How important is name/appearance to you in a pedal???

BigOldHarry · #1 03-03-2011, 04:52 PM

A recent trip to TrueTone music in Santa Monica reminded me of just how many strange pedals exist - many with names that have NOTHING to do with their function, and many with interesting / strange / loud artwork. This got me to thinking... I'm a pragmatic guy with my gear - if I'm shopping for a distortion, I'm looking for a DISTORTION, not a fuzzy-pork-monkey-slapper in bright green & purple...

But I'm just one guy. So here's the question Just how important is zany name & artwork to you - - Be honest! I have NO DOUBT that some of you went out and bought the Swollen Pickle on the name alone...

warwick.hoy · #2 03-03-2011, 04:58 PM

I like to think that function should follow form and I've made space for effects that had the sound I'm looking for but may be a little ugly,...or a space gobbler.

That said I think (and I've been thinking about this a lot) in the booteek world,...a lot of times builders are looking for something that stands out,...be it over the top artwork or a whacky name.

Me personally,...I prefer a simple aesthetic,...but can certainly appreciate having piece of art on my board. I like that some builders have elevated circuit design to an artform as well and will be drawing from that as inspiration in my future endeavors.

kylerrini · #3 03-03-2011, 05:14 PM

*fuzzy-pork-monkey-slapper*

Hahahahah....that's halarious. Thanks for the post. It's just like with women. They must be properly wired inside before the outside matters. But, if you get one that's kickin on the inside and outside, then you're set!

rob_thebassman · #4 03-03-2011, 05:18 PM

artwork is just a bonus in my opinion, i had an idea this afternoon, make my swollen pickle black with yellow writing

chokeslam512 · #5 03-03-2011, 05:38 PM

I'm not sure if I shy away from boss pedals because of their boring look or because of the mushy footswitch. You have me questioning my motives... I do enjoy a good looking pedal though.

Bassmike62 · #6 03-03-2011, 05:38 PM

Tone is king. If the art sucks, but the pedal makes me sound better, I'll go for it. People don't come and see us play for the beauty of the pedals...IMO, IMHO, IMHE, IME, FWIW and other YMMVs...

alexa. · #7 03-03-2011, 05:45 PM

Dunno. To me, looks ARE important to an extent, cuz I won't feel good if I look down and see some ugly pedal looking back at me. If you feel sucky, you play sucky.
Yeah, function is #1, and I'm not even considering a pedal if it sounds bad, but if I look at my pedalboard and see something that pleases me, I'll be happy. I'll play better cuz my mind won't think about stupid things like looks, or even better, it won't think at all

Luckily enough, there are enough alternatives out there to find a similar/same effect that doesn't look bad.
Also, there seems to be a pattern. Creative people make great effects and even better designs.
It's all art to me.

waynobass · #8 03-03-2011, 06:09 PM

Forgot one category.

rob_thebassman · #9 03-03-2011, 06:11 PM

the art on ehx freeze isnt that good but everyone loves that

arsie · #10 03-03-2011, 06:24 PM

I feel that the name is a pure marketing and product recall issue. It is easier to remember Fuzzy Pork Monkey Slapper than Distortion D547 when the pedal is being discussed on a board like this. You leave the computer, go to the store and its easier to remember what to ask for.

The graphics is questionable. Many don't make sense and worse, may put some people off.

What is most important is to be able to identify your pedals at a glance. Boss failed there with the early bass pedals all in the same brown. I know bass players tend to be more mature but really, metallic brown?

Second most important is to see what you have dialed. Hartke Bass Attack has nice little chrome knobs that even in full daylight, you can't see the dialing. Fail. Cheap $0.50 yellow plastic knobs are ugly but visible. I think many of the pedals with busy graphics are guilty of this as well.

Btw, GC has an in-store only sale of the Fuzzy Pork Monkey Slapper for $1400.00.

BigOldHarry · #11 03-03-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynobass

Forgot one category.

I didn't forget it - I *know* that everyone has an opinion, even if they don't want to share it...

BigOldHarry · #12 03-03-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsie

...

Btw, GC has an in-store only sale of the Fuzzy Pork Monkey Slapper for $1400.00.

Yes, but do they have the BASS Fuzzy Pork Monkey Slapper on sale?

FunkMetalBass · #13 03-03-2011, 08:23 PM

I know so little about pedals that the name doesn't affect my purchase (unless it's highly recommended and I want one). I may spend time re-finishing a beat up pedal, but I'll gladly buy a used, beat-up pedal that sounds good.

JMac4strngr · #14 03-03-2011, 08:34 PM

You cant paint a pedal up however you want, call it whatever, but if it doesn't do what I need it to, it is useless and becomes pedal-board clutter.................

jwr · #15 03-03-2011, 08:51 PM

The pedal name means nothing to me. Not going to lie though, I have on occasion been sucked into wanting a pedal based on its name. Granny Puker for one. I mean come on. That's awesome.

I do buy by brand name though if I've liked one pedal or more by a particular builder.

ilovenofrets · #16 03-03-2011, 09:51 PM

I vote for not important at all-although the Boss GT-6B is kinda sweet-looking, in a utilitarian pro-machine kinda way.

Robertron · #17 03-03-2011, 09:59 PM

Tone and usage has always been key to me.

The only time name has mattered to me with pedals is when the name begins with "Behringer." :/

My name is Mudd · #18 03-03-2011, 10:00 PM

I'll take a plain box that sounds wonderful over a fancy box that sucks any day, but if I can get both wonderful and fancy on the same package...and can afford it...

Matt Dean · #19 03-03-2011, 10:32 PM

I'll join the consensus... it really doesn't matter what it looks like. However, I do have some cool looking pedals. Just sort of worked out that way.

Killcram187 · #20 03-03-2011, 10:36 PM

Tone/effect is king but artwork is a big plus