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Pedalboards - Directory w/ AI Reviews

Pedal mounting boards, power supplies, and patch cables

Pedalboards are platforms that organize, mount, and power multiple effects pedals into a single, portable system. They keep pedals securely in place, route cables neatly, and simplify setup and teardown at gigs. A well-organized pedalboard is essential for any guitarist who uses more than a couple of effects pedals.

History

Early guitarists simply placed individual pedals on the floor, connecting them with patch cables in an often chaotic arrangement. Pete Cornish built some of the first custom pedalboards for artists like David Gilmour and Jimmy Page in the 1970s. The modern pedalboard market exploded in the 2000s with companies like Pedaltrain creating lightweight, standardized aluminum boards with integrated power solutions.

Characteristics

Pedalboards come in flat and tilted designs, with tilted models angling pedals toward the player for easier foot access. Most use Velcro or proprietary mounting systems to secure pedals. Integrated power supplies underneath the board provide clean, isolated power to each pedal, reducing noise and eliminating cable clutter.

Notable Players

David Gilmour's massive custom pedalboard, built by Pete Cornish, is one of the most famous and meticulously designed rigs in rock history. Pedaltrain is the most popular pedalboard brand, found on stages from local clubs to arena tours worldwide. The Strymon brand became a premium pedalboard staple with their reverb, delay, and modulation pedals.

Buying Guide

Measure your pedals and plan your layout before choosing a board size, leaving room for one or two future additions. Invest in a quality isolated power supply like the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power or Strymon Zuma to keep your signal clean. Flat boards work well with low-profile pedals, while raised boards accommodate larger enclosures and make rear-row pedals easier to reach.

Fun Facts

Some professional touring guitarists have pedalboards worth more than a new car, with boards exceeding $10,000 in total pedal value. The world record for the largest pedalboard ever assembled contained over 300 pedals connected in a single signal chain.