Building my own board...

[B2D]

My taste in pedals is becomingas such that about 1/2 the time a standard BOSS power supply ain't gonna do it no mo... I'm thinking of selling my PS-35 and what's left of the accessories ( ) and doing this...

-Buy Voodoo Lab Power Supply
-Build a Home-Depot board with wood, velcro, handles, spraypaint, and doorstops.
-Find a Road-Ready hardcase to stuff it in.

I know a lot of people on here build their own boards (54stratlover has one that could probably blow up small animals) so if y'all could give me some tips on stuff like pedal attachement or case carryage I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[54stratlover]

Re: Building my own board...

I used whatever was the closest to 1/2 - 2/3" plywood. for the riser part I used 1x8. I put 1/2" aluminum channel all the way around the outside the board (angle cut with a hacksaw and a miter box). In the cabinet section of home depot or lowes, they have a good selection of handles. I put a smaller handle in the upper right corner to route cables through. For the plywood I primed, sanded, painted, sanded, which took a good part of time. I am building a smaller pedal board that I am gonna explore using veneer on. For attachment i used the industrial velcro found at lowes with the hook part on the board. I pretty much covered all attachable parts with the hook part velcro. Any other ?,s. And yes, my board does fly.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Building my own board...

I made mine out of plywood. I had a bit of a unique need. I use 2 Amps a Marshall 900, and a Fender Super reverb. The Marshall has an effects loop which I needed to run Delay thru (this is about the only effect I use in the Marshall) the effects in the Fender can go straight in. So I had a need to build my own set up. If you copy the link in my signature there is a photo of it there. I use a Morley A/B box to switch between the 2 amps and because I am using the 2 I can set the effects up BEFORE I actually switch to the Amp. I did not use velcro I used a block of wood that I presses firmly against the pedals and screwed them down. They do not move, but can be pulled off fairly easily. I powered this whole set up with a one spot that I paid $25. for from musicians friend and all is connected using George L cables. It is very quiet and I have been using this for 3 or 4 years now with no problems. I coverd the board with black vinyl that I bought at a boat shop (it is used to recover seats). Check it out!!

 

[Toenail-Tommy]

Re: Building my own board...

What kind of power supply does one need? I have a bunch of 9v pedals, that i too would like to consolidate into one board, and a unified power supply? Is it good enough to get a 9v @ 1000 mAps for instance, or will that cook the pedals on the amps? Noiseless, shielded, Boss etc?

 

[Bludave]

Re: Building my own board...

What kind of power supply does one need? I have a bunch of 9v pedals, that i too would like to consolidate into one board, and a unified power supply? Is it good enough to get a 9v @ 1000 mAps for instance, or will that cook the pedals on the amps? Noiseless, shielded, Boss etc?

I would recommend the one spot. I power a about 5 to 7 pedals with it. Another good choice is the Boss TU2, which is a real good tuner and that also will supply power to a bunch of pedals. Most of the other power supplies cost a lot more money, and I have been using this one spot for about 3 or 4 uears with no problem. I am in the process of making a smaller version of my board to use with one amp. I have the one spot already I just need to pick up a few more connectors for the George L cables. The cables make a world of difference. George L or Planet wave cables would be your best choice, they are easy to make into custom lengths, and they are very quiet. The only sound you can hear from my setup is the mild Hiss from the drive channel in my Marshall. Silence can be golden :laugh2:

 

[Toenail-Tommy]

Re: Building my own board...

sweet - thanks

 

[B2D]

Re: Building my own board...

I'd love to get a TU-2 but I need something that powers more than just 9VDC stuff... :2:

Also I was thinking of getting some sort of case or something like that to transport it in and store it when I'm not using it. Anyone have any suggestions on case-age? I'm not sure of the dimensions I want...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Building my own board...

Even though the Voodoo Lab PPII is expensive, buy it anyway, since you'll have all your pedalboard needs taken care of in one swoop. If you buy any odd powered pedals like L6, Electroharmonix etc, it'll power them. It's cheaper to put together a homemade board, but I've found that you can get good pro custom ones, used, for a few dollars more, and they're usually better. If you want it to look really good, buy about 6 feet of George L's cable, and the proper number of angled plugs (screw in).
I like routing all the cabling neatly with colored zipties, to make it look pro, and also to keep power cables from pulling out of the pedals.

 

[B2D]

Re: Building my own board...

...the Voodoo Lab PPII is expensive.

Not where I shop...

I found a website featuring a company called, "Stompin' Ground" or something like that that looked like they had pretty cool lookin' cases.

I'm thinking of building my own box with twist-lock attachments on each side of the box, like they have on rack cases. That way the bottom of the case would BE the pedalboard. I'd just attach the cover for transport and go... get what I mean?

I have some experience with building stuff like this so it would'nt be a problem for me. Or would it just be less trouble to find/buy one like this?

 

[54stratlover]

Re: Building my own board...

Not where I shop...

I found a website featuring a company called, "Stompin' Ground" or something like that that looked like they had pretty cool lookin' cases.

I'm thinking of building my own box with twist-lock attachments on each side of the box, like they have on rack cases. That way the bottom of the case would BE the pedalboard. I'd just attach the cover for transport and go... get what I mean?

I have some experience with building stuff like this so it would'nt be a problem for me. Or would it just be less trouble to find/buy one like this?

Hmmmmmm interesting idea! where do you shop for the VL PP II???

 

[B2D]

Re: Building my own board...

Hmmmmmm interesting idea!

Thank you, i rather like that one. I think I'll be doing it that way for a more cost-effective option plus I won't be stuck with set dimensions only offered by companies.

Which is stronger at the same thickness? plywood or solid lumber?

where do you shop for the VL PP II???

At the Guitar Center where I use to work. :naughty: :deal:

 

[Toenail-Tommy]

Re: Building my own board...

Maybe a cheapish or used electric guitar hardcase? Make the top into a detachable "lid" and the bottom's you pedal board: you'd carefully remove the plush interior, make the pedal holding platform, wire routing etc, then put the plush back on top, only with little holes for the straps or whatever holds the pedals in place. Cable zipties or even better - little leather buckles (like the ones on her dainty shoes).

You could even have one electrical socket installed to power the whole thing, some christmas lights etc. Plug and play.

You'd manage to fit alot of pedals on this...with space to spare for the roses you hand out during the gig (ha!)

 

[B2D]

Re: Building my own board...

Maybe a cheapish or used electric guitar hardcase? Make the top into a detachable "lid" and the bottom's you pedal board: you'd carefully remove the plush interior, make the pedal holding platform, wire routing etc, then put the plush back on top, only with little holes for the straps or whatever holds the pedals in place. Cable zipties or even better - little leather buckles (like the ones on her dainty shoes).

You could even have one electrical socket installed to power the whole thing, some christmas lights etc. Plug and play.

You'd manage to fit alot of pedals on this...with space to spare for the roses you hand out during the gig (ha!)

Good idea (creative too) but not quite what I'm looking for.

I do like the idea of the one-socket approach but the Voodoo Lab takes care of that.

I like the idea of roses too but i like the idea of stashing the panties that get thrown at me in there even better :naughty:

I actually once helped a kid order supplies for this MASSIVE bradshaw-type monstrosity he was building himself. Not only did it control his rack, amps, and separate pedals but various stage lights (he had a custom set of those too) as well! :saeek:

 

[54stratlover]

Re: Building my own board...

Which is stronger at the same thickness? plywood or solid lumber?

the plywood will be as strong enough. that it what i use.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Building my own board...

I also like having a second tier on a pedalboard, since it hides the power supply and all the tangled cabling. If there's a lip around the bottom of the board, you'll also want to make a wah platform with holes drilled, so the wah's feet keep it from sliding.

 

[B2D]

Re: Building my own board...

I also like having a second tier on a pedalboard, since it hides the power supply and all the tangled cabling. If there's a lip around the bottom of the board, you'll also want to make a wah platform with holes drilled, so the wah's feet keep it from sliding.

I usually remove the feet from the wahs i won to get a flat surface on the bottom. The screws still stick out about between 1/16th-1/8th of and inch so use a dremel tool to get 'em totally flat.