How to Make a Huge Pedal Board
Musicians use pedal boards to consolidate their individual effects pedals and power supplies into contained, easy-to-transport units. Pre-constructed boards are available for purchase, with prices that reflect their size and portability. The average musician may not be willing to pay for large, expensive commercial boards and effects racks. With common materials, the DIY-minded musician can build a fully functional pedal board and save a significant amount money in the process.
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Instructions
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Arrange your collection of effects pedals on a flat surface into a rectangular shape. Leave space for patch cables and power supplies. Measure the pedal arrangement's dimensions to determine the size of the pedal board.
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Purchase a sheet of 1/4-inch plywood with the pedal board dimensions. Most hardware and lumber stores cut wood to customer-specified dimensions at no additional cost.
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Sand the rough edges of the plywood. Remove sawdust particles with a damp cloth and allow the plywood to dry.
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Cover the bottom and sides of the plywood with duct tape. Apply one piece over another, in long strips, to ensure complete coverage. This will reduce damage to the corners and sides, and create a tactile surface on the bottom of the pedal board that will allow it to grip the floor. Do not cover the top side of the pedal board.
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Cover the top of the pedal board with the "hoop" or fuzzy side of Velcro tape. Apply a piece of coarse or "hook" Velcro tape to the bottom of each effects pedal and power strip that will be applied to the pedal board.
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Apply the pedals and power strips to the board in the same pattern as the initial arrangement. Connect the pedals with 1/4-inch patch cables to create the effects chain and complete the pedal board.
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References
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