Thinking About Starting A Pedal/Amp Building Business - Need Some Ideas

[InsertUsernameHere]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about starting a little business of making and selling amplifiers and pedals. I want to do a few clones of the big names, ie Ram's Head Muff, a few Fuzz Face variants and a few Fender and Marshall variants, but I also want to have a unique line up of products. I really love vintage circuits and really love vintage accuracy, but would like to venture into custom works and the like .

So what would you guys like to see? Fuzzes that were crushed by the big names into obscurity? Modulation that fizzled out of the catalogs? Wah-Wahs that Vox beat into submission?

Let me hear some ideas guys!

 

[TeaForTwo]

It's a crowded field. I'm looking forward to how it starts to work out.....

An obvious idea that comes to mind first is to let folks name their own pedals;

You can offer the option via, " InsertPedalnameHere.".........
.

 

[Hector Arcadius]

Generally, I like to see:

1) very professional paint-jobs. Take the time to do this part properly, not everybody does.

2) I like to see "clever" features that make a certain pedal adapt to any rig. For reference, look at the Wampler offerings. Variable EQ settings are important and maybe different clipping options.

3) competitive pricing. It is a very crowded market and if you're starting out now... Of course this one has to be looked in conjuction with No. 1 & No. 2...


Companies that have my full attention and I would mention them as references are

Wampler
Mojo Hand
Earthquaker Devices
CMATMODS
Barber
VFE
Dr. Scientist

and others, of course.

Good luck and keep us updated...

 

[InsertUsernameHere]

It's a crowded field. I'm looking forward to how it starts to work out.....

An obvious idea that comes to mind first is to let folks name their own pedals;

You can offer the option via, " InsertPedalnameHere.".........
.

You know, I was actually thinking about offering some custom graphics and stuff like that. I love doing that kinda stuff too, and I imagine it can only make my product that much more desirable.

 

[InsertUsernameHere]

Generally, I like to see:

1) very professional paint-jobs. Take the time to do this part properly, not everybody does.

I think you're really spot on with this. I hate seeing pedals with beautiful guts when the paint is just messed up. It just makes the whole product look bad by comparison.

2) I like to see "clever" features that make a certain pedal adapt to any rig. For reference, look at the Wampler offerings. Variable EQ settings are important and maybe different clipping options.

That's definitely good advice, exactly what I was looking for.

3) competitive pricing. It is a very crowded market and if you're starting out now... Of course this one has to be looked in conjuction with No. 1 & No. 2...

Definitely on the forefront of my mind. I want to bring a great product to people without emptying their wallets.

Companies that have my full attention and I would mention them as references are

Wampler
Mojo Hand
Earthquaker Devices
CMATMODS
Barber
VFE
Dr. Scientist

and others, of course.

Good luck and keep us updated...

Keep the input coming guys.

 

[TeaForTwo]

May I ask, how knowledgeable are you on amp building ??
That will help my idea thought process..

And yeah, I know three pedal builders who will work directly with customers on builds, so you are spot on with your "custom work" ideas...
.

 

[kboman]

+1 on the finishing. If a pedal sounds good it is good, but if it looks like sh!t I'm much less likely to look more closely at it.

JHS get it right almost every time:

Ghost Effects have a great aesthetic:

Cusack:

(one of the sexiest pedals ever made)

...since I like to keep things positive I'm not going to post stuff I don't like
Good luck man!

 

[Chadd]

2) I like to see "clever" features that make a certain pedal adapt to any rig. For reference, look at the Wampler offerings. Variable EQ settings are important and maybe different clipping options.

I couldn't disagree more on this, for a couple reasons.

1. A pedal that has a ton of options is going to require more time and more parts, this makes them more expensive.

2. Even if you like multiple settings on the pedal, you can only use one tone at a time. That means that if I like a couple different sounds, and want to use them live, I have to buy multiple versions of the pedal for my board.

Obviously, some amount of tweak-ability is needed, but going over the top with options simply doesn't make sense as a base model to me.

I do like the idea of making complimentary pedals available in combined format. A boost and OD or something that lets me use two different settings on a drive pedal in one housing would be much more interesting to me.

 

[Hector Arcadius]

I couldn't disagree more on this, for a couple reasons.

1. A pedal that has a ton of options is going to require more time and more parts, this makes them more expensive.

2. Even if you like multiple settings on the pedal, you can only use one tone at a time. That means that if I like a couple different sounds, and want to use them live, I have to buy multiple versions of the pedal for my board.

Obviously, some amount of tweak-ability is needed, but going over the top with options simply doesn't make sense as a base model to me.

I do like the idea of making complimentary pedals available in combined format. A boost and OD or something that lets me use two different settings on a drive pedal in one housing would be much more interesting to me.

We agree on disagreeing. Price, as I said above, must be seen in conjuction with the features offered.




Examples:


a) Great features and versatility, incredible sound, very reasonable price (considering the features, the quality of the construction and the quality of the finishing):

b) less features than a Wampler (therefore a very fair lower price) and still great built quality:

c) and an example of a pedal finished right ,but... with no features to justify the over-pricing (always IMHO):

From the above, I would rather have the Wampler and the CMATMODS on my board any day. And yes, some of them are THAT good that it has crossed my mind (several times) having doubles of them. I see no problem with that...

 

[Mookakian]

Work yer ass off non stop, for a long time, chip away... and important to get hands on rather than thnk too much, thinking is good but only gets you part way there.

Thats the best way to get anything you really want done. i'd like to see some fuzz/wah action, all in the one unit Maybe an octave switch

 

[Gundecker]

Might sound pretty basic but power input on the top and input/ output on right and left side.

 

[InsertUsernameHere]

Work yer ass off non stop, for a long time, chip away... and important to get hands on rather than thnk too much, thinking is good but only gets you part way there.

Thats the best way to get anything you really want done. i'd like to see some fuzz/wah action, all in the one unit Maybe an octave switch

I like the way you think man.

 

[kboman]

All inputs on the top! Signal in/out on the sides are big bother, but nothing like the pain in the ass of a DC input on the side.

 

[Chadd]

We agree on disagreeing. Price, as I said above, must be seen in conjuction with the features offered.
b) less features than a Wampler (therefore a very fair lower price) and still great built quality:

From the above, I would rather have the Wampler and the CMATMODS on my board any day. And yes, some of them are THAT good that it has crossed my mind (several times) having doubles of them. I see no problem with that...

The beautiful thing is that there is no right or wrong answer. I like the fact that cmatmods makes the Signa drive and the Super Signa that includes a boost. I may have to take a look at one of them when I get a chance, the CAE OD/boost is not really what I like on the OD side.

All inputs on the top! Signal in/out on the sides are big bother, but nothing like the pain in the ass of a DC input on the side.

I couldn't agree more about the DC input, I can deal with the in/out on the sides if I have to.

 

[ext1jdh]

Can you make me a pedal that causes women's clothing to fall off? Cos that would be nice.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Keep the price realistic. I know someone out there is buying $200 distortion pedals, but it aint gonna be me

 

[Hector Arcadius]

Keep the price realistic. I know someone out there is buying $200 distortion pedals, but it aint gonna be me

Yep, that can be me. Under certain conditions... See post No. 9...

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Yep, that can be me. Under certain conditions... See post No. 9...

I think it all depends on the market you live near. The Toronto craigslist/kijiji listings are awash in 'boutique' overdrive/distortion pedals that linger forever, because the owner is trying to recoup what they overspent on their pedal. The end results are the owners get stuck with them, or they have to bring them down to realistic prices. Many deals to be had.

 

[Hector Arcadius]

I think it all depends on the market you live near. The Toronto craigslist/kijiji listings are awash in 'boutique' overdrive/distortion pedals that linger forever, because the owner is trying to recoup what they overspent on their pedal. The end results are the owners get stuck with them, or they have to bring them down to realistic prices. Many deals to be had.

Good point, man. We are less fortunate over here...

 

[Freddy G]

How about the Crambone Plinker, with a dial that adjusts how much cat whisker tone you get?



Way down yonder near the hico-uh, hico-uh, the cottonwo-uh, the eucalyptus tree, Crambone…