Why are Mutron III's so Expensive? Are the going up in value?

OhulahanBass · #1 06-02-2010, 09:33 AM

I occasionally browse the bay and Craig’s list for Mutron's to help some of my buddies who have fallen in love with mine find one. Seems that over the last year they have gone from 300-500 to 800-1000 in price. Why?

I got mine fully restore with all the original knobs for $250, perhaps the vintage (guitar only) store didn't know what they had. The guy said $160 had been invested for a restore in 2007. I'll never get rid of it even though it is approaching the value of top of the line amplifiers.

I wasn't trying to brag, well maybe a little

, but the Mutrons on ebay are in worse condition, missing knobs, rust, no restore reports... Why so much more?

Should a Mutron III cost as much as an Ampeg SVT-CL? Or a Fender twin reverb?

Don't get me wrong, I think the Mutron is the greatest filter there is, I just think the prices are getting silly for something that is so plentiful... there are allot of these out there.

kaputsport · #2 06-02-2010, 09:39 AM

Same reason Deep Impacts are commanding so much money. Supply and Demand.

If the G5, Deep Impact, Mutron, Blueberry and other rare hard to find pedals were no longer rare and hard to find, what else could drive the price up???

OhulahanBass · #3 06-02-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Same reason Deep Impacts are commanding so much money. Supply and Demand.

If the G5, Deep Impact, Mutron, Blueberry and other rare hard to find pedals were no longer rare and hard to find, what else could drive the price up???

How rare could they be when there are 5 of them on ebay at any given time? It's my understanding that there are allot of these out there because they use to be the only option for a envelope follower pedal.

Which I suppose means there must be a gigantic demand for them. But more than a portaflex? Perhaps I haven't tried enough lesser filters to fully appreciate my Mutron (even though it is my second favorite piece of gear next to my J-bass).

Muziekschuur · #4 06-02-2010, 09:53 AM

The new MXR filter is really rockin.... m82 that is....

OhulahanBass · #5 06-02-2010, 10:00 AM

The M82 is the only filter I've kept next to my Mutron; it’s great but only has one sound. The M82 is my kind of nasty! Its great and of the same "Mutron" caliber IMO, but it can not get Mutron sound (more of a DOD sound). Likewise, the Mutron can not sound like the M82, which makes them a necessary pair for me.

Together the can take you porn universe where every thing is wet and sexy but thats for another thread, this is about the Mutron.

bongomania · #6 06-02-2010, 10:14 AM

Here's the question: Did those Mutrons with crazy-high price tags actually sell for those amounts? Because what I've seen since the start of the recession is a particular type of insane hopeful desperation where seller lists things for what their value might have been if the dotcom boom hadn't burst, but instead had kept growing. IOW it's like the peak prices that vintage items could command in 1999/2000, plus 10 years' inflation. I think it's panic, blind panic. Somebody's been out of work for a couple years and their retirement fund was taken care of by Bernie Madoff, so they flail around trying to sell what they can, for the maximum amount of money they imagine it "should" be worth. It's actually quite sad to see. They just don't see that we're all in the same boat.

Over on TGP recently a guy advertised a used pedal FS for $200, when they sell new for $199 w/ free ship. When challenged about it, he said "my pedal is $1 better than new".

**jbybj** · #7 06-02-2010, 10:23 AM

important point. Never judge prices by what they are listed for on ebay, judge by what they have sold for. Search "completed listing". You will often find that the widget listed for an insanely high price, has actually been listed 8 times before at the same price, and still nobody is buying.

OhulahanBass · #8 06-02-2010, 10:32 AM

All good points, I guess I was just shocked at 5 not in great shape mutrons for $ 800-1200. I should get four mutrons for that much. I have noticed amps listed in the classifieds for the same or $25 more than a commonly known eBay,GC,MF negotiable price new, but never several hundred more. I agree with Bongo, it's just sad.

OhulahanBass · #9 06-02-2010, 10:34 AM

I imagine from the look of the eBay stores these are actual used retailers or pawn shops.

CallMeBlind · #10 06-02-2010, 10:40 AM

I don't think that someone is buying those 800-1200$ mutrons. I might sell mine soon and I've checked recent ads in "for sale" section, defenetily noone is taking mutrons for more than 500$.

OhulahanBass · #11 06-02-2010, 10:48 AM

That's good, I guess I just wanted to vent. Those prices had me angry for a while. Good to know no one is silly enough to pay those prices, maybe if it was NOS I'd feel better about them. Still, why would five ads post for stupid high prices if no one ever paid them?

savinggrace · #12 06-02-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Here's the question: Did those Mutrons with crazy-high price tags actually sell for those amounts? Because what I've seen since the start of the recession is a particular type of insane hopeful desperation where seller lists things for what their value might have been if the dotcom boom hadn't burst, but instead had kept growing. IOW it's like the peak prices that vintage items could command in 1999/2000, plus 10 years' inflation.

You hit it directly on the nose!

Funkinthetrunk · #13 06-05-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhulahanBass

I occasionally browse the bay and Craig’s list for Mutron's to help some of my buddies who have fallen in love with mine find one. Seems that over the last year they have gone from 300-500 to 800-1000 in price. Why?

I got mine fully restore with all the original knobs for $250, perhaps the vintage (guitar only) store didn't know what they had. The guy said $160 had been invested for a restore in 2007. I'll never get rid of it even though it is approaching the value of top of the line amplifiers.

I wasn't trying to brag, well maybe a little

, but the Mutrons on ebay are in worse condition, missing knobs, rust, no restore reports... Why so much more?

Should a Mutron III cost as much as an Ampeg SVT-CL? Or a Fender twin reverb?

Don't get me wrong, I think the Mutron is the greatest filter there is, I just think the prices are getting silly for something that is so plentiful... there are allot of these out there.

Mutron III's overrated.

CallMeBlind · #14 06-05-2010, 12:07 PM

Yesterday I was watching one of them on ebay, it has 2 damaged knobs. Starting price was 325$. Bidding ended with no bids. So it's no that bad. I'm trying to sell my for couple of days, without much result, I guess people simply don't want them anymore. Because mu-tron is pretty much one trick pony. Why would you want to pay 600$ for Mu-tron if you can buy 3 source audio pedals for this price for instance or few other top quality envelope filters. I guess tomorrow I'll put mine on ebay 0.01$ no reserve and see what happens.

FilterFunk · #15 06-05-2010, 06:29 PM

They do still sell, but most people aren't going crazy, though. However, original Mu-Tron IIIs calibrated by Lingenburg Sound, especially if the dodgy power supply has been dealt with, go for $500-$600, and they're well worth it. It's "THE" sound. A lot of the new filters are great, and a precious few truly come close, but I think there's just something about that older circuitry that's makes it special. Even with sentimentality and irrational reverence for vintage gear out of the equation, nothing sounds quite like a top-condition original Mu-Tron III, IMO.

OhulahanBass · #16 06-05-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilterFunk

They do still sell, but most people aren't going crazy, though. However, original Mu-Tron IIIs calibrated by Lingenburg Sound, especially if the dodgy power supply has been dealt with, go for $500-$600, and they're well worth it. It's "THE" sound. A lot of the new filters are great, and a precious few truly come close, but I think there's just something about that older circuitry that's makes it special. Even with sentimentality and irrational reverence for vintage gear out of the equation, nothing sounds quite like a top-condition original Mu-Tron III, IMO.

Mine was restored by Lingenburg and it is hands down my favorite filter, though I'm not crazy about the Lingenburg charger. Purhaps I have not had enough time on Funkinthetrunk's gorgeous rig, but as of now the Mutron III is the greatest to my ears.

One hit wonder?...to some but not me. My two favorite filter sounds are the low and high ranges while on the up sweep, they sound completely different to me. The down sweeps are also great and sound SWEAT NASTY used after the M82 or a good dirt pedal. I love both its clean and dirty sounds. I've tried many 200+ filters with a dirt pedal to get the "synth" sound and the Mutron takes the cake. I need to record a demo to prove its versatility.

For ones that sell over 500 I agree with Funkinthetrunk, your pedal is overrated at that price. Around 300 is reasonable. But if you think calling them "the sound" is an over statement you need to talk to Bootsy.

OhulahanBass · #17 06-05-2010, 07:13 PM

Just went to Lingenburg's site, looks like some new charger options. The one at the bottom has me GASing for a voodoo labs charger.

Funkinthetrunk · #18 06-06-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhulahanBass

Purhaps I have not had enough time on Funkinthetrunk's gorgeous rig, but as of now the Mutron III is the greatest to my ears.

Cometh 26th, you will.

CallMeBlind · #19 06-07-2010, 02:12 AM

Well, maybe I would somehow understand this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
but not this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

bassbmx · #20 06-07-2010, 04:34 AM

I'm bracing myself to drop around $1500 on both the Mutron-III and the Octaver next year if I can get the cash together.

It's got to the point for me where it's totally worth that much to me to get the filter sound in my head.