Randy's pedalboard - Detailed pictures thread (New Pic!)

[Shockwave]

Finally a full pic of the inside board.. Kathy posted this yesterday.

And to consolidate all detailed pics of Randy's pedalboard in a single post, here are some more. As I find them I will update the post and credit the owner.

IMG_0184.jpeg (13 KiB) Viewed 1200 times

**Someone posted some high res photos from the HOF exhibit of Randy's board last year, can't find them. Let me know and I can add them to the first post.

[equinox]

Awesome! That's great Kathy continues to share information. xoxoxoxoxo

It's great to see they used tie straps once everything wired up to try and keep everything anchored.

Not sure how the MCR 10-Band EQ is secured to the pedalboard. It may be siliconed and you can see the foam spacers on the bottom to take up the gap. What I did was drill thru the holes that fasten the bottom to the pedal and thru the top. Holes are matches up so 4 screws go thru the pedalboard top and into the holes I drilled thru the top of the EQ and taped for proper threading, fyi.

On the controlboard (next to the flanger), it looks like they may have indeed used relays! I see at least 7 and see-thru contacts (up near the blue wires on top)! I used something much simpler and available at the time with 555 timer and transistors working in a flip-flop circuit, fyi! Simpler and relays are a more expensive component at $3-5/each.

There has been a lot of documented of information on the board acting up over time and yes was dropped at one point, but over time and soo many miles on it, the capacitors are all dried up and sucked compared to moderns, so if one was to get it back up to 100% running condition, I would replace ALL electrolytic capacitors and likewise, check and see if the relays became weak over time.

Any more information on the MXR Distortion+? I'll have to check MXR's page and Kathy's Instagram.

I ended up picking up an all original 1979 JMP out of England that was just serviced at Marshall! I installed the MOD Marshall did to Randy's EXACTLY as they did, but also, put on a push-pull switch, so IN, it's like his Black head and a stock JMP, but pulled, moves that resistor over and the additional gain and MOD!!

I really need to get you guys some video and audio clips and show you what a stock 1979 sounds like and then the modded 1979. I'll work on it over the Summer. The MOD actually keeps some things in circuit and so BOTH channels are effected, but in different ways! On it's own, it's Meh! But them I hit it with the D+ and you get the extra gain and sizzle, then the EQ and shape the tone, then finally, into the Altec (WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO THE "THE" TONE) and the glassiness and ghosting of notes!! When I make the video, I'll do stock, then MOD, then layer each element as above and you hear how each one adds to give you the final tone, so it's sum of the holes and without any part, you will NOT get there!!

Thanks for the posting and pics and God bless Randy Rhoads and the family. {hugs}

[equinox]

update: MXR Distortion+, just read on the Instagram, they are targeting NAMM 2024, so showcase in January, so we have a little more waiting to do!

"January 25-28, 2024 - Anaheim Convention Center"

The one thing I don't understand is how the potentiometers in all the pedals go thru the pedal, then the pedalboard top. I mean, on mine, I tried that and there was not enough threads, so thought maybe longer shafted pots may be used, but it's probably due to thickness.

I didn't want my pedalboard to weigh a tone. Randy's is steel and you can see surface rust on places.

I went for aluminum, but to ensure did not deflect (nor rust), went for .100" thickness and this must be all the difference. Randy's is all attached to the top of the pedalboard, where mine, only the EQ is. The rest, I ran 3-wire harnesses that have snap disconnects for each of assembly and disassembly!

[equinox]

Looking up the datasheet for the IC's they outlined....looks like they HEX SCHMIT TRIGGER and Flip Flop to switch the LED on/off and flip/flop the relays on and off, so not so different than what I did, but using readily available NPN and PNP transistors at the time instead of ICs!!

[leftyaxeman]

Can't wait to hear it!

[stealaway]

Any updates on this?

[equinox]

No. Nothing yet. Just have been waiting for the new pedal to be released, which we know now is targeted at NAMM 2024 (Jan 25-28, 2024).
In the meantime, I have been SWAMPED with issues and busy....new job since Jan 2023, new amp designs for my company, supporting events with the local radio station, and a myrid of issues....one car took 2 months to fix and get back from the dealership, another overheating, my truck you'd turn key and no click, no crank, then diagnosed as relay and worked for a while, then recently, would click and no crank, which diagnosed as starter, which replaced over the weekend. We had torrential rain, which have now been out of power for 4 or 5 days and still out and sump failure flooded the basement, so worked all weekend moving things until had to stop. I have roof water intrusion issues I can't seem to find out where coming from. You name it, I have been way to busy to do anything....fun. For me, nice warm and almost rain free summer I haven't enjoyed, so summer sorta sucked for me! I'll post updates as time permits, but thinking holidays or after pedal release, probably February timeframe.

[stealaway]

Oh my! Well, I spent the whole summer working too. Now it's been raining almost nonstop for some time. Some flooding expected too In september, if everything goes to plan, my band should start working on the new album. So that's at least something!!! And in October should have a bit holidays with my wife, hopefully that goes well Anyway, hang on in there! All the best and let's keep it up and blast some Randy Rhoads once in awhile, if we get the chance!!! Nice autumn to everyone!!!