In these videos I’ll show you how to make a pro pedalboard. Whether that’s from scratch, or using a pro setup like the new RockBoard series from Warwick. In fact, I dig this system so much that I’m giving away a “Tres 3.1” RockBoard system. Enter to win that here: https://www.campfireguitarstar.com/guitargiveaway . Click “read more” to watch the videos and to read my review!
These are the lessons that I wish I got as a kid fumbling around trying to put together a pedalboard! It was many years of trial and error before I had a solid set up that wasn’t a “problem board.” Let’s talk about that term “problem board” for a second here… Pedals not attached and slipping around, cables in an unorganized mess, too many pedals for your size of board. Or maybe your problem board doesn’t actually have a board. Just a bunch of pedals laid out on the ground in your bedroom. Do any of these scenarios apply to your current pedal situation? Unfortunately my friend, you might have a problem board.
But that’s okay. I’m here to help. Today, I want to help you turn your problem board into a pro set up. You’ll finally have a setup that you can easily take with you. You won’t have to gather all your pedals before you leave the house. You’ll just be able to grab your board, and go. When you arrive at the jam or gig, you won’t have to spend time setting it up. It’ll just be plug in, and play. I don’t know about you, but I hate having to deal with that extra step of setting up my pedals before I play. I want to have my gear ready to go at all times!
So in these 2 videos you’ll find on this page I’ll be covering all kinds of tips and tricks on building your own pedal board.
Also, I’ll be covering what I think is maybe the best pedalboard system available for guitar players – the Warwick “Rockboard” – check those guys out over at http://www.rockboard.net
(do let me know what you think in the comments below!)
I’d like to start out by saying that pedals and effects are fun, but it’s also really important to master your basic amp and guitar settings. That stuff has a huge impact on your tone as well!
Now, if you don’t have a pedal board yet, I would totally suggest building your own pedal board. I have definitely rocked a few home made pedal boards in my day. All you really need is a piece of wood, and some kind of carpet material (I pulled some automotive carpet from my old 86’ Volkswagen). Simply staple or glue the carpet to the piece of wood, and boom. You’ve got a pedal board. Next would be to get some heavy duty velcro for the bottom of your pedals! Here’s a pro tip: certain pedals have tons of extra rubber on the bottom. It gets in the way, and makes it hard to attach velcro to your pedals. Then recycle that rubber material and use it for feet on the bottom of your pedal board!
If you are watching this video and you don’t actually have any effect pedals right now, or if you don’t really know what effects sound like, I’d recommend getting some kind of multi-effect unit. My first effects rig was a Boss ME-50. It taught me what different effects were called, and gave me a really solid understanding of which effect did what. The only reason I don’t play multi effects any more is simple. They have lots of options and sound good, but they aren’t quite professional quality tones.
Sometimes acoustic players feel left out in the guitar pedal world, but effects are great on acoustics! I would definitely recommend trying a delay or compressor pedal with your acoustic guitar. Some really amazing sounds there. Try it out!
I cover a lot of the tools and home made pedal board stuff in this video here:
I’ve got the Rockboard Cinque 5.2, and I really couldn’t be happier. I’m incredibly satisfied with my Rockboard setup. After going through many different homemade and store bought pedalboard setups, I think I’m finally home. My journey is finished. I have the perfect set up now.
I really went all out with the Rockboard by Warwick – I got the board, the MOD 1 patch bay module, the flat patch cables, The Tray and everything I could get my hands on. With all the Rockboard gear, it really makes it impossible to have a messy problem board. If you decide not to go for the flat patch cables, I have a tip for you. Zap Straps (aka zip ties) are great for cable organization! Just attach em all together!
I also love what the Rockboard crew is doing with ‘The Tray’. A place to store my Voodoo Labs power supply (it’ll also fit other power supplies) that’s not on my pedalboard taking up space!
The MOD 1 deserves the spotlight for a second…
I’m able to have a pretty elaborate setup and setup within minutes. I have a cable snake that I got from Pedal Python. and in conjunction with the MOD 1 – I can setup 5 cables ultra quick. My ins, outs, FX send + return, power and a footswitch. BANG. done. It’s awesome.
Here’s some shots of the final product:
Check out my full Rockboard pedalboard system review here:
Ok back to setting up your pedalboard…
There’s a certain skill set that you acquire from setting up a pedalboard. There is a huge amount of experimentation involved. Depending on the order you put your pedals in, your tone will be completely different! Pedals themselves sound different when you change the order! You’ll have to use your ears and figure out what you want. This process will really develop your ear for tone.
When you have a few pedals, you simply can’t rely on batteries to power them anymore. You’ll be going through tons of batteries every week! You’re going to have to get some sort of power supply. I have a few recommendations for you, depending on how serious your rig is. If you only have a few pedals, you can actually use your tuner to act as a daisy chain to power 3-4 pedals. There are also some other daisy chain setups like the “One Spot.” Not exactly professional level, but great for the bedroom guitarist.
Definitely check out the “Power LE XT” from Rockboard – it’s a rechargeable power supply with 50 hours of pedal stomping. Wow, the Rockboard guys have thought of everything!
Get a pedal board set up! Whether you go all out and get a professional set up like the Rockbaord by Warwick, or if you just build your own with some wood and carpet. Get your pedals off the ground! Let’s get you a quick, convenient rig that you can take wherever you go easily.
Check out everything Warwick has to offer on their pedalboard setups over at http://www.rockboard.net
I’ll be opening up registration for access to The All Access Pass at the end of November – and I wanna share the Rockboard love with you by giving away a Warwick Rockboard Tres 3.1 AND a bunch of flat patch cables! Sign up for the mailing list and watch your email for the launch of The All Access Pass to Campfire Guitar Star and your chance to win.
Keep on rippin’ it up,
Will Ripley
Campfire Guitar Star