New Pedal Graphics Poll

[speed2dirt]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Random colors are cool for collectibility, but not for me. I think what the Charvel USA production models do with each custom color for a limited time is a great idea. You still know what color you're purchasing, but who knows what's coming next. It creates a demand and limited quanitity, which could drive prices up/down for resale. On the downside, this can promote buying used because they want a specific color that was once offered but no longer available.

2. I would definitely like the relic'd look. Pedals take so much abuse from being stomped on and I like keeping things looking new, so I'm extra careful when it comes to pedals. If someone beat it up for me, I would care less about the looks of the pedals and only about the functionality. However, it would hurt resale value for the consumer. You can tell someone all you want that it came stock beat up, but they will want a much lower price due to the supposed abuse.

3. Functionality must be the same from pedal to pedal, otherwise you'll have a rough time writing a user's manual. Slight appearance differences wouldn't be that big of a deal because they probably wouldn't be noticeable to the average consumer. You could have the M&M affect like B2D said if the differences were noticeable, like this one or that one has the "magic" or "extra mojo".

 

[Top Jimmy]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Random colors - good. If you buy at a store you can still open a box and look. But the color scheme still needs to be easy to read for us blind folk.
2. Relic - bad. People should relic stuff themselves with something called usage.
3. No idea what #3 means, no comment.

 

[andrizzle]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Random colors would be annoying, and there would be a fast turn around on them with people posting F/T threads to try and find the one they wanted. I think it's a bad idea.

2. Relics - I like a good relic'd guitar but I think a relic'd pedal mass-produced from a large company like SD wouldn't go over so well. I know this is a double-standard, but I would probably get a boutique pedal that looked that way.... knowing it was hand-relic'd and fashioned that way almost makes it art... it's like a mass-produced version of the Mona Lisa isn't as special as the real Mona Lisa (don't know if that makes any sense)

3. Ok, here it is straight and I know that a lot of other guys have already said similar things, but I appreciate that you have asked us (your company's true fans) to be honest with you, so I will as well....

I think SD's line of pedals has a problem right now with being instantly recognized, and I think inconsistencies in paint/production would heighten that problem instead of try to resolve it... I honestly think you need to go with a more consistent design, instead of trying to re-invent the layout pedal for each new one you make.
There are too many busy things going on in the background, you have different fonts on every one, the logo is in different area on almost every pedal (and it's the full S logo and the words Seymour Duncan spelled out... that's obtrusive, and doesn't lend to brand recognition IMO), sometimes the knobs are in an arc, sometimes side-by-side, sometimes random all over the place. Last thing is the size consistency of the pedals as well... I know components are different sizes and you need room, but things can be worked around sometimes. A player like me considers pedalboard real estate before buying a pedal and when I am debating between the 4-5" wide Lava Box vs. another overdrive/distortion that does basically the same thing but is only 2.5-3" wide (even if it costs a bit more) I am most likely going to go with the smaller one. (although I owned the Lava Box in the past and it's a great pedal!)

I DO think that the box shape you have is great, and something that is instantly recognizable.


I know this post has seemed a bit like a sh!t fest on your products but I've tried being more constructive than destructive by giving you a few things to think about. I really love the Seymour Duncan company and this forum is a wealth of knowledge... Thanks for giving us the opportunity to give you our input

 

[Mincer]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Will you or the market accept random colors? That is to say, to keep channel inventory simple and add some mystery, will you buy a pedal knowing that color of the pedal you take out of the box will be a surprise?

You are gonna have a bunch of salesmen opening boxes to see what color they are. And a quite a few returns when someone gets 'Sahara Taupe' instead of 'Look at Me, I am Cool' Blue. Just wait until people start posting pics of their pedals online...someone will say 'Oh man, I didn't get that color- that is soooo cool! Hey SD, can I exchange my chassis?'. You can always put a paint chip on the front of the box so people can choose.


2. Does the era of “relic” guitars, aged parts and ragged tweed vintage amps open the door for tough-looking corroded steel pedal casings having random arrested corrosion washes?

It will get relic'd being stepped on. Have you been over to The Gear Page? Those people are insane about keeping pedals pristine.


3. Are random small variances in appearance details acceptable or even interesting on a new electronics item that is immediately destined for the sole of your shoe anyway?

I'd rather the time and money being spent on R&D and sound, rather than 'flavor of the day' marketing ideas. I do think looks are a cool thing, but I like ergonomics too...glow in the dark, and readable legends and cool LEDs that can be seen in darkness as well as bright sunlight.

 

[J Moose]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1 ~ I'm not really into the idea of random "easter egg" surprises when it comes to color. I'd sorta like to know if the widget I buy is going to be green or blue or purple before I open the box.


2 ~ Not really into the idea of "relic" gear myself... not sure that ya'll need to help UPS along by adding more dings, dents & busted knobs on the production line. Resale on a pedal is something I've never been too concerned about, nor are scratches, chips and that sorta thing... as long as it works the way it should. Some people are far more anal about the condition of gear then I am.


3 ~ Some randomness is good... I really like the look of the last two brown stain pedals there. If that's the 'arrested corrosion relic' thing then I'm certainly a fan. Be it swirly paint, MadMax style stains... whatever, I don't mind that sorta thing at all. Its like getting a different piece of flame maple then what's pictured in the catalog. As long as cherry burst is cherry burst and it doesn't turn into 'yellowburst' or 'dark burst' then I could care less about random variations.


Someone (couple people?) brought up the point of the knobs... saying they're like something off a cheap mixer and I sorta agree. They are rather generic. It'd be nice to see some heavy dome "tele style" knobs or something unique and cool rather then the plastic ones being used now. Maybe some art deco 'radio style' knobbies.

 

[Mincer]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I do like the idea of more stylized knobs, although ones with a high contrast pointer so you can look down and see where they are are quickly.
I do like the more industrialized looks of the last few up there, but some 'wash out' the printing on the pedal, so you can't read it well. It might just be part of the photoshopping process.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

i was going to say "nah, ppl will want to know what it's going to look like", but those pics are hawt; i'm loving that heavy-duty vibe.
the guys that suggested SD make some sweet pedals in the US and put them in a metal box are clearly geniuses (cough)

i think the variations are very interesting and would hope that they'd be seen as acceptable, but wouldn't be confident in the random colour approach.
maybe have a bunch of options, and monitor your distributors'/dealers' ordering levels to get a better idea of which ones are most popular (for future projects).
it's likely that some colour schemes would then become rare, and presumedly sought-after; you could put MJ stickers on them he he
; ]

nice one mr falbo, those look fantastic. anxiously awaiting further announcements...

EDIT - has anyone suggested high-visibility knobs yet (just for the white 'pointer' parts)? matches up with the industrial vibe, and would be very handy in a dark bar.

 

[amosrides]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. no and no (sounds like getting a happy meal)

2. yes, but the graphics, font, and some of the colors are cheesy and dont match that theme.

3. yes

 

[Stratman]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

Hard to read, but then again, who can read on a dark stage

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

As a pedal freak and collector, here's my take.

Hey guys, I need your help on something.

1. Will you or the market accept random colors? That is to say, to keep channel inventory simple and add some mystery, will you buy a pedal knowing that color of the pedal you take out of the box will be a surprise?

As cool as different colors are, I'd much rather buy a limited run knowing what the pedal color is rather than not knowing what to get. For example, I love the copperish colored one you posted, and I'd want THAT one, not a pink one. I have a few limited edition ZVex and Skreddy pedals that I bought because I wanted that look specifically.

2. Does the era of “relic” guitars, aged parts and ragged tweed vintage amps open the door for tough-looking corroded steel pedal casings having random arrested corrosion washes?

Absolutely. Again, I love the distressed brass/copper look, something along the lines of James Hetfield's distressed explorer is awesome to me. With modern production techniques you should be able to create enclosures that are nearly post-apocalyptic looking, yet sealed to stay looking that way forever.

3. Are random small variances in appearance details acceptable or even interesting on a new electronics item that is immediately destined for the sole of your shoe anyway?

Again, absolutely. I love the unique nature of ZVex stuff, especially from the earlier part of this decade. Unique stuff is cool to me...


Good luck with the new line!

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Will you or the market accept random colors? That is to say, to keep channel inventory simple and add some mystery, will you buy a pedal knowing that color of the pedal you take out of the box will be a surprise?

I really don't care about the color of my pedals but I think it's a bad idea. Read Mincer's comment about it...

2. Does the era of “relic” guitars, aged parts and ragged tweed vintage amps open the door for tough-looking corroded steel pedal casings having random arrested corrosion washes?

The whole relic fashion is stupid. I'd avoid going into it.


3. Are random small variances in appearance details acceptable or even interesting on a new electronics item that is immediately destined for the sole of your shoe anyway?

Not interesting.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

Guitar players......how boring they can be....
Don't like relic pedals much....but I like different colours....it s like buying a car or a motorike, bicycle...love being able to choose colours for sure

 

[Condemnedsoul]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. No
2. No
3. Maybe

A standardized format and apearence might be a good idea to help with brand recognition.

 

[guitarded]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

Whatever you do and a lot pedal designers make this mistake is DO NOT PLACE KNOBS where foot stomping might change their settings. I have a Small Stone Nano for instance that I really love but they put a mini toggle less than two inches from the switch! I think on the other hand Danelectro Cool Cat pedals solve that issue really nice.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I'd like to be able to choose the color. Also the corroded looking one is the best imo. Especially if it was in a grayscale color index. Looks like a real floor unit and not like a shiny pen holding unit for the desk.

 

[Hecubus]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Will you or the market accept random colors? That is to say, to keep channel inventory simple and add some mystery, will you buy a pedal knowing that color of the pedal you take out of the box will be a surprise?

NO. I try to not even buy pedals of the same color. Things get confusing enough on a dark stage without worrying about the red compressor vs. the red delay.


2. Does the era of “relic” guitars, aged parts and ragged tweed vintage amps open the door for tough-looking corroded steel pedal casings having random arrested corrosion washes?

NO. There is no logic behind this, but pedals seem to be exempt from this fad. Maybe because pedals get abused enough in the process of performing.


3. Are random small variances in appearance details acceptable or even interesting on a new electronics item that is immediately destined for the sole of your shoe anyway?

YES! Pedal design has become an art form of its own. You know when you see a ZVEX or a Freakshow brown rabbit that you are about to step on something that is on a different leevl than a BOSS or Digitech. Again, this has less to do with the quality or sound of the product than it does with aesthetics. However, you still need to be practical. For example, many of the colors shown above do not contrast enough with the text on the pedal. I'm not sure I could read the knob descriptions without getting close up.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Will you or the market accept random colors? That is to say, to keep channel inventory simple and add some mystery, will you buy a pedal knowing that color of the pedal you take out of the box will be a surprise?

NO. I try to not even buy pedals of the same color. Things get confusing enough on a dark stage without worrying about the red compressor vs. the red delay.


2. Does the era of “relic” guitars, aged parts and ragged tweed vintage amps open the door for tough-looking corroded steel pedal casings having random arrested corrosion washes?

NO. There is no logic behind this, but pedals seem to be exempt from this fad. Maybe because pedals get abused enough in the process of performing.


3. Are random small variances in appearance details acceptable or even interesting on a new electronics item that is immediately destined for the sole of your shoe anyway?

YES! Pedal design has become an art form of its own. You know when you see a ZVEX or a Freakshow brown rabbit that you are about to step on something that is on a different leevl than a BOSS or Digitech. Again, this has less to do with the quality or sound of the product than it does with aesthetics. However, you still need to be practical. For example, many of the colors shown above do not contrast enough with the text on the pedal. I'm not sure I could read the knob descriptions without getting close up.

Good points for those who use a lot of pedals.

I would personally choose the corrosion look because I wouldn't use more than 1 or 2 pedals.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I wouldn't offer mystery colors as I personally like to know exactly what I'm getting. I say keep it simple and offer the pedal in a "safe" color (a color most everyone will like) and call it good. The color of a pedal should be the least of anyone's concerns though. What would matter most to me is that the product is reliable, great at what it's supposed to do, built with quality components, and built to last.

 

[playas]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

My choice of pedal has more to do with the sound and usefulness of said equipment. Anything else is purely secondary.

1. Yes. As long as all the options are all pleasant
2. No. I don´t get relicing and probably never will. Reliced gear should always be significantly cheaper as far as I'm concerned.
3. It's not especially clear what you´re getting at here but potentially yes.

 

[tonefreak1527]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. GOD NO, i color code (orange is distortion, blue is OD, green is delay etc.)
2. NO, i relic the old fashioned way, play the living daylights out of it
3. go right ahead, life needs SOME randomness