Updated my mini pedalboard

[LVZ]

I updated the guitar pedals and signal flow on my mini-pedalboard. The actual small pedalboard has a long and narrow shape. Optimal routing can be a challenge with 3 stereo output devices and only one of these with stereo inputs.

[LVZ]

1. Why I chose the Wampler Belle - pedal order matters

Last edited Sun May 4, 2025, 04:22 AM - Edit history (1)

This is mostly a budget mini pedalboard. In the first version of this mini pedalboard, I had a combo-pedal Mogwai OD+Fuzz pedal in front because fuzz is typically known to lose clarity when placed elsewhere in the pedalboard signal chain.

I did place a Wampler Belle along one path from the Sonicake Pocket Master's stereo output. In that position, however, I was disappointed to sense that the Belle sounded kind of "meh". In contrast, I got some interesting tones from the Mogwai combo-pedal's fuzz option. However, I could not ignore that overall the Mogwai pedal's tone sounded thin.

Thin might work great in a mix but I missed more tonal flexibility. So, I removed the Mogwai to replaced it with the Wampler Belle as my first pedal in line. This placement seemed to make a huge difference. The Belle was back to the full sounding pedal that I remembered. Due to pedalboard spacing constraints, I did have to sacrifice having a fuzz pedal sound but that is not a major part of my guitar playing. Besides, the Belle can surprisingly get close enough when I want that pseudo-fuzz thing.

I may again change the modulation routing by swapping out the stereo Behringer analog chorus for a Sonicake Dimension 5 (digital) multi-FX pedal despite my general preference for analog modulation. This would allow a more overall normal stereo routing by connecting the Pocket Master's stereo outputs directly to the TC Alter Ego delay's stereo inputs. Then the left delay output connects to the multi-FX (chorus) pedal and right output connects to the M-Vave IR box.

[LVZ]

2. UPDATE 2

Traded stereo chorus for mono multi-FX with more normal (split) stereo signal path

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Lots Of Toys

I've got pedals, but they were mostly temporary for me.
I have a rackmount digital reverb/delay, and a echo/mod unit. But, those are pretty much set and forget. The floor switches turned chorus on & off & the 240, 300, or 360 ms delay.
The only pedals I used regularly were a Screaming Demon wah pedal & a pitch shifter. Mostly used as a momentary switch to raise the sound an octave.
I didn't have a board for 2 pedals.
I did regularly use a Vox Saturator for jam nights so I didn't have to bring an amp. Just use what was there and ask for a clean setting. In those cases, it was just that and the wah.
I've got a Boss Chorus, a Boss Acoystic Simulator (doesn't work worth a darn, but I did use it on a recording for a super bright, thin sound like Jamie West-Oram of The Fixx), an MXR Flanger, and a Nouse Gate someone left behind at a jam. I took it for safe keeping, brought it to other jam nights, but they never came back. Have no idea who owned it, and I've never used it. But, I had the chorus and flanger a long time ago and haven't used them for over 4 decades.
I do know a guy that has a pedal board that would make your head spin.
There are 28 pedals on that thing, plus 2 routers. It's about 4' wide by 3' deep!. Weighs about 50#, maybe more.
Thing is, he's just an ok player. But, if it makes him happy it's certainly ok by me.
Just not my thing.