Pedal links?

[BloodRose]

Anyone tried pedal links yet?? Saw an ad for them on Premier guitar's site. look like flexible bicycle pedal links you hook one side to the screws in the bottom of your pedals and the other you screw to your board. I like the idea. I currently use zip ties and get alot of movement. Im trying to avoid using velcro cuz of getting crap in the velcro and sticky all over the pedals...

Heres some info:

http://www.pedalboardsupplies.com/pedal-links-system.html

 

[czarokrates]

Re: Pedal links?

Generally seems fine, but I see some problems.
Few tasks:
1) Price - it's easier to go to local tool shop and buy some.
2) Does not fit to every pedal - maybe the vast majority of us use pedals produced by manufactures mentioned in the video, but it could be problem if the screws are different in for example custom made pedals, small manufactures.
3) Why not go for velcro ? - it's easier to remove, screws make us pedal permanent in one place (what if you suddenly decide to have pedals in other order ?)
4) The video shows the untidy pedalboards just in case to buy their products. I doubt that any of us have such a mess.
5) Nothing innovative.
6) Placing and replacing the screws - you need the holes, additional work.
7) Most of us use case-like pedalboards - everything on one side of the laminated wood (are made of). Screws can go further and destroy your pedalboard (extremal situation but can be).
8) What if you use pedal train ? It's hard to make few screws in metal.

I'm not the enemy of the company, but the rationalist.

 

[Archer250]

Re: Pedal links?

Meh. Velcro works well enough for me. If I need something more, then I'll get a strip of pedalboard tape

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Pedal links?

If you have a consistent or tour board, cool. If you swap, not as cool.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Pedal links?

I once bought a bicycle chain & unriveted the thing. It seems there were two sizes within the chain, big & small. Adding washers can help as well. The pics in the link look like the same thing, maybe containing rust proof paint.

The main problem was with troubleshooting the board anytime other than home since its practically nut & screwed everywhere by me, any need for replacing a patch cable/shifting a pedal requires time, alot.

Another option besides zip ties is nylon string to tie the pedal down, a piece/strip of sponge(the material that comes in a formal shirt box) where the nylon passes over the pedal can help prevent the paint being blemished if any. I have done it to pedals that require like super glue to stick the velcro to the rubber layered underside.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Pedal links?

Hank- The product shown is nylon, like rack unit washers, not a metal bicycle chain.

I can see the benefit of these things, but like czarokrates said, works nice for Boss and MXR, but probably not so much for a BK Butler Tube Driver.

As well, when you swap out a pedal, there's a chance you may end up with having to fill and re-drill because one or more holes are so close to each other.

If you only use one pedal housing format, then I could see it working easily, but there are far too many variables for this to be universal.


One thing I'd like to see is a digital unit like the M13 but that worked off of a circuit design principle, where you lay out the circuit in a PC app for the pedal you're building just like you'd do for an analog pedal, and the app would be freely available so all pedal makers would get on board with it (except for the Puritans), and you just buy the model from them to load into the unit. You'd still have your Boss, MXR, Joyo, and boutique pedals, just in a single housing that was easier to set up. That would be a universal solution IMO. As well, the same models could double as VSTs.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pedal links?

Generally seems fine, but I see some problems.
Few tasks:
1) Price - it's easier to go to local tool shop and buy some.
2) Does not fit to every pedal - maybe the vast majority of us use pedals produced by manufactures mentioned in the video, but it could be problem if the screws are different in for example custom made pedals, small manufactures.
3) Why not go for velcro ? - it's easier to remove, screws make us pedal permanent in one place (what if you suddenly decide to have pedals in other order ?)
4) The video shows the untidy pedalboards just in case to buy their products. I doubt that any of us have such a mess.
5) Nothing innovative.
6) Placing and replacing the screws - you need the holes, additional work.
7) Most of us use case-like pedalboards - everything on one side of the laminated wood (are made of). Screws can go further and destroy your pedalboard (extremal situation but can be).
8) What if you use pedal train ? It's hard to make few screws in metal.

I'm not the enemy of the company, but the rationalist.

TRUTH be told, I didnt watch this vid. I assumed (yeah, shouldnt do that) it was the same vid on premier guitar's site. maybe it is??)) And, Im not trying to sell em.. Just thought it was a simple yet cool solution. Not for everyone, but may work for me cuz I built my board. You have alot of good points. Just thought in case it was useful to someone..

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Pedal links?

Generally seems fine, but I see some problems.
Few tasks:
1) Price - it's easier to go to local tool shop and buy some.
2) Does not fit to every pedal - maybe the vast majority of us use pedals produced by manufactures mentioned in the video, but it could be problem if the screws are different in for example custom made pedals, small manufactures.
3) Why not go for velcro ? - it's easier to remove, screws make us pedal permanent in one place (what if you suddenly decide to have pedals in other order ?)
4) The video shows the untidy pedalboards just in case to buy their products. I doubt that any of us have such a mess.
5) Nothing innovative.
6) Placing and replacing the screws - you need the holes, additional work.
7) Most of us use case-like pedalboards - everything on one side of the laminated wood (are made of). Screws can go further and destroy your pedalboard (extremal situation but can be).
8) What if you use pedal train ? It's hard to make few screws in metal.

I'm not the enemy of the company, but the rationalist.

1) As the specs say, they're nylon, not metal bike chains.
2) As long as the screws are not too thick to go through the hole, or too skinny that the heads pass through, or countersunk into the pedal, I see no issue.
3) OP stated his issues with Velcro.
4) Agreed. It's greatly exaggerated.
5) ...and...? The wheel need not be reinvented when all you need is a different and equally practical application.
6) Agreed, but as long as they can be positioned any way you choose, and you're not limited to the "X" pattern they show, then you do have quite a bit of leeway. However, you will eventually face a fill-and-redrill operation if you swap pedals of nearly-similar dimensions frequently.
7) Hardware stores carry common screws that will fit the thickness of the case.
8) You would drill a hole in the metal plate and tap it with a threading tap equal to the screws, or use self-tapping sheet metal screws.

I think an adjustable, expandable nest with lever or thumbwheel latches to hold the pedal in place would work equally well, however, there again you have the issue of varying pedal dimensions and swapping them out.

There's simply no commercially-available solution that fits everyone's board.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Pedal links?

Ah so made of nylon. They dont really mention that in the link until you watch the vid or read the description on amazon when buying these. It would be more effective to have a nut & screw assembly than just screws, something like a wah pedal can loosen those screws after a while from transportation.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Pedal links?

I would think that repeated use of any pedal would shift them enough to wobble the screws, especially in plywood or mdf. Wah and volume pedals would wear them out faster. Then again, given that those have feet and recessed screws, I don't see these working on them period.

 

[czarokrates]

Re: Pedal links?

1) As the specs say, they're nylon, not metal bike chains.
2) As long as the screws are not too thick to go through the hole, or too skinny that the heads pass through, or countersunk into the pedal, I see no issue.
3) OP stated his issues with Velcro.
4) Agreed. It's greatly exaggerated.
5) ...and...? The wheel need not be reinvented when all you need is a different and equally practical application.
6) Agreed, but as long as they can be positioned any way you choose, and you're not limited to the "X" pattern they show, then you do have quite a bit of leeway. However, you will eventually face a fill-and-redrill operation if you swap pedals of nearly-similar dimensions frequently.
7) Hardware stores carry common screws that will fit the thickness of the case.
8) You would drill a hole in the metal plate and tap it with a threading tap equal to the screws, or use self-tapping sheet metal screws.

I think an adjustable, expandable nest with lever or thumbwheel latches to hold the pedal in place would work equally well, however, there again you have the issue of varying pedal dimensions and swapping them out.

There's simply no commercially-available solution that fits everyone's board.

They are presented as the new age in pedalboard world. Attractive website, cool video and we get.... nylon terminals to put pedals in one place. Can't understand

My point is - you have the live show and suddenly you need to put back the pedal making noise in your pb. You gonna have screwdriver in your effects floor ?

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Pedal links?

Fully-charged electric screwdriver is always within reach of my rig. I can change out anything with screws or drill holes in something inside of 20 seconds.

For live, I always had a backup if either my head or rack died (which they did).

Innovation has its place, but repurposing old tech is not a crime. Wheels are no longer made of wood and stone, but it's still just a wheel.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Pedal links?

I laughed when I saw the ad for these. So unnecessary--a complete waste of money.


------------------------------------

The simplest way I have found to attach pedals to a board is by using Velcro. I've been doing it this way since the late 1970s when I built my first pedal board from a piece of 14" wide oak plywood shelving.

I cut four 3/4-to-1" squares of Velcro hook. (My Furman SPB-1 pedal boards use the loop side for the base.)

I use the awl on my Victorinox Swiss Army Knife to jab a hole in the center of each piece and enlarge it slightly.

I remove the screws from each corner of my pedal. Then I insert the screw into the hook side of each Velcro piece and insert each screw back into the pedal.

Four pieces of 1" Velcro is all you need to attach a pedal to a board!!!! There's no need to used the adhesive-backed Velcro!!! It is totally reversible--no sticky residue to discourage a future potential buyer!!!! And it holds the pedal firmly!!! I can hold my board upside down and shake it, and nothing will move or come off!!!

So don't over-think this problem. All your pedals need is just a little bit of Velcro to hold them on the board, and you don't need to gum up your pedals in the process.

Bill

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Pedal links?

I like to gum up my pedals. I own stock in Goo-Gone.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Pedal links?

Of course you do...

Bill

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pedal links?

The main problem was with troubleshooting the board anytime other than home since its practically nut & screwed everywhere by me, any need for replacing a patch cable/shifting a pedal requires time, a lot.

You better hope you have long breaks between sets.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Pedal links?

You better hope you have long breaks between sets.

Lol that was last year or before that. It was theft proof board (well unless someone robbed the whole board) haha

Boogie Bill's idea is a lot more effective though, a single stripe of velcro on top & bottom row of screws would hold things in place just fine, a frame formation would be taking it another step up in strength. I'm gonna try that with the ones that have full rubber base since nothing sticks to those except maybe super glue(which I've not tried) lol

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Pedal links?

I get good adhesion on the full rubber bases by hosing them down in Windex, then wiping them clean and letting them dry thoroughly.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pedal links?

Boogiebill,

Thanks for sharing your method!! Cool way to get velcro performance without the residue on the pedals!