The secret to choose your pedalboard’s size (2023)
If you are thinking on buying a new pedalboard and still hesitating on which size of pedalboard do you need, keep reading. We will give you some tips to help you choose the best pedalboard for you!
There are many important things that should be considered before buying a pedalboard concerning your needs.
You should ask yourself some important questions:
✋ 5 Questions that will help you choose the best pedalboard size
Table of Contents:
5 Questions that will help you choose the best pedalboard size
1. How many guitar & bass effects pedals do I own right now?
Knowing how many effects pedals do you have now seems important, but it is not the most important thing you have to know. You may be a greedy creature, so you know new acquisitions will probably affect the space requirements...
Imagine you have now 7 effects pedals. I'm sure you will buy some new effects during this year. Where are you going to place them? Will you need to buy now a bigger pedalboard or invest on a modular pedalboard for the future?
➡️ Will you have the same number of effects pedals in a couple of years?
CHECK OUT SOME MODULAR PEDALBOARDS
2. How many effects pedals will I have in a near future?
Many of us think that too many pedals are never enough. Let’s face it, a mysterious force drives us to never stop trying out pedals and wanting them all! (Well, most of them!).
So, we will always recommend buying a larger pedalboard now, to have some free space for future effects or buying a modular pedalboard to fit more effects.
An advantage to get a modular pedalboard, is that if you need more space you won't have to buy a new whole pedalboard. You only have to get some spare pieces and make it bigger, so you can add more effects pedals.
➡️ Decide if you prefer buying a bigger (and modular) pedalboard today and have space for tomorrow, or buy a size that won't make the job in a few days...
HOW TO BUILD YOUR CUSTOM & MODULAR PEDALBOARD STEP BY STEP
3. Where will I play?
There is an important connection between capacity and transportation comfort; the smaller the pedalboard is, the fewer pedals but easier mobility you will get; whereas the larger the board gets, more number of pedals you will fit, which will be proportional to the strength needed to carry the pedalboard around. Some exercise is always welcome however!
➡️ You can't control if a new pandemic will come and we will have to play home another year; but you can think where you will like to play if this never happen again :)
Home/Studio
Sedentary playing at home or in the studio will allow you to use larger and heavier pedalboard configuration due to the lack of transportation needs.
LARGE PEDALBOARDS ARE GREAT IF YOU'RE PLAYING HOME
Touring
If you are constantly moving around, think about how you do so. You will need a smaller and lighter pedalboard configuration in order to travel more comfortable. If it’s going to be beaten up in a regular basis you might as well go for a pedalboard's hard case; but if you need something portable and weightless because of your wandering about, a pedalboard's soft case will be the right option to carry your pedalboard.
WE RECOMMEND GETTING A SMALLER PEDALBOARD TO TRAVEL AROUND
4. How do I get the approximate dimensions?
Grab your effects and place them on a table (or floor) with the desired layout. There are some things you may have to consider. We recommend you don’t put them very close, as the live excitement can make you activate the wrong push button!
- Think about some space for cables and patches between effects.
- Add some extra space for the pedals you still don’t own (but you will).
- If you would like to take care of your pedals and keep them clean and free of adhesives, so you can sell them in a future for more money... Keep some space for the fasteners that will keep your effects pedals in the Smart Track® pedalboard.
When you have your layout ready, use a measuring tape to measure the total rectangular dimensions taken. You should have now an approximate idea of the pedalboard dimensions you need and start looking on all the pedalboards in the market.
➡️ You'll only need a measuring tape and a free space on a table (or floor).
5. I know what I need. Where do I get my pedalboard?
Once you have all these answers in mind and you have an idea of what you need, just look for the best pedalboard size for you. We have made a list of the standard dimensions for pedalboards:
Capacity is just for reference. It will depend on the order, size and distribution of your pedals.
➡️ XS1 Pedalboards: 42 x 15 cm for 3 to 4 pedals
➡️ S1 Pedalboards: 59 x 15 cm for 4 to 5 pedals
➡️ XS2 Pedalboards: 42 x 30 cm for 5 to 7 pedals
➡️ S2 Pedalboards: 59 x 30 cm for 8 to 10 pedals
➡️ L2 Pedalboards: 82 x 30 cm for 10 to 14 pedals
A QUICK GUIDE TO OUR STANDARD PEDALBOARD SIZES
Small pedalboards: For the cautious & beginners
The most portable & ligthweight pedalboards will give you a low capacity but maximum comfort. This are the best option for bassists or guitar players that only use a few effects pedals & like them perfectly lined-up.
➡️ XS1 Pedalboards ⭐️ The smallest pedalboard ⭐️
Dimensions & capacity: 42 x 15 cm for 3 or 4 pedals.
➡️ S1 Pedalboards ⭐️ Best-Seller pedalboard for bassists ⭐️
Dimensions & capacity: 59 x 15 cm for 4 to 5 pedals.
Medium pedalboards: For professional musicians
The perfect balance between effects capacity and mobility.
With this compact and solid pedalboards you will be able to build a complex yet portable setup for your effects pedals!
Dimensions & capacity: 42 x 30 cm for 5 to 7 pedals
Dimensions & capacity: 59 x 30 cm for 8 to 10 pedals
⭐️best-seller pedalboard for guitarists⭐️
Large pedalboards: For effects pedal addicts
The largest pedalboard in our standard options, but not the largest one you will be able to build as a custom Aclam's pedalboard. If this biggest option is not big enough for you, make your custom pedalboard bigger!
Dimensions & capacity: 82 x 30 cm for 10 to 14 pedals
ACLAM'S CUSTOM PEDALBOARDS
Standard sized pedalboards do not suit your needs?
If you are looking for a custom length size you should read our dedicated blog entry that explains step by step how to build your custom pedalboard:
Check the complete pedalboard sizes catalogue: Pedalboards painted in green are the standard pedalboards and we sell them pre-mounted. Pedalboards painted in grey, can be constructed by yourself as a custom pedalboard here.
MORE IMPORTANT DECISIONS BEFORE BUYING YOUR PEDALBOARD
Decide how to attach your effects pedals to your pedalboard!
Read why would you use an alternative to adhesives to attach your effects pedals here.
➡️ Smart Track®
An innovative patented method developed by Aclam to attach your effect pedals without using Velcro or any other adhesives that will damage your effects pedals.
➡️ Evo Track®
The classic hook and loop method, we offer super-strong VELCRO® brand straps.
Combine both methods in the same pedalboard.
Decide how to manage your cables and wires!
➡️ Top routing
Work on the cable management at the top of your pedalboard.
➡️ Free routing
The distance between slats let you work on cable management freely through the top and the bottom part of the pedalboard. This option is now available in the US market.
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Thanks!
Great post guys! Just one point for beginners to consider - rows. You probably want your board wide enough to accommodate all your frequently used pedals (boost for example) on the front row for quick stomping and then the less used pedals (maybe you use phase for one song in a set) on the back row. I personally prefer a wider but shallower board if I can - usually 2 rows of pedals :)