Foot pedals are necessary for guitarists to be able to control their effect units and amps from the floor.
They can also be used as an expression pedal to control volume or modulation, which gives more control over the sound of the guitar.
If you want your sound to be more unique, then you might want to consider getting a pedalboard with different effects and pedals like distortion, delay, reverb, etc.
Pedalboards also make it easier for the guitarist to access all of their effects easily without having them scattered around on different surfaces or having cables running everywhere that limit movement on stage.
A DIY pedalboard is a board with the function of having different pedals connected to it. The board lets you switch between “effects” or sounds on your guitar/bass/keyboard, for example Overdrive -> Distortion -> Flanger -> Chorus.
This guide will show you how to make one yourself, but keep in mind that this is a fairly advanced project. You will need lots of tools and skills, but the result is worth it! Check out how to make a DIY electric guitar to complete your setup!
DIY Pedalboard Plans & Blueprints
#1. DIY Pedalboard Case
A pedalboard is a musician’s effects and electronics interface that can be used with guitars, basses, synthesizers, and drum machines. The idea behind the board is to create a set of pedals that can be easily toggled on and off by the player performing live.
#2. DIY Upcycled Pedalboard
It is also worth noting that there will be many other considerations in making your own pedalboard. You will need to make sure you have enough power outlets (a power strip), and cables for your pedals (you may need long cables or even an extra power strip). You will also need to consider if you want a board for all of your pedals or just certain sections of them.
#3. DIY Guitar/Bass Pedalboard
DIY pedalboards are not only a cost-efficient way to build your pedalboard but they also allow musicians to customize their boards according to their needs.
#4. Effects Pedal Board Box Tutorial! Guitar / Bass DIY
Fitting every unique need is difficult for any manufacturer, but it is even more difficult for a mass producer. This is why diy pedalboards are such a great idea because they allow musicians to craft their boards exactly the way that they want them.
#5. Custom Guitar PedalBoard
#6. 10 Minute Easy Guitar Pedal Board
The average price of DIY pedal board kits can range anywhere from $200-$400. And with the low cost of DIY options, they are significantly cheaper than buying an entire new board or individual pedals
#7. Black & White Guitar Pedalboard
There are a lot of reasons why people choose to use DIY pedalboards. One of the most common reasons is that they like making their own music and enjoy experimenting with pedals to get new sounds for their music.
#8. DIY Custom $12 Pedalboard
For musicians who don’t have a lot of money, they can save money by doing it themselves and for musicians who live in an area where they cannot find any good places to buy gear, they can also build their own setups so that they never have to worry about running out of space on stage or having the same effects twice again.
#9. Mahogany DIY Pedalboard
DIY pedalboards are a great idea because (1) they can be customized to suit the musician’s specific needs, (2) they allow musicians to save money and (3) they allow musicians to bring all their effects in one place. There is no need for the musician to carry around a bag full of pedals when all their effects can be neatly organized in one place.
#10. Modern Guitar Pedalboard Projet
DIY pedalboards also allow the musician to experiment with different combinations of pedals without having to worry about whether or not there will be interference or other problems that may arise when using multiple effects at once.
#11. Upcycled Ikea Crate DIY Pedalboard
A DIY pedalboard is an affordable way for musicians to get started with building their own effect boards. Musicians may have all sorts of different preferences, which it makes it more difficult for them to find an existing board that is just right.
#12. DIY Flat Pedalboard
DIY pedalboards are the embodiment of what the music world is all about – creativity, expression, and individuality.
People can build their own pedalboards to suit their exact needs. It is a great way to design your own board for your own style of music.
#13. Homemade Pedalboard
DIY pedalboards have been a trend for the past few years and there are many reasons why musicians should try this.
The first reason is that they can save a lot of money by making their own pedalboard as opposed to buying one.
Secondly, they can customize it to their needs and tastes which will give them more freedom in the creative process.
Finally, DIY pedalboards are easier to transport as you don’t need a case for every pedal – just a board with your pedals on it.
#14. DIY Walnut Pedalboard
A walnut case really makes this one stand out!
#15. DIY Pedalboard Build
Materials you’ll need
- Decent sheet of plywood (at least 3mm thick)
- Some scrap wood for cutting/sawing/planning purposes. You can use 4×2 or something similar.
- Wood glue
- Wood screws
- Wood drill bit (optional)
Steps On How To Make DIY Pedalboard
1. Cut the board to size
You can use a saw to cut the board to size, but we would recommend using a wood drill bit instead. It’s much faster and leaves a neater edge. If you’re not sure what size to make your pedalboard, we would recommend making it at least 30x30cm.
2. Mark where your jacks are going to be
If you know what pedals you want under each jack, it’s time to mark where they will go. Make sure there is enough space between each pedal – don’t cram them together!
3. Drill the holes for the jacks and stick them in the rubber feet
Drill a hole slightly smaller than your jacks. Screw-in the rubber feet first, then stick your jacks into them at an angle. Make sure that the red cord from the pedal is coming out to the right side – that’s where you’ll plug it into your “effects loop.”
4. Cut a hole for the power supply
If you’re not using a power supply that sits on the floor, you’ll need to cut a hole for it in the top of your pedalboard. we would recommend using a wood drill bit for this.
5. Glue and screw on the sides
Once your jacks, power supply, and other bits are in place, it’s time to add the sides! Use wood glue and screws to attach them.
6. Put on the front board
This is the fun part when you get to customize your pedalboard. Try putting on a design, or just leave it plain with no drawings/words/etc. I wanted to have my pedal labels written on it, so I drew out the text I needed using a pencil and ruler.
7. Measure out where to place screws for pedals
If your pedals have mounting holes in them, you’ll need to find the right space to put screws in. You can measure this up by holding a pedal on top of the board and marking with a pencil where the screw holes are. It is recommended to put the screws in from the bottom of your pedalboard, but it depends on how thick the wood is that you’re using.
8. Attach with glue and screws
We would recommend attaching each pedal to the board with wood glue and then screwing in. Make sure they’re all very sturdy before continuing with wiring them up.
9. Wire up your jacks
Run your guitar/bass/keyboard through the first pedal, then to the next one, and so on until you get to the last one.
Some pedals need 9V batteries instead of power supplies, but it’s still best to connect all of them with a daisy chain (one plug that goes into your effects loop). You can find more information on how to do this online.
10. Label each jack
This is optional but it’s always good to know what each pedal does. If you’re not sure, take a picture of the back of the pedal with the labels written on it.
Then use a photo editing program to make the image bigger and write in your labels, or you can print out a picture of it instead.
11. Stick on the front board
Now you need to carefully stick all the pieces down, making sure that it’s flush with all sides (especially when standing up). This is when it would be good to use wood glue!
12. Give it a final test
Once everything is stuck down and in place, give it a final test! Plug in your guitar/bass/keyboard and turn on your pedals. If everything works, congratulations – you’ve made your very own pedalboard!
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of DIY Pedalboard?
The purpose of making your pedalboard is to place pedals on it so you can easily turn them on/off with your foot. It’s good for people who are just learning how to play the guitar or bass because they need to learn about effects (like distortion or echo).
The process of making your pedalboard can be a fun and creative project, and it’s a great way to save money.
2. What is the design of DIY Pedalboard?
The design is completely up to you! You can either make a simple design with no drawings or words or try putting on a cool pattern or design. It’s also a good idea to label each pedal with the type of effect it has (like distortion, echo, etc).
3. Is it difficult to make a DIY Pedalboard?
No, it’s not difficult at all! It’s a very easy project and you can find lots of helpful online tutorials.
The most important part is making sure that the jacks, power supply, and other bits are in place, and then attaching the sides with wood glue and screws.
4. What type of wood should I use for DIY Pedalboard?
You can use any type of wood that you want, but we would recommend using a hardwood like oak or maple. It’s important to make sure that the wood is thick enough (at least 1.5″) so that it’s strong and can support the weight of your instruments.
Conclusion
You can save a lot of money by making your pedalboard! It might be cheaper than buying a pre-made one. All you need is some basic tools and materials, which you can find at most hardware stores.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
