New Pedal Graphics Poll

[frankfalbo]

Hey guys, I need your help on something.

At NAMM in January, we will be launching some new pedals that we will make here, in the United States. We are considering a sub-brand to differentiate premium US-made effects pedals from our current California-designed/off shore manufactured offerings. Part of the differentiation might be cued by the cosmetic design and finish of the chassis. Our current pedals use a steel chassis, and are painted. Below are some photographs that simulate proposed finishes on an existing pedal, Déjà Vu. The finishes were real, but they're all done on raw chassis and the Deja Vu graphics are overlayed in photoshop. To be clear, we won't be doing this to the Deja Vu, it's just an example. Also DON'T ASK about what the new pedals are! :nono::laugh2: I can't say yet, but when I can, I will.

We’re interested in what you think both personally and about how the market might respond to these alternatives. For the US-made products, we’re considering options with a more forged, industrial, raw machine appearance. The options you see have a combination of durable colors more like stain or ink than like paint, and textured machine or engine-turned finishes. Also included here are interesting finishes best described as “arrested corrosion.” General comments are invited and welcome, but I've got a few specific questions for you:

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?


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?


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?

 

[guitarded]

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?

Yes. A good pedal is a good pedal. I think most people would feel the same.


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.. I would not really dig a relic'd pedal. I don't even dig the guitars. I don't "get" folks paying extra for what I try to avoid happening to my guitars.

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 have no problem with appearance as long you don;t mess with functionality and ergonomics. If the engagement switch is 4CM from the bottom of pedal A it better be in the same place for pedal B. Colors and graphics are unimportant though.

 

[ErikH]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I like the idea. When it comes to color, I personally could care less. As long as the pedal does what it is supposed to do and does it well, color doesn't matter to me. However, I would not go random color with one pedal. Sometimes a color gets associated with a certain "type" of pedal. For example, to me; yellow or green = overdrives, orange = phasers, white = delays, black = distortions, blue = chorus. Yes, they fall in line right with what Boss uses but so do a lot of other manufacturers, and it's for a reason.... instant recognition.

Just IMO, I think whole road worn, relic, stressed or aged finish thing on instruments is about to fade out, just like the whole insane flame maple top with burst finishes went.

What you have here in the examples is really nice. They would attract me based entirely on the name on the enclosure, not necessarily the color or graphics. The name "Seymour Duncan" has a greater impact to the market than the color of the enclosure, but a nice looking enclosure can be cool too. Heck, Boss didn't sell millions of pedals using fancy graphics.

Look at it like this, does it cost much more to make the finishes look like that or can a few bucks be saved to go with simple solid colors while maintaining the distinctiveness of them being made in U.S.A.. In this day and age, I think it might be a good idea to have "Made Proudly in the U.S.A." or "Made In U.S.A." on the top of the enclosure in big enough to read letters while standing over it.

The simple fact that there will be made in U.S.A. offerings has me interested.

 

[phil_104]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I'm really digging the finishes with the machines "circle" patterns, but more on the vivid colors like the teal, blue and purple. The last two, more drippy looking browns, do nothing for me.

Just my opinion, but here goes ...

1. Random colors : It's something I would probably be cool with, but I think generally speaking, the consumer likes to have control over what they buy. Knowing that your pedals will be high quality, and have an (understandably) according cost, I think most would prefer to know in advance, and be able to choose the color if the option is offered. What will most likely happen if the random color idea goes through, is that you will have people ordering at their dealers, and then choosing the color in store anyways, or just leaving the pedals if they don't like the finish they get.

2. Relic pedals : I don't think the idea is to great myself. I understand guitars and amps, as often they are reissues of older models that we have come to idolize. Pedals on the other hand, in my opinion, can look vintage (thinking of the original Big Muff), but it would just seems strange to actually distress them. There is always a market for that stuff, but for the bulk of guitar players who know and love your products, a relic job on a pedal would just seem like a gimmic, and serve as a distraction to the actual quality and purpose of the pedal, I think.

3. Small details : I, and a lot of people I know, love the small details. I think ZVex does a wonderful job with their pedals of getting those neat little paint jobs on there. The hand painted series they have are all different, and it ads a certain feel of individuality and character to them Some will not notice, but some will appreciate it. If it's no trouble to add them in the production, and they are going on in the process of finishing the pedal anyways, why not. Done properly, it gives the pedal a more "made by hand" appearance, which some will appreciate.

So yeah, that's what I think.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I like the look of the more muted colors, but the more saturated the finish is, the less industrial the look. I've always been more than willing to buy a pedal whose color I didn't like, because...well...it's a pedal, so random colors wouldn't be a deal breaker, but if the pedal comes in different colors, I'd rather choose which one I get rather than risk ending up with that teal or purple.

Honestly, the biggest hurdle I see personally in my buying a USA-made Duncan pedal is going to be price. The price of the existing pedals puts them just a notch or two above impulse-buy for me, which feels about right. I don't mind spending $150 on a pedal, but I'm not going to do it on nearly as minor a whim as I would for an $80 pedal. If the price goes up to $350, th new pedals are gonna get filed with Zvex's non-Vexter stuff: looks kinda cool, but I'm probably not gonna bother.

 

[Got_tone?]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Random colors seem like a cool idea, but I'd still like the option of choosing the color I want though.

2. No relics on pedals

3. Lets face it, guitar players can be very shallow, the appearance of a pedal DOES matter.

edit: Can't wait to see these new pedals. :reporter:

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I don't ned/want my pedal relic'd, but I don't mind a raw looking pedal. The FTL Drive pedal is very rough and tumble in appearance, and I like it.

 

[dd12939]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I personally prefer a cleaner looking product - so I like a little less the bright red example, and I like less than that the last two examples.

One issue with different colors could be that people tend to associate different colors with different pedals (TS = Green, Dist+ = Yellow, etc). I know you can just say "well... read what the words say" but I'm just thinking about shop-display recognition. That said, I personally like the idea of different colors.

So to answer your questions:
1) yes
2) please don't
3) yes, depending on the type of finish. (paint strokes/runs, yes. chips/divots, not so much)

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

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 would, not sure about other players. And there's some players who would be disappointed by, say, pink with rainbows. Actually, I think I'd kinda be disappointed with that.

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?
I can see (and have seen, to some extent) this happening in the boutique pedal market.

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?
Yeah, I think it's getting to be like wood grain. Or jeans.

 

[jeremy]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

i think they are cool and i would happily get one not knowing what design i would get, but i dont think im most people.

relic'd looking pedals are ok, actually relic'd pedals are something i would not be interested in.

 

[bluesbend]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

As long as the tonal quality is worth what the cost to me will be, it doesn't matter much to me what the thing looks like.

 

[B Bent]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I have been so hesitant to ever say this because I love the SD Company, Brand, and all the offerings from you guys, but the new pedals really need an upgraded look. I have never been a fan of the look of any SD pedals. I mean that in the most constructive way ever so please dont hear this the wrong way.

I love the sound of ever single pedal you guys do. I just picked up a DeJaVu and it is stellar. It also is the best looking of the pedals too.

 

[Bones]

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 think most would like to know what color their box will be.

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?

I do not think so.

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 don't think most people care about that stuff

I wish yall would make something with pastels

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. No. I don't know anybody who would roll the dice with hundreds of dollars. People like to know exactly which finish they're getting.

2 & 3. I honestly think a big company like Duncan should focus on cool uniform graphics, logos, updated knobs, higher quality switches, and upgrade any weak link which has lead to warranty issues in the past.

I don't know what your options are, but it would be nice to see the whole pedal line revamped and brought back to the US, with all the upgrades I mentioned, even if the pedals cost a bit more. Maybe cancel a few of the weak sellers, and focus on a limited number of staple pedals that have new enclosures, knobs, switches etc. Otherwise, the US pedals could degrade the reputation of the overseas version.

Or another option is to keep them overseas, but address every weakness and upgrade some parts. Maybe a new enclosure, knobs, and graphics across the board. I'm not sure I'd venture into the timely looking aged/distressed look. Those trends are better left to small boutique brands. I think Duncan should look more like Fulltone pedals with fancier graphics......uniform graphics, not handmade looking.

That's just my opinion. If I could throw out any new idea, I'd like to see SD come out with an Amp Attenuator.....versatile, and high quality, like the Dr. Z Airbrake, Weber Mass, or Ultimate Attenuator. For it's logo, use the steel S logo found on the straps.
As a matter of fact, use a smaller version of that metal logo on your new pedals.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Personally I would want to choose exactly what pedal I'm getting if I'm buying it new.
2. I don't really like relic guitars, let alone amps and pedals.
3. Minor detail differences don't really appeal/detract from a pedal in my opinion.

 

[DoronEsh]

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 random colors. Colors make sense on a board. It's not like you should use the same color codes for dist./phase/delay as Boss does. You may develope your own lang. of color codes as long as you stick to it. If you have good user response for your current color scheme, stay there.

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?

Yes and no. Don't over-do it. It should look natural. I personally don't like reliced stuff, koz I like to make my own patina, but I know others drool, so it might be a good marketing decision. Just be careful not to 'stain' the SD brand as a too-much-sugar-in-my-coffee one. You're a 'clean' company. Keep it that way.

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?

Sure. Looks may kill.

 

[B2D]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

Wow.. cool stuff. I'll have to give you my full answer tonight when I get off of work.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I feel like people may get pissed that they didn't get "X" color if they were randomized.

Relic'd guitars are partially a "feeling" type of thing, e.g. the back of the neck being worn in. A pedal doesn't benefit in any way except for cosmetically.
On the other hand, the two examples of the corroded ones look absolutely awesome.

The third one seems like an interesting question. Not sure, but might some people interpret random minor changes in appearance as some QC issue?

The green and the white one look awesome too!

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

I have been so hesitant to ever say this because I love the SD Company, Brand, and all the offerings from you guys, but the new pedals really need an upgraded look. I have never been a fan of the look of any SD pedals. I mean that in the most constructive way ever so please dont hear this the wrong way.

I love the sound of ever single pedal you guys do. I just picked up a DeJaVu and it is stellar. It also is the best looking of the pedals too.

I kinda agree. Not in a mean way because I love the pedals but they don't look as nice on a board as say EH or MXR.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: New Pedal Graphics Poll

1. Personally i would want to choose exactly what pedal i'm getting if i'm buying it new.
2. I don't really like relic guitars, let alone amps and pedals.
3. Minor detail differences don't really appeal/detract from a pedal in my opinion.

+1