Furman SPB-8 Pedal Board

The 9v power supply was dead out of the box. Used a One Spot instead.

Weighed a ton, Velcro pulled off board when removing pedals, internal power supply not working from day one. Returned to GC for credit and ordered a Pedal Train from Sweetwater. No problems since.

Features already covered. Needs a power switch and removable AC cord like the SPB-8C.

Sounded great for me. I followed the advice of those who have posted before me by powering the effects for my amp's loop with a One-Spot adaptor instead of using the built-in 9v jacks. (For everything going to the amp's input, I did use the board's 9v supplies). Therfore, I achieved a completely quiet signal as far as the board goes. Because I had no sound issues, I give this a 10.

Here's where it failed me. I owned it for about 2 weeks with less than 20 hours use and the 9v power supply section burned out. I had it in my house and left it on for about 4 hours. I was about to pack it all up for a church gig the next morning, but decided to give it one last go before I unplugged it to make sure I had all the cables working right. That's when I realized that the pedals recieving power from the 9v supply were dead. For no reason I can think of, I put my hand on the top box and it was so hot that I was sure something burned up.

I was able to return it to my local Guitar Center the same day and I exchanged it for the bigger SPB-8C, which supposedly has a better power supply/conditioner, hard case innstead of a cheap zipper bag, wheels and an extendable luggage handle. I wasn't about to trust another SPB-8 again, and didn't like the bag/cheap zipper in the first place.

If the power supply to the 9v section didn't burn up, I probably would have kept it and enjoyed it, but in retrospect I really didn't like the soft case and cheap zipper anyway. Other than that it was great. Still, there are better boards available.

Ease of use?? It's a pedalboard... mount your pedals with velcro and plug them in... seems pretty easy to me.

I have done a side by side comparison using an A/B switch between the patch bay and running cable straight to the pedals. I could not hear any real difference that the pedals weren't already causing. Plus, live, no one will ever notice anyways. All that pales in comparison to the ease of setting up for shows. I pull it out of the bag, plug in my in/out cables, plug it into the wall and I'm ready to go. What a pleasure to not have to spend time plugging this pedal into that pedal into power etc..... I use George L cable to plug everything together, and industrial velcro to hold everything in place. Takes me minutes to get ready for a show. I LOVE IT!

Have not had any problems in the 3 years I've been using it. I use it for practices and for live shows and ocassionally at home if I'm changing and pedals. Haven't had the patch bay issues that some have mentioned.

This board is what I needed for my stage rig. I made my own board to velcro my pedals to, but the ease of the power section of the Furman and being able to plug in one cord to get everything working is a Godsend. If lst or stolen I would probably get the newer Furman with the hard case and the additional power outlet.

Well, it's a pedalboard so it doesn't really produce a sound. I would say there is no noticeable tone drain, other than what your pedals might be producing. The manual is clear and concise. My unit is stock. Not too difficult to set up at all. Take a minute to read the manual and it becomes clear.

I've used this board since 2002. I've gigged with it at least 30+ shows per year since that time, not to mention weekly practices, frequent pedal configuration changes, accidental mismatch of voltages with the inputs...you name it, I've done it. I probably just jinxed myself here, but it has NEVER failed on me. Ever.

Right now, my board configuration is Digitech XP300 Space Station > Boss PH3 Phase Shifter > Boss FL-3 Flanger > Boss DD-2 Delay > Boss RV-3 Delay/Reverb > Akai Headrush E2 > Boss TU-2 tuner, and then to the amp (Sunn Model T reissue). It has powered these pedals just fine, with no excess noise. In fact, my setup right now is dead quiet. Distortion is feedbacky, but varies between different guitars I use. Overall, it does its job.

Like I said above, I have gigged this thing pretty hard. No backup here. I think it's a definitely road-worthy board. And again, if you don't take care of your stuff, it won't take care of you. Period.

Never dealt with the company. For a lark, I should call and see if they'll trade this board straight up for their new pedal board that is about to come out. I suspect they'll laugh, but it could be funny nevertheless.

I play epic 'math rock', something like if Pelican or Isis covered the Minutemen and Faraquet. I've been playing for almost 13 years now. Wow. I'm getting old. I own mostly just my pedals, my amp, a few other backup pedals (Dano and Ibanez, last resort worst case scenario type things), a Sunn Beta Lead (needs fixing), an Acoustic 150 head (pretty good for a solid state head, but needs to hit the shop as well), a Marshall 1960B 4x12, a Marshall 1960AV 4x12...a couple guitars (my Strat the only being noteworthy)...Who cares, right?

If this was stolen, I've move on up to the East Side and pick up the new board they're coming out with. One extra wall wart space, plus it looks a little bigger...Maybe I could finally fit that Line 6 DL4 on there too! I do wish that mine had a detachable cable, and that somehow that DC outlets could handle like 500mA so I could eliminate my wall warts. But, I suppose the juice a board of that kind would suck would probably increase my electric bill exponentially. I was going to buy an SKB board years ago, which was $20 more expensive. But, back then $20 was like a month's worth of food, so I picked the cheaper one since they're basically the same board, minus a hardshell case (the new one has this as well...man that thing is sweet!) It definitely helps to have all my pedals conveniently plugged in and ready to go. It protects my pedals, and saves exponentially on our setup time, which is already ridiculous.

I'd like to share some cookies, but I don't have any. So, this review is all I have for you.

I don't use anything on the pedal board except the 9V power supplies and the surface for putting pedals on. I know it was quite a lot of money to spend to not use the patch bay whatsoever, but I've only heard bad things about the patch bay, so I haven't even tried it yet. You actually need at least two additional instrument cables to use the patch bay, so I just don't find it useful. I haven't even had to open the manual because it's just so easy and self-explanatory.

My set-up is: Gretsch Electromatic Pro Jet > Korg DT-10 > Danelectro D-2 Fab Overdrive > Danelectro D-1 Fab Distortion > Morley Little Alligator Volume Pedal > Danelectro Reel Echo > Fender '59 Bassman LTD. I have the pedal board wired with a George L's Effects Cable Kit, which actually makes a huge difference. Amazing sounding cables, and you only cut exactly what you need, so your Furman won't be a mess of cables.

I don't find that using the pedal board's power for the pedals adds any noise. I don't use the patch bay, so I can't speak for that part of the unit.

The only problem is one that I know has been mentioned before. To clarify other people's comments, the velcro included works fine, but it's the adhesive on the velcro that sucks. The velcro is actually very strong, but the pedals just pull off of the velcro when I try to take them off. This really isn't a problem unless you want to move your pedals a lot, and in that case, I would still think it an only minor inconvenience. I only use 5 pedals and have found spots where I don't plan to move them from, so this isn't a problem for me.

As for overall construction dependability, the unit is very well-constructed and the power supplies aren't going to crap out on you.

I've never dealt with Furman.

I play a lot of alternative country and independent music, but this pedal board is really great for you no matter what style you play, you just put the pedal you use on it. I've been playing for 8 years and I've sold a bunch of my gear to build my dream set-up, so really the only stuff I have is the set-up listed above and a bunch of acoustic guitars. The only piece left until I have my perfect set-up is a Fender '52 Telecaster. If this was lost, buying another one would be absolutely necessary. I wish the velcro adhesive was stronger, but I don't consider that Furman's fault. The velcro is made by 3M. This product really isn't made to make you sound better, it's just meant to clean up your set-up and it does that perfectly. It's pricey, but I'd recommend it to anyone.

Real easy to use. Nice and convenient.

Here is where you have to do some modifications to get this thing to be at it's best. I removed the patch bay jacks. (REAL cheap pc board wiring) and put in my own switchcraft plug and really nice wiring.

I did this because after running an A/B switch on the patchbay and running without it was a significant difference. The tone got sucked out when running thorugh the patchbay.

Now I get reliable functionality because of the Switchcraft plugs, and good solid connections. You don't want your tone to suffer becaue of cheap connections. Otherwise why even buy a high buck amp? You wouldn't use cheap guitar cables... I gave it a 5 because they could have used the Switchcraft hardware instead of the cheap plastic jacks.

This this is sturdy. I have a had no troubles since the jack changes.

Stock I would have given this catagory a 4.

These guys will help you out if you need it with your broken zippers.

I give this an 8 because of the modifications I had to make. Otherwise clean power, heavy duty construction, nice AC, and nice outlets.

Follow the easy directions in the well-written manual and you'll have no problem.

My setup is as follows: a US-made 1962RI Stratocaster, OR an Hecho-en-Mexico vintage-style Tele that has been converted to an Esquire, OR a Danelectro DC3, OR a G&L F-100 plugged into the B-channel of a Morley ABY switch box; The A-channel of the Morley is occupied by a 1940's Astatic radio mic that I use for harp (harmonica for all you uninitiated persons). I switch between guitar/slide guitar/harp all night long, and I run my harp through my effects. The signal goes into a Boss TU2 tuner, 1970's MXR Phase 90, Ibanez TS9 Tubescreamer, Jim Dunlop Crybaby, Jim Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Classic Fuzz, Boss DS-1 distortion, Danelectro Daddy-O overdrive, DOD 7-band EQ, and finally, a Rocktron Hush pedal. That amalgamation goes into a 1963RI Fender Vibroverb.

The SPB-8 pedalboard holds all this stuff nicely, and allows it to operate in an almost silent manner. The only reason I have use the Rocktron Hush pedal is to prevent feedback when I play harp through an overdrive, or if my single coils are picking up a bunch of neon or fluorescent light 60 cycle hum. But the SPB-8 causes no noise at all.

People need to remember to check/replace their patch cables FIRST when they have a noise problem.

SPB-8; Very reliable!

The carrying case is good except the crappy zipper which catches on the lining. I'm considering getting or making a hard-shelled carrying case anyway.

I'm giving this a nine only because of the zipper, otherwise, it's a 10.

Never dealt the company. Good manual.

I play guitar/slide guitar/harp/vocals in a Texas Roadhouse band (blues+classic rock+outlaw country=Texas Roadhouse) called THE SCREAMIN' ARMADILLOS. I've also sat in with other performers/groups and they always comment on the good looking pedalboard I have.

This device has helped me to carry a whole lotta stuff in one easy package, and it looks sharp/professional. It never gets in the way of the performance.

If it were lost or stolen, I would most definitely get another one.

I wish the company offered a hard shelled carrying case.

Simple as can be. Self explanatory hookups. You'd have to be a real frickin idiot or a complete amatuer not to figure it out.

No noise at all. I don't hear a thing in the loop or in front. I have a Whammy pedal thats usually kinda by itself, but now I don't hear it at all. I don't know why everyone else is bitching about noise. Maybe they got lemons, or maybe they have it hooked up wrong, I don't know. I haven't tried it with 2 amps, so I couldn't tell you how that sounds.

Ive had it about 5months. No problems as of yet.

Haven't dealt with them.

It works great, and it looks pretty cool too. I am manic about batteries and will never go back to using them. Most pedals eat batteries and if you use alkaline batteries,(which last longer) it does have a tendency to make some pedals sound "shrill". Plus, you're always wondering if the battery in it really has enough juice to push the effect hard enough. This thing actually has been a HUGE help, and if it broke down, I would definitely get something similar or better quality or, get the Voodoo Labs and make my own. Really when you think about it, all your getting is a glorified power strip with a panel and some velcro on it. The big patch bay really isn't necessary at all unless your running two amps. I am surprised at all the negative responses here. Seems like such a simple, hard to fuck up, thing to manufacture. I was going to buy the Voodoo Labs power distributer and then build a panel to velcro too, but the Voodoo Labs was 170.00 and this was 200.00. It seems like a no-brainer to me, but then again this thing may totally bite it on me,(if it does, it will most likely be during a gig,) and then I'll totally eat my words. We'll see

its very easy to use, i travel overseas and cant be bothered paying extra for the shipping of gear so i have a big road case which fits 2 guitars (in their cases) and a bag of cloths and i use my pedal board as my carry on... it is the most heavy item... i have only been in trouble once for its weight but it usualy look lite!.. so for this reason its great!

I have been using the pach bay and havent noticed any problems... my pedals sound difrent in difrent countries anyway!... does anyone else feel the same or is it just me??

i think it sound ok...

nothing has broken on it EXCEPT the zipper!... and boy was it a bugger!... i took it to the closest guitar centre and used my what i like to call my "overseas charm... it works perticualy well on girls!!" anyway if it breaks again.... ill be very angry!

i called them to find out if they made any power converters for England 240V as aposed to 180 volts... they though i was an idiot for calling.... its a fair enough question... furman are a well respected prand name but they where very inprofessional!

the up side is the fact that it is easy to cary around.. easy to fly with and all that... BUT the zipper sux... the SKB board zipper has broken also so.. well what can i say...

next time it breaks i may have to go hard case....

God forbid!

Noise! Noise! Noise! All of my pedals are/were working fine and quietly with my old Dunlop power brick. As soon as I put the Furman in the system, I had noise with all of my guitars. It was not useable.

Can't depend on anythng as noisy as this unit....after trying 2 replacements, I gave up...It's a great idea but executed poorly. I'd rather have paid another $150 and have it built with quality.

Didn't use Furman at all...tried 2 replacements from the retailer with the same problem....between the plastic and the noise, it's just not a good value.

The noise gets in the way.