Selling Unused Pedals - Yay or Nay

[duruk]

Hey everyone,

I’m not really a pedal enthusiast, but I’ve had some experience with them. For years, I used the SansAmp Programmable BDDI, although I never really loved the tones I was getting. That said, I did appreciate the nods I’d get from tone experts whenever I pulled it out of my bag.

About 6 months ago, I picked up a Laney Digbeth preamp, which I now use with a cheap compressor in front of it. Since then, I haven’t touched the SansAmp at all, so I decided to put it up for sale. But whenever someone shows interest, I feel hesitant to let it go. Part of me thinks I might need it someday, just in case the Digbeth stops working for some reason. Plus, the Digbeth only works with a power supply, while the SansAmp can run on a battery, which seems like it could be useful in certain situations. That said, these scenarios seem pretty unlikely, and the SansAmp is just gathering dust at this point. I wondered what your takes are in such cases.

As a side question: Sansamp is an older unit, still working fine, and I’m the second (or maybe third?) owner. I don’t have the original packaging, manual, or power supply. I listed it for 50% of the new price, but I’m wondering if that’s fair or too low.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Nothing wrong with keeping a back-up on hand. In your case, the BDDI is a known quantity among the pros...the Laney not so much.

Riis

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

It is getting to be more of a pain to list and sell stuff and haggle w/people and deal with traffic and the masses & mobs at the post office. The older I get---It is just a pain.

I got a cupboard filled with unused pedals. Nobody wants them.

If you really need the dough, sell.

 

[Michedelic]

Hey everyone,

I’m not really a pedal enthusiast, but I’ve had some experience with them. For years, I used the SansAmp Programmable BDDI, although I never really loved the tones I was getting. That said, I did appreciate the nods I’d get from tone experts whenever I pulled it out of my bag.

About 6 months ago, I picked up a Laney Digbeth preamp, which I now use with a cheap compressor in front of it. Since then, I haven’t touched the SansAmp at all, so I decided to put it up for sale. But whenever someone shows interest, I feel hesitant to let it go. Part of me thinks I might need it someday, just in case the Digbeth stops working for some reason. Plus, the Digbeth only works with a power supply, while the SansAmp can run on a battery, which seems like it could be useful in certain situations. That said, these scenarios seem pretty unlikely, and the SansAmp is just gathering dust at this point. I wondered what your takes are in such cases.

As a side question: Sansamp is an older unit, still working fine, and I’m the second (or maybe third?) owner. I don’t have the original packaging, manual, or power supply. I listed it for 50% of the new price, but I’m wondering if that’s fair or too low.

Other than just getting tired of a certain effect, or find that I’m just not using it that much, I sell them off usually when there are upgrades/expanded versions that come down the pike, or else when Brand Y comes out with a better mousetrap than what Brand X had. I buy used quite a bit, so if I end up taking the easy way out(paying the convenience tax)and dumping them off at GC, I’m not out too much(sometimes I’ve broken even). That’s been balanced out by unloading pedals that were purchased when they were no big deal, and then became sought after objects of trendy hipness, like that Bad Monkey insanity.

 

[TheArchitect]

Nothing wrong with keeping a back-up on hand. In your case, the BDDI is a known quantity among the pros...the Laney not so much.

Riis

Keeping it as a back is a wise idea. I don't give a damn what is "known to the pro's". I use the best available for my needs to my ear

 

[Atshen]

I have a tendency to get rid of everything I don't use.

Yes, sometimes it is followed by regrets. Only sometimes though.

 

[BGroovy]

It is getting to be more of a pain to list and sell stuff and haggle w/people and deal with traffic and the masses & mobs at the post office. The older I get---It is just a pain.

I got a cupboard filled with unused pedals. Nobody wants them.

If you really need the dough, sell.

Box up that cupboard and send it my way!

 

[BGroovy]

Sounds like you didn’t jive with the BDDI anyways. If you ever want to move on from the Laney try something new.

Sell it.

 

[markjazzbassist]

I have a tendency to get rid of everything I don't use.

this for me. if it's not in regular use it's gone. trying to live more simply.

 

[shirojiro]

Is storage space a big issue?
Do you need the money?
If yes to either of these, I'd sell.

If not, then maybe keeping the Programmable BDDI is a good tool to have. It might not be exactly what you want today, but tastes change, and for me, the BDDI is a constant part of my gear. Even if you don't use it for live playing, it's a great recording tool.

 

[meisi]

I sold my BDDI ~20yrs ago and I’ve kind of always regretted it. I don’t need one but I want one on many occasions.

BDDI is something you will want in your cool stuff drawer. Should be in the never sell pile of gear.

 

[brianrost]

For something like a pedal. the difference between 50% off new vs. 75% off new is chump change unless it costs way more than $200 new, like a Klon or a Nobels.

My preference is to check out prices here at TB plus Craigslist, GC, eBay and Reverb. Then I lowball a bit and expect the buyer to haggle me down further. After all, the lower asking price, the quicker it will sell. Let’s say the pedal is $200 new and online sellers are asking $160. I’d ask $140 and be willing to take $125. If online sellers are only asking $140, I’d ask for $125 and take $100.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I’m all for moving stuff along if it isn’t being used. Why keep it when someone else can be inspired by it?

That said, I rarely bother trying to sell online anymore - I just don’t want the hassle of it all. I just take everything to a local shop and sell on consignment. The fee they take is the price of my peace and it’s totally worth it

 

[Discount Bassy]

After purchasing a Radial EXTC, my redundant pedals became studio modules.

 

[HelpImaRock]

sell

 

[kcducttaper]

I had a SansAmp BDDI and sold it because I never could get a tone out of it I really liked.

I don't really care how many 'tone snobs' claim to like a particular pedal. If it doesn't sound good TO ME, I don't need it. I've also bought and then sold several other "very nice" compressors, distortions, modelers, and many other very well regarded pedals because they didn't either didn't perform to my expectation (I.E. compressors and modelers) or didn't provide a good crunchy sound that sounded good to my ears.

If I don't use a pedal, what's the point in keeping it? I vote sell it to one of the SansAmp fanboys.

 

[Jefenator]

Pedals don't take up much space, the way basses do. But they do tie up money – and they are easy to ship.
FWIW my only pedal selling regret is not waiting for my Akai Deep Impact to 10-tuple in value.

 

[LowendG]

Plus, the Digbeth only works with a power supply, while the SansAmp can run on a battery, which seems like it could be useful in certain situations. That said, these scenarios seem pretty unlikely...

Something to be said for being able to still run a pedal w batteries, especially if it's the only pedal or you just use a couple. 99% of my gigs is just a tuner and my Xotic RC. When I'm in some dive bar using some janky backline I don't need to be crawling around on the nasty stage trying to run AC just to my two little stomps.

 

[lomo]

Gear is like clothing....if I haven't worn/ used it in 2 years, the likelihood of me using it downstream is vanishingly small, so if it can be sold, it will be sold, traded or given away. I'd rather have money in the bank or invested in stuff i want than stuff I "might conceivably need in the future" clogging up my home. YMMV. In my world, clutter and hoarding are impediments to clear thinking.

 

[RobD_BritBass]

Something to be said for being able to still run a pedal w batteries, especially if it's the only pedal or you just use a couple. 99% of my gigs is just a tuner and my Xotic RC. When I'm in some dive bar using some janky backline I don't need to be crawling around on the nasty stage trying to run AC just to my two little stomps.

I've got a 9v rechargable power supply as backup for these situations, no it won't power my tube preamp pedals for very long, but for a simple preamp and compressor pairing to get through the gig in a tight spot it's perfect.