Rob Scallon and Sweetwater just broke the world record for the largest guitar effect pedalboard
An all-star cast achieves a Guinness World Record with 319-strong pedal chain
319 pedals. 34 pedalboards. 500+ feet of cable. On Tuesday July 9, Sweetwater made history by assembling the world’s largest guitar effect pedalboard - a feat that has been officially verified by Guinness World Records.
YouTube sensation Rob Scallon was on hand to play through the ’board at Fort Wayne’s Clyde Theatre, accompanied by an all-star cast of pedal gurus, including Robert Keeley (Keeley Electronics), Josh Scott (JHS Pedals), Ryan Dick (Temple Audio) and Brian Wampler (Wampler Pedals).
As you can hear above, the sound of every pedal turned on at once is quite unlike anything you’ve ever heard - it’s terrifying, really.
The Sweetwater team adhered to strict guidelines to break the record, with no duplicate pedals, no switching systems, and pedals only available from recognized manufacturers.
Incredibly, Rush legend Alex Lifeson also cropped up to try his hand at playing through the rig.
The previous record was set in 2008 with 142, and was comprehensively smashed by Sweetwater’s effort, which costs $90,000, boasts 1,248 knobs, measures 70ft long, and requires 34 power supplies just to turn on.
For more info on this astonishing achievement, head over to Sweetwater. At least until Kevin Shields presumably snaps up the rig for My Bloody Valentine’s next tour...
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Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
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