Combining rack case & pedalboard?

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

I'm making big changes soon in my electronics, but need some help with one detail:

It looks like I can use my current 4-space rack for various 19-inch rack gizmos. I'd also like to prop up my PedalTrain MINI pedal board on top. It can be removable and just hook onto "ears" on the rack, or be in a slide out rack drawer that pulls up, then folds back and locks into a good angle so I can tweak stompboxes but still tweak rack unit gear.

Anyone know of a stock or even custom way to mount a smallish pedalboard atop my rack in that manner? My rack sits beside me as usual, rack gear facing up.

I don't like the design of the old SKB unit that was a big pedal board on the floor, with a little 2 or 3 space rack angled up and sitting in the middle; too gangly and ugly! My design concept puts rack and pedal gear within easy reach where I sit.
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Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I've noticed nobody else said anything, so I'll share what I did, I have no pictures, however.
I have a 3 space rack but only two of gear.
I made a 1-space blank with power, input and output jacks. I then mounted an angled piece of sheet metal to serve as a mounting base upon which I Velcro my stomp boxen.
I recommend putting the hook part on the mounting base. The lining inside a Steeler's Choice really mates too well with hooks.
My current setup looks very Possum Lodge, I'd like the time to make one like it only pretty.
If you already have all your spaces full, possibly a similar deal inside the lid??
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Charlie Thompson · From: South Carolina, USA

John
I cut a piece of 3/8" ply and put fuzzy carpet that adheres to the hook side of velcro.. I lay it on top or next to my rack. This could be modified to have 3 sides of "legs" so that it could sit on top of the rack screw area. The legs would probably need to be 3/8" ply maybe 4" high(leaving enough room underneath to adjust).. BTW Pedaltrain has a "Nano" version now..smaller than the mini.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

John I have a couple of Fred Justice's rack boxes and the lid has the "half" hinges on it, which means the top cover is detachable --- but you can also leave it hooked up so that it opens out parallel to the top. You could sit a pedal board on top of that without too much trouble, so long as it supported the weight of the board.
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Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

I appreciate ideas and input, gang.

Paddy, thanks for that insight into Fred's case. That could easily work, I could just make a little foam or wood or plexiglass wedge to prop up the pedal board at the desired angle.

Spoke to Fred today, he's game for building my custom 7-space rack, but with all his guitar and case orders ahead of me, my rack would take at least 6 weeks to complete. Good for Fred, I'm thrilled his great products are turning into orders; bad for impatient me who needs it now!
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Harold Dye · From: Cullman, Alabama, USA

John, I don't know if this is any benefit to you but here is what I did. After selling all my rack equipment I wanted to utilize the 4 space SKB box. I put a Furman power conditioner in one space. I then mounted a 1/2in piece of plywood about 4in below it, to take up the other 3 spaces. I use an RP 155 mainly for reverb and a couple of other programs and a DD 3. I put velcro on the bottom of each and on the plywood so as to prevent movement. I installed two jacks in the plywood and ran them to the end side of the box near the bottom. That way I can plug the VP into the DD 3, and DD 3 into the RP and the RP into each of the jacks (using both outputs on the RP). Then I have the option of using one or two amps as I have two outputs coming out of the system. Depending on how many stomp boxes you have you might be able to mount 4-5 in a space like this, unless you are using more than one rack space for other things. By using the Furman I can plug my effects into it and not have cords running everywhere.

Ken Morgan · From: Midland, Texas, USA

Take a peek at this:

http://championpedals.com/budda.htm

Just ordered one for my stage rig - guy seems great to work with, can design the button box any way you want it. This way you can just rack mount your pedals, out of harm's way, and have them individually on or off - no programming, no MIDI...

Very VERY reasonably priced
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67 Shobud Blue Darling III, scads of pedals and such, more 6 strings than I got room for

Ken Morgan
Midland, TX

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

By "pedal board" I think he means a board to hold his pedals at hand height when sitting behind the steel, unless he's planning to jump up and STOMP on a 20" high rack case - it would be fun to watch... Laughing

Especially the part about holding the bar on the right fret at the time.

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Ken, that's a very interesting configuration. David Mason is right, I'm wanting to have a handful of pedals nearby for turning on and off, and twiddling knobs quite a bit.

My new Stereo Steel will be using Gerry Walker's recommended TC Electronics M-One XL, which should give me reverbs and delays, so the pedals I would still be using are my Visual Sound Route 808 overdrive, and BOSS CS-3 compressor, maybe my Hardwire CR-7 chorus. I think only 2 FX at a time are possible with the TCE unit. Anyone know different?
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Ken Morgan · From: Midland, Texas, USA

Ah,,,

I did find that SKB makes a sliding 2 space rack drawer that latches both open and closed. It has the actual shelf already velcro'd and ready to mount whatever pedals you opt for. (That Rte 66 is a beast, ain't it! Got one, love it)

Anyhow, (just brainstorming) I could see a situation in which your rack effects, pre and power amps are all on the bottom of a 10 spacer, with said SKB occupying the top? If the thing sets next to you, slide the drawer out, and there are your pedals, ready for instant on/off/tweaking.

Just a thought. Not used to thinking these things through from the 'setting down' perspectivenn Smile

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67 Shobud Blue Darling III, scads of pedals and such, more 6 strings than I got room for

Ken Morgan
Midland, TX

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I may be wrong, but I am reading John's request as to be able to have the rack facing up to the ceiling (like most do now) and be able to just have a "shelf" come off it at an angle to mount his pedals. Having the rack setup as the previous post describes, means he won't be able to see the rack effects well enough to change programs on the fly.

Personal note to John.

I hear your coming up to do a gig with my guitar player soon. I may just have to show up and give you hell. Would love to see you again.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

John, The M-ONE XL and the Lexicon MX300 can only do 2 effects
at a time. Thats why I went to the MX400. It'll do 4 at a time. Very Happy

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John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

To Rich Sinkler:
Just turn yourself into a roadie for one of the band guys and come on in, I don't think it'll be a problem. I'll check with Robbie. Maybe you can twiddle volume knobs in our dinky little PA? As a sound guy, no prob bringing you to the private party gig. Be great to see you!

Carl: that's interesting about the MX400. Gerry Walker has some reasons why he likes both how the TC unit works with a stereo amp, and the quality of the reverbs and delays. He'll splain it all to me tomorrow when I'm picking up my custom Stereo Steel, woo hoo!

We're filling up my current 4-space rack so I can start using it now, but eventually I will migrate to a 7 or 8 space rack for more goodies and some added connections to the rack side that I want. I sure appreciate all the advise and ideas from y'all.
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Justin Griffith · From: Taylor, Texas, USA

John,
I am not up to date on all of the different effects units available. I do own a TC "G-Major" and I used it with my Stereo Steel (Great rig! Like a Session 400 on steroids) and now my LeMay/Telonics rig and it works a treat! I have several presets that use chorus, delay, reverb, etc at the same time. I do not know if this unit does distortion type stuff. I play the old stereotypical country stuff and have not needed distortion. I like the reverb, and chorus in the unit.

I only know of one downside (I am sure there are more). My friend has the M-one XL and his reverb might be just a tiny, tiny bit better. I know his playing is.....
Mine is an early unit and it used to hang up sometimes. A walkthrough of the software upgrade by a nice guy at TC got me past that.

Someone else surely knows why the G-Major is not as recommended.

I understand that effects units was not your question, but I thought I'd speak up anyway.
Sorry for the topic drift.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
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Charlie Thompson · From: South Carolina, USA

John, You might check out the Digitech GSP 1101.. Has the lexicon reverbs, alot of modulation effects AND distortions in 1 rack space. Also has amp models..There is an unauthorized update which has some nice additional features including a parallel effects loop option.
http://www.digitech.com/en-US/products/gsp1101

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Justin: Gerry Walker uses the M-One XL for its great reverbs and delays mainly, but also because he's created a bunch of presets where 2 of the knobs on the unit turn up or down the 2 independent effects.

So he's got several flavors of reverb/delay, and other FX, and you can control each of the two FX per user preset one with a simple knob. Pretty slick interface, no deep programming required.

So far I like it quite well.

I'm still going to use outboard overdrive and compression.
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Mark Lawrence · From: Greenfield, Indiana, USA

I'm using the Roland gp100. 400 presets (200 editable).Use 16 different effects at a time, stack them in any order you choose. has an auto-wah useful for dialing in a dobro tone. I play a few other instruments so tweeking of the amp is not necessary (programale EQ). Everything including built in tuner is at my right hand. In a one space rack.
I see these going on ebay around the $150 range.
http://gp-100.cygnarowicz.com/

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Thanks for the tip on the GP-100, Mark, I'll consider that. I recently bought an Eleven Rack, I suspect I can add that to my rack and get all the other sounds I want, if the Avid demo videos online aren't complete BS.
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Justin Griffith · From: Taylor, Texas, USA

John,
I had forgotten about the M-One's capability of adjusting effect levels on the fly. That is the big advantage over the G-Major.
I have several different reverb patches preset and I have to find one close for the type of song.
I have learned that you can hit one button and adjust on the fly, but the M-one makes it easier. Thanks!

JG
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Emmons/Sho~Bud/Blanton, Fender/Peavey.
Telonics pedal

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

If I read this right, it seems like a lot could be solved with a piece of plywood and a roll of duct tape?!?

You can take the cowboy out of the country, but....

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Dave: I'm an Okie and been there, done that! May actually revert to a DIY mini pedal board to distortion and quick chorus to my sound pallet.

The TC Electronics reverbs and delays sound wonderful to my ears, very clean and lush. Its chorus and phaser FX are just OK, imho.
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Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

Most racks that have any stomp boxes mounted are on a sliding shelf with velcro. You might consider changing the orientation of your rack from on the floor facing up to facing out and raising it up to a comfortable height to read and operate.

Clete

Matthew Keon · From: Chicago, IL

Here's my old setup..

still have the case if you are interested..

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Matthew, that setup is almost identical to what I'm currently using with my 4U rack. I have a 2U Stereo Steel, 1U TC Electronics M-One XL, and the same Furman AR-1215 Power Conditioner.

Is the angled top platform a separate piece, or a tipped up lid?
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John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Decided to get a Gator GRR-8L, it's a case to hold just a little bit more than everything I plan to use, so there's room to grow. It has a retractable handle and wheels, that'll be handy as heavy as this sucker is going to be.

Gerry Walker will be adding XLR out jacks, speaker outs, and 2 line in jacks, this whole contraption is designed to make recording sessions a lot easier and more efficient. I'll post pix when we have it all built.

Once I get it, I'll figure out some way to hang off the back my PedalTrain MINI board with 2 or 3 pedals. I would love to have those on a drawer that pulls out (up since it's sitting on the floor face up), and then cocks back and locks at an angle for easy use. Anyone have a ready-made solution like that?

Clete, that drawer photo you showed is the right idea, but I think I really need the angled position. Maybe if it locked in a vertical position that would work, with all my rack gear, I doubt hand-stomping on a pedal will knock the whole unit over. Open to more ideas, folks!
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