Pedalboard Placement Advice

[Bbreaker]

I'm coming to the homestretch with my pedalboard.

 

I have a Pedaltrain Pro board.

I'm using these pedals:

 

Fulltone OCD

MI Audio Crunch Box

Homebrew Elec. UFO

Nick Greer "Batch O Ass"

Lovepedal Infinity Fuse

T Rex Tremonti Phase Shifter

Homebrew Elec Three Hound Chorus

T Rex The Twister

T Rex Replica

Lovepedal Echo Baby

A/DA Flanger

Voodoo Lab Tremelo

Prescription Vibe Unit

Visual Sound H2O

Dean Markley Tuner

 

IYO, in what order would you place my pedals?

[metallica_00]

I would quite frankly go for a more condensed board. For instance, the H20 doesn't make too much sense when there's already two other delays and a chorus pedal on there.

 

I'd narrow it down to a couple overdrives/distortions you like most, and one each of the modulation stuff. I'd imagine a 15-pedal board would be detrimental to your tone in the same way a 40-foot long cable might be.

 

In a live situation I've always found simpler is better - have all your tones at your feet, but minimize the tap dancing and decision making and be free to play.

[Bbreaker]

 

I would quite frankly go for a more condensed board. For instance, the H20 doesn't make too much sense when there's already two other delays and a chorus pedal on there. I'd narrow it down to a couple overdrives/distortions you like most, and one each of the modulation stuff. I'd imagine a 15-pedal board would be detrimental to your tone in the same way a 40-foot long cable might be. In a live situation I've always found simpler is better - have all your tones at your feet, but minimize the tap dancing and decision making and be free to play.

 

 

I've been an overdrive; chorus and tuner player.

I just wanted to have everything I need for any situation with this board.

[Coach]

Placement is something only your ears can decide.

[kayd_mon]

You can see my chain in my signature line. I think it's the best way to go as far as effect types (well, they're my favorite pedals, too). The buffer in your H2O will help with any signal loss from all of that cable in between those pedals. I do think that having that many pedals (and repeat effects) will be nuts. A group of pedals that large is better off in rack drawers, using a midi switching system or something similar.

 

Anyway, arrange the pedal types like this:

Tuner -> OD -> Fuzz -> Distortion -> Chorus -> Flanger -> Phaser -> Tremolo -> Echo/Delay -> Clean Boost

 

 

 

I'm not sure which pedal you're using for the clean boost (if any) but it should be last. Put your Visual Sound before that to let the buffer drive the signal.

[metallica_00]

 

I've been an overdrive; chorus and tuner player. I just wanted to have everything I need for any situation with this board.

 

 

Totally - but a lot redundancy (like four overdrives on the same board, or three delays) just adds unnecessary complication. If you set up the board with a couple ODs and one of each modulation effect, you'll cover a lot of ground with less signal loss, noise, and greater ease of use at the gig.

[Jkater]

You can see my chain in my signature line. I think it's the best way to go as far as effect types (well, they're my favorite pedals, too). The buffer in your H2O will help with any signal loss from all of that cable in between those pedals. I do think that having that many pedals (and repeat effects) will be nuts. A group of pedals that large is better off in rack drawers, using a midi switching system or something similar. Anyway, arrange the pedal types like this: Tuner -> OD -> Fuzz -> Distortion -> Chorus -> Flanger -> Phaser -> Tremolo -> Echo/Delay -> Clean Boost I'm not sure which pedal you're using for the clean boost (if any) but it should be last. Put your Visual Sound before that to let the buffer drive the signal.

 

I like this post. Very succint and usable info.

[guitarmandp]

If your going to use that many effects you may as well buy a rack like an Eventide Eclipse or a TC Electronic G Force.

 

I've always thought overdrive, fuzz, whammy, and wah pedals sound better than rack.

 

Delay, Chorus, and Reverb sound best with a high end rackmount unit going into the effects loop.

 

You can argue the best Flanging sound is an A/DA and the best Phasing is an old script logo Phase 90 but I rarely ever use flanging and phasing.

 

I would like to buy an echoplex some day.

[steve_man]

If your going to use that many effects you may as well buy a rack like an Eventide Eclipse or a TC Electronic G Force. I've always thought overdrive, fuzz, whammy, and wah pedals sound better than rack. Delay, Chorus, and Reverb sound best with a high end rackmount unit going into the effects loop. You can argue the best Flanging sound is an A/DA and the best Phasing is an old script logo Phase 90 but I rarely ever use flanging and phasing. I would like to buy an echoplex some day.

 

Hey, it's just money...sell off a few of your "collector's items" and get it...

[Alex_SF]

 

I would quite frankly go for a more condensed board.

 

 

+1. And not just for tone reasons. Unless you're playing on huge stages all the time, where are you going to put that big of a board without it getting in the way of you and everyone else on stage?

 

I use a Gator Pedal Tote board that has room for only 8 pedals, plus a wah to the right of it and the channel footswitch for my amp to the left of it, and even that is pushing the limits of real estate on a small stage (occupied by a 5-piece band with keys and a big drum kit).

 

I'm considering upsizing the board a bit to make room for a wireless receiver on it, along with the ability to add 1-2 more effects and move the amp footswitch (and maybe even the wah) from the floor to the board -- but only by that much.

[unworthy]

 

I've been an overdrive; chorus and tuner player. I just wanted to have everything I need for any situation with this board.

 

 

That Pedaltrain Pro is a big-ass board and I hope you realize it's going to weigh about 40# with all those pedals.

 

I actually have compression first because it's in a rack, then Tuner> OD> Dist> amp simulator (I play ampless a lot) > Chorus >Tremolo> Delay> Reverb, all strung together with George L's cables only as long as absolutely necessary and powered by a DC Brick. It's simple and works for me. I don't ever mess with batteries or putting some through the EFX Loop (when I use the amp) because it's just too complicated and doesn't make enough difference, to me.

 

D

[Bbreaker]

I finished my pedalboard last night.....almost, I still have to tie up some wires under the pedaltrain.

 

Here it is..........

 

[Poster Nutbag]

Right on.. still a lot of pedals, but I think we can sympathize.

 

In regards to tone suck, what would be interesting to try now is to put that entire board into a loop and A/B it with all the pedals off vs. straight into the amp.. if you notice loss of tone through the board with all the pedals off then maybe consider a buffer.

[cratz2]

I always envisioned you as more of an early Clapton kinda fellow moreso than an Eric Johnson meets the Edge kinda guy.

 

 

But rock on... they are mostly quality pieces and I doubt you'll have the noise issues you might have if they were all Boss and lower end Digitech pedals.

 

 

[ΨWindingΨ]

I'm coming to the homestretch with my pedalboard. I have a Pedaltrain Pro board. I'm using these pedals: Fulltone OCD MI Audio Crunch Box Homebrew Elec. UFO Nick Greer "Batch O Ass" Lovepedal Infinity Fuse T Rex Tremonti Phase Shifter Homebrew Elec Three Hound Chorus T Rex The Twister T Rex Replica Lovepedal Echo Baby A/DA Flanger Voodoo Lab Tremelo Prescription Vibe Unit Visual Sound H2O Dean Markley Tuner IYO, in what order would you place my pedals?

 

I would go this route. First being guitar signal and last amp of course.

 

Dean Markley Tuner (out of path preferably using a switcher of some sort)

 

Fulltone OCD (Dupe I'd get rid of)

Lovepedal Infinity Fuse

MI Audio Crunch Box

Nick Greer "Batch O Ass" (Not sure if it covers ground of the other dirt pedals.)

 

Homebrew Elec. UFO (I like fuzz after OD so you can run an OD into it the fuzz)

 

Voodoo Lab Tremelo

Prescription Vibe Unit (Dupe I'd get rid of, a good phaser can vibe well)

A/DA Flanger

T Rex Tremonti Phase Shifter (Dupe I'd get rid of)

T Rex The Twister

Visual Sound H2O (Dupe I'd get rid of)

Homebrew Elec Three Hound Chorus (Dupe I'd get rid of)

 

Lovepedal Echo Baby

T Rex Replica

 

You have some dupes. I would pick the best of the bunch and nix a few. Make a smaller signal path and imho nicer tone.

[Bbreaker]

I would go this route. First being guitar signal and last amp of course. Dean Markley Tuner (out of path preferably using a switcher of some sort) Fulltone OCD (Dupe I'd get rid of) Lovepedal Infinity Fuse MI Audio Crunch Box Nick Greer "Batch O Ass" (Not sure if it covers ground of the other dirt pedals.) Homebrew Elec. UFO (I like fuzz after OD so you can run an OD into it the fuzz) Voodoo Lab Tremelo Prescription Vibe Unit (Dupe I'd get rid of, a good phaser can vibe well) A/DA Flanger T Rex Tremonti Phase Shifter (Dupe I'd get rid of) T Rex The Twister Visual Sound H2O (Dupe I'd get rid of) Homebrew Elec Three Hound Chorus (Dupe I'd get rid of) Lovepedal Echo Baby T Rex Replica You have some dupes. I would pick the best of the bunch and nix a few. Make a smaller signal path and imho nicer tone.

 

I kinda agree with most of your advice ........but, I think I'm going to noodle with this for a couple of weeks(?).

Even though I have duplicate fx pedals, the voicings are different. The THC chorus is VERY creamy and smoothes out the OD's.

I might take off the Crunch Box and Nick Greer if I can add a Throback Tone Bender.....yeah, more dupes.

[Bbreaker]

I always envisioned you as more of an early Clapton kinda fellow moreso than an Eric Johnson meets the Edge kinda guy. But rock on... they are mostly quality pieces and I doubt you'll have the noise issues you might have if they were all Boss and lower end Digitech pedals.

 

A buddy of mine can custom make buffers if needed.

I'm going to noodle with this in a few jams/sessions.

 

In some situations, I've been asked to use specific fx. The A/DA Flanger was one of these. Even though I'll rarely use some of these dupe fx, I know some people will ask for their sound.

[Bbreaker]

I always envisioned you as more of an early Clapton kinda fellow moreso than an Eric Johnson meets the Edge kinda guy. But rock on... they are mostly quality pieces and I doubt you'll have the noise issues you might have if they were all Boss and lower end Digitech pedals.

 

I am an old school type player. But there are situations where I'll need these fx to make some people happy and get repeat work.

It's like putting a sun roof on a '66 Fairlane.

[fretmonster]

I finished my pedalboard last night.....almost, I still have to tie up some wires under the pedaltrain. Here it is..........

 

All those pedals and no wah?:poke:

[Bbreaker]

 

All those pedals and no wah?:poke:

 

 

If I use a wah, it'll be on the floor off the board.

[pigman]

You can only play one guitar at a time, but pedals....

 

If you find that certain pedals sit idle most of the time, you can always add a looper to take them out of the signal path.

[notjonahbutnoah]

Yeah man, I only have five pedals. Every so often I'll switch the order, it's something only practicing and gigging over time can tell you.

 

They were in the order they are in my sig, now it goes:

 

Les Paul > Phase > Delay > Boost > OD > Tuner > Amp

 

I use mostly my red channel for a beefy Marshall gain tone with no pedals active, then sometimes i'll use the boost. Only use phase and delay for a couple songs, and the OD only on one.

 

Some people hate to put delay before their gain stage, I just prefer the way it sounds like that. It all depends on YOU, mang.