Frequently Asked Questions: Pedal Board
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What sets a Pedal Pad pedalboard apart from the rest?Michael Stratton developed and patented the original Pedal Pad concept and design over 20 years ago in Topeka, Kansas. Michael was a gigging musician, and the desire to set up and break down his rig efficiently on stage is how the Pedal Pad came to life. How is a Pedal Pad pedalboard unique?
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How long will it take to build my Pedal Pad?The typical build time is 2-3 weeks. We meticulously construct every pedalboard from start to finish. Well worth the wait! You will receive email notifications every step of the way! |
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What size pedalboard do I need?Pedalboard size depends on several things, including how many pedals you have/want, the form factor of those pedals, and the space between the pedals to accommodate the size of your feet. We recommend laying out your pedals and configuring them the way you want to assess the overall footprint and feel. Always keep in mind which cables you’re going to use, especially if you're using a brand new pedalboard because some cables take up a lot more space than others. To help you choose the right size, we have a printable size guide that you can use to find a pedalboard that meets your needs.
Don’t have your pedals yet? Websites like PedalPlayground.com offer an accurate and intuitive interface to lay out your pedals visually. |
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How much do your pedal boards weigh?We offer a huge range of sizes, but most boards range from 15-30 pounds. Yes, that’s a huge spread, so if you’re concerned and want to see more pedalboard deals before placing an order, please reach out with an estimated size so we can dial it in closer for you. REMEMBER - This is a case and pedalboard all in one. Our Baltic birch construction is obviously a little heavier than aluminum boards, but the benefit of customization and ALL-IN-ONE convenience is well worth it. |
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Why choose wood and not aluminum for Pedal Pad pedalboards?Aluminum is by far the most common material pedalboards are made from. It offers a great strength-to-weight ratio and is relatively inexpensive. This is a great option for a “fixed” set of sizes and options because welding and powder coating custom options per order just wouldn’t be practical or economical. This is why mass-produced boards offer the most common sizes that suit most people’s needs so that they can be bulk ordered and inventoried for quick delivery. Here at Pedal Pad, we build every pedalboard to order with Baltic birch plywood, which is the strongest and most stable plywood in the world. While slightly heavier than aluminum, it allows us to offer many more standard options while still allowing for ANY customization on the fly. ONE-SIZE-FITS-MOST is not our goal here. If you can imagine it, we will build it!
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What connector and power supplies do I need?We strive to stock every audio and power connector you will ever need! Pedal Pad pedalboards are only outfitted with quality jacks such as Neutrik, Switchcraft, ST-Professional Italy, and other future brands, and other accessories. What's not included: power supply mounting.. All options are non-solder pass-thru style. They occupy minimal space and offer an efficient setup. Our power connectors are US standard 3 prongs on the inside so that you can plug in your power supply, power strips, wall warts, etc. The outside is a standard IEC male connector, just like most supplies have. |
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Can I add connectors to the board myself down the road?Absolutely. Don’t stress about not having enough jacks. If you need more in the future, we will provide you with the hardware needed and the support to install it. All you will need is a power drill. It’s a piece of cake! |
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What's different with the new extended lids?We have now included extended lid sizes for the STUDIO III, PHAT III, AXS III, and AXS III Mini models. Every lid will have a space of 3.75 inches on the spectator side and a 3-inch gap beneath the pedal deck. All Series pedal boards with extended lids will feature a front lip of 2.5 inches instead of the regular 1.625 inches, making them more like the DEEP III or DEEP-ER III. |
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What's the point of having an extended lid?Are you having trouble with pedal pad configuration or pedal pads that don't fit onto your pedal board? Our extended lids were designed to solve this problem. With an extended lid, the players can add taller pedals or design their own configuration without worrying about clearance difficulties underneath the lid. Moreover, the storage space below the deck will not change, and the Pedal Pad's base will maintain its current proportions. |
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Does Pedal Pad offer custom extended lids for the DEEP III or DEEP-ER III?Yes, we do! Please get in touch with us to find out whether we can design a custom extended lid for your pedal board, and we'll send you a quote! |
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How should I mount my pedals to the pedal deck?Every pedalboard we offer has a hinged pedal deck with loop-style Velcro pre-installed on the slats. We also provide ample “hook” Velcro to adhere to your pedals for a secure mount to the pedal deck. Our hook/loop's Velcro-style fasteners are extremely robust and will keep your pedals exactly where you want them! |
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How should I mount the guitar pedals under the pedal deck?Every Pedal Pad has an industrial carpet installed on the base and lid. Velcro sticks extremely well to this carpet, and most of the time, this is sufficient. In the unlikely circumstance that you will need to adjust component placement consistently, Velcro is a better option as its holding strength doesn’t degrade as quickly with placement changes. |
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What order should I connect my effects pedals in?While there is no right or wrong order to place your effects, there is a very logical basis to start. Effects pedals are designed to alter your signal in order to create a specific “effect” or change on the original signal. Your signal will be changed as you pass through each pedal. The order we choose to manipulate our signal from start to end creates different results. Here is a great place to start, and by no means is it meant to inhibit experimentation.
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What is a true bypass? Do I need a buffer?True bypass is a term that is thrown around a lot in the pedalboard community. True bypass simply means that when an effect pedal is disengaged or “off,” the signal is passing through the pedal as if the circuitry of the pedal was not there. No interference. The problem is, the more true bypass pedals your signal passes through, the weaker it becomes. This can lead to high-end frequency loss and perceived volume drop. Sometimes a boost is necessary! This is where a quality buffer comes in. A good buffer will strengthen your signal to pass through many pedals and lengths of cable without affecting the core of your tone. A quality buffer will never hurt you UNLESS you are running it before plugging into some vintage effects like old fuzz boxes. In this case, keep your vintage fuzzes before the buffer, and you’re good to go! |
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What’s the deal with pedal switchers/true bypass loopers?Often referred to as simply “switchers,” these handy devices allow you to connect pedals to an individual loop or “chain” that can be added or removed with the push of a footswitch. For example, you have 2 overdrive pedals that you always run at the same time. They can be grouped on a loop of the switcher and then engaged with one footswitch vs. two. Just leave both pedals on, and no more worries about tap dancing around multiple pedals. When the loop is disengaged, it is entirely removed from your signal chain, keeping it shorter and stronger. Matrix Switching Pedal Switching systems such as The GIGRIG G3, BOSS ES-8, Musicom Lab, and some others offer a powerful tool called matrix switching. This technology allows for your pedal loops to be re-ordered on the fly, thus enabling more sound creativity and experimentation. No more fretting about pedal placement! |
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Where do you ship?Currently, we ship to the USA, UK, and Europe. |
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How can I contact the Pedal Pad?Get in touch with us by completing the online form on our "Contact" page. Alternatively, you can call us at 1+ (484) 424-3480 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. |
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What is your policy regarding warranties, returns, and shipping?Warranty Coverage
We recommend that the buyer insure any products sent by mail/freight. We accept no liability for products lost or misplaced in shipment. Returns |
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Can I give a Pedal Pad gift card to a loved one or friend that's a musician?Absolutely! We offer the option to purchase gift cards to the value of $25 to $400. Simply select an amount and proceed to checkout. Keep in mind that our gift cards are digital, and we don't send physical cards. Once you make your purchase, we'll send you an email with the gift card, along with a few instructions on how to use it, which you can then send to the recipient. The gift card can be used for anything on our website. |
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Why Do I Need a Pedal Board?While it is more than feasible to get by with just a few stompboxes, you are most certainly not going to quit collecting them anytime soon. Guitar pedals may help you attain your dream tone and enable you to produce fantastic sounds. Having too many pedals, though, can be problematic. One of the best pedalboards can be used in this situation. You may organize the jumble of boxes and cables at your feet with these pre-made boards, and it will be simpler to turn each pedal on and off when you are bouncing around on stage. While a few of these products have up to eight pedals and soft power supply mounting, these are not the main attractions. Ultimately, you need a solid pedalboard that offers you convenience so that you can perform your best on stage. |
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Why Do I Need a Pedal Board?Whether or not your previous pedal board utilized a power supply, the Pedal Pad makes mounting your favorite power supply easy and offers numerous benefits that improve sound quality. Just like an EQ pedal can give an overdrive pedal a hint of brightness, our connections add to the clarity of your audio output. Ultimately, this is what all guitar players want on stage. Therefore, if you want the best pedalboard on the market, the Pedal Pad offers a number of benefits. From aesthetics to better sound quality, you'll get it all! |
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Do All Guitarists Need a Pedal Board?The need for a pedal board arises at some point in every guitarist's career, usually around the time they buy their third guitar effects pedal. Players soon discover that many pedals need to be powered exclusively by a power supply making a pedalboard that much more necessary. Electric guitarists absolutely need a pedalboard since it organizes, transports, and protects all of your guitar's pedals as you move around with them, use them, or store them. *Disclaimer: We do NOT include integrated power supply mounting and also any type of power supply/power unit. |
