Gearank High Notes
Gearank Recommendation
The Pedaltrain Novo 18 SC appeared on our recommended list for Best Pedalboard – Powered & Unpowered from March 2024 until May 2024 until its position has been overtaken by the Pedaltrain Nano+
Overview
Pedaltrain is known for their use of light and sturdy aircraft-grade aluminum metal, joined together in an open rail design.
The Novo 18 in particular has a taller 5-rail configuration that easily accommodates around 18 standard-size pedals, and can easily handle a mixed bunch with wider and taller stompboxes.
The board is angled for easy foot placements and has enough space to mount a power supply along with cables underneath. This sloped design together with the use of hook-and-loop velcro allows for flexible pedal positioning and a clutter-free pedalboard setup.
The Novo 18 SC comes with a basic soft case that many find satisfactory. However, if you’re going touring or need more protection then for a higher price instead of a soft case you can get one bundled with a hard case for improved protection – see it at Amazon or Sweetwater.
Features:
- Frame: Featherweight, Aircraft Grade Aluminum
- Dimensions: 18″ x 14.5″ x 3.5″
- Softcase Dimensions: 20″ x 17″ x 5”
- Weight: 4.0 lbs
- 90 inches (229 cm) Pedaltrain’s professional grade adhesive backed hook-and-loop for securing pedals
- Assortment of zip ties for organizing and securing cables
Pros
Market sentiment points at the Pedaltrain Novo 18 SC as the best guitar pedalboard for its perfect combination of size, reliability, and functionality for their needs. Many are pleased with the strength of the frame especially when considering its weight. The solid velcro connections also deserve kudos. Another commendable feature is its rail design, which provides extra room for cable management, which is especially important for boards that hold a lot of pedals.
Cons
The soft case does not have a zipped pocket for storing cables and other tools. When traveling, there’s a tendency for the velcro to loose grip while inside the soft case. This is happens when the storage is positioned improperly (vertically as opposed to horizontally on the floor).
Overall
The Pedaltrain Novo 18 SC has consistently generated high marks from users for several years and has remained on our recommended list ever since we first published the guide back in 2017.
