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How to Set Up a Guitar Pedalboard

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To set up a guitar pedalboard, lay out the pedals in signal order on the board, mount them with hook and loop tape, and run short patch cables between them. Put the power supply under the board or on its tray, connect each pedal to its own output, and check every pedal before you pack the board in its bag.

Lay out the pedals in order

Set the pedals on the board in the order the signal runs through them, from the guitar to the amp. Leave a gap between pedals for patch cables and for your foot. The SOYAN holds up to 12 pedals, the Vangoa measures 18 by 13.5 inches, and the STRICH measures 22 by 12.5 inches, so check the board size against the pedals you own before you mount anything.

Mount the pedals on the board

Fix each pedal to the board with hook and loop tape, strips or zip ties, and press it down flat. The SOYAN includes Velcro tapes and straps, the STRICH uses mounting strips and zip ties, and the RVONE uses hook and loop tapes. Leave the power supply tray or the space under the board clear, so the supply sits flat and the cables reach it.

Place the power supply

Place the power supply under the board or in its tray, then connect each pedal to its own output. The SOYAN has a metal tray beneath the board with a mounting area of 11.2 by 4.33 by 2.16 inches. The Vangoa has an isolated power supply with 10 9V outputs plus 12V and 18V options, and the RVONE has 10 independent outputs with a built-in supply.

Connect the cables

Run short patch cables from one pedal to the next, then connect the guitar to the first pedal and the last pedal to the amp. Route the cables under the board where the board allows it: the Vangoa has a 2.1 inch wide attaching area per row for cable routing. Keep power cables apart from patch cables so the layout stays neat.

Check the board and pack it

Switch the supply on and play through each pedal in turn, checking that every pedal passes signal and powers up. Adjust the layout if a pedal is hard to reach or a cable pulls tight. The SOYAN sits angled at about 8 degrees and the Vangoa unfolds to a 7 degree angle, which puts the back row within reach. Then pack the board in its bag.

What you need

SOYAN 22" x 12.5" Guitar Pedal Board

SOYAN 22" x 12.5" Guitar Pedal Board

A 22 by 12.5 inch steel board that holds up to 12 pedals, with a power supply tray, a carry bag and Velcro tapes and straps.

  • Case or gig bag included
  • Isolated outputs
  • 1-year warranty stated
Vangoa Guitar Pedal Board with Isolated Power

Vangoa Guitar Pedal Board with Isolated Power

An 18 by 13.5 inch aluminum board with folding legs and an isolated power supply with 10 9V outputs plus 12V and 18V options.

  • Case or gig bag included
  • Isolated outputs
STRICH Guitar Pedal Board Aluminum Alloy 2.65lb Lightweight

STRICH Guitar Pedal Board Aluminum Alloy 2.65lb Lightweight

A 22 by 12.5 inch aluminum alloy board with a carry bag, mounting strips and zip ties, and mounts for integrated power supplies.

  • Case or gig bag included
RVONE Guitar Pedal Board with Built-in Power Supply

RVONE Guitar Pedal Board with Built-in Power Supply

A 19.09 by 5.11 inch aluminum alloy board with a built-in power supply, 10 independent outputs, pedal cables and a bag.

  • Case or gig bag included

These come from our ranked list Best Pedal Board for Guitar, which compares them spec by spec.

Frequently asked questions

How many pedals fit on a pedalboard?

It depends on the board. The SOYAN holds up to 12 pedals, and the Vangoa measures 18 by 13.5 inches. Measure your pedals and leave room for cables.

Do I need an isolated power supply?

Isolated outputs give each pedal its own power, which the Vangoa and the SOYAN offer. The RVONE has 10 independent outputs, so one short circuit does not affect the others.

What angle should a pedalboard sit at?

The SOYAN sits at about 8 degrees, and the Vangoa unfolds to a 7 degree angle. Both angles put the back row within easy reach.

How do I carry a pedalboard to a gig?

Each board here comes with a bag: the SOYAN has a carry bag, the Vangoa a backpack-style bag, the STRICH a carry bag, and the RVONE a thick bag.

More how-to guides

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