"Boutique" is exactly as they said, it has become marketing lingo in the pedal industry just as "analog" & "true bypass" were the big selling words before it.
A big part of what makes boutique actually special is that people have an innate desire to be unique or own and use something unique to them - whether its the limited quantity build, tone ranges geared toward a particular genre, or even just for the art on the outside or limited run finish. Humanity will always cherish unique bc it reminds us we are valued and individually different. Boutique makes unique.
Just today I went back to scour the work of Dirge Electronics just because I wish I played something made by him (both the internal circuit and external art). Each time I end up putting that thought on hold because I can't find enough a range of tone or modulation tame enough for me to use :(
2:50 Oliver didn't want to make pedals that only rich people can afford, but their cheapest pedal (handful of transistors, abysmal fabrication. standard enclosure, hasty finish) is $200...
Great video. Just seeing all these geniuses and their commitment to their craft shows passion. Very radical if I do say so myself. Most take for granted the time and care that goes into a noise box. Please keep making sounds for people who like to make sounds.
The biggest problem is that “boutique” has become a byword for quality just because they’re handmade when a lot of handmade stuff is absolute dogshit. Unfortunately quality control often goes by the wayside. But as Nick said if smaller companies can give the big boys a big creative kick up the arse then it can’t be a bad thing.
Hey reverb, why did you raise your seller fees on the middle of a pandemic? Was it because you knew people would be selling their gear more to make ends meet during hard times?
I don’t understand it either. One guy painstakingly wiring up a pedal for hours vs a machine that can crank out hundreds of the exact same circuit. The only difference to me it seems is the turnaround time. If it sounds the same, I won’t spend the extra money for it.
If it sounds the same, you _shouldn't_ spend extra. It's the unfortunate truth that many "boutique" pedals nowadays are just rehoused or minimally tweaked classic circuits. Somehow in the last 10 years the point of "boutique" builders seems to have shifted from "let's make the weirdest sounds" to "let's see who can sell the most expensive Tube Screamer variant". In case anyone's wondering, I believe Vemuram is currently in the lead for that title.
@user Nobody said "cheap", let alone as cheap as possible. Boss, TC, even Mooer etc make decent pedals for decent prices afforded by the economies of scale (machines crankin'). You can't expect a guy in a garage to make a living through $50 stompboxes but let's not pretend he puts magic electrons in his stuff to justify the higer price. Boutiques can't make circuits "sound better" but they could offer facilities to make them more suited to your needs and taste. But if it sounds the same and doesn't break then all the reasons for paying extra are in your head.
user I have an absolutely battered 40 year old Boss Chorus that works like a dream, I’d love to see any DBA or whatever pedal last that long. I won’t hold my breath
"Boutique" alludes to many of the things noted by people in the video. I think there is also an aspect of niche market to the notion of "boutique". If one buys an article of clothing from a "boutique", the assumption is it's going to be different in a way that distinguishes it from anything you might get "off the rack" in a major clothing chain. It *could* be tailored to that customer, but not necessarily. Of course one wouldn't hand-make anything you intended to produce in large quantity. But the division between boutique and non-boutique can quickly evaporate. First, facilities for getting things mass-produced, wave-soldered, etc., are far more available and accessible to even modest-sized pedal-makers, including facilities for making things oneself on a larger scale. Second, as a maker gets more widely known and demand increases for their pedals, they often have no choice but to turn to production methods akin to "mass-production" of bigger companies. Finally, musician tastes and trends have evolved, turning what may have once been "What the heck would a person use THAT for?" into must-haves and used-everywheres. But while I'm here, hi to Brian, Robert, Mike, and Philipe.
I consider boutique builders those who: 1) make handmade original or improved classic circuits 2a) make pedals according to the orders they receive from individual customers or 2b) make small batches of pedals according to the motivation of the designer/owner of the company. If they don't meet these criteria then I consider them high-end builders which doesn't mean inferior to boutique at all.
Still confused on why Alchemy Audio was included when they build zero pedals and just "mod" other builders work using mods created long ago by the modding community. Seems like standing on the shoulder's of giants.
Be afraid. Be very afraid of the genius of Marketing Language. Personally, I don’t pay attention to the‘banner’. I pay attention to the Quality, the Function, and most important to me, the Sound(s). Is it bulletproof? Does it perform how I need it to? Is it maintenance-free? If I answered Yes to these questions... I’ll take two!
I think the idea that it's some odd and unusual, hand-built by one or two guys kind of pedal nails it on the head. I love Keeley and JHS, but I don't consider them Boutique now (even Josh doesn't, at least for JHS). It's definitely used as a marketing term, but I don't agree with all the people saying buy things cheap. Buy things you like. That can be both cheap and maybe a bit more pricey. That's my view, and I'm no pedal builder, so take it with a 10 lb. bag of ice salt
I now regard my Korg MS2000r as a "boutique pedal". Does that make me a bad person? It seems to have more range than any of my overpriced "synth" pedals 😂😂😂🤣🤣
What is a Boutique Pedal.......it's a pedal you get from your wife or girlfriend who goes to the beauty spa, spends enough money to buy a complete pedal board.......and since the music store is right next door, she stops in to buy you, that pair of dream Strymons you've always wanted.....to keep you distracted while she inserts the total cost of the day in the books so you don't have to worry about it....just for you..... " because she loves you....." hey, song title.....
Which two Strymons? The Flint is my absolute favorite pedal. It’s great for those of us who love Reverb and Tremolo, but prefer Fender Tweed amps or clones of them.
Boot-eeek effects pedal: The effect pedal which when stepped under the boot makes you say "eeek, why the fuck did I buy this overpriced piece of crap?".
Dumb name, dumb cartoon graphics, embarrassing to own if your not a teenager, inflated price. Very appealing if you're a dood. Absolutely not made by Boss or Digitech. You know you're there when you realize ------ "You can buy better but you can't pay more"------- DOOOD!
Boutique is an excuse for hipsters-turned-business people to buy marketplace websites and hike charges to pay for the production of stupid documentary style videos.
"Boutique" is exactly as they said, it has become marketing lingo in the pedal industry just as "analog" & "true bypass" were the big selling words before it.
And they sell, and make our favourite pedal companies enough money to keep making the new best things. It's a win win for everyone :)
A big part of what makes boutique actually special is that people have an innate desire to be unique or own and use something unique to them - whether its the limited quantity build, tone ranges geared toward a particular genre, or even just for the art on the outside or limited run finish. Humanity will always cherish unique bc it reminds us we are valued and individually different.
Boutique makes unique.
Just today I went back to scour the work of Dirge Electronics just because I wish I played something made by him (both the internal circuit and external art). Each time I end up putting that thought on hold because I can't find enough a range of tone or modulation tame enough for me to use :(
You mean, boutique makes EVEN MORE unique... and that's why it adds to the price.
2:50 Oliver didn't want to make pedals that only rich people can afford, but their cheapest pedal (handful of transistors, abysmal fabrication. standard enclosure, hasty finish) is $200...
yea man, also exclusive limited edition pedals. For this movie lol
Great video. Just seeing all these geniuses and their commitment to their craft shows passion. Very radical if I do say so myself. Most take for granted the time and care that goes into a noise box. Please keep making sounds for people who like to make sounds.
It's a pedal that's more expensive now that the Reverb seller fee has increased.
Josh is making some of the best education pedal videos, he’s awesome
He price gouges
The biggest problem is that “boutique” has become a byword for quality just because they’re handmade when a lot of handmade stuff is absolute dogshit. Unfortunately quality control often goes by the wayside. But as Nick said if smaller companies can give the big boys a big creative kick up the arse then it can’t be a bad thing.
Hey reverb, why did you raise your seller fees on the middle of a pandemic? Was it because you knew people would be selling their gear more to make ends meet during hard times?
talk to Etsy
The Keeley Oxblood is my tone secret. Outstanding.🇺🇸
To me, I guess it means handmade, not mass produced. It’s one or two guys making it from their home or something y’know
Love this video!!!
I can pay for this content it`s that great.
I don’t understand it either. One guy painstakingly wiring up a pedal for hours vs a machine that can crank out hundreds of the exact same circuit. The only difference to me it seems is the turnaround time. If it sounds the same, I won’t spend the extra money for it.
If it sounds the same, you _shouldn't_ spend extra. It's the unfortunate truth that many "boutique" pedals nowadays are just rehoused or minimally tweaked classic circuits. Somehow in the last 10 years the point of "boutique" builders seems to have shifted from "let's make the weirdest sounds" to "let's see who can sell the most expensive Tube Screamer variant". In case anyone's wondering, I believe Vemuram is currently in the lead for that title.
@user Nobody said "cheap", let alone as cheap as possible. Boss, TC, even Mooer etc make decent pedals for decent prices afforded by the economies of scale (machines crankin'). You can't expect a guy in a garage to make a living through $50 stompboxes but let's not pretend he puts magic electrons in his stuff to justify the higer price. Boutiques can't make circuits "sound better" but they could offer facilities to make them more suited to your needs and taste. But if it sounds the same and doesn't break then all the reasons for paying extra are in your head.
user I have an absolutely battered 40 year old Boss Chorus that works like a dream, I’d love to see any DBA or whatever pedal last that long. I won’t hold my breath
Keeley rocking a sick ‘The Blood Brothers’ t-shirt.
That’s awesome.
"Boutique" alludes to many of the things noted by people in the video. I think there is also an aspect of niche market to the notion of "boutique". If one buys an article of clothing from a "boutique", the assumption is it's going to be different in a way that distinguishes it from anything you might get "off the rack" in a major clothing chain. It *could* be tailored to that customer, but not necessarily. Of course one wouldn't hand-make anything you intended to produce in large quantity.
But the division between boutique and non-boutique can quickly evaporate. First, facilities for getting things mass-produced, wave-soldered, etc., are far more available and accessible to even modest-sized pedal-makers, including facilities for making things oneself on a larger scale. Second, as a maker gets more widely known and demand increases for their pedals, they often have no choice but to turn to production methods akin to "mass-production" of bigger companies. Finally, musician tastes and trends have evolved, turning what may have once been "What the heck would a person use THAT for?" into must-haves and used-everywheres.
But while I'm here, hi to Brian, Robert, Mike, and Philipe.
Is there any news on when the doc is coming out? I'm just curious as I've been really hype for it.
Feel free to head here for updates on The Pedal Movie : reverb.com/news/an-update-on-the-pedal-movie
Protect Nick Reinhart at all costs.
I consider boutique builders those who: 1) make handmade original or improved classic circuits 2a) make pedals according to the orders they receive from individual customers or 2b) make small batches of pedals according to the motivation of the designer/owner of the company. If they don't meet these criteria then I consider them high-end builders which doesn't mean inferior to boutique at all.
Best quote. They are made so bad, but they are boutique. LOL
Still confused on why Alchemy Audio was included when they build zero pedals and just "mod" other builders work using mods created long ago by the modding community. Seems like standing on the shoulder's of giants.
I’d never even heard of them before this video
Ooof. Tough crowd. FYI - we build plenty of pedals.
Be afraid. Be very afraid of the genius of Marketing Language. Personally, I don’t pay attention to the‘banner’. I pay attention to the Quality, the Function, and most important to me, the Sound(s). Is it bulletproof? Does it perform how I need it to? Is it maintenance-free? If I answered Yes to these questions... I’ll take two!
It means they aren’t selling as much as Boss or Ibanez!!!
I hope they have diamond pedal in the movie
Excellent! I buy my pedals hand-copied from some czech guy called Tomas, i think he's more boutique than these big brands run by well-known faces rofl
I think the idea that it's some odd and unusual, hand-built by one or two guys kind of pedal nails it on the head. I love Keeley and JHS, but I don't consider them Boutique now (even Josh doesn't, at least for JHS). It's definitely used as a marketing term, but I don't agree with all the people saying buy things cheap. Buy things you like. That can be both cheap and maybe a bit more pricey. That's my view, and I'm no pedal builder, so take it with a 10 lb. bag of ice salt
Alright but How many boutique companies exist? Not just in the US, in the whole world...
I now regard my Korg MS2000r as a "boutique pedal". Does that make me a bad person? It seems to have more range than any of my overpriced "synth" pedals 😂😂😂🤣🤣
Hand-made AND quality ... so yeah, JHS never qualified, as JHS himself admits ...
Boutique means pedal is over priced, under delivers, limited application, will break soon and you’ll never get it fixed when it does.
"Boutique" is used the same way in all sorts of industries. Law firms call themselves boutiques for god's sake.
Anytime they use a French word prepare to get reamed.
What is a Boutique Pedal.......it's a pedal you get from your wife or girlfriend who goes to the beauty spa, spends enough money to buy a complete pedal board.......and since the music store is right next door, she stops in to buy you, that pair of dream Strymons you've always wanted.....to keep you distracted while she inserts the total cost of the day in the books so you don't have to worry about it....just for you..... " because she loves you....." hey, song title.....
Which two Strymons? The Flint is my absolute favorite pedal. It’s great for those of us who love Reverb and Tremolo, but prefer Fender Tweed amps or clones of them.
They're all wrong. A boutique is a small expensive clothing store.
That's true, but only if you use one exceedingly narrow definition of the word.
Behringer pedals £22
🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️
🐂💨💨💨💨💨💨
Boot-eeek effects pedal: The effect pedal which when stepped under the boot makes you say "eeek, why the fuck did I buy this overpriced piece of crap?".
its just marketing. use cheap ones instead.
Dumb name, dumb cartoon graphics, embarrassing to own if your not a teenager, inflated price.
Very appealing if you're a dood. Absolutely not made by Boss or Digitech. You know you're there when you realize ------ "You can buy better but you can't pay more"------- DOOOD!
mom and pop vs a corporation... except neither is gonna put the other out of business
"Boutique" means if you have "boutique" pedals you're a winner and if you don't you're a loser.
Reverb still angry at Fulltone.
Good.
Fulltone is still angry at its customers.
It's something I will never buy from Josh Scott.
Boutique is an excuse for hipsters-turned-business people to buy marketplace websites and hike charges to pay for the production of stupid documentary style videos.