PF-5 PRO — Paul Franklin Signature Pro Pedalboard

The PF-5 PRO Story

Developed with Paul Franklin, the PF-5 PRO is a signature analog multi-effects pedalboard designed for a range of instruments, not just pedal steel. Its selection of effects and flexible patchbay routing make it a versatile partner in the studio and on stage.

The PF-5 PRO began with a request from Paul Franklin. During conversations in 2019 and early 2020, Paul asked Sage Benado to create a unit similar in concept to the Benado PRO, but with a specific selection of effects. He wanted to expand beyond his signature PF Steel Dream for the demands of more modern music, both in recording sessions and on stage.

For the PF-5 PRO, Paul chose the Nutradrive, as featured on his Steel Dream, together with the new Chorus/Flanger, Dual Parallel Delay, and Steel Verb. This selection brings a familiar part of his sound into a new combination of effects.

The rear panel of the PF-5 PRO is packed with practical features designed to make studio sessions and live performances easier. Its built-in patchbay gives Paul the freedom to arrange the effects in his preferred order and integrate external pedals wherever he wants them in the signal chain. A few simple patch-cable connections make it easy to tailor the routing to his setup.

One of the features Paul wanted was an idea Sage had explored years earlier: dual parallel delays with blend. That approach became a key part of the vision for a pedalboard built around Paul’s evolving musical needs.

Sage also designed a Chorus/Flanger to capture the essence of the mellow chorus sounds heard in studios during the 1980s, delivering a warm, subtle character. The flanger brings its own distinctive flavor while meeting Sage’s criteria: mellow, musical, and never overwhelming.

Paul loved the result and wanted it included in the PF-5 PRO.

Together, these ideas shaped a signature pedalboard developed through direct collaboration between Paul Franklin and Sage Benado, with musical expression at the heart of its design.

The Benado Standard: Built for the Pro

Each Benado unit is a handcrafted work of art, hand-wired and tested one-by-one to the same rigorous standards required by my professional touring and recording clientele. Because I refuse to compromise on the high-grade components necessary for elite signal integrity, lead times are subject to parts availability. By choosing Benado, you are prioritizing uncompromising tone and the "Feel Factor" over mass-production speed.

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

Ordering through this page is for full payment. To arrange the optional 50% production deposit instead, contact me at sage@benadoeffects.com before placing your order.

To accommodate clients who prefer not to pay the full build price upfront — and to navigate 2026's volatile supply chains and significant tariff increases affecting the boutique electronics market — I offer an optional 50% Non-Refundable Production Deposit.

This deposit secures your build slot and ensures your unit's premium components are sourced and reserved immediately. Full payment locks in today's pricing, protecting you from any future cost increases before your build is complete.

50% Production Deposit — Total build price: from $1,999.
Remaining balance is due when assembly of your unit begins.

Final Payment: You will receive an invoice for the remaining balance at the start of your build. All deposit arrangements are handled via dedicated invoice — simply reach out via the Contact Form or email sage@benadoeffects.com to get started.

The Artisan Pace: Why I Work This Way

35 Years of Expertise takes time.
Every Benado unit is a high-complexity project. I do not use mass-production assembly lines. From the intricate, hand-soldered wiring to the hand-selected component matching, every connection is made by hand with care and love.

Meticulous Tone requires focus.
To ensure each unit meets my studio-ready standard, I limit the number of active builds at any time.

Communication Policy: To keep me at the bench and away from the administrative grind, I do not provide daily shipping updates.

Final Assurance: You will receive a tracking number and final testing confirmation once your hand-tuned masterpiece is signed and ready to leave the bench.

LEGAL DISCLOSURE (PRE-ORDER DEPOSIT)

The 50% pre-order deposit is a non-refundable production retainer paid in consideration of Benado Effects forgoing the booking of other clients and committing sunk preparatory labor and material costs to your specific build slot. In the event of customer cancellation, this deposit is retained as liquidated damages to cover labor and specialized parts procurement and is not a refundable down payment for retail goods.

TECHNICAL SPECS

• Components: High-quality components, individually sorted and tested by Sage Benado.
• Enclosure: 16-gauge stainless steel with a powder-coated finish.
• Proprietary Buffer: A wide-bandwidth design carefully engineered to preserve your instrument’s natural tone, clarity, and character throughout the signal chain.
• Design Philosophy: Designed with an analog-first approach, with a focus on low-noise operation and studio-quality sound.
• Power & Connectivity: 9V DC operation with a high-headroom circuit design, offering convenient worldwide use. Use a center-pin-negative supply rated for at least 500mA; 1,000mA or more is recommended. The supply must meet the combined current requirements of all connected external pedals (if used).

Hear the PF-5 PRO

PF-5 PRO in Performance

Hear the PF-5 PRO on stage. Watch the full performance on YouTube.

▶ Watch on YouTube