Why is it that all the 'original' pedals are better?

[BrandonBass]

With all the advancement in technology u'd figure that the pedals would be of better quality. why is that people are always spending twice the amount for the same pedal but of a different/discontinued version?

[BigOldHarry]

Sometimes the older/modified version *is* better
Sometimes it's because folks want to feel exclusive.

This can apply to amps, basses as well as fx.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Sometimes the older/modified version *is* better
Sometimes it's because folks want to feel exclusive.

This can apply to amps, basses as well as fx.

then why wouldnt the companies re-make their so called 'classic' version of a certain amp or pedal? Wouldnt it make sense? Since if its mass produced, most likely itd be cheaper and itd attract more customers.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

With all the advancement in technology u'd figure that the pedals would be of better quality. why is that people are always spending twice the amount for the same pedal but of a different/discontinued version?

I think often it's psychological, moreso with pedals than other bass gear. With basses (especially production basses) it may well be that the older construction methods had less cost cutting measures. With amps (well, at least tube amps) the number of expert engineers in that field is smaller now than it was decades ago.

As for pedals, there is the chance that components used previously aren't available but that's often not the case. My own experience with quite a few vintage pedals is that I'm often disappointed. Often they have larger than necessary enclosures, odd power requirements and most often they are far noiser and/or have tone sucking bypass.

Count me as one that leans toward newer pedals than vintage ones. And when I say vintage, I don't mean the Meatball that was discontinued at in 2001.

I will say that there are some vintage pedals that lived up to the hype though. The Jet Phase sounds exactly like I thought it would, and the Musitronics Octave Divider, Mutron and Phasor II are all awesome and worth the hassles I mentioned above.

[odin70]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

then why wouldnt the companies re-make their so called 'classic' version of a certain amp or pedal? Wouldnt it make sense? Since if its mass produced, most likely itd be cheaper and itd attract more customers.

Some companies earn more when they produce/sell cheap and bad stuff than more expensive and better stuff. Old stuff is somethimes better because companies always wants to earn more and more money, therefore they cut expenses like in production and parts.

Sometimes its just hype made by others who wants to make money on old stuff..

A good rule when it comes to equipment...never trust others..only your own ears. If it sounds good, it is good.

[Ric5]

Why is it that all the 'original' pedals are better?

The same reason old basses are better,
old cars are better,
old amps are better,
old songs are better,
old bands are better,

For some people the good old days are just better than everything new.

It is a matter of preference.

Myself I usually prefer the newer technology, but for me sometimes the old version is better.

[Clark Dark]

IMHO I think it's the construction, especially the electronics. Germanium transistors have different characteristics than FET or MOSFET's. Today digital is the word while yesteryear analog was king.

[Valerus]

Some of the original pedals have a hard time being duplicated. Some of them are just literally better than the new ones.

But some get redesigned and are actually not as good. I don't have an example right now in my head.

[iD Entity]

I also think it's a psychological thing... a lot of people grow up listening to certain bassists, and certain bass sounds, and they want to emulate or recreate the sounds they associate with their instrument. Because these inspiring bassists were using gear of their era, in order to recreate that sound, you have to take up gear of that era as well... hence vintage. If you hear something newer, it doesn't have that same quality to your ears, because it's not what you've associated the instrument's tone should optimally be.

Basically the older stuff sounds better, because that's the gear that was being used by the people who inspired you..?

[bassbrad]

I agree with Jared and Harry. Having owned many of the originals as well as the updates it may all be a matter of taste. For example I had a Maestro Brass Master for years but never really used it much for several reasons- size, noise, bypass power supply- it sounded great but those issues kept it just for occasional studio use. I have a GGG Brass master clone that fixed all of those issues and it's now an essential tool for me and the Brass master gone bye bye sold to pay some bills.

[blastjv]

A lot of great points.

I think that there is another point to be made; if a certain pedal get a certain reputation at a certain point in time, and later the specs of that pedal are changed in a way that alters the sound, people will desire the 'original' version.

It is true that sometimes this is just a matter of ego, or people "listening with their eyes", but it is often a very valid concern.

One example that comes to mind is that I had tried a few Boss DS-1 Distortion pedals and hated them all, then once I got an older Made in Japan version as part of a package deal on Craigslist with another pedal I actually wanted. The MIJ version was SO much nicer sounding than the made in Taiwan versions I had tried previously it wasn't even funny!!! It wasn't a sound I needed, so I sold it, and since I wasn't expecting anything I am confident I wasn't just drinking the vintage Koolaid...I didn't care either way.


-JV

[kevteop]

Originally Posted by Valerus

But some get redesigned and are actually not as good. I don't have an example right now in my head.

EHX Bass Micro Synth.

[SeanSaliSE]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

then why wouldnt the companies re-make their so called 'classic' version of a certain amp or pedal? Wouldnt it make sense? Since if its mass produced, most likely itd be cheaper and itd attract more customers.

Lots of companies do that. Release "vintage" re-issue models. IMHO alot of people say the older stuff sounds better because the newer components usually used in production cant reproduce the same kind of frequency roll-offs or warmness or other bs. Similar reason guitar heads still have vacuum tubes. Solid state power is the latest technology but people still swear by the tube sound when it comes to guitar. Perhaps bass heads too... for some people.

[Chrisk-K]

Old effect models are not necessarily better. It's all about placebo effects. The same applies to vintage instruments.

[My name is Mudd]

While all that is true, I still think my '79 NYC Muff sounds better than my friend's current version.

[cybersnyder]

I think a lot of it is that the original is *the* sound.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

With all the advancement in technology u'd figure that the pedals would be of better quality. why is that people are always spending twice the amount for the same pedal but of a different/discontinued version?

Because there is one born every minute. Trust your ears not the hype.

[dave956]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I think a lot of it is that the original is *the* sound.

Back in the day components were not built to the same tolerances as they are today. The extra "slop" if you will produced a different sound that units built to tighter tolerances. Manufacturing
techniques for guitars, amps, effects cars whatever are more advanced and produce superior products, IMHO. Whether or not you like them or not, but my 2001 Subaru is A LOT more reliable than '71 Pinto was My GK550 is a lot more reliable than my 1970 Ampeg V4B was. BUT if your old amp/pedal/bass makes you happy, you'll play better, so go for it!

[JazznFunk]

...My Boss OC-2 from 1986 (Japan) does indeed sound better and track better than the last 2 newer Taiwan-made models I owned and sold over the last decade. Sometimes older IS better.

[Explorer]

One can rarely argue across the board one way or the other.

With that said, I doubt many people are currently posting to this forum with a computer from the '80s.... *laugh*