Active Band Man Chats - Revamping Your Pedalboard

So, what do we have today?

I’ve revamped my entire pedalboard—take a look!

Wait, is this a "show-off" session? Well... okay, I guess! (laughs)

I even got a new case.

Oh, it's red!

More like orange. Maybe a bit vermillion. And check out the inside!

Orange inside too?

Yeah, juicy, right?

I guess… (laughs)

It’s metal and has a slanted design.

Oh, that makes it easier to step on the pedals in the back row, right?

Exactly! Now, let's walk through the contents one by one.

Go ahead!

First up, the tuner! My brand-new gear!

You put your tuner first, huh?

Yeah! I've been doing it that way for years.

I put mine last, for troubleshooting reasons, as I mentioned in a previous article. I get why you’d put it first though—tuning accuracy. But everyone’s got their own tuner philosophy, right? Also, you've been using a BOSS tuner for ages, haven't you?

Not this time—it's KORG!

A mini one!

Yep! Pitchblack Mini—White Edition!

I’ve got a few of those too. KORG tuners are reliable.

Totally! I’d been looking for one this size, but they were hard to find.

I heard Soundhouse stopped selling them.

Gasp!

(laughs) "Gasp" indeed!

I was bummed out, but then I found one on tour in Utsunomiya!

Good find!

Here's another recommendation:


TC Electronic / Polytune 3 Noir

Now, onto the next pedal!

Handmade, right?

Yes! I introduced this one in "My New Gear" earlier this year—it's from euphoricguitars!

A distortion pedal, huh?

Yes! An elegant distortion. Check out the model name!

Prince of Rose?

Exactly! They made it just for me, the Rose Prince!

Lucky you (though I got one made too, but still…)

It’s red, too!

Right, red’s important to the Rose Prince, isn’t it? (laughs)

Yes! I have it on almost all the time during live shows.

So it's placed towards the back.

Makes sense. How’s the sound? The highs are vibrant—like how a rose smells refined but with a bit of a sharpness. That feeling!

Can’t say I know what you mean! (laughs)

Next, from the same brand!

Another mini pedal?

Yes, sushi-sized!

(laughs) Delicious!

It’s a fuzz pedal called "Dirty Star"!

And the sound?

Thick! Zubby! Zwaaaarrr!

One knob? Pretty rugged, huh?

Exactly!

I thought so! (laughs)

Next up!

ZOOM multistomp in the back row—another classic.

Super handy! You can call up all kinds of effects. It's the ZOOM MS-100BT.

How do you use it?

Mainly as an acoustic simulator.

Makes sense. Sometimes you want that acoustic vibe even while playing electric.

I’m planning to use the phaser more in the future, too.

ZOOM spatial system effects have a great reputation.

Right!

Anything else?

Last one!

Already? So, with the tuner, you’ve got four pedals? A pretty compact setup.

Well, I'm a side guitarist and vocalist, so simplicity is key.

That's clean and minimalist!

Yeah, as a guitarist, I'd love to make some wild sounds, but...

(laughs) I know you love weird sounds!

But I’m holding back!

Very admirable (sarcastic tone)

Right? Right?

Here's another recommendation:


ZOOM / MS-50G Multistomp Multi-Effects

And finally..What's the last pedal?

This one!

It’s got a cat illustration and two knobs... a booster pedal?

Ah, it's the boost pedal From NO NAME Effects!

You introduced this one before, right?

Yeah! I got it as a get-well gift from Tomotaka Imamichi!

That’s really touching.

I play it with gratitude!

Of course!

By the way, I used it during a song called "Futari wa Diamond" at a recent show! How was it?

Well... it would have been nice to know that beforehand! Your guitar tends to play a supportive role rather than a lead one.

True. I also used it toward the end of "Saraba Yuuyake." Big punch! Bam! Wham! Super emotional, right?

Yeah, super emotional. I think... (laughs)

Yeah, a big punch, right?

Well, that’s what a booster is supposed to do...

That big punch really feels good when strumming chords! It’s like the sound comes out in a solid "wall."

Ah, you mean that "wall of sound" feel?

Yes! That’s the role it plays.

Glad to hear it!

That’s it!

Is this really the best spot for the booster? Not before the distortion?

Oh, you noticed? Well, it’s placed here because it’s easy to stomp in a hurry!

Ah, so it’s about live performance convenience. Though, generally, boosting everything at the end makes sense. "Result's what matters," right?

Exactly! After all, I’m the Rose Prince!

Yeah, you're someone who doesn’t follow the rules and still manages to make it work! (laughs)

Thanks!

Uh… you're welcome? (laughs)

That’s all for now!

It’s a simple setup, but each pedal is so unique.

Exactly! Recreating this board would be pretty tough.

Definitely. Especially with the custom models you have.

Yeah! And I’m also super picky about the red patch cables!

You really love red... So, what about the power setup?

Hehe, glad you asked!

What is it?

I’ve hidden the power supply under the board!

GOKKO? I think the same logo is on your soft case?

Sharp as always, horry! Yep, it’s the same brand. That’s probably why it was so easy to set up.

Good for you.

Right?

Okay, shall we wrap this up?

Wait, one more thing!

Didn’t you already say "last thing"?

It’s not a pedal—check out this cable tie!

A cable tie? Oh, the band that holds multiple power and signal cables together?

Ta-da!

(laughs) There you go showing off again!

(laughs) What’s this? An orange… eel?

It’s a garden eel! Cute, right?

Sure, cute (laughs). Where do you even buy something like this?

At Can D〇!

A 100 yen shop? Even the Rose Prince shops there, huh?

Ta-da!

(laughs) Well, I guess 100 yen shops have all sorts of useful stuff if you think creatively.

Oops, sorry.

Hmm?

It was Se〇ia, not Can D〇.

Doesn’t matter! (laughs)

Oh, and check out the prep work I did for this board! Praise me!

Go ahead.

Before sticking the velcro, I covered the pedal bottoms with masking tape!

Smart!

Then I cut the velcro to match the size of each pedal!

Very smart!

Right? I gotta say, building a pedalboard is so much fun!

For sure. Do you have anything else you’re thinking of adding?

Hmm, with the Multistomp, I can cover most effects.

True, but you must have some gear cravings. I heard ZOOM released a new Multistomp model recently?

Yeah, I’m curious, but I’ll stick with this setup for now. I’ll just take a quick peek at Soundhouse’s site!

Go ahead.

ZOOM / MS-50G+ Multi Stomp Multi-Effects Processor

(5 minutes later)

I’m back!

Welcome back. Find anything?

Yep! Something caught my eye!

(laughs) Of course. What is it?

This!

Effects Bakery / Dinner Set

Dinner Set?

I want to eat this! I’m hungry! (laughs)

I see. It’s a distortion and delay combo—fun theme, but surprisingly practical.

Right? But I just revamped my board, so I’ll hold off for now.

Wise move.

Still, pedalboards are such a dream—so many possibilities.

It’s not just the current models—new products keep coming out, and then there are the classic masterpieces from the past, too. It’s endless, but fun!

Exactly! Infinite combinations and fun! All for the sake of?

For love!