Editors’ choice: Eight of our favorite pedalboards
BY AMIT SHARMA
CHANCES ARE, UNLESS YOU’RE THE kind of player who sticks to just one overdrive or a wah between your guitar and amp, you’ve started to amass quite the collection of pedals and need something that can house them all neatly. All those power cables and patch cords can start to become an eyesore, and connecting them before every rehearsal or gig can quickly get tedious — which is why it makes sense to have all your favorite pedals safely secured on a board that can be easily transported.
It’d be fair to say these floor units originated from simplistic designs — a box with a few holes in it, in layman’s terms — although, just like other kinds of music-related equipment, they’ve undergone their own process of evolution. Some pedalboards, for example, might double as a guitar stand, which means fewer trips to the car or van when loading in and, more importantly, fewer broken headstocks to deal with. Others might have a detachable lid and wheels that effectively turn into a suitcase — a very practical solution for the musician on the move. And then there are options for boards that expand as your pedal collection grows, meaning you can customize the size of the unit by your feet for whatever gig you might be playing. Given how collectable and expensive some pedals are, there are even options that involve no Velcro or adhesives whatsoever, which will help keep your most prized goods in mint condition and ultimately improve your chances of reselling them at maximum value, should you ever need to.
Here are eight of our current favorite pedalboards, each with their own unique take on keeping everything locked down firmly by your feet.
PEDALTRAIN
CLASSIC JR
pedaltrain.com, $139
Dependably robust, ultra light and highly affordable, it’s easy to see why Pedaltrain have become the industry standard for guitarists and bassists who like extra tonal options under their noses. Their pedalboards are backed by a lifetime warranty — which is reassuring for touring musicians who are constantly on the move and require a floor unit they can trust in time and time again. With a width of 18 inches that can fit 10 regular-sized pedals and a raised elevation of one inch, the Classic JR is one of the company’s all-round best sellers. It comes with 72 inches of professional-grade hook-and-loop Velcro, an assortment of zip ties and a water-resistant soft case with a shoulder strap to help you get around without any hiccups. If you’re traveling long distances or by air, however, you might want to consider upgrading to their heavy-duty to
