A Small Pedalboard Build – Mick’s Vlog – That Pedal Show

Mick here – hello! I was putting a little pedalboard together for a few songs with some mates at a party. So I thought I would film it and share the process and results. Please enjoy – I hope some of the tips here are useful to you.

IF YOU WANT TO JUST HEAR THE SOUNDS, SKIP TO 25:41

Pedals in this video:
• King Tone Guitar Mini Fuzz

• Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe CS-MDV2 MKII

• Analog Man / Maxon OD9/808 Mods Classic, With Bad Bob Booster

• Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe CB-3

• TheGigRig QMX4

Key timings:
- Intro, what I’m doing today: 0:00
- Happy birthday Joby! 1:48
- The front rail mod: 3:00
- What pedals do I want on this board? 3:36
- Soft Velcro on the board, pedalboard tape (3M Dual Lock) on the pedalboard: 4:47
- Initial layout – will it fit? 6:30
- A loop switcher on a tiny board: really? 7:08
- What power supply do I need? 7:53
- White tea: 9:54
- Attaching the power supply components, at 8x speed: 10:49
- Power supply and routing recap: 11:44
- More on spacing, cabling and jacks:13:43
- Making an Evidence SIS patch cable: 16:20
- Final stages of cabling before testing: 21:05
- Let’s hear it then! 24:59

Guitars and amps in this video:
• Victory V40 The Duchess and V212VC cab/Celestion G12M-65 Creamback speakers

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[rafsbio]

"Small pedalboard" is my normal pedalboard. For quite a while now I've been using 4 or 5 pedal at a time.
Nobody: What pedals are you currently using?
Me: Glad you asked! SolidGoldFX Rosie -> You Dirty Rat -> TC Viscous Vibe -> TC Flashback 1.

[johndcoffee]

"A pedal train which i have modified"

Expectation: Flashing lights and spinning things
Reality: "A piece of wood"

[theplaidpenguin]

I feel like I play better when I use my tiny board. I think options paralysis can stifle creativity sometimes and only having three or four pedals makes me focus on my playing.

[mpwithad]

Haha. I like that you always talk about OCD and yet the strip of wood is not painted to match the pedal train. My god!

[ledheavy]

I think we would all like to see some footage of you two when you play some gigs, even from a stationary go pro point of view. Don't know if that's asking too much for you guys to think about come gig time, which I would understand, but it would be cool to see you guys having fun jamming out.

[WorldsOkayestGuitarDemos]

Yes!! Mike McCready love! Criminally underrated.

[Notouu]

Mick seems like such a nice dude. He's playing style is the most relatable to me on YT. Putting together a small board myself and this is very helpful!

[dotpk]

Mick, these are some of my favs. I love getting to walk with you through your thinking and process, as well as the shout outs to wonderful consumables! Cheers.

[stevieboy]

That OD9 was most surely sent down by the Gods! Well thought out 4 pedal boards really are a thing. Nice work Sir.

[jscofield]

Not gonna lie, pedal board builds give me an artistic chubby every time.

[nickm.]

Oh and by the way. These are some of my favorite episodes. Love seeing boards being built.

[mfurquim]

Hey Mick, I believe we might have worked together at Future Publishing during the same time! I worked at the Bath office from early 2005 to early 2007, first as deputy art editor at PC Format and then as Art Editor at ImagineFX. Did a few photoshoots with Joby at the Future Photo Studio just a walking distance from the office along the canal, and remember him well, great guy! I think he later married another photographer from Future, right? Such a great time that was, made good friends and loved the atmosphere at the office. A pity I was not a guitar enthusiast then, would have loved to have met you and visit the Guitarist office. I took to the guitar for real about 2 years ago and have been practicing daily, it's been life changing to start turning a real love for music into something palpable in my hands. Keep up the great work! Best, Marcelo

[andrewmwhitehouse]

Nice build. Personally, I would have had to slide the quartermaster over and tried to fit in a mini tuner of some kind. Looks like it would have fit. Glad it worked well for you!

[CaptainSexy]

I want a hug from Mick. I bet he gives great hugs.

[danabnormal]

I am absolutely super happy today. I got a Laney L5t 112 tube amp today. I was just so sick of constantly tweaking my katana and pretending it was brilliant. The L5t just sounds brilliant. Couple of pedals. Tweak a couple of knobs and your away. I think it’s the best amp I have ever played!! I’ve had it with digital and solid state

[thepennydrops.]

In case anyone is struggling with power supplies that fit under smaller pedaltrain boards, the Strymon R300 fits underneath with zero modifications. I use one on my Metro 20.

[Lobberzillo]

Two years ago, I was so much hyped about a big pedalboard. Finally, I sold some of the pedals because I don't feel having a lot due to the signal loss, also just used a lot a delay+reverb, a reverb, two drives, a booster and compressor. I would take the tremolos and reverbs from the amps.

Small pedalboards are really nice. And I'm trying to go in that way.

[MiguelMorenoGP]

You could reverse the polarity directly on the Isolator. Just a matter of switching the wires

[Adventuresingearland]

Watched this for the third or four time this afternoon and subsequently required to think about the smallest board I could make with existing tools. Yes, its very Five Watt World, yes it's 'tight' (I'm Northern, that's fine) however isn't this the right way to go? Think about how you can squeeze the absolute most from each pedal to protect you during a set. If you feel comfortable in your surroundings - know your gear - you can perform/express/enjoy.
Just four pedals, so many sounds, so much expression.

Thank you, Mick.




(Not least for the classical sounds in the background)

[MythosSoundStudio]

Now we all know that it was the glasses next to the board that enhanced the sound tremendously...🤣. Great setup, Mick. Simple, easy, amazing sound. Setting a mini board up for myself this week. Perfect timing. Definitely using some of there ideas.