Guitar Aficionado is supported by readers. If you buy something after clicking on one of our links, we may get an affiliate commission from that & it won't cost you anything.
Are you looking to elevate your worship guitar rig with a sense of organization? A pedalboard can accomplish this, allowing for extreme portability and convenience.
There are quite a few pedalboards available on the market today, so which are suitable for worship services? In this article, we’ll cover the best that can get the job done, no matter how big your rig is.
Read on to discover the key piece to tie your pedals together in an organized fashion.
Table of Contents
Pedaltrain Classic Jr SC – Best Overall
Looking for the best bang for your hard-earned money? You’ll want to check out the Pedaltrain Classic Jr SC (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).
This has been a staple pedalboard amongst guitarists for years. It has just about everything you need to have an organized signal chain.
The Classic Jr SC measures out to have a width of 18.5” and a length of 12.5”. As such, it’s fairly close to the shape of a square without being too oblong.
Rather than being a flat board, the Classic Jr SC has a slightly angled pitch to its design. Rubber feet are installed on the bottom to prevent annoying slippage during use.
This board has 4 slats running across its width, to which velcro can be attached. There is ample spacing between these slats for cable and power supply connections.
If you have a dedicated power supply, the Classic Jr SC makes it easy to attach. You’ll be able to mount it directly under the board on the side of your choosing.
The board itself is crafted from aluminum, giving it a lightweight design. You’ll find this to be more than durable enough for frequent use, especially when traveling.
Perhaps the best part about the Classic Jr SC is that Pedaltrain provides quite a few extras. The most notable is the fact that it comes with a soft-shell case for easy and secure transportation.
One thing to note is that, for a little extra money, you can opt for a touring case made of aluminum alloy. The soft-shell case is more than suitable enough for most players, however.
Pedaltrain also provides rolls of velcro (both sides) to attach your pedals to the board. Zip ties are also included so you can easily manage your cables and power supply connectors.
Vertex Effects Travel Lite With TL1 Riser – Best Premium
Not concerned with a budget and looking for something compact? Check out the Vertex Effects Travel Lite With TL1 Riser (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).
The Travel Lite has a fairly unique design compared to other pedalboards on the market. This model features multiple tiers, consisting of a main base layer with the second covering half of the base layer.
Now, it might seem like you’d lack access to a good number of pedals during use. However, if you have utility pedals that are always on, it’s feasible to put them under the tiered riser.
The Travel Lite is crafted from durable aluminum and has a length of 17”, with a width of 10”. You can lift the tier or remove it completely if you need access to the lower portion of the board.
There are plenty of slots provided on the riser itself, allowing for pedals to be powered discreetly. You can also mount a power supply below the riser and still utilize the same space on the riser itself.
The Travel Lite With TL1 Riser is perfect for somebody who wants a bit of a layered design. You can give your pedalboard a sense of depth, putting them in a specific order according to their frequency of use.
This board’s riser is approximately 3.5” inches above the main base layer. There is no angled design here, rather, the board sits flat on the floor across its entirety.
If you do opt for the Travel Lite, it should be noted that you will only receive the board itself. You will have to source a case and adhesive (such as velcro) on your own.
Nevertheless, the Travel Lite is a great option for somebody looking for something a little less traditional.
Boss BCB-30X Deluxe – Best Budget
On a tight budget and only working with a small number of pedals? Don’t pass up the Boss BCB-30X Deluxe (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).
With Boss being one of the leading pedal manufacturers, it only makes sense that they would create a pedalboard. This model is perfect for smaller rigs as well as beginners looking for their first board.
The BCB-30X Deluxe is actually a molded plastic case packed with foam. All you need to do is open the case and detach the lid and you’re ready to play.
You might think that this plastic case might slip around during use. However, Boss has attached soft rubber feet to the bottom to prevent this from happening.
This board isn’t too small or too big, featuring a semi-square dimension with a 13” length and a 12.1” width.
The base of the board is equipped with high-density foam. To place your pedals here, simply cut out the area your pedal will take up and you’re good to go.
This is a fairly small board by most measures. The case’s handle does actually remove some usable space that could have been available on the base.
Nevertheless, the BCB-30X should be able to comfortably accommodate at least 3 full-size guitar pedals. However, your space could be better occupied here by using miniature-sized pedals.
When your gig is over, simply attach the lid and you’re ready to go. This lid is equipped with egg foam to keep your pedals safe during transport.
Overall, the BCB-30X Deluxe is a great all-in-one package prime for any guitarist with a few pedals. Boss even includes a daisy chain of power connectors to use with your pedals.
Pedaltrain Metro 16
In search of an all-encompassing package that doesn’t break the bank? Consider looking at the Pedaltrain Metro 16 (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).
This aluminum pedalboard features the same great construction as other Pedaltrain boards. However, this one is different in the fact that it lies very close to the ground, without an angled design.
There are 3 slats that run across this 16” x 8” pedalboard, with spacing in between for cable management. The board itself sits slightly off of the ground, thanks to anti-slip rubberized feet having been installed on the bottom.
Because of its design, you’re probably not going to be able to mount a power supply to the board. The only way you could do this is to sacrifice precious real estate on the board itself.
Rather, the Metro 16 is perfect for guitarists using a daisy chain setup. You could easily attach the power supply cables in a discreet manner underneath the board itself.
As you might expect with Pedaltrain boards, the Metro 16 comes included with other bonus essentials. These include rolls of velcro (both sides) for attaching pedals and some zip ties for cable management.
Pedaltrain also includes a soft-shell case with the Metro 16. This has a handy shoulder strap as well as convenient handles for carrying.
Overall, the Metro 16 is unbeatable for somebody that needs a simple setup. It’s fairly inexpensive and has everything you need to have a highly portable and secure signal chain.
Pedaltrain Nano
Do you like the Pedaltrain packages but need something a little smaller? The Pedaltrain Nano (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon) is just for you.
This pedalboard is extremely small, making it suitable for those only working with a few pedals. There are 2 slats here on this 14” x 5.5” board, allowing you to utilize one small row of pedals.
Due to its size, the Nano sits low to the ground, without an angle. In this way, the Nano is actually quite similar to the aforementioned Metro 16.
The same great build quality you’d come to expect are all here with the Nano. This includes an aluminum construction and rubber feet to prevent slippage during use.
Also included with the Nano are zip ties, rolls of velcro (both sides), and a soft-shell case. You’ll essentially get everything you could need without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money.
This really is the perfect pedalboard if you are only working with a few pedals. Likewise, if you’re usually playing in smaller spaces, boards like this can really conserve stage space.
What To Look For When Buying A Pedalboard For Worship
Not sure what you should be looking for in a pedalboard used for worship? Keep the following points in mind when doing your research and you’ll find the ideal board for your personal needs.
Size
One of the most important things to consider with a pedalboard is its overall size. This will determine the number of pedals you’ll ultimately be able to attach to the board.
However, the size goes far beyond just pedal accommodation. You also need to consider how much space you have during your performances.
If you are typically only allotted a few feet of space, a large pedalboard can actually become a nuisance. This affects not only you but the other members of your group as well.
Your best bet is to get a board that allows you to easily fit your ideal worship rig. Some extra space couldn’t hurt in the event that you pick up another pedal or two in the future.
Construction Design
You also need to pay attention to how the board itself is designed. Does it have an angle, sit flat to the ground, or incorporate the use of layers?
Along with this, you need to consider whether the board allows for discreet cable management. Power supply cables should be out of the way, but if possible, so, too, should actual patch cables.
If a board can allow for patch cables to be discreet, you can save some extra space on your board. This often means the difference between whether another pedal can fit on the pedalboard.
The board you end up getting ultimately comes down to personal preference. Just be mindful that its construction can accommodate your needs in the best way possible.
Power Supply Accommodation
It is in your best interest to find a pedalboard that has ample spacing for a dedicated power supply. These power supplies are crucial to having a signal chain that is protected from power issues and noisy interruptions.
Angled boards, as well as those that are raised, tend to provide the best accommodation for a power supply. You’ll be able to easily mount the unit underneath.
Extra Features
Always pay attention to whether or not a pedalboard comes with any extra features. These packages can save quite a bit of money and unnecessary headaches by providing everything you need.
For instance, if you’re a frequent performer, chances are, you’ll be traveling with the pedalboard. You’ll inevitably want a protective case for transportation, which you may have to buy separately if not included.
Best Brands For Worship Pedalboards
Sometimes, it can help to see what brands have a reputation for producing certain items. These companies are some of the best at making pedalboards.
Pedaltrain
Since 1999, guitarists have been trusting Pedaltrain for their pedalboard needs. These durable boards often come packed with extra features to make your life easier.
Vertex Effects
Vertex Effects is a company that specializes in producing hand-crafted pedals, pedalboards, and power supplies. Each individual item is built with care with a critical eye to prevent any imperfections.
Top Worship Pedalboards, Final Thoughts
A pedalboard can really streamline your setup and tear-down process for performances. Having one means you don’t have to plug all of your pedals in individually before each performance.
Every guitarist could benefit from having a pedalboard. These truly make things easier than you ever would have thought to be possible.
Side note, do you want to learn to play guitar songs the easy way? Learn how here – results are guaranteed!