The board itself.

[untilshewokeme]

The fixed that with the new line, iirc. That also made all of their boards a bit taller and with one more row. That why I was looking at the Novo 24, which is a Pedal train 2 with one extra row and smaller spacing between bars.

The Novos have the added rail but are only 14.5" deep, only really good if you are putting a looper or mounting smaller pedals sideways. Won't really fit 3 rows of pedals amounted "standardly", if that makes sense. The 16" deep PT3, Pro, etc. will but they bars are spaced out funny to do that.

I am a really nerd and plan my pedalboard layouts in Adobe Illustrator because pedalboardplanner.com isn't really accurate and often doesn't have certain pedals or weird sizes (like the RM-1N). So here is what I am talking about:

Classic2:


Novo18:


PT3:


So on the PT3 it doesn't really fit with the normal stability when you go for 3 rows. But I never owned one, just going off the dimensions provided by Pedaltrain and the size I have physically measured the pedals I own.

[aholidayatthesea]

Can we get some pics of your homemade boards? I'm looking to make one and I could use some inspiration...

Also, for those of you with homemade boards, how do you carry it around? Do you still buy a flight case/pedalboard bag?

[Inconuucl]

I don't have the resources to make a board for myself, especially in the work-space-real-estate front, it's also why I've never started making pedals despite it being the reason I originally signed up to the forum in the first place.

[popvulture]

I've had two different size Pedaltrains and hated them both. Simple reason: I hate the slats/gaps. I had pedals that just wouldn't sit right on them, and I could never get it organized in a way that worked for me.

Currently using a stock Blackbird 15x30. I personally love it because I can put my pedals anywhere I want, and it's especially enjoyable if I'm not packing the damn thing. Putting 8-10 pedals on it gives me plenty of room to move shit around, and overall (for my taste) it destroys the Pedaltrains. I've got a PP2+ and an ISO 5 mounted on the bottom, which have been able to easily accommodate whatever combinations I've thrown at it.

Only downsides:

1. Heavier than the PT
2. If you have too much velcro coverage on the bottom of a pedal, they can be damn near impossible to pull off (which I guess can sometimes be a great thing).

[solewheelin]

Heres the bottom of my DIY board. It's around 40x15.
I use the dollar store velcro on it which is tacked down with tiny nails. Mostly because it has less but enough grab and i like to experiment with chain order.
The industrial velcro can be a bit much if you aren't gigging with the board.


I also drilled some holes in the plywood legs for routing cables.

[solewheelin]

Since those pics were taken, better, lower profile rubber feet were added.

Crudely built.. but light for it's size and solid as a brick.

[kosta]

I grabbed two small Bedroom Boards over the years. (Basically plywood covered in tool dip with really strong latches and hinges – I think.) I've schlepped those all over the place and have gigged with them a bit. Super solid. Like other folks have mentioned, it's nice to not have to have my pedals in fixed positions, and the shag carpet is always a good conversation starter at shows! Not sure if Bobby and Dan are making those any more though.

[elevenstrings]

I'm pretty sure I could throw my Custom District board from a rooftop and it would be perfectly fine - can't say the same for the pedals themselves.

For mine, I measured the back of my car, took out 2" for the gigbag, and that was my board size. I tried the DIY path before and honestly I don't have the tools or patience to deal with that, rather spend some $$$ and have it done right. Kudos to those who can make that work though!

[BitchPudding]

Big ass PT pro board user here. Upgraded from the pt nano. Its been nice, i feel like I could have built something without having to have dropped $200 but im not that handy. And im lazy.

For what its worth, its been holding up well at gigs.

[Pete]

Heres the bottom of my DIY board. It's around 40x15.
I use the dollar store velcro on it which is tacked down with tiny nails. Mostly because it has less but enough grab and i like to experiment with chain order.
The industrial velcro can be a bit much if you aren't gigging with the board.


I also drilled some holes in the plywood legs for routing cables.

That is really cool! Looks very nice.

I've got a Pedaltrain 2 and I love it.

[indianDYsummer]

I think PTs are solid and pretty reasonably priced for what you get. They're sturdy and not that heavy. I TOTALLY agree with people about the awkward slat placement and am curious about the new Novo series. I have a PT pro and it the only downfall is the weight when filled with pedals and power supplies. Can't really get around that though. Even though the slats make 3 rows of pedals a bit awkward it's usually fine in my experience though. Even if ones aren't as sturdy as I'd like, they still stay put when stepping on switches. I've made a few out of plywood boards but haven't made any out of wood slats or anything. Slats are super useful for routing cables, but drilling holes or slots here and there should work just as well.

But I mean, I bought some wood, rubber feet, corner protectors, tolex, spray glue, velcro in effort to make a decent board on the cheap and it cost $75. I got my PT pro soft case new for $150 and its lighter and cable routing rules. I know I could have done it for cheaper, but things add up and PTs are a good value (also light and sturdy).

I kinda wanna downsize my board tho so I might try a Novo 18 or 24 to see how I like the slats.

[beezlebub]

I grabbed two small Bedroom Boards over the years. (Basically plywood covered in tool dip with really strong latches and hinges – I think.) I've schlepped those all over the place and have gigged with them a bit. Super solid. Like other folks have mentioned, it's nice to not have to have my pedals in fixed positions, and the shag carpet is always a good conversation starter at shows! Not sure if Bobby and Dan are making those any more though.

Bedroom boards are not made anymore, bummer on that. I love mine so much. Almost sold it in a drunken frenzied board backlash trip, but no takers. Thank goodness!

[WayToHip]

I was going to post a thread about what others use as pedalboards. I stole a hard suitcase years ago to use a board but I kept putting it off because it is better as a way to hold pedals than to be a pedal board.

I am more into the idea of getting a $5 bad art piece as a board than spending real money and getting wood that will never break. I'm easy on stuff.

[technicoloraudio]

I came off a PT Pro to a LYT that is the same size, and I love it.
The bottom level is basically flat to the ground, which I really dig because I keep my Boomerang III right up front. The upper tier hides my PP2+ and PPdig and I have never run out of room. I actually cut it up to fit some Moogerfoogers on the lower tier, then later regretted that and I can still fit a shit ton of pedals on it with the Rang and Sidecar. Its super light on it's own and the case is rugged. I got them both used for the money I got for my PT-Pro and softcase.

[solewheelin]

That is really cool! Looks very nice.

I've got a Pedaltrain 2 and I love it.

Thanks. It was definitely an easy project. It's nice in the way that the spacing and the holes underneath are just big enough for me to fit pretty much any patch cable through.

I also have a half of a gorm painted black /PT mini sized diy board that I throw in my backpack.
I'd like to find a decent quality synth/keyboard type stretch cover for both of these boards.