References

CUSTOM BOARDS has had the honour of helping hundreds of musicians with their effects setups, from all possible genres:

Case #1: Amorphis’ signal path got a complete overhaul

Even though Amorphis had already toured for several years, their effects were still travelling in plastic bags. Cables were breaking regularly, many even went MIA. Some pedals were even broken. The band finally decided it was time to step up into the pro league, ordering top-grade pedalboards for their guitarists. As a result gigging became so much easier: Consistent, fantastic guitar sounds, much shorter changeover times. Stage managers noticed the vast improvement, thanking the band and their crew. This in turn gave a boost to Amorphis’ reputation as professional performers among promoters. The rest, as they say, is Metal history.

Case #2: Michael Monroe’s slot supporting Motörhead

Finnish Rock legend Michael Monroe was offered a slot as Motörhead’s support act. If you’re going on tour with a band of Motörhead’s status only the best will do! Monroe ordered top-grade, compact CustomBoards™ solutions for his band’s guitarists. The band hit the road running to huge acclaim. Michael Monroe’s band was presented as the world-class act it really is, giving his career a well-deserved boost.

Case #3: Von Hertzen Brothers – fly-in gigs made easier

The Von Hertzen Brothers were ready to rock the world. Trouble was their guitar rigs were far too massive and heavy to transport abroad cost-efficiently. They tried taking only their most-important effects with them on fly-in shows, instead, each time unplugging their domestic setup. Finally, the constant futzing around with effect pedals and patch cables got on everybody’s nerves. The band got invited to be the support act on Opeth’s European tour, which meant they had to come up with a workable, professional solution. CustomBoards™ supplied them with pro-grade, compact setups, made specifically for air travel. Their new fly-in ‘boards worked so good that the Von Hertzen Brothers stopped using their old, massive rigs on domestic show, too!

Case #4: Tuomas Wäinölä goes multiple

Tuomas Wäinölä is one of Finland’s busiest guitarists. He plays in the live bands of national stars, such as Anssi Kela and Paula Koivuniemi, as well as on many TV shows and records. This type of freelancing makes for a very hectic schedule, adding its own set of problems when it comes to transportation. Tuomas naturally wanted to get each and every job done in style, which is why he ordered a whole row of pedalboards from Custom Boards. One for the touring rig, one to keep in the TV studio, one for his project studio, and a fourth one for freelance jobs on short notice. Tuomas’ life got much easier, and the pedalboards quickly paid for themselves, thanks to added job opportunities.

Case #5: Pekka Kuusisto unleashed

Pekka Kuusisto is a renowned classical violinist, but there’s a different side to him, too. Pekka likes to experiment with his electric violin and effect pedals, creating strange new soundscapes in the way. Taking his electric side all across the world proved to be a problem, though. Pekka couldn’t find the time to build his own board, so he ordered a custom-made board from Custom Boards. The result is a professional pedalboard that helps him unleash his creativity anywhere on the planet.

Case #6: Rane Raitsikka on the road with Atomirotta

Rane Raitsikka’s return, after a number of years spent in the USA, seemed to be right on time when he founded the band Atomirotta. Shortly before a important gig, his old pedalboard started malfunctioning and he took it to Custom Boards for maintenance and modification. Ever since then Rane has been back to get his rig serviced and updated regularly for the next round of sweaty club gigs. Rane’s compact and roadworthy pedalboard helps keep his show on the road, when Atomirotta starts their next tour.

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Some artists we have worked with:

A-J

Ako Kiiski (various TV Shows and studio sessions)
Alex Hautamäki (Popeda)
Andy McCoy (Hanoi Rocks)
Anni Elif (Elifantree)
Anssi Kela
Arto Tuunela (Pariisin Kevät)
Archie Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Bazie (69 Eyes)
Ben Varon (Ocean Hoarse)
Dregen (Backyard Babies, The Hellacopters, Michael Monroe Band)
Eero Heinonen (The Rasmus)
Emppu Suhonen (The Rasmus)
Erja Lyytinen
Esa Holopainen (Amorphis, Music of Kingston Wall)
Esa Kuloniemi (Honey B & T-Bones)
Euge Valovirta (Cyhra)
Ginger Wildheart (The Quireboys, The Wildhearts, Michael Monroe Band)
Häiriö Piirinen (Maj Karma)
Ismo Alanko
James Lascelles (Wheel)
Janne Joutsenniemi (Stone, Suburban Tribe, Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset)
Janne Louhivuori (Kirka & Islanders, Hurriganes, Black Devils)
Janne Perttilä (Moonsorrow, Barren Earth)
Janne Puurtinen (HIM, Ellips)
Jarmo Saari (Jarmo Saari Republic, Don Huonot, Emma Salokoski Duo)
Joakim Guthwert (Eternal Erection)
Jonne Von Hertzen (Von Hertzen Brothers)
Juhani Grönroos (Saimaa, Music of Kingston Wall)
Juho Kanervo (Saimaa, Ellips, Yona)
Juho Martikainen (At The Hollow, Puer)
Juho Vehmanen (Jenni Vartiainen, Vesala, My First Band, VV)
Jukka Orma (Sielun Veljet, Hassisen Kone, Piirpauke)
Jukka Perko
Jussi Ahlroth (Abhorrence)
Jussi Jaakonaho (Ismo Alanko, Chisu)
Jussi Pelkonen (Ursus Factory)
Jyri Helko (Ocean Hoarse)
Jyrki Pajulaakso (Atomirotta)