Boutique pedals

S

Smilemon

New member
I've noticed a following here for Boss DS-1, and EHX pedals, and other cookie cutter pedals such as MXR, ROCKTRON, stuff like that. The shop i go to stocks only Boutique pedals, T-Rex, ZVex, Demeter, they stock some cheaper rocktrons and more expensive marshall pedals for the n00bs that come into the store.

It seems to me that if you want to have a diverse sound and really define your music its best to try many Custom Pedals, not just grab the quickest Satriani imitation pedal.

On the other hand i only have one pedal right now, it ate up all my spare cash, i could have 3 boss pedals for the price, but instead i have one nice Fuzz.
 
Re: Boutique pedals

Many people go with well known pedals because there is knowledge out there on how to mod them if they want a slightly different tone. Another big thing is those pedals have a tone people have come to know and love.

On the other hand, there are some fantastic boutique pedals well worth the price. I've got a Banzai Cold Fusion that I really like. The Z Vex stuff is top notch as is many other manufacturers.

Luke
 
Re: Boutique pedals

Since when is T-Rex boutique?

The reason why the DS-1, ehx stuff and such still sells, is of course because it sounds good!

I personally have a mixed feeling about boutique stuff. I think that some people buy it, just because it is "boutique" and unique.

Same with people who has to buy a AC30 because that is what is used, in the indie genre.

When ever I try pedals, i put the blinders on as far as brand, price to a certain extent, artists who use them etc...

For instance, I tried a DS-1, DS-2, T-REX MAB and Bloody Mary, EMMA ReezaFRATzitz and loads of other stuff. Guess what? I walked out of there with a good old TS-9.... That is a good example of why the old stuff sells.

Boutique pedals may have PCBs made with all the good attention and care, and the chips might have been made somewhere special. It probably also has True-Bypass as well.

But people still buy SD-1s, TS-9s and all that stuff.. Why? Because it sounds good.

:)
 
Re: Boutique pedals

Well, once again, it really depends what you are into tone wise .... if you are really into Rammstein for example its pretty hard to do it with out Engl, no matter what pedal you try. Me for example, my Spina mod TS does it all.
 
Re: Boutique pedals

the problem with boutique pedals is that they aren't so easy to get when you are playing out of town and something breaks. this is why the big market for these pedals are people who really don't perform much. Plus, paying $300 for an overdrive which is a variation of a TS/DS,etc is against my religion.
 
Re: Boutique pedals

A lot of the boutique pedals are copies of factory made units ala Boss, Ibanez, Vox etc. I buy pedals on how they sound and if they are cheaper models (Bad Monkey) so much the better. I don't see a reason to spend 2 or 3 hundred dollars on a TS copy. :)
 
Re: Boutique pedals

I owned three different boutique phasers before I bought an MXR Phase 90.

The Phase 90 sounded the best out of all of them.

Not that I'm knocking boutique stuff. I've already owned lots and will likely continue buying it in the future if and when I feel like it. I just don't think that they're necessarily that superior to what's available from common brand name pedals, nor do I think people should ignore brand name pedals due to some perceived inferiority complex.
 
Re: Boutique pedals

Dr.Mavashi said:
Well, once again, it really depends what you are into tone wise .... if you are really into Rammstein for example its pretty hard to do it with out Engl, no matter what pedal you try. Me for example, my Spina mod TS does it all.
Click to expand...

Rammstein = Dual Rectifier.

Unless they've changed amps in the last year or so....
 
Re: Boutique pedals

I think it's funny how the more boutique a pedal is, the less it actually does when you turn it on....

"Wow, check out how transparent my new boutique OD pedal is, I love it!"
"Dude, it's not even plugged in."
 
Re: Boutique pedals

I think of EHX as the biggest 'little' effects manufacturer, they have some innovative pedals as well as some industry standards. I could EASILY build a board of only EHX and be very happy. Also regarding Boutique brands, even though they cost a lot I've seen some so-so building on the inside. Not bad, but I'd trust stomping a Boss' knobs anyday over a Zvex.

That being said, I'm a firm believer in using what you like and what sounds good. I have everything from a EHX Small Stone and Ibanez LF7 through a Prophecy Sound Infinitphase and Foxrox Captain Coconut. I bought them because I like the way they sound...
 
Re: Boutique pedals

Smilemon said:
I sense some unbelievers out here...
Click to expand...

I've had boutique, new mass produced and vintage and they all have their merits. Just because it is boutique doesn't mean it is better. Money doesn't always equate into better tone.

A lot of the vintage tone that people aspire to emulate are of inexpensive, off the rack, effects....not to mention mass produced amps.
 
Re: Boutique pedals

For me, I've found good results with Maxon (usually, and you can include vintage Ibanez here, Maxon made it), MXR (sometimes), and, yeah, Boss (but rarely, okay, only the SD-1). The build quality on EHX scares me off, I've heard too many stories....

I am a firm believer in diminishing returns. The most I'll usually pay is about $150, because I don't use effects much (solo boost, chorus...verb I do in the mixing stage). But Analogman stuff rules, he's about the only mfr. I'd pay more than $150 for (I did buy his chorus, and while it was fabulous, I like my Maxon better).
 
Re: Boutique pedals

Well, my fuzz pedal is pretty much da ****. It rocks, on the LED clipping it gets some nasty modern fuzz, but cleans up with the volume and on lower settings it gets Hendrix tones. The Germanium clipping is awesome,
"Wow, check out how transparent my new boutique OD pedal is, I love it!"
Click to expand...
. It's amazing how dynamic it is.
 
Re: Boutique pedals

So much of this topic comes down to personal taste. I think each pedal, whether it be mass produced, boutique or hand made needs to be taken on its own merits. There are also brands and models which have suffered in their "re-issued" or superseded forms. The original 70's MXR's are a completely different thing to the Dunlop re-issues, there is no comparison other than in name. We can't just say "MXR Phase 90" without qualifying between script, block or Dunlop, they are in no way the same thing. The same goes with TubeScreamers. The difference between a TS808 and a TS-9 is substantial, and I can recall the disappointment at the time of the release of the TS-9 that Ibanez had lost the plot.

There are certain builders like Geoffrey Teese, Dave Ulbrick, Zachary Vex, Michael Ibrahim and Kevin Randall who are hand making pedals that will put all mass produced equipment in their competition to shame, whilst providing excellent and informative service to those who are prepared to pay a little extra for their work. In Michael Ibrahim's case, he's making the MI Audio range available at prices which could hardly be considered boutique, and yet the pedals probably deserve that title for their tone and build quality. There are other boutique builders who charge exorbitant prices for lesser build quality, questionable service and tons of hype. One in particular comes to mind who has had quite a lot of success, but you know that when you buy one of his pedals, you are paying for his advertising campaign. Caveat emptor.


Cheers......................wahwah
 
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