For those with large pedal boards - how many of you gig with them?

[schwa]

I am in the process of putting together a band and playing out again - nothing big time - just casual, maybe a gig to two a month.

I have been playing a pretty big pedalboard, things aren't helped by the fact that most my pedals are on the large side as well (Radial Plexitube, CC2, Wah, Volume, and more). As I got ready to go to an audition last week, I got to thinking that it might not send a positive message if I showed up with a flight case board that you could almost land a plane on. It also occurred to me that I might be playing on some small stages, where a big board might be hard to work with.

(it turns out that at the audition the two guitarists had a lot of pedals, but on smaller SKB sized boards).

So I was curious - what are you guys doing? Do you tend to ring a lot of stuff out, or do you pare it down for live work?

[Rabidclam]

Huge pedalboard. Handmade. Kind of a piece of crap. Closest thing is a pedaltrain pro. Good stuff. Gig/practice two or three times a week.

[johann]

When my band did a 6 months vacation, I found myself putting together a PT Pro, filled that with several pedals, when we began gigging again it was a PITA to carry around, also, I found I wasn't really using some pedals very much, so I put a PT2 togethere, and sold the pedals i didn't use much.

Now I'm really happy..and still got some 5 pedals around.

[Dica3]

40"x 18" trailer trash for me

I have 14 pedals on board including some rather large modulation and I also use an ep3
off board.

I gig every week basically all original band

I play some small stages some large you just make it work

it also fulfills my studio board role

weight and difficulty of transit are things I am willing to deal with to achieve the varying tones I need

[jnepo1]

My situation is similar to Dica3's. My board is 33" x 16". I have 11 and a tb loop switch and an A/B switch on it, the monster is the CAE MC-403. The board suits my needs, but it's also designed for what I need. When the situation is limited though, I will pull effects off of it and incorporate them in a pre-existing smaller board I have w/ basically the same effects. I've been accustomed to the big board and really no complaints about it.

[phazersonstun]

I play and sing in rock cover bands, wedding bands, and an original band.
My main gigging / studio board is a little smaller than a pt pro.
About 13 pedals.

I do keep a much smaller board ready for small stages or gigs where I know I'm only using the essentials.

To me that's:
TU-2, Blues Pro, Riot or Shredmaster, Maxon GE601 eq for lead boost and a DL4 or DE-7.

[UnderTheGroove]

I've got a decent sized board (12 pedals). Trransport isn't a problem because I use a cart for the board, amp, and the guitar. Size can be aproblem on smaller stages, but I always manage to make enough space.

[zachman]

Originally Posted by schwa

I am in the process of putting together a band and playing out again - nothing big time - just casual, maybe a gig to two a month.

I have been playing a pretty big pedalboard, things aren't helped by the fact that most my pedals are on the large side as well (Radial Plexitube, CC2, Wah, Volume, and more). As I got ready to go to an audition last week, I got to thinking that it might not send a positive message if I showed up with a flight case board that you could almost land a plane on. It also occurred to me that I might be playing on some small stages, where a big board might be hard to work with.

(it turns out that at the audition the two guitarists had a lot of pedals, but on smaller SKB sized boards).

So I was curious - what are you guys doing? Do you tend to ring a lot of stuff out, or do you pare it down for live work?

I select the gear I'm going to use on a case by case basis. Big Rock gig, Big Rig-- Little cafe gig, small combo/a few effects, or an acoustic guitar.

Big pedal board "48"x17.5"-- Yes, I use it playing out.

[sleepyone]

BIG pedalboard, 15 pedals and I will be adding two more, gigging with it and:

a. hating taking it to gigs
b. loving the sound I'm getting; the sound I have in my head translated to a live situation

[mcdes]

i use a big pedal board, love the options and the tones i get from it, but........... im gonna make a second smaller one as i dont use all the pedals all the time, so gonna keep the bigger one for big venues only. i would never get rid of the bigger one though.

[PanicProne]

I used to runa stonecastle grand master which was really annoying to carry around. Switch it for two PT Jr's instead. More room and in two pieces, so easier to carry. Nice.

[zachman]

Originally Posted by sleepyone

BIG pedalboard, 15 pedals and I will be adding two more, gigging with it and:

a. hating taking it to gigs
b. loving the sound I'm getting; the sound I have in my head translated to a live situation

I joke and tell folks I get paid to move the gear, and play for free-- (When I am using my gear)

[rongtr]

Originally Posted by zachman

I joke and tell folks I get paid to move the gear, and play for free-- (When I am using my gear)

Seriously, I've always thought that has a lot of merit. Playing is fun, so we do it for free. The part I've always hated is moving the gear around. We should be paid for that.

[10strings]

Started with a Digitech Rp50 then Balloned up to a 60x20" pedalboard... Then went to a PT-jr, to a PT-2, now to a Trailer Trash 30x18. Kinda like a "yo you dieter of pedalboards." hahaha Now I am thinking of taking my volume pedal and midi controller off to a separate board and adding a 2u Rack... I know if I had the support and roadies I'd end up like the edge and travel with semi. lol
Pain to carry around but is so worth it to get the tones I want. Funny thing is I use it mainly for electric violin and mandolin. 2 of the smallest instruments!! Most frequent comment... "All that for that little instrument?"

[FLYING V 83]

PT Pro in an Island Cases 34x20 flight case.
2-3 gigs a month plus weekly practices.
No problems.