Credit where Credit is Due

[warwick.hoy]

I'm not trying to stir up troubles for Eric (letsgocoyote),...but be aware that a company is cloning the Mellowtone Wolf Computer.

The company in question is Magnetic Audiotone and the pedal is the BitPit. It is almost exactly the same circuit (save one transistor value swap out) as the Wolf CPU and cops the sounds convincingly (the bumf is even similar).

Word on the street is that the two parties are trying to reach some sort of amicable settlement on the issue but currently,...I'm not finding anywhere in Magnetic bumf where the original circuit is credited. To the casual observer you'd think that it was an original design by Magnetic.

Again,...I'm not trying to cause a ****storm as letsgocoyote is playing it cool as cucumber at the moment,...I'm just spreading the word.

Wolf Computer Cloner

[Eric!]

Diplomacy approved

[Gero]

Soo so dirty. You outta AT LEAST give credit to Eric there mr magnetic audio.

[warwick.hoy]

To Clarify Eric! and Eric aka Letsgocoyote aka the proprietor of Mellowtone Music Electronics are two different people.

Also to be clear,...I'm not passing judgement on Magnetic,...I have my bias and while it may be obvious I think it best to keep my opinions to myself. I'm not interested in mudslinging, I'm just presenting the facts as I'm made aware of them.

[warwick.hoy]

And to be fair,...Word on the street is that Magnetic is going to sell the remaining stock of BitPits and end further production as per Eric's request.

I think Magnetic does deserves some props for stepping up to the plate and doing the right thing.

[henryjurstin13]

Regardless of the situation -- if it ends that politely; then yes, a thank you is deserved by Magnetic for ending production. I feel like this general issue is about to be the storm of the century in the electric guitar world. Several years ago, PRS/Gibson made some pretty big headlines over the PRS Singlecut... I doubt these pedal companies will ever get these headlines, but I've already heard of at least 3 of these scenarios...

[warwick.hoy]

At the very least Magnetic Audiotone has garnered some publicity out of this. I had never heard of them until Eric of Mellowtone pointed out the clone.

For sure there are several other fiascoes that have resulted in a lot of butthurtedness and animosity but I am loathed to call attention to those. The fact that this is playing out as gracefully as it is is certainly good.

In the booteek builder community,...there is no shame in cloning and improving upon mainstream designs (IE Tubescreamers, Muffs and Fuzz Faces),...but making no bones about what those circuits are based on or inspired by seems to be par for the course, either directly in the name of the pedal or roundabout in manufacturer bumf.

While I think it's apropos to clone another independent builder,...if you are going to do so,...I agree with Gero that at the very least,...you should credit the original designer.

Take Zvex for example,...in his vid for the Wooly Mammoth Zach makes it a point to credit Chuck Zwicky as the original designer of the circuit. In fact I think every hand painted WM has "designed by Chuck Zwicky" painted on the bottom of the enclosure. If someone as controversial as Vex is gracious enough to give credit where credit is due,...I don't think it's out of line to expect other builders to follow suit.

Eric took the high road and his levelheadedness is certainly a thing to behold and an example for all booteek builders with an internet presence and any sort of sleuthing skills. So props to him as well.