This guy is a master at alienating his consumer marketplace.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
3Leaf Audio Club - Episode 2
- Thread starter fivestringgecko
- Start date
The Japanese version looks particularly amazing! The new printing process is working wonders.
Very much a collector’s item I’d say, it’ll probably retain its value overtime even if used
Sure.
A few shops over here have them in stock, if any of you is looking for one (through forward services and so).
I agree, the japanese version totally looks like a collector's item.
For real? If so, that's pretty messed up given how this was marketed. I'm sure the remaining units would have sold in the next day or two. But I guess that would be unacceptably slow relative to the previous sales, even though the whole point of making more of these is to improve their availability?
Last edited:
So wait, it was limited to "international" only, excluding Canada, and then he opened it up to Canada mid-drop?
This supports my long standing suspicions that there has been institutional buying/scalping involved here.
There's already models for sale in Japan? I thought he dropped his dealer sales? I see a Japanese dealer selling for ¥74,800, roughly 500usd, so they're either selling one (or more) before they receive them, after purchasing them, or a deal was worked out before hand with the maker, for more than the already raised price.
Was the "international only" known before hand, or did the poor souls that waited until 12, or 3am in my case, find out at the last minute?
Was the "international only" known before hand, or did the poor souls that waited until 12, or 3am in my case, find out at the last minute?
It was known: 50 for a Japanese dealer (and the price you mention is their list price, I think), and 50 for non-US and Canadian customers.
I really really hope Spenerka doesn't come out with some rad new pedal. This game doesn't seem fun at all.
This 100%. Milking the opportunity to raise prices and bundle with items that don’t typically sell, under the guise of making things more available to consumers.
I don’t really have an issue with the tactics - it’s his business. It’s more about the ever-evolving excuses and contradictions. It’s cool that you want to stack money. Just be honest, and don’t treat the consumers like they’re dumb. Especially when your motives are super transparent…
I think I’m correct in saying that the Japanese Proton is still available from the Japanese distributor’s shop (it’s in the Ninevolt store once you’ve clocked the online store dropdown), and worldwide delivery is around $20. That said, I don’t speak Japanese so please take that with caution!
Yes kind of defeats the international only releases... the world is a small place. Not to mention all the remailing services in JP
I take your point but I’m happy there is still an avenue for US folks to obtain one. I would hope that reimporting a US made item shouldn’t incur importation costs either.
I’ve lost out on more than a few pedals because, having entered my address I’ve clicked UK instead of US and I’ve had to enter it again, so I think international releases were an interesting idea. I’m not sure how I’d feel if a UK brand sold something overseas only though but, if I really wanted it and had the means, I’d probably try to chase it down if I could.
I spent months F5ing multiple times a day during COVID to try to see if Spencer would ever release more pedals. That’s maybe not the best benchmark but I’m glad he has released more and I’m glad that the next runs are ramping up the number of pedals available too because I really like what he makes.
I can't pretend to understand nor do I necessarily agree with Spencer's business model, but I think you're woefully out of touch with reality if you think he's "stacking bills" selling a couple thousand pedals and a couple hundred preamps a year.
hmm well the basic math is over 30k a month.... Im sure his margins are unbelievable. If 3leaf had stock Id have it in my portfolio
Last edited:
Having spent several years working for a 'Board House' (PCB fabrication) & a 'Fixture House' (PCB QA device manufacturer).... I can tell you that his margins are most likely not nearly as large as you might think they are. PCB fab, population, & testing is expensive. Sheet metal enclosures are also very expensive if you're not fabricating them yourself (Spencer isn't). The price of components + steel has skyrocketed since 2020, and labor rates are ever increasing. Then add in the ~35% that goes to the government as a small business owner.
