Re: Best of the New Duncan Pedals
It's market perception, really. $249 for a pedal with Made in China on the back just feels like a $249 version of a $79 Mooer or Joyo to the consumer. You can't sell it, especially if you're not already a big name in pedals like Boss. They can get a high price for full featured delay pedals because they're fully trusted in the industry.
There are sophisticated machines in the medical industry that are made overseas, or have stuffed boards/components from overseas. With electronics, quality is simply a matter of choice, diligence, cost...Whatever barrier is in between you and quality, knock it down. Smartphone screens cracking? Use stronger glass. Electronics overheating? Fix your heat sink issues. How do you know you have a good design before shipping it? Your designers should have a good track record AND you'd better know how to test it for real-world abuse.
Auto makers recall cars constantly, and they're trying their best with pretty smart people. No one is perfect. But sending your designs offshore increases the odds of mishap.
Someone like MXR has been in the pedal game for a looong time. They have a proven track record. Why should your typical pedal customer buy a Vapor Trail instead of a Carbon Copy? Quality? No. Size? Nope. Price? Nope. An insert loop? BINGO. The pedal has to DO something that I can't get from other, more established pedal brands. There are dozens of compressors with dry blends and tone controls. The Double Back/Vise Grip is still (as far as I know) the only one that lets you shift the EQ of the dry blend.
Aside from that, like I said you can't have Chinese made copycat pedals at prices higher than MXR/EHX because no one will buy them. And at "booteek" prices, you're competing with highly focused, personality driven companies like Keeley, Fulltone, JHS, Wampler, Earthquaker, Bogner, the list is a mile long.
Let's be honest, Van Freaking Halen released a 5150 pedal right before the Palladium came out. It has a noise gate, AND it's $200. The Palladium is $300. I'd put the Palladium in a different class of course as far as the other features go. I wish them the best on the Palladium I ONLY say this to point out the competitive landscape. Bogner has amp-in-a-box pedals for the same or less. We're talking about THE Reinhold Bogner, legendary amp maker. There's an inherent credibility there.
For these reasons, whether a Made in USA label like the Palladium or Assembled in USA like the rest of them, it is simply essential, or the market will spit you out.
