In this buyer’s guide, we take a look at the best pedalboards to house all your guitar pedals, from small one-rack boards to ones that can fit as many as sixteen.
Once you’re past your first couple of pedals, you’ll start thinking about pedalboards.
Especially if you plan to play live.
The idea of lugging about individual pedals to a gig and hooking them all up there on the spot, in the few moments you often have before a set, isn’t a good look.
You need a pedalboard, damn it.
In this article, we’ve looked at the best ones out there at different price points.
At a Glance: The Best Guitar Pedal boards on the Market
- Ghost Fire (Our Top Pick)
- Gator Cases G-Tour (Premium Pick)
- Mr.Power Pedalboard (Budget Pick)
- Donner DB-3
- ENO Ex Stompbox
- Voodoo Lab Dingbat
- Boss BCB-60
- SKB 8-port Powered
- Gator GPT-BL-PWR
Note: The above links take you to product information on Amazon
Contents
Product Round-up & Mini Reviews – Best Pedalboard
Ghost Fire
There are four different sized pedalboards to choose from, each with slightly different dimensions but the same features.
Its 4-rail raised platform fits up to 10 standard-size pedals. The depth lets you fit larger pedals, such as volume, expression, and wah pedals.
It’s an aluminum alloy build, making it lightweight (3.3lb). So tough in fact, that it can withstand 80kg of weight, which is pretty impressive.
Another nice feature is its flexible folding legs on the front, so you can pack it away easily and use it as an angled board.
Additionally, the carry bag it comes with is decent quality – heavy-duty and padded, so it provides a little extra protection (plus, it doesn’t look like your standard black laptop bag).
This bag can also be inserted into the pull rod of a luggage suitcase, making it convenient to carry around if you’re traveling with a suitcase (on tour, yay!).
Overall, this pedalboard is really versatile thanks to its angled format. It’s also relatively low cost, so it’s an excellent option if you don’t want to shell out a packet.
Pros:
- Value – Won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
- Portable – Convenient foldaway legs, so you get to keep the advantages of having an angled pedalboard, with easy portability thanks to the bag.
- Strong – Aluminum alloy, lightweight but sturdy.
Cons:
- Space – Carry bag won’t fit your pedals in as well.
- No pockets – No external pockets to keep your spare equipment in.
Gator Cases G-Tour
If you’re looking for a pedalboard that will give your pedals the ultimate protection while on the road, then the G-Tour is for you.
The exterior is made of a thick plywood frame and aluminum valance, the interior is a thick pro grade shock-absorbing EVA foam. With this level of protection, there’s no risk anything on the inside is going to get damaged.
There is also plenty of storage space for cables and accessories in the lower portion of the case too.
Despite all this heavy-duty protective material, the G-Tour is still pretty easy to transport thanks to its retractable rubber grip tow handles and in-line wheels.
There’s also a safety lock system to protect your stompboxes while you’re on the road.
The pedalboard inside is removable from the protective case and measures 24” X 11”. The pedals attach using a 3M Dual Lock tape, which is similar to Velcro, but slightly stronger.
Overall the G-Tour suits the serious touring musician that needs to protect their effects units while on the road.
It’s not the cheapest pedalboard by a long shot, but if you plan on touring a lot, then it’s worth it.
Pros:
- Tough – Sturdy aluminum and plywood case; EVA foam interior will protect your pedals from most forms of damage while you travel to and from gigs.
- Portable – Everything about the G-Tour screams convenience, it comes with wheels, safety locks, and an extendable pulling handle so that you can transport it easily.
Cons:
- Heavy – The G-Tour weighs in at 27lb, so not the lightest
Mr.Power Pedalboard
Shopping on a budget?
This inexpensive, no-frills pedalboard is designed for those only needing a very basic pedalboard, or entry-level guitarists.
Made with an aluminum alloy so lightweight yet sturdy
They make three versions of it. The small version is 15” wide, comprising of a single rail for a single row of pedals. The medium and large sizes (16” and 18.5” wide respectively) each have two rails and can fit two rows of pedals.
There’s no space underneath to fit a power supply like there is with higher-end models (it’s flat, not angled).
Pros:
- No-frills pedalboard.
- Great for beginners.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Fine for beginners or home use only, but you might outgrow it.
Donner DB-3
This one is very similar to the Ghost Fire.
Alloy aluminum frame with perforated slots to keep your patch leads organized. Extra security thanks to its adhesive-backed, Velcro system that allows your pedals to be secured in place with ease.
Lightweight (2.8 lb) and comes with a convenient canvas carry bag to transport your gear from gig to gig.
This board is flat, so if you’re using two rows of pedals, you may run a risk of accidentally stomping those in front when going for the back row.
Overall, it’s a great option if you’ve got regular-sized effects units and you’re shopping on a budget. However, if you use loads of stompboxes, the DB-3 may be slightly too small.
Pros:
- Price – One of the most affordable boards.
- Organized – The perforations and velcro system will help you secure your pedals and hide away patch leads without any hassle.
Cons:
- Space – Your power supply won’t be able to fit underneath.
- Protection – The carry bag is very thin, with little to no padding, so it doesn’t offer much protection for your gear.
ENO Ex Stompbox
Another lightweight aluminum alloy board, measuring 21” by 7”. Once again, the Ex Stompbox is flat rather than angled and features convenient cutaway space so that you can organize all your cables.
The carry bag is slightly better though, and it comes with a more generous amount of velcro adhesive and cable ties to organize your pedal with. It is slightly heavier though, weighing in at 4.74lb, so you may want to consider that before you make a purchase.
Another one that’s perfect for beginners who only use a few inexpensive effects units, as it doesn’t offer as much protection as say, the G-Tour board mentioned earlier.
Pros:
- Price – The Ex is pretty inexpensive compared to most pedalboards out there.
- Lightweight – Aluminium frame means that it’s lighter than most products out there, so you won’t break your back trying to cart it around.
Cons:
- Lacks protection – Comes with a carry bag, rather than a solid case, so doesn’t offer as much security as say the G-Tour board.
- Can be too low for some – The Ex Stompbox’s rubber feet aren’t adjustable, so it’s quite low to the floor, for some this may be an inconvenience.
Voodoo Lab Dingbat with Pedal Power 2 PLUS
This is a good combo if you want a power supply as well as a board, as it includes a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS power supply with it, which can supply eight effect pedals.
The handy voltage doubler cables even allow the power unit to supply 18V or 24V pedals and there’s room for mounting an additional supply unit below the pedalboard, for extra power if needed (giving you a total of 16 pedals).
This dingbat pedalboard is made from lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum and measures 22 x 13.5 inches (559x343mm).
Additionally, the Dingbat comes with a protective, padded gig bag that features backpack straps for convenient, hands-free transportation.
Like the G-Tour, the cost of this will put a lot of hobbyists off. But if you’re in the market for a first-rate board and power supply, look no further.
Pros:
- Holds two power supplies – The Dingbat can hold two of Voodoo Lab’s power supply packs, which can supply a total of 16 pedals.
- Quality frame – Well built and hides away all of those pesky wires cables.
Cons:
- Small wiring holes – The Dingbat features small wiring holes, rather than large open horizontal sections like the pedals we previously mentioned, this looks tidier but can be fiddly when you’re assembling your effects units.
- Price – Several times the price of the previous models we’ve mentioned, so make sure it meets your requirements before you buy it.
Boss BCB-60
The Boss BCB-60 is a lightweight, resin-based pedalboard and locking carry case, designed to withstand touring and regular use.
The best aspect of this board is its padded interior that can be customized to fit compact, large and expression pedals. The BCB-60 comes with three pre-cut foam inserts to hold standard shaped pedals, plus a spare insert that can be cut to fit pretty much any effects pedal – so no matter what you use, your gear will always be protected.
There’s also a built-in 1,000mA AC adaptor that can power up to 7 devices; complete with extension cables, and a 1 Year Free Extended Warranty – so you won’t need to worry if any of this equipment breaks.
Overall, the BCB-60 is most suitable for Boss worshippers but is versatile and protective enough to be used with other types of pedals too. Just bear in mind the board itself is quite small.
Pros:
- Protective – This pedalboard is built into the carry case itself, so it’s convenient to set up and pack away, while also being durable and hardwearing.
- Warranty – The BCB-60 has a year’s warranty, so you won’t need to worry if anything breaks.
Cons:
- Only fits one power supply – only holds one seven pedal power supply.
SKB 8-port
The SKB Powered Pedalboard is the most affordable powered unit we review today and comes with some pretty decent features for the money.
The best aspect of this pedalboard is that it includes a neatly incorporated 9V power supply, which can power eight pedals at once. From an aesthetic position, the built-in output jacks also look tidy, and you can’t see the power supply itself.
Another cool feature here is that the SKB pedalboard is made from eco-friendly rubber-modified styrene, which is lightweight and durable. The pedal space itself is 19” x 12” and uses a hook and loop surface to secure up to 8 standard-sized effects units.
For the price, you also get a nylon carry bag with an extra, exterior pocket and adjustable shoulder strap so that you can carry everything around with you.
Overall, this board suits guitarists looking for a bargain-powered pedalboard. But remember the power supply won’t work with 18V effects units, so if you use one, you’ll have to buy an extra power supply.
Pros:
- Price – Very affordable considering you get a power supply, board and carry bag included
- Neat – The power supply features built-in output jacks, so no messy wires are running to and from you effects units
Cons:
- Carry bag – The bag that comes with the SKB board is fragile and prone to ripping and tearing – this is not great if you’re carrying around expensive pedals.
- Noisy – The power supply is unregulated, so can produce a noisy hum, if you’re using several pedals – so this isn’t ideal if you’re going to be using it live.
What is a Pedalboard?
A pedalboard is a platform, usually made from a hardwearing material, that lets you store your effects pedals in the order you see fit.
They are made from plastic, wood, or metal and may include a built-in power supply; often, however, you need to buy an external power supply (which for various reasons is often better).
So why are they useful?
- They’re essentially a tool rack for your effects pedals, so you’ll never need to worry that they aren’t in the correct order before you set up for a gig
- If your pedals are already set up just how you like them, you’re less likely to mess up putting a power supply in the jack or connecting patch leads
- Keeps your effects units anchored to the ground so they can’t move when you press them with your feet. So you won’t need to worry about them slipping out of reach while playing.
- Allows all your pedals to be maneuvered in one package, so you won’t accidentally leave one at home – or worse, leave one at the gig venue.
- One power supply will save you money purchasing batteries or several power supplies
- Provides a protective shell for your effects units, so you can rest assured that no harm will come to them when you’re on tour, going to the local jam, or en route from a mate’s house at 3 in the morning after a session 🙂
Buying Guide – Key Considerations
Pedalboard Sizes
Pedalboards come in different sizes:
- Small (approx. 16” x 7”)
- Medium (approx. 24” x 10”)
- Large (approx. 30” x 15”)
Pedalboard Rails
Most boards are not one solid piece of material, rather they have rails (horizontal slats) – usually two or three though you can get massive five railers!
Rails let you run cables underneath the board, with neatens things up a bit – plus avoids you inadvertently getting your foot caught up in wire.
The more rails there are, the more pedals you can fit:
- Small-size pedalboards have 1 to 2 rails and can usually fit 1 to 5 standard-size pedals.
- Medium size pedalboards (3-4 rails) tend to fit anywhere from 6 to 10 standard-size pedals.
- Large pedalboards (4-5 rails) can usually fit 10 or more standard-size pedals.
Larger size pedals like volume, expression or wah pedals can be twice as wide or tall, so factor that in if you use (or plan to use) any of these oversize pedals.
Powered vs. Non-Powered Boards
All the boards we include in this round up are non-powered, which means they don’t have power built-in.
Sure, most have a slot for a power supply, but that’s different from powered boards that have power built-in.
Most of the boards we’ve included do not have a power supply included, that’s something you need to buy separately. We’ve written about power supplies for pedalboards already, so head on over there if you need one.
Customizable
Pedalboards are usually made from either plywood, aluminum or plastic.
Aluminum alloy pedalboards are really popular, as they’re very light and hard wearing, making them ideal for traveling guitarists.
Plywood is usually the most customisable option, as wood is a more malleable material. Plywood may, therefore, be a good option if you’re constantly switching between pedals and need some versatility.
Plastic boards lie somewhere in between, as they are still reasonably protective and usually more affordable too. The downside is they’re heavier.
Flat vs. Angled Profile
Flat profile pedalboards lie flat on the floor, whereas angled boards are gradually raised from the ground.
The good thing about angled boards is that you can fit a power supply in the space underneath.
The angle can also help in accessing the pedals at the back (if you have more than one row), while some thing that flat boards are better for using with expression, volume or wah pedals.
So, Which Should I Buy?
So, while it’s true that all the products we’ve reviewed today have their good and bad points, there’s no real perfect option, it depends on you as a guitarist.
The G-Tour is a rugged road warrior, offering more protection and portability.
For something cheap and cheerful, the Mr Power one is ok.
The best inbetweener is the Ghost Fire. You get a ton of value at a decent price. Plus, you gotta love the name.
Good luck!
