Thanks to the built-in power source and the cables included in the box, it's possible to connect pedals effortlessly and start music sessions right away.
Some users wish the material of the housing were stronger.
Compatible with Boss effects as well as pedals from other manufacturers, the BCB-60 board is the perfect choice to use for indoor rehearsals and public performances.
Powered
Resin
4" x 26.4" x 14.6"
8 lbs
AC adaptor x 1
Pre-cut insert x 3
Spare insert x 1
8-pin parallel DC cord x 1
L-L cable (short) x 5
L-L cable (long) x 3
1 year
The compact size of this pedalboard gives you a chance to use it even in small rehearsal rooms.
Hook&loop fasteners require frequent replacement.
Those who don't use many effect pedals (for example, play an electric acoustic guitar) will definitely appreciate the usability the Gator Mini can provide.
Non-powered
Rigid polyethylene
2.5" x 19.25"x 14"
2 lbs
Bag x 1
Lifetime
The angled design of this board allows for beneficial pedal placement, so you can reach even the farthest ones effortlessly.
The bag isn't sturdy enough to use under harsh conditions.
Are you looking for a reliable pedalboard to store numerous pedals with the maximum convenience? Then, this aluminum model from Donner is just what you need.
Non-powered
Aluminum alloy
4" x 20" x 11.4"
2.5 lbs
Bag x 1
60’’ board Velcro x 2
Buckle x 2
30 days from the manufacturer
Equipped with wheels and handles, this board is extremely easy to move from one place to another.
This model is rather heavy.
High-quality materials and elaborate design of the Gator G-TOUR board make it the best choice for traveling musicians.
Non-powered
Plywood construction with aluminum edging
7.5" x 28" x 15.5"
12 lbs
-
Lifetime
Due to simple design and light weight, transporting this pedal board is as easy as anything.
No bag or travel case included.
The EX pedalboard is all about simplicity, functionality, and affordability. Choose this model to make home rehearsals more convenient.
Non-powered
Aluminium alloy
1.6" x 20.9" x 7.5"
~2.1 lbs
Velcro x 2
Tie wraps
30-day return policy
Universal Compatibility
If you’ve already gathered up to seven effect pedals for your guitar and are thinking now how to simplify their handling, we recommend you to consider the Boss BCB-60 Deluxe board. Initially, the manufacturer has created this accessory to use with its branded pedals, but in fact, it’s compatible with numerous pedals of other brands. For example, a rather bulky Cry Baby effects pedal from Dunlop can find its place inside the BCB-60 board. In addition to almost universal compatibility, the Boss pedal board boasts the onboard adaptor with the power enough to feed up to 7 pedals at a time. What is more, the board is equipped with all necessary outputs to connect your effects pedal chain.
More Than a Board
If you take a closer look at the Boss BCB-60, you’ll notice that it is not only a board for the neat pedal arrangement but also a case for its handy transportation. The outer material of the case is made of molded resin that looks simple yet stylish. But, unfortunately, this material isn’t as strong as one might expect, and it should be treated carefully in order not to be damaged by accidental bumps. As for the inside of the case, it is covered with foam to keep pedals securely in place. All in all, this pedalboard from Boss will become a great choice to use in rehearsal rooms where the hazard of damage is minimal.
Peculiarities of Transportation
If you still decide to take this board with you, keep in mind that it weighs 8 pounds. Yes, it’s not the lightest pedalboard available but let us remind you it is a powered model, and taking it to a gig, you also have an electrical supply for your effects pedals. Although it might be not very easy to transport the board (especially when you put pedals inside), it is safe and convenient thanks to two locks and a handle.
Pleasant Addition
We dare suppose your chances of choosing the Boss BCB-60 will increase once you find out what else comes with the board. The manufacturer has done its best to provide all the accessories necessary for you to start using the device as soon as you unpack it. Thus, you’ll find an AC adaptor, three pre-cut inserts, one spare insert, parallel DC cord, 5 short and 3 long L-L cables in the box.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B0002CZV1E |
Genius Lies in Simplicity
If you don’t need many effects pedals to play your music, choosing a mini pedal board seems to be a sensible decision, and the Gator G-MINI BONE model might interest you. The board measures 12” x 6” that suffices to place from two to four effects pedals. Whether you use cumbersome Cry Baby effect or prefer TC mini pedals, you’ll be able to locate any of them on this board. Although the board looks quite minimalistic, it’s made of rigid polyethylene that is quite sturdy to serve you years to come, and the lifetime warranty provided by the manufacturer is another proof. Don’t hesitate to choose the Gator G-MINI BONE, and you’ll get a compact and user-friendly accessory to keep a few most important pedals always at hand.
Useful Tip
If you are only at the beginning of your music career and are not sure what effect pedal to choose, we’d like you to consider several most popular ones:
- Distortion effect pedal is a must if you play rock music. No matter what rock genre you prefer, this effect is used everywhere. As its name implies, the pedal distorts the sound of your guitar, yet, makes it richer.
- Guess what effect you’ll get using the Wah-Wah (also known as Cry Baby) pedal. Yes, you’re right, the long A sound. But keep in mind that it might be challenging to learn to produce the right sound.
- To make your solos more expressive, a compressor effect is the right choice.
Attach Pedals in Mere Seconds
To connect pedals to the board with the maximum convenience, it has hook & loop surface. Just attach Velcro straps to pedals, and place them on the board.
Irreplaceable Accessory
If you need to carry the pedal board around, for example, to rehearsals, the carry bag included in the box will definitely come in handy. By the way, it’s capacious enough to put inside not only the board itself but also pedals.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $64.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B004MW5B8I |
Elaborate Design
When functionality and durability are your main concerns, the Donner DB-3 is the best pedalboard to take into consideration. The first thing we’d like to draw your attention to is the design of this non-powered model. The board is a platform made of four rails that measures 20” x 11.4”. The size this large allows you to place up to ten pedals on the board - you can arrange them conveniently thanks to the space between the rails. What makes this model even more user-friendly is its angled design that gives you a chance to reach the farthest pedals effortlessly. What is more, this very design provides the room under the board to attach a power supply unit and hide wires. Don’t overlook the material of the board, too. The aluminum alloy is lightweight and sturdy at the same time, so by choosing the DB-3 model from Donner, you’ll get a great board that can serve as a stationary as well as a portable pedal holder.
Importance of Proper Care
No need to mention that the proper maintenance of your pedal board will prolong its service life. For example, storing the DB-3 in a bag (comes in the box) when it’s not in use will protect it from dust. We’d like to point out that although the bag is great to use for storage, it might be not sturdy enough for the board transportation. The thing is the canvas the bag is made of might not withstand frequent load and thus may wear out pretty quickly. So, it’s recommended to think of a more durable transportation case if you need to travel with a pedal board often.
Simple and Reliable
Just like most pedalboards, this one also has Velcro surface for fast and hassle-free pedal attachment. Having included special tapes (with one sticky and one hook side) in the box, the manufacturer has saved you the trouble of thinking how to join effects pedals to the board.
Get Rid of Heavy Load
In spite of its impressive capacity, the Donner DB-3 weighs only 2.5 pounds, thus, it is considered one of the lightest models represented on the market. Opt for this pedalboard, and enjoy the functionality and usability in one device.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B01J3AQRQS |
The Best Gig Option
If you don’t limit yourself to doing gigs in one club, city, or even country, you’ll definitely need a good pedal board to transport your effects pedals with no hassle. Here, the G-TOUR PEDALBOARD-LGW from Gator comes in handy. The device performs double function serving you both as a pedalboard and a travel case. The case is made of the thick plywood with aluminum inserts to provide the maximum protection from outside hazards such as moisture or dust. On the inside, the case is fitted with soft EVA foam that serves as a cushion, consequently, protects the pedals from detrimental effects of accidental bumps. In addition to great protective properties, this G-TOUR model features simple yet stylish design.
Transportation With no Hassle
Taking a quick look at the specifications of the G-TOUR PEDALBOARD-LGW, one can notice its considerable weight. If you wonder how it is possible to handle this large 12-pound pedalboard during tours, worry not! The case is equipped with reliable locks that prevent it from accidental opening, thus ensuring the safety of transportation. You’ll also find handles and wheels on the body and the bottom of the case that allow for both vertical and horizontal transportation.
What’s Inside?
Once you open the case, you’ll find a detachable platform (the pedalboard itself). It is equipped with handles so you can take it out of the case effortlessly. And the rubber feet on the board bottom provide stable position of the G-TOUR PEDALBOARD-LGW on the stage. One more advantage of this case is that it is capacious enough to hold more items than the board with pedals. The thing is that under the board, there is space to keep cables, adapters, batteries, and other stuff you might need during rehearsals or gigs.
Impressive Capacity
For sure, the G-TOUR PEDALBOARD-LGW is one of the biggest boards represented on the market. Maybe, some users might consider its 24"x11" size bulky, but just imagine how many effects pedals you can place there! We dare suppose, up to ten of your most favorite pedals will find its place on this decent pedal holder.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B008V8OUI6 |
Ideal Option for Home Use
Whether you’re a beginner who has just started to collect effects pedals or a professional hobbyist seeking for everyday guitar practice at home, the ENO Ex Pedalboard will come to your liking. The item is 21-inch long, and this very length suffices to place up to 6 pedals of different sizes. It doesn’t take you much time and effort to locate all necessary pedals thanks to the simple design. Just attach Velcro straps (included) to two rails and secure necessary pedals with tie wraps (you’ll also find them in the box). Finally, take notice of the material of this item. Made of aluminum alloy, not only is the ENO Ex Pedalboard sturdy and lightweight, it also costs way cheaper than its plastic or wooden rivals.
Create the Right Pedal Chain
Arranging effect pedals in the right order is of the utmost importance if you want to produce clear and high-quality sound. To avoid muffled sounds, it’s recommended to stick to the following order:
- If you use a tuner before you start playing, it should be located at the beginning of the chain so the sound it perceives is clear for the right tuning;
- The next part of your chain is filters, for example, Wah or Auto-wah effects;
- The compressor, the aim of which is to level sound dynamics, should be placed in this part of the chain;
- Distortion, overdrive, or fuzz effects will find their place here;
- Equalizer will come in handy after the previous effects to improve the tone of the sound;
- If you like the effect provided by octave or pitch shifter pedals, they should be connected in this part of the chain;
- Here, chorus, flanger, noise gate, or tremolo effect pedals will fit perfectly;
- Delay or reverb complete effect pedal chain.
Choose the Right Cables
The cables you use for pedal chain connection should be of high quality as they directly affect the guitar sound. Do not go for cheap wires, if you want to achieve the studio sound quality. Also, pay attention to the wire length – the shorter cable you choose, the better it will transmit the signal from your guitar.
All You Need for Secure Attachment
For hassle-free and reliable pedal attachment, Velcro straps and tie wraps are included in the box.
| Last updated price | $35.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B015MMEOS4 |
What is a Pedal Board?
Those seeking new sounding for their electric guitar often buy additional bells and whistles, but sooner or later they come across difficulties handling numerous accessories. On the one hand, distortion, delay, chorus, and other effect pedals make the music you play richer. On the other hand, you have to arrange, connect, and power numerous pedals before every rehearsal or performance and carry out reverse process after music session is over. No need to mention, all these actions might be quite time-consuming. To provide hassle-free effect pedal handling, a pedal board was invented. The device allows you to arrange pedals neatly in the order you need and to power them more conveniently. Moreover, these boards usually come with bags/cases, so storage and transportation don't cause any problems. In this review, we’ve chosen the 5 best pedal boards you can use with electric, electric acoustic, and bass guitars. Take a quick view to find the one that meets your requirements perfectly.
What Features to Compare
Type
Type of a pedal board is the first thing you want to consider since it determines the functionality of the device. Pedal boards can be of two types - powered and non-powered. Powered models not only perform the function of a stand for your effect pedals but also provide electricity to make them work. By this, we mean they are equipped with a power source and all necessary inputs/outputs that save you the trouble of carrying additional devices to feed the pedals. As for the second type, they serve as a place for neat pedal arrangement only. Yet, they cost less than their more sophisticated counterparts.
Material and Dimensions
Material of a pedal board is of the utmost importance, too. As a rule, such devices are made of plastic, metal, or wood, and you want to know the durability and shockproof properties of each material. Thus, resin or polyethylene boards are the perfect choice for indoor rehearsals while those made of metal can withstand long transportation, and consequently, are great to take on tours. If you choose a case-shaped item, make sure it is fitted with a soft material (i.e., foam) from the inside for better protection of pedals. Weight and size of a board also matter. Needless to say, the bigger the board is the more it weighs, and the market is full of various models ranging in weight from 2 lbs to 12 lbs. Although heavy boards are more challenging to transport, they usually can hold more pedals at a time.
Extras
FAQ:
Q: Do pedal boards come with pedals?
A: Although you often see the pics of boards with effect pedals on, the boards actually don’t come with them. Pedal boards are created to help you arrange the effects pedals you already have in a neat and proper way.
Q: Are pedal boards portable? Are carry bags always included?
A: As a rule, all pedal boards are portable. However, you should remember that the less your board weighs, the easier it will be for you to transport it. Keep in mind that the weight you see in specifications is the weight of an item itself, and when you attach pedals to the board, it will become heavier. As for the ease of transportation, the majority of pedal boards come with a carry bag or even a case with handles.
Q: How do I attach pedals to my board?
A: More often than not, pedalboards have hook & loop surface, and it means that to attach pedals to the board, you need to use Velcro straps that are usually included in the box. There are also boards fitted with foam material where you should make cuts to place pedals inside.
Q: How many pedals can be placed on a pedalboard?
A: It depends on the board size. For example, if you choose the item that measures, let’s say, 20" x 12", you’ll be able to place up to 10 effects pedals of different size there.
Q: Is it better to choose a flat or angled guitar pedalboard?
A: There’s no doubt an angled board is much more convenient when it comes to switching among pedals since you can reach even the farthest pedal without touching those located nearby. In its turn, it’s always possible to make an angled board out of a flat one by placing it on a ramp or some sort of a stand.
Q: Are pedal boards sold with cables to connect effects pedal chain?
A: If you come across a board with all cables necessary for pedal chain connection, it’s a real catch since not all of them have a bonus this pleasant.
Q: I want to buy a powered pedal board of a famous guitar brand. Will it be compatible with the pedals of this manufacturer only?
A: It’s obvious that if guitar manufacturers produce both pedals and pedal boards, they make them compatible. However, it doesn’t mean only their pedals can be attached to the board. For example, Cry Baby effects are approximately of the same size, no matter what brand you prefer. So, more often than not, the size of the board itself and the size of the pedals you want to attach are the main factors to keep in mind. Yet, just to be on the safe side, we recommend you to consult the manufacturer first.
Sources:
1. Christopher Scapelliti How to Build the Ultimate Pedal Board, Guitar World. October 13, 2016.
2. Barry Cleveland 6 Steps to Building Your Custom Pedalboard Rig, Reverb. January 25, 2016.
3. Chris Loeffler How To Choose A Pedal Board, HarmonyCentral. April 10, 2017.
4. Lee Glynn Our Guide On How To Build A Pedal Board, Dawsons. July 27, 2016.
5. Ed Mitchell How to build a guitar pedalboard, MusicRadar. July 20, 2012.
6. 16 Guitar Effects Pedals Every Guitar Player MUST Have, TrueFire. May 16, 2017.
7. How to Set Up Guitar Pedals, wikiHow.
8. Randall Tompkins Guitar 101: Pedalboard Order, Power Supplies, & Accessories, heavy. July 7, 2017.