]

Definitely not a carpenter. Cut it all with a cheap hand saw. Took a bit. But didn’t want to buy a circular saw. Not much real experience with this type of stuff. But drew out an idea and did some basic measurements. Measured twice. Cut once. Got very very close. But not perfect.

Used cheaper white wood 1x3” and 1x2”. So it’s not heavy. But strong enough to last. Plan to get some wood putty tomorrow. Fill the few little gaps from slightly off measurements. Then do an overall sand and paint. Then I want to get a handle for the top/front.

It’s just wood glued currently. I plan to drill pilot holes and screw in a few places just to add some more security.

 

[loudboy]

Runs off a phone brick w/a step-up USB cable. Goes about 50-60 hrs on a charge.

300+ gigs, not one problem.

 

[ravindave_3600]

Here are some of mine. These are for practicality and gigging.

I use 3/4" thick pine board, covered in tolex, with #6 sheet metal screws and little tabs to hold the pedals on.
The mounting tabs are cut from a roll of steel plumbing strap (copper clad for looks).
The screws go straight into the pine with little effort and no pilot holes. They can be driven by a 1/4" hex or the slot in the head.

I used to think the flat pedalboard style required me to make custom patch cables that fit right, but then I discovered tour gear designs cables. Flat and tiny, cheap, any length, and available in an "S" shape (90° plugs going opposite ways) so they can fit any jack to jack gap. The last board with the rat has these. You can barely see them, and the pedals can really squeeze on tight.

I've been gigging flat boards for 12 years.
Easier than most boards to pack and carry, and I can make them any size and shape I want.


View attachment 1293574
Current board


View attachment 1293575
Previous version

View attachment 1293576
Sub compact

View attachment 1293578
Current sub compact

Your tolex is a cool look. I've made three or four - first with black paint, a couple just stained, one with blue and orange racing stripes. They're easy and fun but I like your touch.

 

[dogmeat]

3/16" aluminum. pedals are held down by the side plates off a bicycle chain

 

[WelhavenTW]

I made this board in my garage many years ago. Room for power supply underneath. Perfect size for me, can fit inside a small backpack.

 

[bendercaster]

I made one for my son with a crate from Ikea and some metal brackets. I think it cost around $12. It's held up pretty well so far.