The Proper Application of Velcro For Pedals - What's Best?

[László]

Hi guys, it's time to velcro pedals onto my new pedalboard. For many years, I've simply put pedals on the floor or set them on top of a board and wired 'em up, knowing I'd be changing things around. But of course, you can't actually go anywhere with a board like that. And I need to travel a bit with mine to other studios.

So now I have a whiz-bang suitcase style board, and the pedals need to be velcro'd. The board has a velcro top surface to adhere the pedals to. I bought a roll of Industrial Strength Velcro Brand Velcro, 2" wide. I was told this should adhere very well to the pedals. The plan is to clean the bottom surface of the pedal with alcohol and stick enough Velcro onto the pedal, leaving the screws on the bottom of the pedal still showing so I can change a battery if necessary, or service a pedal, but covering the rest of the bottom of the pedal. Also, I was advised to let the pedal sit overnight before attaching it to the board.

The reason I'm bringing this up is that the last time I had a velcro surface pedalboard with a case, maybe a dozen years ago or so, the velcro detached from the pedals, and they all fell off the board when the board was rested on its side one night after a gig. In other words, the relatively light weight of each of the pedals was enough to unstick them from the velcro. To be clear, the adhesive didn't stick to the pedals, the velcro did stick to the pedalboard.

And I used plenty of velcro! It was a Furman pedalboard, and I simply used the stuff that came with the board. I don't recall the brand.

I'm not crazy about that problem repeating itself.

I know most of you have done this successfully. What do you advise? Thanks!

P.S. I don't want to screw the pedals down to the board using bicycle chain links or such, since I do tend to change pedals fairly frequently. Nor am I interested in using cable ties.

 

[andy474x]

Definitely the way to go. I use the same type of Velcro, from the sounds of things, on my board. This is the stuff:
http://m.uline.com/mt/www.uline.com...gclid=CImx1M2zisQCFQqtaQod1jUAwA&gclsrc=aw.ds

I just get mine at Hobby Lobby, although I think the packaging is different now. I've been using it on my board for at least 6 years and have never had an issue with it coming off, or a pedal falling off my board, and that thing gets some serious mileage. I have had a tough time getting the pedals off though, that stuff is strong! I would recommend not using a ton of velcro on your pedals with large footprints, it makes them too hard to get off the board. For example, I had an Ernie Ball volume pedal 100% covered with the stuff, and it took every ounce of my strength to move it. Recently switched pedals and used two 1"x3" strips, and it's holding a hefty (4 lbs) Dunlop volume pedal nicely. Also, don't worry about leaving it overnight. If your surface is clean, it's gonna stick no problem.

I'm a weirdo, and put the hook side on my board and the loop on my pedals. Just don't want them sticking to anything else. Plus they don't get hair and lint stuck to them that way.

 

[rugerpc]

The only real downside to Velcro - lint, strings, hair.

Someone needs to invent a furball remedy for Velcro.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Les, try the Industrial 2" ...Wally World has it. I've always put the Furry piece on the pedals and the loops on my pedal trains. I've had the same issue...and when it's a pedal I know I'm gonna hold onto, I will actually apply a couple small dots of crazy glue to the pedal and stick the Velcro on. I, too, leave the screw corners open for easy battery access. I do use zip ties for pedals that are hard wired, though. ( TC Electronics SCF)

 

[László]

Definitely the way to go. I use the same type of Velcro, from the sounds of things, on my board.

Les, try the Industrial 2" ...Wally World has it. I've always put the Furry piece on the pedals and the loops on my pedal trains. I've had the same issue...and when it's a pedal I know I'm gonna hold onto, I will actually apply a couple small dots of crazy glue to the pedal and stick the Velcro on. I, too, leave the screw corners open for easy battery access. I do use zip ties for pedals that are hard wired, though. ( TC Electronics SCF)

Yup, that's the stuff I got (they've changed the package color though).

The only real downside to Velcro - lint, strings, hair.

Someone needs to invent a furball remedy for Velcro.

Dude, you crack me up!

 

[nosidamde]

I've been using Power Grip from Godlyke for years, stuff works great!

 

[László]

I've been using Power Grip from Godlyke for years, stuff works great!

It looks like a great product, but my pedalboard was made with its entire deck covered in Velcro loop fabric, so I have to use the Velcro hook product.

 

[vchizzle]

You probably thought of it, but remove any rubber feet from the pedals if they have em. Otherwise you should be good.

 

[László]

You probably thought of it, but remove any rubber feet from the pedals if they have em. Otherwise you should be good.

Thanks! I did remove them, and applied the velcro tonight. I'm not sure if it needs to cure or dry, but I'm waiting until tomorrow to wire everything up anyway, because it's late.

 

[GADonis]

For the life of me I can't keep velcro on the bottom of a couple of my pedals. My Blue Note and Lemon Aid absolutely refuse to let anything stick to the bottom plate. I've cleaned, sandblasted, painted, re-sandblasted and cleaned again and the pedals still come off the velcro. I've tried using the sticky backing, rubber cement and Gorilla glue but NOTHING will adhere to these pedals. My POG2 and DejaVibe have never had this problem. I'm about ready to just try and glue the darn things down directly to the metal.

 

[prsrocker1988]

I use the stuff you got - industrial strength velcro cut to fit on the pedal.

 

[László]

So far, so good with this stuff. Everything seems to be sticking well, and the velcro stays on the board nicely. The custom cables I had to order to finish things off should arrive today, and I'll post some pics of the finished setup.

One thing that the pedalboard builder (Rockfoot) suggested to take the pedals off easily when one moves them around, is to insert one of those plastic spatulas used by painters between the velcro and the board surface. In fact, one was included with the pedalboard. It works really well! I had to move my pedals around a bit to get the layout right, and there's no struggle.