Furman SPB-8 Pedal Board

This board is very easy to use, no rocket science here.

Sound quality is good

My main beef with this pedal board, is the 2-bit plastic input/output jacks for the patch bay. I gig several times a week all year round, and I've already replaced the patch bay 3 times in one year! My recommendation would be to just ignore the patch bay all together, unless you're looping in some kind of outboard rack thing. This faulty patch bay has been a total nightmare, especially when it decides to go out just minutes before going on stage in front of 5000 people! I can't express my discontent with Furman's design and choice of components here enough!

To their credit, they have been extremely gracious and provided me with a new patch bay evertime it has failed. 3 year warranty is good, but unless they upgrade their component for the patch bay, I expect this will continue to be a GIANT problem that I'll have to deal with as long as I own the board!

The key to getting the most out of this board is to ignore the patch bay, strip off the felt covering that it comes with (use solvent to remove the adhesive), and use DUAL LOCK instead of velcro. Everything in my setup stays in place, almost too tight, making later changes harder. Also, make a snake that holds together the power and all output cables, i.e., cut the AC cable to about 2-3 feet long, and make it attachable to the snake you build.

For best sound quality, hand wire all the connections to exact length with good quality cable and connectors such as Mogami and Switchcraft, and , if you use a two amp setup, use a Switchbone to reduce the hum and retain proper signal strength to each amp. Use a plug into your guitar that has a pin for circuit breaking. Customize the length of the 9V power cables also to keep everything neat, tidy, and efficient.

If you do all the items mentioned above, the Furman board will be very reliable. I've been using the above setup for 7 months now and no problems. I have no backup.

Haven't dealt with Furman.

I've been playing for 33 years and had an excellent guitar tech build this pedalboard for me and I've never sounded better. Ease of setup at gigs and getting rid of hum (and impedence-drop related signal problems) make such a difference. Chain: Boss compressor (or Rockman half rack comp)-->phaser-->V-Twin-->EB Vol-->535Q Wah-->Switchbone splits (1) straight to 63 Super Reverb and (2) H20 Chorus/Echo-->2nd amp. I play RnB, rock, blues, jazz, pop, country, and tejano, and get any sound needed except low end Creed type tones. Lastly, evaluate negative reviews on this board carefully and figure out what may or may not be the real solution. I appreciated the previous comments here about the patchbay and never even tried it out. Direct wired connections have worked fine for me, and the Switchbone gives me almost the same function as the patch bay.

easy set up...put the pedals the way you like em' and leave it that way. good timesaver for on-stage.

clean, no problems noted. reliability is the main issue

CRAPPED OUT AFTER 6 MONTHS! first the patch bay went. then the 9v power outlets went one by one. the bag it came with TOTALLY fell apart, and the velcro for the pedals stops sticking after a while. Spend your money on a MKS Pedalpad instead...better design, sturdier, cleaner power supply.

so-so. customer support said they would give me a new one, but sent me back the same piece of crap. waiting for it to die again. it's only a matter of time.

i gig 2-4 times a week in 3 different states. the unit was not abused, but fell apart anyway. If you gig and transport your gear from point a to point b alot, and set up and break down alot, this is not the product for you. get a MKS pedalpad. wish i did.

Simple to set up. Depending on your rig, just follow the instructions, or come up with your own set up.

I have been very lucky, and have never had ANY noise at all with this unit. Not even when running an effects loop signal. Completely quiet.

Currently, the pedals housed on the board are as follows:

Dunlop 535 Wah
Boss TU-2 tuner
Ibanez TS-9 tube screamer
MXR Phase 90
Boss DD-5 Digital delay
Mesa Rectifier Footswitch

Here is the problem. Plastic input jacks mounted on a PC board. This is the ONLY bad thing about this unit, but its a biggie. When the nut loosens on the jacks, they can become stripped since it is such a soft plastic used. Also, the inpu jack would not work last night, making it completely useless to me at the South by Southwest competition. So, needless to say, I AM PISSED OFF!!! I will be contacting the company tomoorrow to set the matter straight.

Havent dealt with them yet.

This would be a 10 if they used metal jacks hard wired, and not a PC board. But, it is quiet, and very convenient. Been playing for about 9 years (rock mostly) and gigging for about 4. I would buy another since it is still the best out there. Just needs some upgrades.

Easy to use, although I didn't mess with all the effects loop garbage.

No noise at all with my setup...Les Paul Custom>>TU-2>>Ernie Ball Volume>>TS-9>>Budda Phatman>>Phase 90>>Bogner Shiva Combo.

The only thing I may not depend on would be the zipper. Piddly complaint, I know, but it's a wimpy zipper! I much prefer the heavy duty kind of the SKB boards. I've already had problems zipping mine up without it catching on the material inside -- I couldn't get it to close.

I had a smaller SKB pedal board previously and wanted a bigger board and one that I can plug wall warts or other AC plugs into. This one was the only one I could find that could do that. If there was another one that had these AC outlets, a tougher case/bag, and was cheaper (maybe without all the effects loop extras), I'd buy that instead. The board itself is very sturdy, which is great, and the power conditioner is a good help. If it was a little lighter, that would be nice too...but that's a very minor complaint.

Read the manual from head to feet before use, and take for sure that all of your equipment are in good conditions.

Well, I was looking for something like this long time ago, this board will save you from lots of headaches and hassles, having your pedals patched, powered and attached at the same time is great, thats what I bought this thing. Great patching options and design, also good case!!!

I use some Ibanez models, and marshall amps.

Well, many users talk about noise around this pedalboard, some users in an intelligent way, some users not, but, I read all the reviews before buying this thing, and I was advised that maybe I could have the same problems as them, as I've guessed, I found problems, but let me tell you something: IF YOU USE ONLY FRONT PEDALS (between guitar and amp) CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! YOU WON'T HAVE NOISE PROBLEMS AT ALL, TROUBLE STARTS WHEN YOU USE FRONT PEDALS AND AMPLIFIER EFFECT LOOP PEDALS.

I use Boss Compressor/sustainer, Digitech XP-100, Boss Super Overdrive, Boss Tremolo, and Ibanez Phaser at the FRONT of my amp, (The XP-100 is powered with one of the three 120VAC outlets cause the supplied miniplug-to-DC cables doesn't fit the outlet of the pedal, the other pedals are powered with the regulated 9VDC outlets). At this point, there's no problem at all.

I use straight amp distortions, so I connect my Delay at the effect loop of my amp, if you do the same, DON'T TRY TO POWER YOUR DELAY OR OTHER EFFECT LOOP PEDALS WITH THE SAME 9VDC REGULATED OUTPUTS AS YOUR FRONT PEDALS, YOU'LL GET A TERRIBLE HUM NOISE, BE ADVICED!!!!!!!
I shut down the problem connecting the delay itself in another of the three 120VAC outlets, this reduces the HUM noise a lot.

Even though the manual doesn't ilustrate exactlly a sample of how to connect front and amp effect loop pedals, its easy to figure out how to rout your pedals in this way, just think about it and understand the patchbay signal flow.

You need to know and notice the difference between ground noise, hiss, and hum, those noises are not the same as well as its causes, some of these sounds are natural, some are caused by corrupt cables, connections between audio and current cables, or some missfunction on pedals, guitar, amps etc. I recomend to use only high quality instrument and patching cables for this kind of equipment, otherwise you'll find problems maybe thinking that you have wasted your money in something that its only filling your ears with noise.

I recommend you the next: WHEN YOU'VE GOT YOUR ENTIRE RIG AT FULL SETUP, "PAY ATTENTION AT THE SOUND THAT YOUR SPEAKERS AMP PRODUCE AT A HIGH VOLUME LEVEL, WITH THE VOLUME CONTROL OF THE GUITAR AT FULL ZERO, IF EVERYTHING ITS ALLRIGHT, YOU'LL JUST HEAR THE HISS OFF THE VALVES WORKING, AND THE ADDED HISS OF THE ACTIVE AMP INPUT AND EFFECTS LOOP.

I won't rate this category thinking about the "NOISES"

I don't find any signal degradation or response alteration, so I give it a 10.

I take for sure that this board will stand for years and years, its really solid and secure as well as the case, very well constructed and reliable, thats what I chose this model instead the SKB one, the SKB its good, but the SPB-8 IS A PRO PEDALBOARD, generally speaking. Something really intresting is that your pedals are protected by the same power conditioning stuff of the rack units, thats great.

Well, the price really worth it, it doesn't compare with the SKB and other products because its features and reliability.
I play guitar since 10 years ago, and I like use pedals on stage.
My grand father used to construct me some wood boards with a screwed multi-outlet, very funny!!!!! thanks a lot man, you should take a look at my SPB-8, of course, it doesn't demeritate your past works, jajaja... anyway thanks a lot.
I would like to tell you some points before making any judgement about this pedalboard, you must take for sure that:

-You're using good cables.
-Your guitar, amp or pedals doesn't have soldering
or wiring problems.
-The incoming AC Voltage is matching your equimpment.
-Your amplifier valves and/or transformers are in
good conditions.

I think that is very important to have experience before buying this pedalboard, and also take everything with calm, be patient and if you're having problems, try to take a look at the possible cause, if you take this attitude, you won't be dissapointed or pissed off.

I bought this pedalboard just a few days ago, it was onstage yesterday by the first time, I need to know it better yet, and at this time, sincerelly I can't tell you that my entire rig (including this pedalboard) is quiet as a grave, this not represents a serious problem to me, the cool thing around all of this, is that I'm HAPPY AND SATISFIED.

Very easy to use. Pretty well written manual too.

Like everyone else I had issues with noise. In fact I got this board to replace the SKB crap. Not only did I get 60 cycle hum, but every light switch clicked in the signal. The PL8 made most of that go away.

No the noise you are getting stems from the fact that the same power source powers the front amp stomp boxes as the FX loop boxes. It seems that if you run two loops, (as I have detailed below,) one to the front and one to the FX loop you get a ground hum. This happenned with the SKB too. It also happens if you completely remove all FX from the board and power them with the same source.

Furman directed me to have both of my amps and the board completely checked out by a very reputable tech. I was with him during the test. None of the noise was being caused by any of my equipment.


I have done a considerable amount of research on this. It is not the pedalboard causing this problem, it is the the two loops. I have tried this with six different top line amps, (Mine are Boogie and Fender, but I have gotten this noise with Marshall, Matchless, and others.) The problem is if you use the same 9V power source for the amp front loop as the FX loop.

Here is a test: Try using a One Spot and daisy chain, without a pedal board. Be sure to power your front amp fx and loop fx with the same one spot. And go ahead and just place one box in the front amp and one in the FX. You will get the same noise.

Now take a second One Spot and daisy chain, and power the FX loop boxes separate from the front amp. No noise.

So what you need to do is power the front amp stomps with the power from the PL8. Power the FX loop with amother source, like a juice box or a One Spot, that you plug into the PL8. You can still use the patch bay. This will eliminate your noise. I know it seems like you should not have to do this, pay $300 for a pedal board only to need another power source. But this is the fix, trust me. (BTW I use a One Spot and keep a back up in my gig bag.)

My set up is pretty straight forward, and all high end. I use a handful of PRS, Gibson, and Fender. Main guitars are PRS HB I and Fender 52 Tele RI. Amps are Mesa Nomad 100 and Fender Evil Twin. FX are FRONT: BOSS TU2 Tuner-Boss CS3 Compressor-Fulltone Distortion Pro-Boss PW10 Wah; LOOP Ibanez DFL Flanger-Boss CE5 Chorus-Ibanez DDL Delay-Boss DD5 Delay

I gig with it and have not had a problem. Again if you do the power wiring as I suggest above it will be silent. Plus since both the 9v and 120V outlets are RFI protected you still get the protection from lights, etc.

Furman was real helpful.

I play jazz rock. So I need Norman Brown clean and Santana scream. I have been playing 30 years. I do not gig with a back up. It is very durable. Much better than anything in its price range.

The manual is easy to follow. It's took some thinking in order to get it working for my own application. The board is laid out well and is the perfect size. Any bigger would be overkill. If I needed more real estate I'd be overdoing it. Comes with a great padded gigbag-type carrying case that has extra zippered pockets for carrying accessories. Plenty protection enough for my expensive pedals. Effects can get heavy on their own and I think Furman made the SPB8 smart and light as possible with this probably in mind.

My setup is:
Les Paul Studio > Into SPB8 > 80's MXR Dynacomp > Menatone Blue Collar > ZVex Fuzz Factory > Old MXR Flanger > Boss DD3 Delay > Fulltone Supa Trem > Ernie Ball Volume Pedal > Out of SPB8 > Carvin MTS 3212 2x12 combo amp. I have it all patched up using George L cable.
The SPB8 makes transporting my whole rig easy. The SPB8 is dead quiet and introduces no noise whatsoever. If there's ever any buzzing or humming going on it's usually due to a noisy pedal or maybe just a misbehaving cable.

Very reliable. I've been using the SPB8 for almost a year in my home studio and took it out on a few gigs. The other guitarist in my band also uses one and has had no problems with it. We both love our SPB8's and think it's easily worth the price. The unit is built rugged and durable - Nothing cheap about it.

I haven't had the need to deal with Furman. So I can't comment on their service and support.

I've been playing guitar, bass, keys, and drums for over 25 years. I have a home project studio which includes a Furman headphone amp which gets high marks also. This is what sold me on Furman. Their product line includes discreet high end audio line regulators, power conditioners, moniters, etc. Who would be more qualified to make a power board for effects chains? The best part about it is I need no more batteries! or multi outlet strips! No separate power supply for my pedals. No more unplugging from the pedal instrument jacks every time I'm done playing. At the last gig my keyboardist needed more outlets so I offered him two of my AC oulets on the SPB8.

The Furman SPB-8 is fairly simple to set up,all power and signal jacks are insulated and isolated,eliminating noisy groud loops,the manual is to the point and explains the many different setups you can do.There is plenty of velcro included also.

Well i bought the Furman as a upgrade to the SKB 25 pedalboard that was very unreliable for the gigging musician,i definitely won't have that problem with the Furman,it is built solid some have stated that there is noise in the effects loop they must have bad patch cords or hooked something up wrong because mine is dead silent no noise here folks.i really like the 120vac outlets for wall warts great idea,my set up is Vox wah,Boss Tu2 tuner,Voodoo Labs Microvibe and Proctavia,Marshall Guvnor Plus,H&K Tube Factor,Russian Big Muff mod for TB,and Danecho.As i said no noise or hum the patch bay on this thing is excellent.

I've done about a half dozen gigs with baby so far and am very confident with it,the board is put together very well and the heavy duty gig bag is a plus,also the ac cord is very durable not like the SKB's wall wart that used to crap out in the middle of a gig.

never dealt with them.

The Furman pedalboard is definitely geared for the working musician who likes to have his effects powered and organized with no hassles, breakdowns or other technical problems.Now i have my pedals totally organized and operating up to their full potential and very little setup,packup time at gigs.

Pretty Simple set-up and some decent options for signal flexibility. Definitely not pro-level craziness, but definitely good enough for someone running an 8-10 pedal set-up unless you're the Edge...

Hard to imagine how a pedalboard could sound bad right? Well this one just sucks up tone and TOTALLY trashes a clean signal. Creates a WHOLE lot of buzz. I used this thing in the studio on our first recording project and had to re-do the tracks because of how much buzz it created.

On top of the noise, its a veritable terd. I've gigged it, relatively hard I'll admit, for about 3 months. As of 3 days ago it was DOA at a gig. I plugged in and it was dead. I had to run the rest of the night straight from my guitar to my amp. Pretty disappointing, but I guess I'm learning some pretty expensive lessons.

Wouldn't know, I can't get them to write me back.

I wouldn't reccomend this to anyone if they're anal (like me) about their sound and about their equipements reliability. The best thing about this terd is the gig bag, it has nice pockets.