Suggestions for a small pedalboard?

[tonyguitargoat]

I'm looking to put together a small pedalboard - maybe 4 or 5 pedals. In the past I've mounted my favourites on an aluminium baseplate with double-ended jack connectors, and hard-wired the power cables together. This is sturdy, and avoids linking leads. But it involves cutting, drilling and soldering - and then I might want to change a pedal!
Is there a simple small pedalboard you can suggest - does the velcro thing work OK? Sticky? Some pedals have their power connector at the top, some at the side....

 

[kennl]

Temple Audio Solo 18

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'd rather spend my money on guitars and strings, so I've made all my boards from scrap wood. (Two them I mounted inside suitcases I found in the trash.) It's cheap or free, and no one but guitar geeks are looking at your board, anyhow, and the hell with them, the snarky knowitalls.

I drill holes in the wood and use string or wire to tie the pedals down. No Velcro expeditions. If I swap out a pedal and need a new hole, I drill it.

I carry them in duffles, tote bags,messenger bags, or backpacks — whatever's handy.

 

[dougbgt6]

Velcro works just fine, but sticks better to a metal board than wood. Be aware there are two parts to Velcro, the hooky bit and the hooked-too bit. I think most of us put the hooked-too on the board and the hooky on the pedal. I buy 2nd hand and occasional get a pedal that has the wrong Velcro.

I've also incorporated a decent multi way power source, saves mucking about with multiple power sockets and piece of mind with dodgy adaptors. The PSU has right angle jacks so top or side connections aren't a problem.

I also use double ended jacks, some straight and some "dog leg". Dog leg are necessary with different manufacturer's pedals that have jack sockets at slightly different heights.

Doug

 

[Highway 49]

I'm a bit of a fan of the Pedaltrain Nano - the smallest Nano is really small, neat and comfortably fits four ordinary size pedals. It comes with a bag which tbh is a bit tight but does the job.
I've also got a Pedaltrain Metro 16 which is also great - it's a couple of inches wider than the Nano, which means you should get five ordinary pedals across. It's also deeper so you can fit some sideways pedals across the top, although I prefer to keep it clear for the power supply plug and various cables. Comes with a really nice hard case (not a tour case but plenty strong enough for ordinary use).
I think the Temple Solo 18 board is a tiny bit wider and deeper than the Metro 16, which would be useful, I think, and is also sloped, which would also be useful.
After years of resisting velcro because it's so horrible, I now use velcro and it's fine
And EBS flat patch cables are brilliant - they take up so little space. I've got some with black and some gold connectors, and I can't tell the difference.

 

[telekaster1999]

Pedaltrain Nano plus.

 

[JustABluesGuy]

I like DIY myself. One suggestion I will make when using velcro. Use gaffers tape (or painters tape) on your pedal BEFORE applying the velcro tape.

This protects any label the pedal might have, and also prevents any adhesive residue from being left behind.

 

[Twang-ineer]

I love the looks of the One piece connectors (Dog Leg or Straight).... just be aware that they put a lot more stress in the connector than you would think. Ok for pedals that you can easily replace or repair, but depending on the pedal construction YMMV.

I use them for the MIC Amazon/Donner/Mosky/Off Brand stuff. With the mini pedals they make for a cool looking board in minimal space. I've had a half dozen pedals fail because of those. And oddly, quite a few of the connectors themselves fail, which I still dont get?

 

[Dennyf]

Plastic pegboard squares, 16"x16" are available at Home Depot and the like. Easy to cut down. Mount pedals with zip ties.

 

[Mr. St. Paul]

Velcro works just fine, but sticks better to a metal board than wood. Be aware there are two parts to Velcro, the hooky bit and the hooked-too bit. I think most of us put the hooked-too on the board and the hooky on the pedal. I buy 2nd hand and occasional get a pedal that has the wrong Velcro.

I've also incorporated a decent multi way power source, saves mucking about with multiple power sockets and piece of mind with dodgy adaptors. The PSU has right angle jacks so top or side connections aren't a problem.

I also use double ended jacks, some straight and some "dog leg". Dog leg are necessary with different manufacturer's pedals that have jack sockets at slightly different heights.

View attachment 1208107

Doug

I'm a fan of these connectors, but with mini pedals that have the 9v jack on the side of the casing, there's not enough room for the adapter plug. Just FYI.

 

[dougbgt6]

I'm a fan of these connectors, but with mini pedals that have the 9v jack on the side of the casing, there's not enough room for the adapter plug.

OK on this board, Corona to mini Vortex!

(Note to self, take everything off and re-align it!)

Doug

 

[Midgetje94]

Velcro works just fine, but sticks better to a metal board than wood. Be aware there are two parts to Velcro, the hooky bit and the hooked-too bit. I think most of us put the hooked-too on the board and the hooky on the pedal. I buy 2nd hand and occasional get a pedal that has the wrong Velcro.

I've also incorporated a decent multi way power source, saves mucking about with multiple power sockets and piece of mind with dodgy adaptors. The PSU has right angle jacks so top or side connections aren't a problem.

I also use double ended jacks, some straight and some "dog leg". Dog leg are necessary with different manufacturer's pedals that have jack sockets at slightly different heights.

View attachment 1208107

Doug

For what it’s worth. I’m not a fan of the double end jacks. I’d get some Hosa pancakes.

My issue with them, yes. They are nice for lining up different pedals jacks. But the heights of the jack in comparison to the ground level is also different. When you step on one, in turn you’re also putting pressure on the other ones Jack.

May be a very slight pressure. But over time I wouldn’t want to kill a perfectly good pedal.

My thoughts at least.

But to a pedalboard. I am a big fan of Pedaltrain. The Nano has been mentioned above. And that’s a perfectly good option.
I’ll suggest at least looking at the Metro 16 (one of my favorites for a small board.) seems to accommodate bigger pedals better. And has a bit more placement options.

I’m currently upgrading my board. But this was what I ran for most of 2022-2023

$100 new with a hard case, hard to beat

 

[Tubedrt3000]

Small squares of dual-lock (velcro) placed in the 4 corners on the pedal is all that is really required. If you use BOSS pedals, take the bottom plate off and flip it inside out, that way the rubber bottom is out of the way but you can return it to normal just flipping it around. I do not like the solid double jacks, many pedals inputs/outputs are in different places. Buy some 4-6" flat-headed patch cables by Ernie ball, EBS etc. for more flexibility. That Pedal Show on YouTube is a great resource if you're getting back into building a board. They have videos on basically anything you could think of.

 

[Dik Ellis]

I'm looking to put together a small pedalboard - maybe 4 or 5 pedals. In the past I've mounted my favourites on an aluminium baseplate with double-ended jack connectors, and hard-wired the power cables together. This is sturdy, and avoids linking leads. But it involves cutting, drilling and soldering - and then I might want to change a pedal!
Is there a simple small pedalboard you can suggest - does the velcro thing work OK? Sticky? Some pedals have their power connector at the top, some at the side....

Amazon has some inexpensive pedalboards in the $30-$40 range. I have 3 of them. Each powered by a One Spot.

 

[dougbgt6]

This is the "dog leg" connector I referred to, it allows different manufacturer's pedals with sockets at different hights to be connected without stress to the sockets.

Doug

 

[JesterR]

Never ever use these things! Only patch cables.

 

[Nick Fanis]

🎸 Harley Benton SpaceShip 50C

Pedal Board Compact and lightweight, Sturdy, powder-coated aluminium frame, Carpet-covered, Simple power supply installation underneath the frame, Dimensions (H x W x D): 35 x 500 x 135 mm, Weight: 0.65 kg, Includes padded gig bag with accessory...

www.thomann.de

 

[Heartbreaker_Esq]

For what it’s worth. I’m not a fan of the double end jacks. I’d get some Hosa pancakes.

My issue with them, yes. They are nice for lining up different pedals jacks. But the heights of the jack in comparison to the ground level is also different. When you step on one, in turn you’re also putting pressure on the other ones Jack.

May be a very slight pressure. But over time I wouldn’t want to kill a perfectly good pedal.

My thoughts at least.

But to a pedalboard. I am a big fan of Pedaltrain. The Nano has been mentioned above. And that’s a perfectly good option.
I’ll suggest at least looking at the Metro 16 (one of my favorites for a small board.) seems to accommodate bigger pedals better. And has a bit more placement options.

I’m currently upgrading my board. But this was what I ran for most of 2022-2023
View attachment 1217065

$100 new with a hard case, hard to beat

Can you drop a link to this board and case?

 

[14strings]

The Cioks DC5 power supply fits under the Nano perfectly.
I have been using these patch cables and like them. High quality and the connectors are super flat.

EBS PG-10 Premium Gold Flat Patch Cable - Right Angle to Right Angle - 3.94 inch

Patch Cable with Gold-Plated Housing and 1/4" Contacts - Black

www.sweetwater.com

Nothing like a guitar straight into a tube amp though

 

[stormsedge]

I usually use Donner DB3 boards...but they are larger than you want. I purchased a "AYCRIT Mini Guitar Pedal Board, Aluminum Alloy 0.9lb Small Effect Bass Pedalboard, 15.7 * 5.3in, With Pedals Mountain Tape, Power DC Cable, Cable Tie" last Dec off Amazon that neatly holds five pedals and is very nice...$20usd. Happy Hunting.