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3Leaf Audio Club - Episode 2
- Thread starter fivestringgecko
- Start date
I’m not sure whether it was available or not in US territories. I appreciated the chance to help international buyers (as opposed to some manufacturers that refuse to ship outside the US) and was pointing out that it was still possible (and I think is still possible) for a Proton from this run to be bought by those in the US.
I think Pladask Elektrisk runs a system where a certain number of pedals from each run can only be bought in Norway. Perhaps a way to increase international customers’ chances could be to allocate a portion for US or international sale only? Hopefully though the upcoming run numbers will make the point largely academic and put those pedals in the same difficulty to acquire bracket as established Cog, Broughton or Iron Ether pedals (noting that anything new by Spencer, Broughton, Iron Ether or Cog would almost certainly result in an instant sellout).
it was, I thought about having one of my many Guam Army buddies ordering one.
I think the point of no return is $400. At that point the pedal costs twice as much as a similarly designed effect. It should maintain 80% of its value on the secondary market. The term-“Boutique Pedal” should only apply to limited edition pedals. Their relative rarity makes them desirable. Most important- it should sound noticeably better than anything else to a wide enough audience to support its hyperbole.
This is the same concept that prevents me from buying a Noble. I have the Khan VTDI, which is subjectively in the same league as the Noble while only being a fraction of the price (especially when comparing used).
Without putting much thought into it, I think I would expect at least 50-100% over what a large pedal manufacturer would charge.
I think that if you fancy the Noble, and can come to terms with the 10 month wait, $1300 isn’t insane. The Noble occupies a singular niche in that you can resell it @ 150% of its original purchase price and not even raise an eyebrow. I’d imagine you’d never look back, but i know that if i owned one, it wouldn’t make me a better player. The biggest problem i see in owning the Noble, or any boutique pedal is the thought that you can’t really take them out of your house without the type of vigilance reserved for toddlers.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
I thought that was what off-leash parks were for…
Yeah that’s my main issue… I’m happy to pay 300aud for a pedal at the max… even though some things do more then if I bought two cheaper pedals. I’ve been reluctant to get into the high end dark glass, big multi effects ( stomp etc) and others from this.. only exception I’ve had is the Justin chancellor wah but that was kind of a 3 in 1 pedal ( straight fuzz, clean wah or fuzz wah)
I do miss my buying from 2010-2019 though where buying a doom was a “it will always be there at a cheap price so doesn’t matter if ai sell it and try to come back for it”..whoops!
Enough to allow the maker to make a living out of it and produce more of them.
I started to evaluate my recent pedal purchases based on how much I will actually use it. With that in mind, I started valuing preamps and comps more than something like fuzz, octave or envelope filters because I use the former more often and for a wider variety of music. If I was doing tons of synth stuff I would value the latter more, as I have in the past. More use, more value to me and I don't mind spending bigger bucks. It's not as fun to go for the more utilitarian pedals but they impact my sound more at this time. All that said, I almost bit on the Sakura Proton because it looks so good.
Probably 2-3 times what an industrially produced counterpart would cost. When I purchase a high end boutique pedal I always research what the resale value would be. If it is at least what I paid for, I do not mind coughing up more €s, if I can afford them at that point in time, as I see these as an investment which I can turn back into liquidity quite easily, and get all my money back, including postage and import taxes. Same story with vintage pedals. In the long run, it may be cheaper turning boutique or vintage pedals than mass produced ones, which lose value in the second hand market. I doubt boutique builders make a killing with the business, considering all the costs involved, but if they do good for them! They will always have my business regardless of their business and marketing strategy.
Given the current state of the economy in general, boutique gear doesn’t seem to be that risky an investment. Looking back to just 2022, some of these gizmos have nearly doubled in value since. Go back to 2020, look at COG gear, unobtanium, and some of the 3 Leaf, and you may be shocked at what this gear was going for just four years ago. I put a minimum resale value of 80% after shipping on recent gear, and feel that the ROI, particularly if you have enjoyed playing the gear to be worth the money spent. Nobody is getting rich flipping gear, but its cheaper than golfing.
100%! I should add that I never plan to flip pedals, nor I do to make a profit. Best case scenario I try to get my money back, or go down 10/20%. I always buy with the hope of loving and keeping the pedal, which we all know is wishful thinking. I flipped a few Broughtons recently which didn’t feel right in my pedalboard, and to my previous point I didn’t lose any money. So I basically got to try them for free, set aside the hassle of selling them. Conversely I flipped a couple of Jam pedals as well, and there is where I lost money.
Has the flipping business reached a plateau in the short run ? If not, will it soon ?
Some builders already increased their prices.
Second hand market seems less dynamic
Post Covid excessive demand is over
Post covid insufficient supply caught up
Inflation reduces overall demand for leisure expenses.
Any thoughts ?
Some builders already increased their prices.
Second hand market seems less dynamic
Post Covid excessive demand is over
Post covid insufficient supply caught up
Inflation reduces overall demand for leisure expenses.
Any thoughts ?
IE pedals seem readily available. They are awesome. Trickfish has just put out some really cool effects. FKT, an Italian company will deliver within a moon from order. Pedals arrive on your doorstep packed$ like the Pope’s kidneys. COG gear of late has been obtainable. Hmmm…what’s missing here….whatever it is, it must give the bald hair and turn straight trousers into flares….
