DIY Custom Pedalboard from Reclaimed Wood

[@BionicLatino]

You know, this goes to show you; all you need is some patience, some found wood, $70,000 worth of woodworking machinery, and a little ingenuity. Why are we making Big Music wealthy when we have everything we need just lying around?

[@BillVanLoo]

Your comment cracked me up, +Chris Martinez . :) In all seriousness, though, people will buy and use what works for them. For some, that will be a manufactured board like a Pedaltrain. I think they look like great boards, though I've never used one. For others, that will be an inexpensive DIY board like the "diy $12 pedalboard" you can build from IKEA parts, or my own first board, which was a piece of plywood with auto carpet stapled to it. Worked fine, really. For this board, I decided to try some new techniques and pushed myself to design and build something I really liked. No different from deciding to record your own music instead of buying a record somebody else made, really.

[@BionicLatino]

+Bill Van Loo As someone who has recently begun to tinker and build up his toolbox, I can definitely appreciate the art and spirit of what you do. I found and watched your video for a reason, after all.

[@BillVanLoo]

I appreciate it, Chris. It was hard to tell where you were coming from based on your first comment. Thanks for watching, and I hope it helped & inspired.

[@xperrosinsangrex]

exactly!

[@bluesvertigo3961]

“All you need is 70,000 worth of machinery!!” Ctfu

[@Glycenide]

Ambient guitar is the only reason why I built my own board. Great vid!

[@BillVanLoo]

+Jason Matty thank you! Looking forward to getting a chance to use it more!

[@strangersun7721]

Beautiful project. Hope it's still serving you well. Thanks for the video.

[@markusaurelius777]

Incredibly good work. Nicely done sir !! Love those volume swells with the delay. Always reminds me of King Crimson stuff.

[@BenBrandt22]

That was a pleasure to watch. The music drew me in and set the pace nicely. Great build sir.

[@BillVanLoo]

+Ben Brandt Thanks, Ben!

[@strangersun7721]

Is that a Vox Pathfinder? I sorely miss the one I got rid of years ago. Don't know what I was thinking.

[@robertbodle2354]

This is my favorite pedal board. I will always compare all others to this one.

[@michaelbritton4119]

Very nice. I dig that bowtie joint

[@utrocker7]

A lot of time and patience went into your work, great job!

[@LutherBuilds]

Great video and background music. Also loved the slow pace to the video and seeing the project go from beginning to end. It was nice not having any of the sounds from the tools in it. Great variety of angles and shots at each step.

[@BillVanLoo]

+Joshua Luther Thanks, Josh, I really appreciate the thoughtful feedback.

[@DesignBuildExecute]

Very cool, Bill! I have been collecting pedals and building boards for over twenty years. I really liked your approach to this.

[@BillVanLoo]

Thank you, Jason!

[@SteveH4es]

What was that tool used at 2:56? Some kind of router? Also what was the finished you used and how many coats? Thanks so much. Great job

[@ScaraBocchiaro]

Cool! What exactly is the orange, handheld tool that appears again at minute 5:00?

[@ScaraBocchiaro]

OK never-mind, found it - Rigid handheld router?

[@BillVanLoo]

Thanks! It's a small handheld router (sometimes called a trim router) that I'm using to route out the grooves.

[@mike1967sam]

This is serious woodwork, i don't think that it's something that just anybody can do, I mean it looks easy but you can see how much work goes into it...I couldn't do this I'd give up after an hour.but hey good work dude.

[@BillVanLoo]

You're right - it was definitely a lot of work! My first pedalboard was a piece of plywood with auto carpet stapled to it, though - I've definitely worked my way up to this! I'd encourage you to start small and give it a try if you're interested. There are some cool IKEA hacking pedalboard videos that would make a great first project!

[@mike1967sam]

Bill Van Loo Thanks for the tip Bill, I mean PTrain charges you a small fortune for a piece of alluminium...and it kind of ticks me off to have to pay 150 bucks for a few strips of low grade metal.

[@EchiBTR]

this is not a human's works.. awesome work, sir!!

[@BillVanLoo]

+Made Resi Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@genekloszewski5484]

Hey, van loo, nice job ,on pedal board,,, slightly overdone on joinery, for a rock and roll, item, but very good all the same! I've been building ,guitars, amps ,since 68, good to see people making stuff!

[@MichaelLawing]

Wicked awesome. Beautiful ethereal soundtrack! Too much good stuff in only 12 minutes. Well done.

[@BillVanLoo]

+Michael Lawing Thank you, Michael! I really like how this one turned out.

[@DIYTyler]

Awesome job Bill and great edit.

[@BillVanLoo]

+Tyler G Thanks, Tyler!

[@albertorivera7937]

Easy as 1, 2, 3,745! 😆 great job, sir.

[@AndrewSetters]

Great project, great video. Glad to see you back in the shop Bill. Sorry we never could connect for your research.

[@BillVanLoo]

+Andrew Setters Thanks, Andrew! I appreciate it.

[@dagmerrie]

Which glue did you use to attach the black parts inside?

[@Matthewroyermusic]

Well done! Love the block planes half laps and bow ties!

[@BillVanLoo]

+Royers Custom Wood Working thank you! This was a fun project to try lots of new techniques on. The bow tie is certainly not perfect, but I learned a lot (namely, that I need to learn how to sharpen my chisels and block plane!).

[@damiansheils510]

What a fantastic pedal board, do you have any plans or a rough guide size? Perhaps I'll just wing it and build to requirement.

[@BillVanLoo]

+Damian Sheils I did make a 3D model in Autodesk Inventor before building it. Perhaps I can come up with a set of drawings from that...

[@willemkossen]

Congratz on the mention on the Reclaimed Audio podcast. I heard it! I need to build me a pedal board too. Too much hassle setting them up each time. I want it to be a case too, so i can take the pedals with me as well. Nice project!

[@BillVanLoo]

+Willem Kossen I thought about adding a case, but I don't travel with my gear enough. I really love the breakaway hinge latches that Salvage Customs uses for the board-and-case design, though: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnakgWiHp7iJmLs

[@willowbankworkshop]

Great work Bill!

[@BillVanLoo]

+Jack Page Thank you!

[@capturedbyjupiter]

Awesome job man. I will be doing dovetail joints on my next build to go long with the top board lap joints. Would your technique be considered miter joints with splines for the outside frame?

[@BillVanLoo]

+Alan Hinton Sounds great! I have yet to try my hand at dovetails, it's on my list of things I need to learn. Yes, the corner joints are splined miters. First time trying them, and I like how they add strength and an accent to the corners!

[@capturedbyjupiter]

Bill Van Loo As do I!

[@IncompleteStrangers]

Don't think I could find any dimensions and I'd like to try and build myself a pedalboard about like yours. Could you help me out?

[@jpwoodwork]

AWESOME Bill, well done bud!!!

[@BillVanLoo]

+jp woodwork thank you!

[@kstenson]

Loved this video and the music is awesome!

[@WilliamLutesMaker]

There are soooooo many kewl things about this build Bill ! Love this :-)

[@BillVanLoo]

+William Lutes Thanks, Bill, I appreciate your kind words!

[@rohanganguli7556]

the screws come out of the volume pedal feet?? thats great news!

[@gordontownsend6208]

My OCD finds your video completely satisfying ; ] Thanks!

[@awesometylerable]

What's the music? Really loved that first track.

[@BillVanLoo]

It's an unreleased track I recorded for this video. Not sure if / where it'll end up, but thanks for the kind words!

[@davemau5e]

Very nice board...!! Quick question.. Is that a buffer you're running before the VP Jr.?

[@BillVanLoo]

Thank you! The pedal you're talking about is a custom This1smyne switcher I use to toggle between standard electric and and electric lap steel.

[@SaizVicente]

Congratulations on your skill and craftsmanship =).

[@lego101boy]

Exactly how strong is the industrial velcro? I made my own board and im trying to decide this or Dual Lock, ive beard the dual lock is very strong but i havent heard much about how this hold up. Anything is helpful, thanks.

[@BillVanLoo]

I've had great success with the industrial Velcro - never had an issue with it. I've also heard Dual Lock is great, but didn't ever try it myself. Best of luck!

[@marcosm802]

the last 45 seconds of the video sounded like explosions in the sky!

[@iNickNarcotic]

Would you be able to make a how too on making a pedal board like This ?

[@BillVanLoo]

That's probably not going to happen...I tend not to do "how to" videos, but instead I use my videos as a way to document what I've done. This board was all custom to my needs so it might be hard to make it work for what you or others might need. There are some great how-to videos about building boards here on KZbin, though! Thanks for watching!

[@ScottHaun]

I love the half lap with the bowtie!

[@dergrammarfuhrer1901]

Is your name a Scottish reference or just coincidence? Because over here we actually do pronounce hand as haun lol

[@ScottHaun]

coincidence! my last name is haun and haunmade is a spin on handmade with my hands ;)

[@dergrammarfuhrer1901]

Ah that's pretty funny, that's pretty much exactly how a Scottish person would say handmade, it's a shame you're not from here, it would make a great business name in this country lol

[@urbannpa]

I like the video, right to the point. Did you put rubber feet under it?

[@BillVanLoo]

No...perhaps some day I will, though. Thanks for watching!

[@WoodByWright]

OK you got my sub! combining my passions here Woodworking and electronics! looking forward to future videos. and sticker in the mail!

[@BillVanLoo]

+Wood By Wright Sweet, thank you! Looking forward to it!

[@adamhausmann3969]

I freaked a little when I saw the spray paint haha turned out very well. Nice build

[@BillVanLoo]

Hah! I can definitely understand that. I wanted those shelves to disappear under the pedals, hence the black spray paint, but no way it's touching the wood frame :) Thanks for watching!

[@gmlasam]

The problem with using velcro is that it ruins the esthetic integrity of the pedal by damaging the bottom. I'm also looking at future collectibility down the road for these pedals. There has to be something better than velcro that would help keep the pedals in place. Great video BTW!!

[@antropophagore]

I use long plastic cables ties, they work great.

[@huckleberry12]

temple audio

[@TheGuitarShawn]

Nicely done!

[@mrsockmonkey1969]

Damn Bob Villa! Build that shit good bro!

[@howtofixitworkshop]

cool project! really enjoyed the music

[@BillVanLoo]

+How To Fix It Workshop Thanks, I enjoyed making it and being able to share it!

[@ColinBrain]

Pretty awesome video. You're a talented guy

[@BillVanLoo]

+Colin Brain thank you!

[@eduardolauande1557]

Good job ! Congratulations !

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

Very therapeutic to watch, nice tools and finished board! Great imagination. Is your old pedalboard for sale? Just kidding! I don't play out so I bought a new unfinished pine wood slat box 2'x12"x10" at the Walmart $11.34, stained it and am very happy. Zip tied my Voodoo Lab 4x4 underneath and 5 pedals on top. Great job Bill

[@BillVanLoo]

+Mr. mips Sounds good - whatever works for you! This project was at least as much about enjoying myself in the shop as the finished product, though I am really happy with it. Happy playing!

[@jazzydog]

Awesome work man. Cheers.

[@jpierceify]

Great video Bill! I'm into the content but enjoyed the production value here as well.

[@BillVanLoo]

+jpierce3720 thanks, Jamie! It was a really fun project from start to finish. Lots of chances to try new techniques like the bow tie and the splined miters. I also really enjoyed using the GoPro for the first time, which is what I shot all the overhead shots and lots of the close-ups on.

[@basuramanya]

I am not a player but these intrigue me. Cool build.

[@larry2388]

No one has yet made a very good pedal board. Each one has severe annoyances. Too large, too heavy, messy velcro, etc. I have spent many hours trying to improve on current designs. So yes, very intriguing.

[@timsway]

looks good! i'd be embarrassed to show you the board i was using. ha ha!

[@BillVanLoo]

+tim sway I think I saw your board in the geigerringer video! Nothing wrong with that, you saw my earlier board in the opening shots - it was a piece of plywood with carpet on it!

[@timsway]

That board is just for the ringer. My other board was also a piece of carpeted plywood. Velcro sticks to it. But I always bolted down my wah. I have a lead foot :)

[@PadraicPlaugher]

really great job bill. subbed.

[@BillVanLoo]

Thank you - I really appreciate it!

[@MichaelNatrin]

Looks great! Love the edit and the soundtrack. Did you weigh it and do you plan to build a lid? (:

[@BillVanLoo]

+Michael Natrin I haven't weighed it, but it's not too bad; easy enough to move around by myself. I've considered building it into a case, but haven't gotten there yet. Thanks for the kind words!

[@SeanHaleWoodcraftsandMusic]

Very Fancy. I like it

[@quars3528]

Well done..... maybe it should have be better if signal line and power line hadn't come out from that two close holes.... ;-)

[@johnnydollar8784]

Nice work but it's just a pedal board not a family heirloom

[@HorizonMelt]

Haha. 😂

[@Jruckers]

I have a Fender Rhodes Stage model and want to build a custom pedal board to sit on top of my sustain pedal and have the sustain pedal revealed in the middle. Would you be able to make something like that?

[@jayn8392]

thats a good looking pedalboard! Inspired me to take a crack at making a bit nicer one. wish I had a tablesaw though haha

[@BillVanLoo]

+Jason Nigg Thank you, Jason! I really enjoyed this project, and have been loving the new board. Just wish I had time to play through it more often!

[@tylerwilcox9390]

Those pedals don't deserve that pedalboard!

[@andersondomingosdaniel2580]

congratulations

[@mimisalibio6455]

beautiful!

[@TripleXbeatz]

Nice build! Though, the title should be "Professional Craftsman builds Hobbyist Pedalboard". LOL

[@BillVanLoo]

Thanks! I'm definitely not a professional craftsman, though, just a passionate amateur.

[@thegreyfedora8532]

Really cool!

[@josesoto6336]

weaste poquito, nice job!

[@camilonmendezmusic]

Awesome. very emotional

[@daniassillva7256]

Muito Bom. Serra Angular em 45°... Ò.ó

[@murraysut]

I come here for the guitar solos ;)

[@deborahdimeglioschneider2904]

Awesome

[@hwajeongkid25]

I hope theres a drawing with dimensions

[@jayjayDrm]

nice music. but i have a strange feeling while seeing fingers of a guitar player near open saws. be careful.

[@barscotch]

Cool stuff, but the music kept making me think something was wrong with my earbuds.

[@BillVanLoo]

Thanks, I think?

[@barscotch]

No slam intended. It's the staccato, I didn't expect it. I need to get out of my I-IV-V bubble. :)

[@Osileone193]

Top

[@rosinantedelafuente]

man i love playing guitar, but this was complete overkill

[@alexandrea.silveira1980]

Legal!!

[@rctilecarpentry2429]

Except for the Creepy music...it was fine..

[@sonderau9509]

nice board indeed but so many tools required :(

[@alpergnc3375]

Is this diy? Are u sure?

[@mrsockmonkey1969]

Now take all the crap pedals off that beautiful board and put on a Strymon El Capistan, Big Skye, Analogman King of Tone, Xotic FX EP booster and a good volume pedal that doesn't use a string lol.

[@BillVanLoo]

I would be happy to have any of those pedals you mentioned, especially the El Cap, but I am quite happy with what I already have. Thanks for watching!