The combination and type of effect pedals a player has can say as much about him or her as the guitar and amp they use. And the power supply and cabling supporting those vintage pedals are almost as important as the pedals themselves.
Once upon a time, the more pedals you had, the more duct tape you needed to strap them down to the stage. In today's clubs, amphitheatres, and garages, you're more likely to see the guitar or bass player's pedals neatly secured and cleanly patched within the confines of a well-designed pedalboard. Pedalboards have now gone mainstream, thanks in part to the five pedalboard makers in this interview. From mass production boards like Pedaltrain, to flashy custom models like Trailer Trash, pedalboards are far more than an expensive duct tape substitute. But pedalboards are not just about simplifying your set up, they are also about getting a great sound in the form of clean reliable power and signal flow from the guitar, through our precious stompboxes, and eventually out into the room. We take a look at five artisans who take much deserved pride in the design of their pedalboards:
NYC Pedalboards,
Pedal Pad,
Pedaltrain,
Pumaboards and
Trailer Trash.