Let's REVIEW those pedal boards you are using right now.

[Aceman]

And how many people have bought the "cheap" entry level....and when it died/crapped out decided to move up, who would have otherwise never bought the real deal?

[NegativeEase]

And how many people have bought the "cheap" entry level....and when it died/crapped out decided to move up, who would have otherwise never bought the real deal?

Oh thats definitely a huge part of it, I'd agree.

Danelectro's cool sounding pedals that are built like toys are the best example of a great historic gateway pedal drug company.

Theres a blues/rock player that people here would be familiar with here that swears by the Tuna Melt Trem by Daneelectro -so every time he does a new setup when I'm asked to be involved -I have to make sure he has like 3-4 spares at all times

[idsnowdog]

I don't have any issue with the cheaper and ultra inexpensive pedals (the whole if the company is using exploited labor argument is not something I cannot really track meaningfully except subjectively so It's not a purchase factor generally)

-being a cheap pedal definitely is not necessarily a predictor of sound quality alone considering I can make an OD better than most for 10 bucks in my garage -maybe its a predictor for build quality and component quality at times -but not even always then either.

However, I personally don't buy the cheaper pedals usually because I have reached a point where my time is worth more than my money on this topic... and buying a quality made product from a trusted manufacturer who may be more expensive is worth not dealing with pedals being noisy or breaking earlier or not having direct phone support for the product etc, -also rewarding innovation over companies copying others is another factor sometimes when I can/

But I'm glad the cheaper stuff is out there so everyone can get into it.

What I have noticed about these mini-pedals is that they have a higher level of modularity, and commonality than most big name pedals. They use a modular and interchangeable power/input/output backplane, case, and control layouts. Many are identical except for their names, graphics and brand name. Since they use SMD components they can be built a lot smaller than using through hole components. But since they use SMD components it isn't as easy to modify or repair them as a design using through hole components though. However, by using SMD components they can be built using automated construction that is already being used for other consumer electronics. I'm not sure the quality argument is very applicable when guitar pedals are becoming commodity consumer electronic items? Because its hard to argue that a SMD capacitor or resistor is inferior to a through hole capacitor or resistor of the same value. Although the mini-clone may be laid out differently if you compare them schematically and on a component by component basis the values are the same which makes them work a likes. Which can be verified by the hundreds of comparison videos on YouTube.

[NegativeEase]

What I have noticed about these mini-pedals is that they have a higher level of modularity, and commonality than most big name pedals. They use a modular and interchangeable power/input/output backplane, case, and control layouts. Many are identical except for their names, graphics and brand name. Since they use SMD components they can be built a lot smaller than using through hole components. But since they use SMD components it isn't as easy to modify or repair them as a design using through hole components though. However, by using SMD components they can be built using automated construction that is already being used for other consumer electronics. I'm not sure the quality argument is very applicable when guitar pedals are becoming commodity consumer electronic items? Because its hard to argue that a SMD capacitor or resistor is inferior to a through hole capacitor or resistor of the same value. Although the mini-clone may be laid out differently if you compare them schematically and on a component by component basis the values are the same which makes them work a likes. Which can be verified by the hundreds of comparison videos on YouTube.

Yeah, no argument on that -Trust me, SMD versus, through hole or perf etc etc really amounts to the design to mitgate issues -especially Signal to Noise ratio -not actually effect tones as much. Lots of surface mount designs are quieter than anything you could ever do in your garage -it just depends on the skill of the designer and functional requirements they have to contend with.

[dystrust]

Before I reply to the rack review, I suppose I should address the board that appears to have improved so much in hindsight...

Just so everyone is on the same page, we're talking about this:

First off - I LOVE the ERGOs on this!!! Rounded, multi-level, and industrial and multi-color. Very hip!!!

When I started looking for a board 5 years ago, ergonomics were a big part of what drew me to this one. The other one I seriously looked at was Temple Audio, but the Holeyboard had the curved layout, didn't require adhesives (more on this later) and it didn't hurt that Chemistry Design Werks is located right down the road in Saint Paul.

I like the pedals on the right. Because that's where they go.

Like Vai or Satch I'm left wah-footed, though I don't play nearly as well as they do. I tried with the pedals on the left, but this ended up being easier in terms of reach distance and definitely cable routing.

I'm not a Vox fan, but if you must the brit flag is also cool.

It's actually a Wilson Signature Wah, but I don't blame you for reading the treadle. It's based on a late 60s Vox Clyde McCoy like the Teese Picture Wah (which I also have) or a Fulltone Clyde, but it's tweakable like a Teese RMC-3 or Dunlop 535Q. On the board it has trim pots for 'Growl', 'Mids', 'Sweep', and 'Boost'; compared to my Picture Wah I have this dialed in a bit more aggressive with a slight volume boost so I don't have a drop-off when kicking it on.

Some EVH phase, a Flashback, and a little gold Wampler. Nice. I like the cool metal switcher too. Keeps the industrial theme going.

I have a problem with that Micro Flanger. real men use real flangers with 4 knobs. I'll let it slide though because it goes with the CE-2. Old school swirl is fine.

First and foremost, the four-knob Flanger wouldn't fit. Second, I used to have both an original M117 and a reissue, and the Micro Flanger would absolutely do all of the sounds I actually used. I sold the original because it was noisy and obviously $$$, while I sold the reissue because the power supply was a PITA.

GT500 is way overrated.

Way overrated? Just how familiar are you with this thing? IME it isn't held in terribly high regard and used prices seem to reflect that. I'm pretty sure Fulltone doesn't make them anymore, and I was able to get mine used for $60 without much difficulty. I don't really have any particular attachment to it; it's a pedal I have that does something I need. I would absolutely replace it if something better came along, but so far I haven't come across anything better enough to justify a switch.

A Marshall Jubilee has significantly more gain than a JCM800 2203/2204, so I don't need to boost my rhythm sound. I've tried it, but I've yet to come across a boost I like better than plugging straight into the 'lead' channel with the gain on 7 or so. The GT-500 covers the sounds I'd get with the gain down around 4, and it sounds pretty good at band volume. At bedroom volume it's a bit thin and nasal, maybe that's the reason for its mediocre reputation?

Cool aesthetic with the red on blue also.

Obviously the Strymon Flint is a thing, and probably my most least hated Strymon pedal.

Never a thing wrong with a good old CS-3

And that brings us to the tuner again. what is it with you people??? Never heard of TC Polytuner? Korg Pitch Black? Planet waves? C'mon guys....class it up in this area.

Do you need to get your eyes checked there AceBob? It is a Korg Pitchblack. It's a Pitchblack Portable instead of the standard version, meaning that it has poly tuning capability, but doesn't have a bypass switch. I run it off the tuner out on the volume pedal, so I don't need one.

Also, I can't say I'm a fan of the zip ties. They really detract from the pedals themselves. It might be nice if you got colored ones to match the pedal they hold. Red or white for the GT500, for example.

Really? They might not look as nice as velcro, but they hold the pedals in place while I'm playing, the pedals come off when I want them to, and they don't leave a bunch of sticky sh*t behind if I ever decide to sell something. I've been using zip ties on my pedals for almost 20 years, and ease of zip-tying was another big selling point for the Holeyboard

[Gtrjunior]

Oh thats definitely a huge part of it, I'd agree.

Danelectro's cool sounding pedals that are built like toys are the best example of a great historic gateway pedal drug company.

Theres a blues/rock player that people here would be familiar with here that swears by the Tuna Melt Trem by Daneelectro -so every time he does a new setup when I'm asked to be involved -I have to make sure he has like 3-4 spares at all times

It’s Joe B….isn’t it!!!???

[NegativeEase]

It’s Joe B….isn’t it!!!???

Haaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Blille]

Haaaaaaaaaaaaa

Can’t you at least rehouse it to give it a chance?

[NegativeEase]

Can’t you at least rehouse it to give it a chance?

Tuna melt switch is a carbon pill attached to a rubber housing that makes a contact closure on a direct PCB trace -it's diabolical for long term or heavy use. -but fine for home or jammin'

and yes, I have rehoused them, but damn people have emotional connections to the cases and graphics of pedals.

[Demanic]

Tuna melt switch is a carbon pill attached to a rubber housing that makes a contact closure on a direct PCB trace -it's diabolical for long term or heavy use. -but fine for home or jammin'

and yes, I have rehoused them, but damn people have emotional connections to the cases and graphics of pedals.

Seriously?

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[Aceman]

Tuna melt switch is a carbon pill attached to a rubber housing that makes a contact closure on a direct PCB trace -it's diabolical for long term or heavy use. -but fine for home or jammin'

and yes, I have rehoused them, but damn people have emotional connections to the cases and graphics of pedals.

They are $35 a pop. Just buy a bunch. Or....get any damn Tremolo. They are cool, yes, but there isn't anything it does that my 18 OTHER Tremolos can't do as well or better! Seriously...
Mooer Trelicopter.

[Blille]

Tuna melt switch is a carbon pill attached to a rubber housing that makes a contact closure on a direct PCB trace -it's diabolical for long term or heavy use. -but fine for home or jammin'

and yes, I have rehoused them, but damn people have emotional connections to the cases and graphics of pedals.

Lol gotta love humans.

[Demanic]

Lol gotta love humans.

Why?

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[Blille]

Why?

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

It’s not literal. It’s an idiom.

The urban dictionary says it’s “a way of expressing your liking/preference for something, sometimes sarcastically.”

Only something as irrational as a human would feel attached to the crappy danelectro enclosures.

[NegativeEase]

They are $35 a pop. Just buy a bunch. Or....get any damn Tremolo. They are cool, yes, but there isn't anything it does that my 18 OTHER Tremolos can't do as well or better! Seriously...
Mooer Trelicopter.

Im telling you straight up -he's obsessed with the tuna melt. it's his thing apparently. I've tried