I haven’t done one of these in a while.
I want to talk about accomplishment.
Approximately 14 months ago, I had this idea, this vision if you will. I wanted a pedalboard for everything that wasn’t my main gig. Originally I just wanted a bunch of cool shit on it, but eventually narrowed that down to the best of the effects I use. “Best” is suggestive of course, I was looking for the effects that were best for my ear and for best for everything I like to play.
Thus started a list, written on some receipt from somewhere, of potential pedals for this project. It took a lot of experimenting, and really figuring out what I needed/wanted on this board. There was supposed to be a looper or switcher for the multitude of sounds at my feet. But I really didn’t have the time, need or want for that kind of wiring. Bit Crushers, Delays, Loopers and other awesome stuff are on that receipt, but realism reigned. There are a few pedals remaining from this project that didn’t make it on the final iteration of the board. I’m sure I’ll find a use for them. My Wounded Paw Blender is a casualty of this failed design. It is such a cool piece, it really is, but it was too much for what I was after. It is kind of the pedal that helped me to realize I wanted to keep this board (relatively) simple. I still use it to test pedals and order, and it’s amazing for that. Maybe one day when things get a bit more effected I’ll add it back in.
Stupid wiring phase over, the goal was quality. I know what I like. It took a bit of research to find the companies who were making what I liked. The dirt pedals that didn’t end up on the Truant Minds board usually made their way to this board. One that immediately comes to mind is the SS/BS Buzz. It’s such a savage fuzz, but it didn’t really work for what I was trying to do in TM. It’s perfect for this board though. It covers everything from vintage to modern, which is excellent for a board that is supposed to do everything. I have always had a fondness for light/uncolored drive, which I have abundantly covered on the TM board. I snagged a LunaReclipse for that role on the “everything else” board. I snagged a SS/BS Mini as well, which definitely can have a more vintage vibe if I need it.
I took a lot from the TM board. That is my favorite board. Lets talk about proud for a minute, I am fucking proud of that. I like gnarly distortion, excellent fuzz, compression, color, and raw savagery. That is the TM board in no particular order. I took everything I learned from the TM board and applied it to the “everything else” board. The lessons I learned from that board (compression is cool, layout is key, tone is paramount) all played into the completion of this one. I purposefully designed this board to be the one that I could play everything on. Effect choices changed between the two, but the ideas remained similar. Excellent sounds, no compromises.
I’m having a real “whats next?” moment here. My gut tells me the next step is to get my recording gear in order. Am I done with pedals? Hell no. But the immediacy of acquisition has ended. I have the sounds I need to do what I want, and most importantly; sound how I want. There are hours of research, trial and error, frustration, education, love, headaches and enjoyment in this thing. I cannot wait to use this thing to it’s full potential.
There was an exorbitant amount of time spent on education and research when it came to this board. When it comes to snares, cymbals and mics I have friends that I can consult. This was a solo effort. This was truly listening to every flanger, chorus, fuzz, comp, octave, and filter in my price range and finding the ones that worked best of me.
This is the final iteration. This is my board*.
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