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

How important to you is funky name/crazy artwork on pedal?

  • WAY important. My pedals are my image, sound be damned!

    Votes: 3 1.6%

  • Fairly important: They have to sound good, but image is imporant

    Votes: 6 3.3%

  • Not very: cool name & art is fun, but tone is key

    Votes: 92 50.5%

  • Not imporant at all: It's all about function to me.

    Votes: 81 44.5%
  • Total voters
    182
SanDiegoHarry

SanDiegoHarry

Inactive
Supporting Member
Aug 11, 2008
17,143
9,104
San Diego, CA
#1
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...
 
#2
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.
 
#3
*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!
 
#7
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 :D

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.
 
#8
Forgot one category.
 

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#10
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.
 
#15
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.
 

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