New pedalboard build

[John Beef]

For the last eight or nine years I have been using this pedal board I built to go in a tool case I bought. It has worked very well, but I have outgrown it. It's sort of sad to see it go as I have played well over a hundred gigs, probably closer to 200 in probably a dozen states with this thing. In the photo below, the M9 has been replaced with a Mobius, which is the best modulation pedal ever, but is just too large for the available space.

So, I bought a newer, larger case. Pelican 1600, used on ebay.

Last week I had a day off while HVAC work was being done to my house. I finally had some time to build this thing.

First, I removed the foam that was glued into the case. There was all this custom cut rigid foam in there. As you can see below there's still glue residue left behind. I might just leave it, or find a piece of thin foam to glue down.

I cut some pieces out for a frame.

Then I used the router to take down the corners so I could install some reinforcement plywood pieces. The plywood is birch, it's super light and thin but very rigid. The inch and a half square on the bottom will be doubled by the top piece and I will have something to attach recessed feet, so they only protrude from the bottom by 1/8-1/4" or so.

Glued it all up, got it squared. I was wearing gloves because I was working with two part epoxy.

Then I cut the piece I will glue to the frame. Made sure it fit.

 

[John Beef]

While that dried I started working on the top shelf.

My frame was out of square by like 1/8" or so. I lined up what will be the front, and the back is off just a hair on the main bottom shelf. It's very close, not perfect, but is nothing a little 60 grit sandpaper won't take care of quickly. I glued it together in the afternoon, then declampified it later in the evening. I only own 7 clamps, so I used some scrap wood to apply more even pressure across the surfaces being glued together.

I was able to sand out the majority of the out of squareness of the frame. From a few feet away it looks pretty good, close inspection reveals the flaws. Oh well, whatever!

Part of the HVAC work done to the house included changing the location of one of the air returns. The old area was patched with drywall and textured and needed to be painted this maroon/burgundy color. While I had the paint out I hit the pedalboard with a coat. Probably should have done two coats but I was pressed for time.

So, this is how I did the feet. I drilled for the T shaped nuts that press into the wood. I don't know what those are called. The wood is sort of thin for a regular wood screw even with the double layer of plywood (only 3/8") and this will hold better anyway.

I installed some spare kitchen cabinet handles we had left over from our kitchen remodel 3 years ago. then, I attached the top to the bottom using wood screws from underneath so it can disassemble, making the underside of the shelf accessible since my audio interface and power supply will be under there. Here it is enjoying the beautiful day we had yesterday.

As far as how to attach the pedals, I'm really torn over the whole velcro versus bike chain links debate.

Bike chain links pros:
-More secure attachment
-cleaner look

Bike Chain cons:
-have to drill holes
-longer setup time
-less flexibility when I want to make changes
-I have to buy more stuff.

Velcro Pros:
-everything is paid for
-setup time is very short
-no holes to drill
-easy to make changes down the line

Velcro cons
-not as nice looking
-not as secure

 

[John Beef]

I used a skill saw, a router (freehand) and a hand held drill for this job. I think if I ever do this again I will rent at least a table saw, and a router table and drill press would also make things much more precise.

 

[László]

I think you did a great job!

 

[C&M Music - Lafayette]

Looks good. The t shaped nuts are called t-nuts or blind nuts. I am curious about the bike chain. Never heard that? What exactly do you do to use bike chain?

 

[John Beef]

I am curious about the bike chain. Never heard that? What exactly do you do to use bike chain?

You basically take apart a bike chain and then use the links to attach your pedals to the board, explained here:

http://www.christopherhopper.com/2013/06/jason-rodgers-pedalboard-and-the-bike-chain-link-method/

 

[toothace]

Great job!! Looks sofa king cool!

 

[rugerpc]

Nice. I can see that the new board and case are - er - well - BEEFIER!

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Lookin' nice!

 

[BrianC]

like!!!

 

[vchizzle]

:congrats:

 

[John Beef]

Wired up the pedalboard on Friday.

I had to sort of make do with the cables I had available so there was a little jury-rigging in places, but it works. It would be sweet to get some George Ls or Lava Cables or something and set it all up with custom lengths, but that's just more money.

In related news, I had this 60 cycle buzz in the background, it was only apparent if I had the distortion channel and boost on and wasn't playing. I could never track down what it was, but I knew it was something on the pedalboard, and it wasn't very loud so it wasn't a big deal. However, whatever electrical whatchamajigger thingamabobber causing the buzz is gone with the new pedalboard.

 

[László]

It would be sweet to get some George Ls or Lava Cables or something and set it all up with custom lengths, but that's just more money.

Hey John, I have some extra George L's that are cut to various lengths, not sure how many, but you can have them free. I've wired up my board with the PRS cables, and they're just sitting in a box unused.

PM me your address and I'll send them off to you.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Les FUGGIN ROCKS!!!! :rock:

 

[John Beef]

Les FUGGIN ROCKS!!!!

+1,000,000,000,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!! I will be sure to pay it forward. :rock:

 

[László]

+1,000,000,000,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!! I will be sure to pay it forward. :rock:

Gosh, they were just sitting around and waiting to go to a good home!