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November, 2006
 
Pedalboards by Pedaltrain
Solution for the Stompbox Nightmare by ICX Typically, bass players don’t have it as bad as drummers do. At least we don’t have to maneuver strategically balanced round objects and a more than 100-pound bag of hardware across a parking lot. But lugging a full-sounding bass rig can be hard enough. Add an upright to the mix and I’m sure the drummer will be snickering under his breath. Toting quite enough bass gear to performances, the last thing I want to deal with is a duffel bag stuffed with effects pedals. However, with some of the new pedals coming out on the market for bass players, I have been inspired to look for a durable and organized solution to make use of my favorite effects live. And so I happened upon Pedaltrain. Pedaltrain has designed an array of effects pedal boards that are durable, practical and professional. It was important to protect my gear, have a neat and easy-access wiring scheme, supply a portable and simple gig setup and provide an easy way to swap out pedals. The Pedaltrain consists of a durable powder-coated aluminum frame that is elevated between two or three inches above the floor, depending on the model. Pedals are mounted to the surface of the frame cross members using included Velcro that you fix to the bottom of each pedal, which allows you to move and remove pedals on the fly. The open frame design allows you to route the cables neatly over or under the frame. Since the frame is elevated from the floor, there is room underneath to attach power strips, power supplies, etc. The Pedaltrain also stands at a slight angle, allowing for a more natural action when stomping on your pedals. The Pedaltrain is a very simple, well thought out design. Being a hands-on person, I built my own pedal board first out of plywood. I have to say it came out quite nicely. I designed it to be road durable with hidden wire runs and power supplies, but it was damn heavy! The Pedaltrain’s aluminum frame is extremely lightweight and doesn’t add much to the weight of your setup. I found it awesome that with multiple pedals attached to the Pedaltrain, I could easily flip it on its side or upside-down to run wires and tie down power supplies. Try doing that with an effects "tank" built from plywood! I opted for the PT/2-HC model, which has a 24" x 12.5" x 2" frame. I have been using some effects that are not standard stomp-box size. This frame gives me the space to place about four of my odd-size effects and a tuner. If I become an effects junkie, they have a 32" version too, which is not at all too big for some setups I’ve seen. A serious selling point for me was the included ATA flight case. The Pedaltrain frame, complete with mounted pedals, fits perfectly into the well-padded flight case with heavy-duty handles and lockable latches. The padding holds the pedals snug to the frame, and there is plenty of room inside the case to fit extra cables. For more local portability, they also have models that come with a reinforced cordura bag. Eliminate the rat’s nest! Avoid "find the bad cable" syndrome! Save your pedals! Have a professional setup! I’m sorry if I made it sound like a Pedaltrain pedal board is meant only for road gigging professionals, but the quality and design are worthy of professional musicians at a weekend warrior price. www.pedaltrain.com Product Spotlight Warwick - P-Nut II Signature Baave a 32" version too, which is not at all too big for some setups I’ve seen. A serious selling point for me was the included ATA flight case. The Pedaltrain frame, complete with mounted pedals, fits perfectly into the well-padded flight case with heavy-duty handles and lockable latches. The padding holds the pedals snug to the frame, and there is plenty of room inside the case to fit extra cables. For more local portability, they also have models that come with a reinforced cordura bag. Eliminate the rat’s nest! Avoid "find the bad cable" syndrome! Save your pedals! Have a professional setup! I’m sorry if I made it sound like a Pedaltrain pedal board is meant only for road gigging professionals, but the quality and design are worthy of professional musicians at a weekend warrior price. www.pedaltrain.com Product Spotlight Warwick - P-Nut II Signature Bass Warwick Basses is world-known for their high-quality basses that really pack a punch. They are the bass of choice for every style of music from contemporary pop to the heaviest of the heavies. Warwick has unleashed their second limited-edition signature series bass dedicated to 311’s funk rock legend/bass player/frontman, P-Nut. The P-Nut II Signature limited edition bass features an elegant natural oil-finished body with an exotic tigerwood top and back with a purpleheart core. The neck is wenge with a tiger-stripe ebony fretboard. Active MEC J/J-style pickups are sure to deliver the aggressive punch that P-Nut would demand from an instrument. To top it off, the headstock also has a matching tigerwood veneer with P-Nut’s signature on the truss rod cover. There will only be 56 Warwick P-Nut II Signature limited edition basses made, so check them out fast. Warwick will not disappoint! |