So you have a killer pedal collection, but lack organizational skills. Or maybe you’re new to the wonderful world of effects and need a blank slate on which to start. Regardless, a dependable and efficient pedalboard is a must for any tone shaper, and we’ve rounded up a collection of options to help you get started in finding what’s right for you.
These aluminum pedalboards with a modified rail design are built with players in mind who use true-bypass switchers or want an extra rail to better accommodate a wide range of configurations. The heavy-duty tour case will help keep your pedals safe on the road. Inspired by skateboard decks and the desire to ditch Velcro, these pedalboards are constructed of 12-ply Baltic birch, hold six to 10 pedals and a power supply with ease, and use zip-ties to securely latch down stompboxes. The two-tiered design of this strong and lightweight aluminum pedalboard provides easy access for up to 20 effects devices, and the unique porting, power-supply bracket, and included Velcro allows for a clean, sturdy set up. The ’board comes with a padded gig bag. Constructed of durable molded plastic, this pedalboard includes a built-in AC adapter that can power up to seven pedals. It’s lightweight for easy transport and there is ample room for customized setups. These hand-assembled pedalboards feature 1/2" Eastern plywood construction that’s wrapped with a durable polyweave skin. The Gigman offers dense-foam interior padding and is finished with high-quality catches, hinges, and corner strengtheners. This rigid arched-shape polyethylene pedalboard has a pair of larger surface areas for wah- and volume-type pedals and can accommodate up to 10 stompboxes. A 9V daisy chain power supply and a heavy-duty lightweight carry case are included. This budget-friendly pedalboard with included gig bag boasts room for 10 standard-size effects, is angled for comfortable foot access, has cutouts for power distribution and cable management, and also includes hook-and-loop strips for custom organization. The patented modular design of this ’board allows players to stair-step their effects between two levels or raise the panels on the first tier to accommodate larger pedals. Dual input jacks, two output jacks, and a dual inlet/outlet AC socket are mounted externally. This no-nonsense pedalboard features a rugged textured-vinyl exterior atop a wood frame, heavy-duty metal latches and corners, back- and bottom-side feet, soft interior padding, and a thickly padded carry handle. This handcrafted zebra-wood ’board is constructed using dovetail joinery and is decked out with such options as a recessed IEC power-in socket with on/off switch, a quartet of 1/4" Switchcraft plugs, and a multi-slot “Plus” top. Other pedalboards start at $95.
Announced at the 2025 NAMM show, Cory Wong’s new collaboration with Ernie Ball Music Man scratched an itch—namely, the itch for a humbucker-loaded guitar that could appease Wong’s rock-and-R&B alter ego and serve as complement to his signature Fender Strat. Inspiration came from no further than a bandmate’s namesake instrument. Vulfpeck bassist Joe Dart has a line of signature model EBMM basses, one of which uses the classic StingRay bass body profile. So, when Wong went looking for something distinctive, he wondered if EBMM could create a 6-string guitar using the classic StingRay bass body and headstock profile.
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay II ReviewErnie Ball Music Man StingRay II ReviewDouble the Fun
Wong is, by his own admission, a single-coil devotee. That’s where the core of his sound lives and it feels like home to him. However, Wong is as inspired by classic Earth, Wind & Fire tones and the pop-punk of the early ’90s as he is by Prince and the Minneapolis funk that he grew up with. The StingRay II is a guitar that can cover all those bases.
Ernie Ball has a history of designing fast-feeling, comfortable necks. And I can’t remember ever struggling to move around an EBMM fretboard. The roasted maple C-shaped neck here is slightly thicker in profile than I expected, but still very comfortable. (I must also mention that the back of the neck has a dazzling, almost holographic look to the grain that morphs in the light). By any measure, the StingRay II’s curves seemed designed for comfort and speed. Now, let’s talk about those pickups.Hot or Not?
A few years ago EBMM introduced a line of HT (heat-treated) pickups. The pickups are built with technology the company used to develop their Cobalt and M-Series strings. A fair amount of the process is shrouded in secrecy and must be taken on faith, but EBMM says treating elements of the pickup with heat increases clarity and dynamic response.
To find out for myself, I plugged the StingRay II into a Fender Vibroverb, Mesa/Boogie Mark VII, and a Neural DSP Quad Cortex (Wong’s preferred live rig). Right away, it was easy to hear the tight low end and warm highs. Often, I feel like the low end from neck humbuckers can feel too loose or lack definition. Neither was the case here. The HT pickup is beautifully balanced with a bounce that’s rich with ES-335 vibes. Clean tones are punchy and bright—especially with the Vibroverb—and dirty tones have more room for air. Individual notes were clear and articulate, too.
Any guitar associated with Wong needs a strong middle-position or combined pickup tone, and the StingRay II delivers. I never felt any significant signal loss in the blended signal from the two humbuckers, even if I could use a bit more midrange presence in the voicing. The midrange gap is nothing an EQ or Tube Screamer couldn’t fix, though. And not surprisingly, very Strat-like sounds were easy to achieve for having less midrange bump.
Knowing Wong’s love for ’90s alt-rock, I expected the bridge pickup to have real bite, and it does, demonstrating exceptional dynamic range and exceptional high-end response that never approached shrill. Nearly every type of distortion and overdrive I threw at it sounded great, but especially anything with a scooped-mid flavor and plenty of low end.
The Verdict
By any measure, the StingRay II is a top-notch, professional instrument. The fit and finish are immaculate and the feel of the neck makes me wonder if EBMM stashes some kind of secret sandpaper, because I don’t think I’ve ever felt a smoother, more playable neck. Kudos are also due to EBMM and Wong for finding an instrument that can move between ’70s George Benson tones and the hammering power chords of ’90s Blink-182. Admittedly, the nearly $3K price could give some players pause, but considering the overall quality of the instrument, it’s not out of line. Wong’s involvement and search for distinct sounds makes the StingRay II more than a tired redux of a classic model—an admirable accomplishment considering EBMM’s long and storied history.
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay II Cory Wong Signature Electric Guitar - Charcoal Blue with Rosewood Fingerboard
