Building a Better Pedalboard

[GuitarFan]

I am seeking creative solutions for building a better pedalboard – in particular, a better way for pedals to be added/removed/rearranged in a quick, easy and clean way. I have scoured the forum pictures of manufactured and homemade boards, and see 3 main means of attachment. If you have experimented with any others and found success (or massive failure), I would appreciate your comments and photos.

I run into difficulties with the 3 I typically see…
- Velcro strips don’t adhere evenly/consistently to the bottom of oddly-shaped pedals
- Plastic Zip Ties allow for movement and can interfere with knob/buttons
- Direct Mount Drilling looks very clean, but tears the board up over time and is most difficult for making changes or even slight adjustments

Aside from the above, has anyone found a cleaner, better way to mount pedals? In particular, I am thinking of some sort of a bracket system that can attach to various pedals and allow them to be removed and secured quickly and easily in various areas multiple times without harming the board.

I know this is like trying to build a better mousetrap, but would appreciate any thoughts you can give. Thanks!

 

[gtrfinder]

http://lavacable.com/lavacps.html

 

[PatrickE_FenderADV]

What about the bicycle chain link thing? I'll stick with velcro, but I've seen TGP people rave about using that system.

 

[GuitarFan]

What about the bicycle chain link thing? I'll stick with velcro, but I've seen TGP people rave about using that system.

How are bicicle chain links used? I have heard this briefly, but have never seen a picture or explanation of how it is done.

 

[GuitarFan]

http://lavacable.com/lavacps.html

Looks like Lava Cable CPS is a nice system for re-configuring, but still requires Velcro or Zip Ties for securing the pedals. Still, I will have to look at them further. Thanks!

 

[Catoogie]

Hook and eye and elastic hair bands.

 

[cvansickle]

How are bicicle chain links used? I have heard this briefly, but have never seen a picture or explanation of how it is done.

 

[NyteOwl]

The bicycle chain link thing works great but doesn't exactly lend itself to the quick rearranging of pedals. I went to this stuff a long time ago...

A few 1/4" wide strips will hold any Boss pedal on a solid surface board until you want to remove it. Use longer/wider strips for bigger pedals. Cut a 1" square into quarters and put each piece on the little rubber feet found on the bottom of some pedals.

To remove, just grab the pedal and twist or pry it up with a flat blade screwdriver. Absolutely no residue left behind. About $4 a roll at Lowe's, HD, Ace Hardware, etc.

 

[GuitarFan]

I notice that you are using several small brackets that attach to the board. Are those the bicycle chain links? If not, are they homemade or store bought? Also, are they attached to the corner screws of the pedals, and then screwed to the board directly?

 

[TomK]

http://www.nobels.com/en/index.htm

Same thing as bicycle chain - Nobels Mounty-P

 

[cvansickle]

I notice that you are using several small brackets that attach to the board. Are those the bicycle chain links? If not, are they homemade or store bought? Also, are they attached to the corner screws of the pedals, and then screwed to the board directly?

The little brackets are the bike chain links. One side attaches at the pedal screws, then run a wood screw through the other side. Attached to the board directly. Bigger things like the Banshee I use plumber's strapping.

 

[dhdfoster]

Here's an idea I've had for mounting pedals, but I haven't tried it yet. You can get those square coasters that restaurants and bars have in stacks, or something similar. Cut them to roughly the size of a pedal, but slightly smailler and put a couple strips of heavy duty velcro on the back. When you're ready to mount a pedal, take a couple thick rubber bands and rubber band the pedal to the coaster material and stick it on the board. If you want to switch pedals, pull it up and remove the rubber bands and coaster. Nothing permanant, but it should be pretty sturdy with tight, thick rubber bands and heavy duty velcro. Obviously, the rubber bands go between the strips of velcro and not over them.

 

[The Kid]

3M Dual Lock.

 

[lspaulsp]

http://lavacable.com/lavacps.html

I like it except for the price.

 

[Amp360]

Here is what you do.

Go to your home center and buy a 3 foot length of Aluminum stock.

Bring it home and get out your miter box, hack saw and a sharpie.

Take the bottom off your pedal and put it on the aluminum stock (get 1/2" by 1/8") mark your pedal's screw holed on the stock then put a line where the length should be.

Cut two pieces of stock, drill through where you need holes and attach to the bottom of your pedal. Countersink for screws. Put the velcro on the strip of aluminum.

No more sticky bottom pedals and easy to move anywhere.

Costs about 2.00