I’ve mentioned before, and I’ll mention it again, one of the great things about having this blog is meeting people doing cool things. I really dig builders, trying to carve their place in the world of guitar/bass products.. from effects pedals, to instruments, etc. It’s about identifying innovation and targeting necessity. It’s hard, so I definitely admire that any one that tries.
Today I wanted to talk about Throne Pedalboards who make quality custom hardwood pedalboards out of Louisville, Kentucky. Donovan Sears is the individual who started the business where he was looking for a pedalboard that … “looked like it belonged in the same room with his guitars”. He couldn’t find it.. so he built it and the rest is history.
Currently Throne Pedalboards has three pedalboard designs:
The Empire Pedalboard
The Knight Pedalboard
The Monarch Pedalboard
I asked Donovan to let me know about this his business, and this is what he had to say:
I am currently studying luthiery. It is something that I have always wanted to do and finally decided to take the plunge. So I started experimenting with wood and cutting different shapes – just getting used to different processes. So I decided to build something of actual use. About that time a I realized my pedalboard was about 8 years old…and it hit me. Why doesn’t anyone offer a unique approach to pedalboard design – an approach that borrows from all of the beautiful and innovative things going on in the world of boutique guitars?
So for the past couple of months I have been building, redesigning and starting over, 3 different models of pedalboards. They range in price from $169.99 to $339.99. The lower-end boards being made from baltic birch ply and the higher-end models being all hardwood. The Empire and Knight board designs were born from the idea that the shape of the pedalboard could be designed in a way that made it easier on the guitarist to reach both ends of their pedalboard without having to side-step. The Monarch (the high-end model) pull from the beautiful lines and sculpting found in guitars. I don’t have one of these complete just yet, but plans are to have one ready by the end of November 2010. The one I am building now has a koa top & braces and sits on a base of white oak. All of my boards to date are stained, some with danish oil to let the wood do the talking. I do not have plans to offer painting as an option at this point.
I have to say, Throne Pedalboards look quite nice, if you get moment, check out his site!
