Trying to visualize..

A pedalboard with a system of felt covered bumpers which would hold your boxes in place. Pedals wouldn't have to be actually bolted down since the lid would be foam lined so that they are secure in-transit. The bumpers could be bolted in different positions on the board to accomodate different size effects.

Do I have to build it myself? I saw a picture of Zakk W's crude board in GP which was kind of the same idea except he lined each pedal in a wooden frame.

I saw that pic of Zakk's board, too, and instantly loved it -- it's so elegant and simple and utilitarian

I've used wooden strips like that in the past on boards I've built, and you're right, while it doesn't prevent vertical movement in transport, it keeps the pedals in place on stage very well, with no velcro involved...

That's a cool idea, but how about a modification: still cover the board in velcro carpet, but instead of using the hook strips to hold the pedals down, use them to hold your wooden bumpers or blocks in place. That way you could easily accommodate pedals of all different sizes and shapes.

I think the wooden blocks would eat up alot of pedalboard real estate though, and get in the way of hooking up cables - what advantage would you gain besides not getting the adhesive on the backs of your pedals? Just curious

So funky I can smell it!

Yeah, Zakk can use wide strips, cuz he's only got 4 pedals. The one I made used much narrower pieces -- I think they were 3/4" moldings (it was a while ago, and I don't have that board anymore... all my homemade boards are "disposable")

the problem i've found with even the industrial grade Velcro is that the pedals still move around somewhat. that is, they're not mounted as solidly as i would like.

i had asked about something like this a while back, and had an idea for building a form-fit board using blow-molded holders. much like a Boss BCB pedal case. after checking into even a home molding kit, it was far cheaper to use tie downs.

my "board" is a piece of 24"x12" metal grating, four pieces of oak (for the frame), and 4 rubber feet, i got at Home Depot for 15.00. pedals with top-loading battery cases are held on with either Velcro or tie-downs, and those that are a/c powered are held down with tie-downs only.

the ones that are Velcro'd are attached to the pedal via the bottom screws so that the adhesive is not exposed to the pedal.

there were a lot of good tips (including those i've mentioned) on a pedalboard thread about 6 months or so back.

whoops, part of my message was left out:

i think if you were to use Velcro for the holder posts (wooden or plastic) it would not hold the pieces solidly enough.

another mod i'm thinking of doing to my board is somewhat along the same lines, however, since my board is a metal grate, i'm thinking of attaching a sheet of wood underneath, and then screwing the hold down posts through the grate and wood sheet. this way sizing could be changed, and the hold down posts would be firmly held in place.

quote:

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Originally posted by meterman:
That's a cool idea, but how about a modification: still cover the board in velcro carpet, but instead of using the hook strips to hold the pedals down, use them to hold your wooden bumpers or blocks in place. That way you could easily accommodate pedals of all different sizes and shapes.

I think the wooden blocks would eat up alot of pedalboard real estate though, and get in the way of hooking up cables - what advantage would you gain besides not getting the adhesive on the backs of your pedals? Just curious

So funky I can smell it!

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meterman-

I only need space for 3 or 4 boxes, and I don't like velcro or removing rubber feet etc. I agree with jonc, I don't think velcro would hold the bumpers. Seems like the bumpers could be pretty small if they were bolted or screwed into the board, one on each side of the pedal.