Whether you rely on a couple pedals or a dozen, standard-sized or micros, laying them out in an efficient manner that works for you is key. This month, we’ve rounded up 10 pedalboard options that will help you get there.
FRIEDMAN
Tour Pro 1520This ’board features a two-tier design along with a detachable/moveable riser to accommodate volume, expression, or wah pedals.
$249 street
friedmanamplification.com
MONO
Pedalboard MediumCut from a single piece of anodized aluminum, these tough, lightweight pedalboards have strategically placed cutouts to accommodate a wide spectrum of routing configurations.
$219 street
monocreators.com
VOODOO LAB
Dingbat PXDesigned to integrate seamlessly with the company’s power supplies, these pedalboards include Voodoo’s PX-8 PLUS pedal switcher with 36 programmable presets.
$449 street
voodoolab.com
TEMPLE AUDIO DESIGN
TRIO 28These boards promote ditching Velcro via their unique pedal-plate system, while the pre-cut slots allow for customization through the company’s interchangeable connectivity modules.
$129 street
templeboards.com
ACLAM GUITARS
Smart Track S2Utilizing a fastener system that allows for quick changes and prevents possible pedal damage, these pedalboards also feature adjustable rear feet for fine-tuning the slope.
$249 street
aclamguitars.cat
BLACKBIRD PEDALBOARDS
1224 Tolex SeriesThese pedalboards are available in a variety of Tolex options and can accommodate up to 12 standard pedals. They are equipped with 1/4" in/out jacks for setup/breakdown ease.
$189 street
blackbirdpedalboards.com
GATOR CASES
GPB-BAK-ORAvailable in a variety of colors, these lightweight aluminum pedalboards feature non-slip feet, angled cutouts for easy cable routing, and a universal power-supply mounting bracket.
$149 street
gatorcases.com
HOTONE
Skyboard JuniorTo keep it light and tight for minimalist guitarists on the go, this compact aluminum-alloy pedalboard was designed to accommodate a spread of micro pedals.
$59 street
hotoneaudio.com
SCHMIDT ARRAY
GO BoardComplete with a 9/12/18V power supply, this single-deck mini system features a latch-down lid and a hinged, locking pedal deck that provides ample storage inside.
$340 street
schmidtarray.com
PEDALTRAIN
Metro 24Thanks to its low profile, horizontal orientation, the company’s first three-rail pedalboard system is sized right for players who live or work in tight spaces and require portability.$99 street
pedaltrain.com
![Jerry Cantrell Rig Rundown [2024]](https://www.premierguitar.com/media-library/youtube.jpg?id=53714787&width=600&height=600&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C0%2C560%2C0)
Peterson StroboStomp Mini Pedal Tuner
| The StroboStomp Mini delivers the unmatched 0.1 cent tuning accuracy of all authentic Peterson Strobe Tuners in a mini pedal tuner format. We designed StroboStomp Mini around the most requested features from our customers: a mini form factor, and top mounted jacks. |
But by gosh, if delay—and its sister effect, reverb—haven’t always been perfect for the music I like to write and play. Which brings us to the Fishman EchoBack Mini Delay. The EchoBack, along with the standard delay controls of level, time, and repeats—as well as a tap tempo—has a toggle to alternate between analog, tape, and digital-delay voices.
I hooked up my Washburn Bella Tono Elegante to my Blues Junior to give the EchoBack a test run. We love a medium delay—my usual preference for delay settings is to have both level and repeats at 1 o’clock, and time at 11 o’clock. With the analog voice switched on, I heard some pillowy warmth in the processed signal, as well as a familiar degradation with each repeat—until their wake gave way to a gentle, distant, crinkly ticking. Staying on analog and adjusting delay time down to 8 o’clock and repeats to about 11:30, some cozy slapback enveloped my rendition of Johnny Marr’s part to “Back to the Old House,” conjuring up thoughts of Elvis trapped in a small chamber, but in a good way. It sounded indubitably authentic. The one drawback of analog delay for me, generally, is that its roundness can feel a bit under water at times.
Switching over to tape, that pillowy warmth evaporated, and in its place came a very clear replication of my tone—but with just a bit of the highs shaved off the top. With the settings at the medium-length mode listed above, I could see the empty, glass hall the pedal sent my sound bouncing down. I heard several pronounced pings of repeats before the signal fully faded out. On slapback settings (time at 8 o’clock, repeats at 11:30), rather than Elvis, I heard something more along the lines of a honky-tonk mic in a glass bottle. Still relatively crystalline, which actually was not my favorite. I like a bit more crinkle—so maybe analog is my bag....“That pillowy warmth evaporated, and in its place came a very clear, pristine replication of my tone—but with just a bit of the highs shaved off the top.”
Next up, digital. Here we have the brightest voice, and as expected, the most faithful repeats. They ping just a few times before shifting to a smooth, single undulating wave. When putting its slapback hat on, I found that the effect was a bit less alluring than I’d observed for the analog and tape voices. This is where the digital delay felt a little too sterile, with the cleanly preserved signal feeling a bit unnatural.
All in all, I dig the EchoBack for its replications of analog and tape voices, and ultimately, lean towards tape. While it’s nice having the digital delay there as an option, it feels a bit too clean when meddling with time of any given length. Nonetheless, this is surely a handy stomp for any acoustic player looking to venture into the land of live effects, or for those who are already there.
