Pedal value for money in the current economic climate

[vernplum]

Is it just me, or does the gear business (let's talk about pedals just for the sake of argument) seem somewhat immune to the financial downturn? I can't help but notice that new gear shots appear very frequently and people seem as willing as ever to spend a couple of hundred bucks on some boutique widget despite some impending doom (at least as I perceive it) from the economists.

Am I being over-pessimistic? Personally, I scrutinize prices more closely now, though I still haven't stopped buying.

What do we consider decent value prices? Are we as willing as ever to drop $300 (maybe even USD!) on a single pedal as we were before?

This is just for open discussion. Not pointing at anyone - GAS is GAS is my belief and all told, pedals aren't that expensive (exceptions of course) in the the Grand Scheme Of Things.

Cheers

 

[ShredCow]

give it some time for the wave to hit us?

I'm not too keen on spending too much nowadays... been doing more cost calculations, like, I must sell this then can buy that.

Hey, I rather a sweet playing guitar than a pedal... I wonder if prices of vintage LP Jrs will drop now...

 

[lester_music]

GUess the obsession with pedals,

If there are needs, then it is ok really...but I have seen countless of players who cannot really play but hv a full load of effects in front of them..

think they should be concentrating on skills rather than talking pedals....

and surprisingly, really good players that I play with, only have one or 2, or at most 4 pedals, at most just enough for them to get a good tone...and these guys always uses the same pedal...don't need to upgrade or whatever...

Perhaps we are living a a more affluent society than before..

My point is, can get obsess with pedal, but it is better to be secondary, your skill is primary, not the other way round.....else you will be wasting your money really...

 

[vernplum]

Ok - that's a side point - whether someone can play well or not, in my view, is TOTALLY IRRELEVANT to the acquisition of gear. I prefer for this discussion that we don't get dragged down this hole.

 

[Whitestrat]

been doing more cost calculations, like, I must sell this then can buy that.

I've been like this all along. Usually will unload what I don't use. Trim the fat. Not mainly because of cost reasons, though it does buffer the pinch a bit, but more of a space issue. If I didn't unload, by now I'd have 20 over guitars at home, which I really don't have the space for.:twisted:

 

[Danelectrico]

exactly. effects pedals are tools for shaping sound. in some kinds of music they are essential. judicious and tasteful use of effects can open up a vastly different sonic palette.

anyway you could be supremely skilled with mastership of all sorts of techniques - but without a couple delay pedals, you still couldn't create the sound of say, some simple but signature U2 riffs.

back to the topic, as you put it vernplum, pedals really aren't that expensive and there are a lot more effective ways to thin your wallet, compared to the satisfaction given to the owner on obtaining the coveted pedals. i'm sure on the whole people are a bit more circumspect with regard to their disposable income in this climate than a couple years back. however human beings are reknowned for their ability to still find ways to spend money on useless knicknacks or ways to get high (isn't music gear a way for us to get high too?) while being mired in debt and with epic storm clouds on the horizon.

 

[lifele55]

Looking at current exchange rates, I think twice and then re-think again about buying things that I want instead of needs.

 

[ShredCow]

I've been like this all along. Usually will unload what I don't use. Trim the fat. Not mainly because of cost reasons, though it does buffer the pinch a bit, but more of a space issue. If I didn't unload, by now I'd have 20 over guitars at home, which I really don't have the space for.

I've not been doing that... I used to buy then try to keep because its good to have a "tone arsenal".

Of course, when I think I will never use that effect, then off it goes lah...

But this is why I have an additional 5 pedals sitting around off the board - just so I have options available aside from the usual on-the-board-stuff.

Nowadays, I seem to be thinking like you, Whitestrat.


One thing that bugs me an awful lot when buying a pedal is shipping costs. 20-ish USD is standard for registered mail... but 40USD?!? 35USD??? Geez.

However, I prefer to buy certain things overseas even though it might cost more and I have to wait for it. Certain things, the local retailers just have an odd lack of... bendability? Like I need a different sized locking nut (which they stock separately) from the one included in the pre-packaged trem set - Nope, can't happen. Even when its a straight swap, one for one.
Certain things, the overseas seller just has a better work philosophy/approach/attitude? Like the way they approach building pedals. The way they gush about the stuff they are making. The manner in which they share information. Etc etc...

 

[vernplum]

The exchange rate is ok - 1.47 SGD per US.

 

[lester_music]

Ok - that's a side point - whether someone can play well or not, in my view, is TOTALLY IRRELEVANT to the acquisition of gear. I prefer for this discussion that we don't get dragged down this hole.

Guess u r right, sorry about that......hehe

 

[taypeng81]

[=ShredCow

im looking out for the vintage lp jr prices also but still seems pretty stable...

about pedals.. i think what you need depends on the type of music you play and your level. For a pro players and sessionists, they'll need a lot tone-shaping options but for amateurs/occasional gigger i dont see the need for a whole pedalboard full of pedals. from the audience point of view i think most of them might not notice the diff btw one dist flavor from another...

anyway bang for buck pedal? i think the Boss BD2 does a pretty good job with a tube amp. Barber pedals and... PODXT live.. yah i know this is a multifx but its amp/pedal simulators are good...

 

[lifele55]

The exchange rate is ok - 1.47 SGD per US.

The JPY - SGD rate really took a plunge though..

However, I prefer to buy certain things overseas even though it might cost more and I have to wait for it.

Definitely, they seem to be more welcoming in doing business and will go out of their ways to provide what you really need/want.

 

[gsonique]

Buy the best you can afford ..or save till you can....don't compromise ...you will waste time and money buying the compromise and having sleepless nights regretting it.

Be smart when you shop ... spend as much time as possible browsing for best prices, read spec sheet or manual, reviews and comments.

Be honest to your wants and needs ...

Be patient...

Be ...

 

[taypeng81]

Buy the best you can afford ..or save till you can....don't compromise ...you will waste time and money buying the compromise and having sleepless nights regretting it.

+1 to this..

 

[Whitestrat]

Nowadays, I seem to be thinking like you, Whitestrat.

That's because you're finally getting older, wiser, and more mature.:mrgreen:

 

[Whitestrat]

Buy the best you can afford ..or save till you can....don't compromise ...you will waste time and money buying the compromise and having sleepless nights regretting it.

That's probably the BEST advice I've read on this forum from anyone. Can't stress this much more. DON'T COMPROMISE. If you want a Gibson, save for a Gibson. Don't settle for an Edwards or an Epiphone. Otherwise you'll forever have that nagging doubt in your head "what if..."

 

[jony]

DON'T COMPROMISE. If you want a Gibson, save for a Gibson or an Edwards but not an Epiphone. Otherwise you'll forever have that nagging doubt in your head "what if..."

now that's about right