There comes a point in every guitarist’s life when a bag full of loose pedals and tangled cables just don’t do the job anymore. So, it’s time to find something else that will help you organise your set-up. Enter the game-changing guitar pedal boards. Let us explore and see how you can make your life much easier by getting one of these much-needed accessories.
What Are Guitar Pedal Boards?
At their core, a pedalboards are a flat surface where you can mount your guitar effect pedals. They keep them in place, making them easier to manage and operate. Typically, they can be made from materials like aluminium, and come in various sizes to accommodate different numbers of pedals.
The main idea behind a pedalboard is to create an organised area for your pedals. So instead of scattering pedals around or fumbling with cables during a gig, you have everything neatly arranged and ready to use. This setup looks professional and it also enhances your ability to switch effects on and off quickly and seamlessly.
Why Are They Used?
They have many purposes, but the first and foremost is to maintain order. When you have multiple pedals, things can get messy pretty quickly. This guitar pedal board keeps everything in one place, making it easier to set up, whether you’re practising or performing on stage. This makes it easy for you to get ready and perform your best without having to look around for a certain pedal.
Moreover, these boards protect your pedals. They are delicate electronic devices and with you constantly moving them around you increase the risk of damaging them. With pedalboards, they stay mounted and safe, reducing wear and tear. Furthermore, they also improve your workflow. With all of your pedals in a fixed position, you can arrange them in the order that is optimal for you, so that you can get the best sound quality. Plus, you can also easily integrate additional gear, further enhancing your setup and sound.
How to Build One?
At first, glance, building one seems daunting, however, it’s quite an easy and straightforward process that requires just a bit of planning. Start by selecting the right size that will be able to accommodate all your pedals for the time being and any others that you might get in the future.
Then, gather your materials. You are going to need a board, power supply and some type of adhesive to secure the pedals. Lay them out on your pedalboard before attaching them, so that you can experiment and try to see which arrangements work best for you. Once you’ve found your setup, attach the pedals.
After they are secured, connect them with patch cables and finally connect them to the power supply. Make sure that the power supply can handle the total power consumption. Also, you can tidy up any loose cables using zip ties or cable clips to keep everything neat and easy to manage.
How to Choose the Right Pedal Board?
Choosing your first or new pedalboard isn’t hard, you just need to consider a few things and you can easily select the right one. The first thing you need to have in mind is the number of effect pedals you have. This will influence the size of your board. But, if you regularly buy pedals, then you’re going to need a board that will accommodate them. So, perhaps get a bigger guitar pedalboard, so that you won’t have to buy a new one in a few months or a year or two.
Then think about where you are going to play. Mobility is an important feature, so having a board that isn’t heavy and you can move around easily is a must. If you’re not moving it around though, you can get a larger and a heavier one. If you do travel a lot, make sure you also get a pedalboard heavy-duty case so that you can transport it easily.
Benefits
The benefits of using a board like this extend beyond mere organisation. One of the most significant advantages is the overall sound quality. By arranging the pedals in a convenient and optimal order, you can ensure power delivery and you can get rid of unwanted noise. This also enhances your performance.
With all of your pedals ordered in a fixed and easy-to-access location, you can switch effect seamlessly, allowing you to focus more on your playing and less on managing your gear. And last but not least, these boards make you look more professional and you can be taken more seriously as a musician. It shows that you take your craft seriously and you are prepared for any situation.
Mastering your sounds as a guitar player involves more than just having the right pedals, it’s about how you organise and how to use them. Having a pedal board will bring order, protection, and efficiency to your setup. By investing in a good one, you can elevate your improve your playing experience and be sure that your pedals are always ready. So, get your pedals in order and start making music with ease.
