So when your ready to create a pedal board there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First you want to be able to get the correct tones and effects for what you are trying to create. It is best to set up your pedals on the floor loose and determine each placement in the chain as well as whether or not you even like what it has to offer. Once that is figured out you will need the following items.
A large piece of 1/2″ quality plywood, spray paint, drywall screws of different lengths, a drill, a reciprocating saw, all the required cabling and a good power supply. Lay out your pedals not wired on top of the plywood. Create the most comfortable layout so that you can press on them without hitting another pedal by accident. I typically place my pedals a 1/2 a foot length spacing apart. this way if I was to press in the center point of that spacing I could engage two pedals at the same time. this technique only really works well for pedals like boss style because there is not a small button switch you have to engage. After you layout is complete then carefully trace in pencil around the outer edges of each placed item. then draw an x on the left and right side of the pedal where you will send you zip tie through. make sure that it will not interfere with the inputs and outputs. draw your outer perimeter of where to trip as well as a handle option. once you have that done remove all items from the board. spray paint your board. using you drill create 1/4″ holes on the x marks. return your pedals to the board and zip tie them all in place. next wire up your entire board. then using the screws you will attach them around each pedal, on a slight angle away from the pedals to secure each on firmly in place.
This one is very unique. I tried to make a dual unit with the smallest footprint possible. If you put the backs together they can attach for portable carry. this one is a an Arion built with Arion original power supplies. As you can see I did a similar layout with the plywood, placed my pedals for spacing and functionality and then drew my outlines and cut lines. below also are finished product views.
1/2″ plywood, the pedals don’t ever budge and it don’t slide on wood floors…(trick) Take a few 1-1/2″ drywall or wood screws and place them left and right of your center wood. Screw them through until you feel them pierce out 1/8″, Done. no one will see it at a show but those little guys will dig in and prevent your board from pushing around.
