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Maybe I just don't "get it" when it comes to "boutique"...

W

Wasted Bassist

Nov 11, 2008
771
8
34
Fargo, ND
www.myspace.com
#1
I was in Geetar Schmenter yesterday primarily to test out dirt pedals. I started by trying out the ones suggested around here.

First the Distortron: Not a bad pedal. A little bland sounding to be completely honest. Also the pots were all really scratchy. I'm fairly sure that was only a problem with that unit though.

Next the Mastortron: After about 45 minutes of tweaking I found a few decent fuzz tones. I was incredibly annoyed by how difficult it was to adjust the settings due to the TINY KNOBS and even TINIER SUBS SWITCH. I literally had to use my fingernail to change the subs setting. In the end I don't think any of the sounds I got were really all that incredible.

Then to the Way Huge pedals: My opinion on both the Swollen Pickle and the Pork Loin is the same. Sounded like a Russian Muff with absolutely no bite. I suppose I should point out that I like heavy cutting dirt.

Finally I tried out a Russian Muff just to compare the sound to the "boutique" clones. Head and shoulders above any of the dirt sounds I'd gotten from the more expensive pedals. I may have to pick one up now that I can't always borrow one from the bassist in a band that my band used to do a lot of shows with.

In conclusion... my opinions are probably totally uninformed by the standards of the pedal users in this subforum. I like my dirt cheap and heavy.
 
#4
Please remember that what you hear in the store won't be much like what it sounds like in the mix. I have bought many things that sound GREAT in a store that just don't work when the band goes to work. That's why I buy used - that way, I can re-sell things that don't work out without taking a bath on the price.
 
#5
Well, I wouldn't call the new Way Huge reissues "boutique" - they are being made by Dunlop. And I haven't tried either of the new ZVex "budget" units, so I can't really comment there.

That said, if the Muff is what you like, then awesome. It is a classic sound and in a very affordable package. Personally I think the EHX Nano Small Stone and the ProCo Rat and old DOD FX25 are awesome pedals and all three are (or should be) significantly under $100.

There's definitely something cool about having a piece of gear that not many people have but the truth is that like every other part of your gear you just need to find what works best for you and your band(s).
 
#7
BigOldHarry said:
Please remember that what you hear in the store won't be much like what it sounds like in the mix. I have bought many things that sound GREAT in a store that just don't work when the band goes to work. That's why I buy used - that way, I can re-sell things that don't work out without taking a bath on the price.
Click to expand...

Very true. And a problem I've had with Big Muffs actually. I really dig their sound, but the lack of mids often had me disappearing from the mix. Still love the tone in a blend loop though.

Like this.
 
#8
BigOldHarry said:
Please remember that what you hear in the store won't be much like what it sounds like in the mix. I have bought many things that sound GREAT in a store that just don't work when the band goes to work. That's why I buy used - that way, I can re-sell things that don't work out without taking a bath on the price.
Click to expand...

That's a very valid point. Luckily I live near a store that is very happy to lend out items to their returning customers. I'll try a few pedals out sometime in the near future in the context of my band to see if my opinions might change drastically.
 
#9
The Zvex gain control is "Crackle OK" not scratchy. The "Crackle Okay" volume knob is a negative-feedback control styled after classic 60's recording console inputs. (They crackled when adjusted too.) It is adjusting the gain and bias at the same time. check the Zvex site for more:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

this is from the site and pertaining to the SUper duper but it applies here too:

COMMENTS ON THE GAIN CONTROLS:

I've taken a lot of flack for the SHO "crackle okay" knob's noise, which people mistakenly interpret in many different ways. I've seen reviews where the user believes that the pot is "cheap" or that it's "old," or "bad." This is not the case. The SHO uses a revolutionary approach to controlling the gain that resets the headroom, gain, and bias of the transistor at the same time, effectively re-designing the circuit for the optimum settings at each volume level. When the knob is not being turned, the unit makes no crackling sounds. It's not a simple volume control. If it were, the SHO wouldn't be so special. The SUPER-DUPER 2-IN-1 (TM) has this same kind of control for each channel.
 
#10
I have boutique pedals and "off the rack" pedals. At the end of the day, if there's a sound I'm looking for, I buy the appropriate pedal and try not to cut corners. Sometimes, I need the FX25 or the MXR Blow Torch. Sometimes, I need the Moog MF-101, Maxon AF-9, Electronix Gemini Drive, etc.

There are also boutique pedals that exhibit really original design and have unique features. There is no budget version of the Copilot Orbit, for example.

I will say that really high end dirt boxes have underwhelmed me at the cost, whereas expensive filters have been worth every penny to me. I think I'm going to buy a second WMD Fatman very soon, depending on how quickly Mario can churn out a Robot Factory Pocket Synth for me.
 
#11
Check out the Pedalboards of the Stars threads. You'll note that they are dominated by the major manufacturers (Boss, EHX, Line 6, etc.). We here in the FX subforum chalk it up to not wanting to base your sound around pedals that are expensive and not easily replaced should one go bad during a grueling tour. If a Boss ODB-3 dies on you,...go to the local GC and buy a new one. If your Gemini Drive goes out on you your are S.O.L.

I can see using them as a recording producer and for home turf gigs and what not. If I ever went out on tour I'd leave my boutique stuff at home and make do with the Boss/DOD/EHX equivalents. As previously mentioned,...it's cool to have some stuff that other people don't but not too practical in a real world touring situation. If we were millionaire rockstars who toured with techs that could fix all this stuff on the road,...maybe it'd be a little different.
 
#12
warwick.hoy said:
We here in the FX subforum chalk it up to not wanting to base your sound around pedals that are expensive and not easily replaced should one go bad during a grueling tour. If a Boss ODB-3 dies on you,...go to the local GC and buy a new one. If your Gemini Drive goes out on you your are S.O.L.
Click to expand...

Speak for yourself, dude. That sounds kinda snobby to me.

Often (though rarely in the case of bass distortion or envelope/effects) a boss pedal (one example) is simply the right tool for the job, and the construction is sturdy enough that it is less likely to get busted in the first place.
 
#13
I take it all on a case-by-case basis--my favorite dirt pedals include both budget and high end. Interestingly, I tend not to like things in the middle of the road. They tend to not provide enough improvement over the cheaper pedals to warrant the higher price or "semi boutique" status. It's not until the design is taken to a much higher pinnacle of quality that I think it's worth paying more.
 
#14
RCCollins said:
Speak for yourself, dude. That sounds kinda snobby to me.

Often (though rarely in the case of bass distortion or envelope/effects) a boss pedal (one example) is simply the right tool for the job, and the construction is sturdy enough that it is less likely to get busted in the first place.
Click to expand...

Actually it was my intent to not take credit for someone else pointing that out. I don't remember who it was but I found it to be an insightful point of view.

Perhaps I should have said "Some of us here....",...or "Someone pointed out,....and I'm inclined to agree".
 
#15
Yeah, we see a lot of mass produced stuff on pro players' boards but I chalk that more up to them not seeking out other gear more than a conscious decision to eschew higher end gear for reasons of practicality. I think guys get a couple pedals and then are too busy touring to look for alternatives. After all, how many pedals have we only heard of BECAUSE of TalkBass?

That said, two of the guys that seem to be huge influences on many effects using bassists, Justin Chancellor and Chris Wolstenholme both use pedals that are now out of production and/or rare in the Bass Whammy, Deep Impact and Animato (I think) among others.
 
#16
bongomania said:
I take it all on a case-by-case basis--my favorite dirt pedals include both budget and high end. Interestingly, I tend not to like things in the middle of the road. They tend to not provide enough improvement over the cheaper pedals to warrant the higher price or "semi boutique" status. It's not until the design is taken to a much higher pinnacle of quality that I think it's worth paying more.
Click to expand...

+11
 
#17
warwick.hoy said:
Check out the Pedalboards of the Stars threads. You'll note that they are dominated by the major manufacturers (Boss, EHX, Line 6, etc.). We here in the FX subforum chalk it up to not wanting to base your sound around pedals that are expensive and not easily replaced should one go bad during a grueling tour. If a Boss ODB-3 dies on you,...go to the local GC and buy a new one. If your Gemini Drive goes out on you your are S.O.L.
Click to expand...

I bought my first boutique pedal after hearing a touring band play it live and it totally blowing me away.
 
#18
bongomania said:
I take it all on a case-by-case basis--my favorite dirt pedals include both budget and high end. Interestingly, I tend not to like things in the middle of the road. They tend to not provide enough improvement over the cheaper pedals to warrant the higher price or "semi boutique" status. It's not until the design is taken to a much higher pinnacle of quality that I think it's worth paying more.
Click to expand...

I often find that to be the case too. I think it's because often time middle of the road "boutique" stuff ends up being a relatively common clone with no real major improvements other than the packaging and price tag.
 
#20
warwick.hoy said:
Actually it was my intent to not take credit for someone else pointing that out. I don't remember who it was but I found it to be an insightful point of view.

Perhaps I should have said "Some of us here....",...or "Someone pointed out,....and I'm inclined to agree".
Click to expand...

gotcha. sorry i snapped

boutique pedals have been important to bass players in particular because let's face it, there arent many GREAT mass-produced distortion effects for bass, and envelope effects by the big producers seem to miss the mark more often than not as well. So smaller companies, from "boutique" to "garage" really do us a favor when they customize an effect for bass guitar. We need all the options we can get.
 

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