Yeah nice that he knows. But I couldn't help notice that none of his employes smiled. They just looked at him like they didn't really know eachother. But who knows, maybe they where just very focused about their work.
I worked at Electro-Harmonix on college vacations in the early ‘70’s. I started sweeping the floors and wound up traveling for them, demonstrating their guitar products (Big Muff, Small Stone Phase Shifter,etc) to store buyers. Mike Matthews was and is a visionary businessman, a nice guy, and a great mentor who treated his workers very well and was a terrific blues piano player!
Gotta say, Manny Silverstein certainly seems to be a lot of the passion behind a lot of their great pedals. Mike Matthews runs the business-end, and he's been really smart to surround himself with a very passionate group of engineers and developers.
I never realized EH was such a small business. Pretty cool! Amazing they’re able to crank out as many pedals as they do. Good for them for keeping that mom and pop vibe while being one of the biggest companies in the pedal game.
Guitar equipment is actually a relatively niche market, relative to world population. Hence why there's only 3 tube amp factories in existence. Honestly, that seems like a lot. Wouldn't be surprised if that goes down to 2 here pretty soon.
We have the greatest designer David who works out of the UK..... and this over here is Ryan. 😂😂😂😂 Ryan doesn't look at the camera in case you see him shed a little tear. 😂 Great grass roots company. Always happy to buy their products!
Mike Mathews is a living legend. He goes right back to the start of everything, because amps didn't even have that second volume which makes overdrive yet, in 1968. He gave rock n roll overdrive! and started making all kinds of effects when they were still being invented. Great interview, Mitch, Sweetwater. Loved it. (I collect pedal company tours. You know who else is interesting? Look for a few Earthquaker Devices company tours, on youtube. The guy who runs that provides the best coffee and free pot to all his employees (really! it's in the kitchen, in a jar near the coffee O_o **starts making plans to apply for a job..**
@A Rando No they didn't. The only Overdrive came from the power tubes of a loud, cooking amp (Marshall). The Fuzz was the first drive pedal. Then boosting pedals came out to overdrive the amps like the LPB-1 and Rangemaster. Amps and pedals kept evolving from there.
Electro Harmonix used here since 1977, still working, still rolling thru the rock. Thank You Mike Matthews...you are a true underground cultural icon. Thanks Sweetwater,...both great companies
what a character Mike Matthews is I used to talk to him personally back in the late 1980s when he first started his importing of Russian tubes 5881s were the only new reliable output tubes for us designers
I have 12 different ehx pedals, ranging from od, distortion and fuzz, phaser, chorus and reverb. my favourite pedal, not just ehx, all of my pedals is the oceans 11. Thank you for all you have done, Mike!
Outstanding video. As a musician, an Engineer, and an EH user from back in the 70’s, this was great insight. What an impressive character and class act too.
When he came back into the pedal business, he first made the Russian Big Muffs, originally called the "Red Army" pedal. The dealer price was $19 each; so I ordered six!! I wish I still had mine, they sounded great and are very collectible now...
I paid around $35 for mine, and I think the Civil War was at $65 in '94. I also bought quite a few. Love the Civil War muff and the wooden box was quite useful as well.
I had one of the old Guild Foxey Lady distortion pedals made by EH that I bought second hand in the early 70's. It was the same as the original Big Muff. It was my go-to distortion matched up with my Carvin X-100 amp during my playing days. Thanks for the tour.
the 'SOUL FOOD' Pedal is a GREAT PEDAL, for $75 its a good BOOST Pedal and can also be a STRAIGHT UP OVER-DRIVE Pedal, Stacked before and 'OCD' Pedal it really shines !
Whoa this video was AMAZING! This is the perfect format. Please make some more of other manufacturers. On top of everything EHX has a crazy interesting story. What a character Mike Matthews is! I really hope he will publish a memoir. Right now I’m going to sweet water to get a Memory Man...
Watched this after spending an hour playing my fresh-out-of-the-box-Christmas-gift Op-Amp Big Muff Pi. Sounds excellent. Thanks, Sweetwater, for putting this factory tour video together.
Without question, my favorite music company of all time. Such icons in the world of rock. I'd absolutely love to get a photo op with Mike. Bucket list item.
EHX pedals are fascinating. I love the branding, the artwork, the aesthetic. They are the most unique pedals. My only complaint is they seem to add a bit of noise to the chain that other manufacturers avoid. Overall, my favorite. QTron, Bad Stone, Canyon and now Pitchfork - all within a year. I'm hooked! Thanks for the tour.
Love how EHX always pushes the envelope. There are many pedals that aren't for me but loads of cool stuff I enjoy using. Bad Stone, Green Muff, Tone Corset and Oceans 11.
I REALLY enjoyed this interview and tour of the plant. I've always wondered what Mike was like... I'm also glad he knows all the people's names that work for him... For some reason, that seems to add a bit more to his warm personality!!!!
Extremely interesting! Mike Mathews, his business and wonderful products are a national treasure! EHX stereo effect pedals were a huge inspiration for me to design and produce the Bradley Ideal Stereo guitar amplifier.
Oceans 11 is one of my favourite ever pedals, the range of different and useable sounds out of this unit is incredible. Bought a second one as a back up 'cos I loved it so much... Just took ownership yesterday of a Mel9...wow, it's way better than I thought it would be. All the sounds have great usability. Will need to do a deep dive into it once I get some free time... Awesome company 👏👏
I'm definitely turning to EHX for my pedalboard, after this factory tour. The company's intangible assets developed by Mike's entrepreneurship is enormous but unfortunately undervalued. I wish more people define fun with music, guitar, and ANALOG pedals. Market is good, but digital effects are growing. And by the way, Mike's hair and beard really looks like Marx, so once he told Mitch about Soviet's economic collapse, I reread the history of Soviet dissolution. Rock and roll, Mike!
Love how creative Electro-Harmonix pedals are, and the diverse amount of uses you can find with them. I have a Canyon and Freeze pedal from them. The only other company, in my opinion, that competes with them in terms of being both simultaneously practical and creative is TC Electronic (especially with their Toneprint features). Both are favourites for me in terms of pedal experimentation.
Running the Electro Harmonix Canyon Delay, Blurst, Holy Grail, Super Ego and others on my new album. Thank you Mike for your amazing creations for music!
This guy is one cool dude. Very cool interview and tour. I think I will go buy me another couple Electro Harmonix pedals. Sweetwater here I come... again.
The knowledge and expertise - just wow! The only brand of pedal I don't yet own is EH - after seeing this video I'm going to change that on my next pay cycle. What an incredible company with such a knowledgeable owner, who is also a terrific businessman. Great job with the factory tour Sweetwater, bring on some more please :)
After you watch, give this video a thumbs up and subscribe! 😎🤘
Small detail but the fact that he knows all the employees by name and what exactly they do was pretty nice to see :)
Arshad Ahamed well... he could just ask them before the camera starts recording.. but I hope he really knows them by name
Yeah nice that he knows. But I couldn't help notice that none of his employes smiled. They just looked at him like they didn't really know eachother. But who knows, maybe they where just very focused about their work.
Idk why but I'm laughing my ass off right now imagining that he's just making up their names as he goes on but really believes that's their name
Not very difficult to remember your employees, especially if they're from Mexico
I really hope they get more than a simple living wage
I think its not a small detail, it means a lot
I worked at Electro-Harmonix on college vacations in the early ‘70’s. I started sweeping the floors and wound up traveling for them, demonstrating their guitar products (Big Muff, Small Stone Phase Shifter,etc) to store buyers. Mike Matthews was and is a visionary businessman, a nice guy, and a great mentor who treated his workers very well and was a terrific blues piano player!
More factory tours please! This was fascinating
Yes, I agree, few years ago I was in Manhatten, if I knew the factory was there I would try to visit them.....would be a magic for me......
💯
Mike Matthews is hero of the pedal community, and a great entrepreneur! Fantastic businessman!
Gotta say, Manny Silverstein certainly seems to be a lot of the passion behind a lot of their great pedals. Mike Matthews runs the business-end, and he's been really smart to surround himself with a very passionate group of engineers and developers.
No wonder EHX pedals sound so magical. They're made by a wizard.
I never realized EH was such a small business. Pretty cool! Amazing they’re able to crank out as many pedals as they do. Good for them for keeping that mom and pop vibe while being one of the biggest companies in the pedal game.
Guitar equipment is actually a relatively niche market, relative to world population. Hence why there's only 3 tube amp factories in existence. Honestly, that seems like a lot. Wouldn't be surprised if that goes down to 2 here pretty soon.
Only 3 tube amp factories in the world? What are you talking about?
Any have boutique quality pedals at reasonable prices.. Other than a paisley drive and full tone trem I think all my pedals are ehx..
Electro harmonix is owned by a bigger company NewSensor along with sovtek and tungsol who also produce tubes.
@@xsatn2082 Yes, but Mike owns all those companies, so there is no hidden overlord.
This company is amazing. An American icon. Still made in the USA, affordable, quality pedals and gear. I am a fan for life.
We have the greatest designer David who works out of the UK..... and this over here is Ryan. 😂😂😂😂
Ryan doesn't look at the camera in case you see him shed a little tear. 😂
Great grass roots company. Always happy to buy their products!
Legend
Mike is a real character! This was a fun video.
Mike Mathews and Electro harmonix are legendary nothing out there like Electro harmonix..
The owner of this multimillion-dollar company knows the names of every factory worker. Bravo! A class act!
I like the fact that he knows all of his staff members name.
Yea you can tell he is a pretty humble guy.
Yesss
I can't stop thinking about Mel Brooks as the two thousand year old man
HOLY HELL - SPOT ON!!!!!!!!!
haha yes! I looked away from my t.v. to read this and couldnt agree more
😂😂😂
EHX was definitely my gateway drug into pedals. Still have one on my board. Always stop and talk to him at Summer NAMM. Great guy.
Mike Mathews is a living legend. He goes right back to the start of everything, because amps didn't even have that second volume which makes overdrive yet, in 1968. He gave rock n roll overdrive! and started making all kinds of effects when they were still being invented. Great interview, Mitch, Sweetwater. Loved it. (I collect pedal company tours. You know who else is interesting? Look for a few Earthquaker Devices company tours, on youtube. The guy who runs that provides the best coffee and free pot to all his employees (really! it's in the kitchen, in a jar near the coffee O_o **starts making plans to apply for a job..**
charlie fiftywatts overdrive peals existed way before then
@@arando4359 Actually only the Rangemaster was around at that time.
@A Rando No they didn't. The only Overdrive came from the power tubes of a loud, cooking amp (Marshall). The Fuzz was the first drive pedal. Then boosting pedals came out to overdrive the amps like the LPB-1 and Rangemaster. Amps and pedals kept evolving from there.
This is far and away one of the most fascinating things I've ever seen on TH-cam.
This guy is a living legend. Hats off to you dear sir
He seems like a genuine guy who runs a genuine company. I need me some more EHX pedals!
Just an absolute pleasure that was ...fogedaboudit' Thanks for all you do and big up to the Electro~Harmonix Crew!
Electro Harmonix used here since 1977, still working, still rolling thru the rock. Thank You Mike Matthews...you are a true underground cultural icon. Thanks Sweetwater,...both great companies
Great video. Two magnificent companies: EHX and Sweetwater.
This guy and this company helped define electric guitar and 20th century music. Best pedal brand ever.
Love EHX, Mike Matthews is awesome.
Not many living legends left, quite like Mike Matthews. Such a character.
Loved the factory tour vid, I really hope you guys do more!
One more thing.....rock 'n roll! Thank you Mike!
what a character Mike Matthews is I used to talk to him personally back in the late 1980s when he first started his importing of Russian tubes 5881s were the only new reliable output tubes for us designers
Awesome. Sweetwater’s best video to date. Well done Mitch.
I have 12 different ehx pedals, ranging from od, distortion and fuzz, phaser, chorus and reverb. my favourite pedal, not just ehx, all of my pedals is the oceans 11. Thank you for all you have done, Mike!
What a great story! 22 mins was not enough! He reminds me of an old friend. I'd love to have a coffee with this fine gentleman!
I've watched multiple interviews of Mike and EVERY time he tells the history, he is very consistent
The founder is amazingly mentally sharp. Wonderful interview Mr. Gallagher. I have many EFX pedals, love them all.
Incredible. Love EH stuff. Own five of em.
Fantastic to see a company run like he does. Love Electro Harmonix.
Outstanding video. As a musician, an Engineer, and an EH user from back in the 70’s, this was great insight. What an impressive character and class act too.
14:19 Perfect Al Bundy pose.
Freakin LOVE Electro-Harmonix!! Great pedals. Great prices. Great history. The original H.O.G. is still one of my favorite pedals!
I love this guy and his company. Great Pedals.
Great interview! Mike seems to be one of those guys, with a million stories. Amazing. Excellent tour.
When he came back into the pedal business, he first made the Russian Big Muffs, originally called the "Red Army" pedal. The dealer price was $19 each; so I ordered six!! I wish I still had mine, they sounded great and are very collectible now...
I paid around $35 for mine, and I think the Civil War was at $65 in '94. I also bought quite a few. Love the Civil War muff and the wooden box was quite useful as well.
This was awesome - thanks formaking and sharing this interview with a legend!
My very first pedal was a EHX Soul Food! I think Ms. Helen 5:13 assembled the same exact pedal I own!
Loved this video tour. Makes me appreciate my hex pedals a lot more, now I know where they come from...
I had one of the old Guild Foxey Lady distortion pedals made by EH that I bought second hand in the early 70's. It was the same as the original Big Muff. It was my go-to distortion matched up with my Carvin X-100 amp during my playing days. Thanks for the tour.
What a legend this guy is!
the 'SOUL FOOD' Pedal is a GREAT PEDAL, for $75 its a good BOOST Pedal and can also be a STRAIGHT UP OVER-DRIVE Pedal, Stacked before and 'OCD' Pedal it really shines !
It's always great to see such a small company have such a huge impact on modern music. KEEP ON ROCKIN' MIKE AND THE STAFF AT EHX!
This guy's a gem, and EHX exclusively populates my growing pedal board.
Wonderful documentary and comeback story of one, Mike Matthews.
Legendary..I love this man Mike Matthews!
Whoa this video was AMAZING! This is the perfect format. Please make some more of other manufacturers.
On top of everything EHX has a crazy interesting story. What a character Mike Matthews is! I really hope he will publish a memoir.
Right now I’m going to sweet water to get a Memory Man...
You can talk about boutique pedals all day! My money is on Mike!! Affordable innovations!!
Watched this after spending an hour playing my fresh-out-of-the-box-Christmas-gift Op-Amp Big Muff Pi. Sounds excellent. Thanks, Sweetwater, for putting this factory tour video together.
Mitch, I really enjoyed the factory tour, history and especially Mike's personality!
I'd buy one of his pedals just because of how nice he is.
Without question, my favorite music company of all time. Such icons in the world of rock. I'd absolutely love to get a photo op with Mike. Bucket list item.
EHX pedals are fascinating. I love the branding, the artwork, the aesthetic. They are the most unique pedals. My only complaint is they seem to add a bit of noise to the chain that other manufacturers avoid. Overall, my favorite. QTron, Bad Stone, Canyon and now Pitchfork - all within a year. I'm hooked! Thanks for the tour.
I had an Electro Harmonix box in the 70's that plugged directly into the guitar output - on the guitar, and was a booster and was awesome.
Love how EHX always pushes the envelope. There are many pedals that aren't for me but loads of cool stuff I enjoy using. Bad Stone, Green Muff, Tone Corset and Oceans 11.
I WANT A PEDAL THAT MAKES MY GUITAR SOUND LIKE MITCH GALLAGHER! SILKY SMOOTH
I love my stomping grounds of Manhattan and thats why EHX will always be my fave pedal company❤
I REALLY enjoyed this interview and tour of the plant. I've always wondered what Mike was like... I'm also glad he knows all the people's names that work for him... For some reason, that seems to add a bit more to his warm personality!!!!
Love EHX and Mike.
This is great! Thanks for this. I could watch videos like this all the time.
Extremely interesting! Mike Mathews, his business and wonderful products are a national treasure! EHX stereo effect pedals were a huge inspiration for me to design and produce the Bradley Ideal Stereo guitar amplifier.
Great products..nice to see the CEO wearing shorts and knowing the names of his staff, bet its a great company to work in!
First effect I had was an Electro Harmonix LPB-1 I used with my Jordan Amp.1972.
Oceans 11 is one of my favourite ever pedals, the range of different and useable sounds out of this unit is incredible. Bought a second one as a back up 'cos I loved it so much... Just took ownership yesterday of a Mel9...wow, it's way better than I thought it would be. All the sounds have great usability. Will need to do a deep dive into it once I get some free time... Awesome company 👏👏
Mike's a legend and gave two shout-outs to another legend Dave Cockerell, a sadly neglected genius.
"Rock N' Roll!!" 😂
Great video -- much respect for Mike and his determination to keep moving forward. A great example of the "never quit" attitude.
This was great , Thanks Mitch .I'm a big EHX fan . Have a few and need many more .
I'm definitely turning to EHX for my pedalboard, after this factory tour. The company's intangible assets developed by Mike's entrepreneurship is enormous but unfortunately undervalued. I wish more people define fun with music, guitar, and ANALOG pedals. Market is good, but digital effects are growing. And by the way, Mike's hair and beard really looks like Marx, so once he told Mitch about Soviet's economic collapse, I reread the history of Soviet dissolution. Rock and roll, Mike!
You know a business is doing it right when the owner is hands on with the company and he's employees
That is one authentic rock sound manufacturer.
Cool video! Great story and educational! Thanks for sharing brother's! Happy New Year to All!
Excellent work, Sweetwater. Thanks for making this video! And of course thanks to Mel!
Love how creative Electro-Harmonix pedals are, and the diverse amount of uses you can find with them. I have a Canyon and Freeze pedal from them. The only other company, in my opinion, that competes with them in terms of being both simultaneously practical and creative is TC Electronic (especially with their Toneprint features).
Both are favourites for me in terms of pedal experimentation.
Running the Electro Harmonix Canyon Delay, Blurst, Holy Grail, Super Ego and others on my new album.
Thank you Mike for your amazing creations for music!
what a visionary and entertaining character!
This guy is one cool dude. Very cool interview and tour. I think I will go buy me another couple Electro Harmonix pedals. Sweetwater here I come... again.
Viva Sweetwater! ~ Viva Electro-Harmoinix!
We had our own old man in russia - Yerasov, but he passed away in 2020... God bless you Michael, take care.
What a GREAT idea to do this. Really good to hear his back story & see the tour.
I LOVE Electro-Harmonix pedals... especially Big Muff!
This is mind blowing.
This man is a great great man indeed!! Best of the best, he loves what he does, that's why he makes amazing gears!!
Hell yeah!! Rock and roll Electro harmonix!!!
Wow, that was great. 3,000 Big Muffs a month? Where are they all going? Crazy!
Tony Fletcher I know right, it seems like you can finds 4,000 on Craigslist
One can never have too much muff.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL VIDEO!!
great video mitch, thanks for the tour. This is a real great view into entrepreneurial vision.
Very cool! Mike actually plays keys in some of the EHX Leslie simulator demo videos. He is a hoot! Nice work, Mitch. Keep those videos comin'!
I saw a Sleep poster in the engineers room. Rad!
I really dig this guy!
Mel9 is beast as all hell, I've been using it for live shows for almost a whole year now.
That was awesome. Thanks guys
Very nicely done!
Very cool. I am the proud owner of the Big Muff, OD Glove, Satisfaction Fuzz, The Soulfood and Canyon delay. Great pedals
more videos like this one,please!
The knowledge and expertise - just wow! The only brand of pedal I don't yet own is EH - after seeing this video I'm going to change that on my next pay cycle. What an incredible company with such a knowledgeable owner, who is also a terrific businessman. Great job with the factory tour Sweetwater, bring on some more please :)