Building My Ultimate Compact Guitar Pedalboard.

In today's video, I'm building my live guitar pedal board to use with my Fractal AXE FX 3.
For this build, I'm using the fantastic Boss BCB-1000 for the board with a boss ES-5 switching system. The Boss ES-5 is going to enable me to switch between 5 different pedals while also using the midi functionality of the Fractal AXE FX 3 system.
Here's what Boss say about the BCB-1000 Pedalboard
The BCB-1000 presents an innovative new approach in pedalboard design that makes traveling with your rig easier than ever. The durable suitcase-style body provides heavy-duty protection and features a retractable handle and built-in wheels for free-flowing transport to and from the gig. Detaching the lid reveals an angled aluminum mounting surface that supports two rows of pedals, with ample space underneath for cable routing and a power supply. And with the onboard junction box, you can plug in and be ready to play in a flash.
And The Boss ES-5
Based on the same concept and features as the flagship ES-8, the ES-5 is pared down to offer more practical and essential use options for typical guitarists and bassists, and is drastically reduced in size to fit ready-made, standard-size boards. The innovation in creativity of pedalboard systems made possible by the ES-8 has become more available and affordable. Expand your board just by one size and incorporate the ES-5, then you are in for a whole new world of musical expression, not just another utility tool. From this day on, the use of stompboxes will never be the same.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@andybungert]

Cool. I read a Sweetwater review that indicated there's even enough space to strap a pedal or 2 underneath as well. Makes the switcher even more relevant that way (though I have yet to use one).

[@edwardrevin]

Good thing to note, the Boss BCB-1000 is on clearance in the States at Guitar Center right now. I just got mine for $249, $100 off the list price. It was in store, online still shows full price.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers for the tip Edward.

[@stratman808]

Great tones Paul! Love the Klon! 🤘

[@midwaymonster30]

Great video.

[@JuanRodriguez-fy3qs]

The better type of non Velcro consists of "skinny mushroom" type of Velcro. You can get that at Amazon con, too. Definitely tougher and much stronger than what you just put in your board.

[@JuanRodriguez-fy3qs]

On NOT in your board.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers for the tip

[@RolandoMoralesGuitarFactory]

Awesome !!! Really nice tone !! 💪🤟 I enjoyed every video but the one's with the PRS's...are great, I got some PRS's and really love my 513 but the Studio is a serious game changer guitar... I just wondering how do you implement that board with the AxeFX3...I was trying to make something like that but I'm stuck between the gigs and the kid and the wife 🤯😅🤣😂. Hope you can make a video explaining all of that and the routings too...If you have it I can't find it.... Thanks a lot for everything !!! Greetings from Havana, Cuba...

[@danman9510]

Thinking of building a huge pedalboard for home, on the same basis, with Boss suitcase and bigger switcher, to use better my too many pedals…try them more extensively…have something more neat in front of my amp…thanks for the very practical inspiration ! Maybe a project for you to show us the construction of a huge home pedalboard for that purpose ? Thanks again and such great touch and sound…the Little wing passage, quite simple, was great !

[@r.llynch4124]

Check out the Temple Audio boards they are awesome and are module with add-on's I picked up a Duo 28 with soft case installed the IEC plug-in, couple XLR outs and 1/4 in/out on the sides. I also used the mounting system they offer so NO Velcro needed. (Pro tip-) put painters tape under your pedals before putting anything with a heavy adhesive. That website is killer so thanks for that, since I'm starting another build. They actually had EVERY pedal I needed! I snipped it for printing out, perfect.

[@saltstream]

Nice one Paul. Great vid. Looks like 25mm Dual Lock would be perfect on that board rather than velcro.

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice tip cheers Paul, I’ll get some ordered

[@maxammo6282]

​@@TheStudioRats3M dule lock you can't go wrong with that. Way better bam regular hook and loop. It doesn't collect all the hair and Klingons.

[@kmichaelp4508]

Good one ole buddy… uhhhh… that’s James… excuse me. Good one Paul. Looks like that’s the cat’s meow 😸

[@netzer442]

Good stuff! Btw: Just stumbled on your website and checked out some the songs. Now I am in love with Sabien Tiels.! Thanks for that ;) Cheers

[@dominicgibson9529]

Could you PLEASE show how to connect this to the Axe FX3 and how to get it to work...that would be so awesome. I live in the middle of nowhere and access to a guitar store requires air travel, so a video doing this would be a God send. I'm currently using me Axe FX3 in 4CM with a KSR Colossus, and the FC12, and I'm just finding it too much of a pain in the butt. I would like to maintain the drives that come with the Axe FX into the front of the amp. I've used an ES8 before but I never really did much more than scratch the surface with its MIDI abilities so I do not really know how it would control the Axe FX, although I'm sure it can. Thanks in advance!

[@DBroce]

EBS patch cables are the best.

[@kevinmoore153]

Do you use EBS cables? Those flat gold ones are great.

[@TheStudioRats]

I do.

[@faridzayish]

my issue with this board is getting the IEC cable plug in/out due the the under board lid. Seems like i have to keep the IEC cable attached all the time without the need to keep unscrew the bottom lid..

[@rodrigod2917]

I have the same board, but didn’t like the layout where the holes/gaps are… is a nice concept, but forces you to route the cables in a wired manner 😅

[@Bringyourownhammer]

All that fuss …you should just pull out the GX 100 😊

[@KeithMilner]

One question on the BCB-1000: isn't the height an issue when using it. It seems much higher than most pedalboards.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Keith. It’s lower than my alder and ash board, personally not a problem for me.

[@circlemover]

Hmm...what happened to the BluGuitar board you put together as your live rig last year? no offense meant but it seems like you have changed your mind...it would be interesting to understand your reasons behind the change over.

[@cshades8026]

Do you still have your Quad Cortex?

[@belo1971]

Why a switcher with a very few pedals ? 🙄

[@TheStudioRats]

MIDI switching with the Axe Fx

[@KeithMilner]

Also, the ability to create patches which can include changes to the pedal order and (for MIDI capable pedals) changes to pedal settings. (As mentioned in the video)

[@RubenParolla]

Do you like the tones of the axe FX amps more than in the gt-1000/gx-100?

[@TheStudioRats]

The GT/GX are fantastic, but they’re a different price point. I’d be happy playing either.

[@RubenParolla]

@@TheStudioRats besides the price, I mean, the amps, you like x high gain, and has AIRD and MDP, and you combine this amp with other, or the same, but still you prefer the axe FX amps tone, right?

[@thewalrus1968]

sorry but thats a right mess 😬

[@BrenQ99]

As it turns out, the Pedalplayground is useless. If it doesn’t take into account room for patch cables, you may as well just skip that unnecessary and silly step.