Personal rules to buy (or not) pedals

AlexBassMP

AlexBassMP

Feb 5, 2014
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#1
I know , I know.. we all suffer GAS and we all like pedals and the the things they do but..

I was posting a comment and I noticed that I like some particular pedals but I don't buy them because I won't use them in my band or if I use them it will be only for a little time. I use a Zoom MS60B as a flanger because I don't wanna spend 150/200 bucks in a dedicated flanger pedal because I use flanger 2 or 3 times during the gig.

In my case , rather than tone, quality, price or GAS my main reason to buy a new pedal is the time I'll use it in a gig.

What are yours?
 
#2
Will I actually use it?
Does it do something I can't get ,or at least approximate with what I already have?
Does it do something I need done significantly better than a pedal I already have?
...and in very rare cases...DO I just WANT it and can get it for a price that doesn't hurt?
Mostly Need dictates my purchases. Be that Pedals amps or basses. etc
 
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#3
cnltb said:
Will I actually use it?
Does it do something I can't get ,or at least appropriate with what I already have?
Does it do something I need done significantly better than a pedal I already have?
...and in very rare cases...DO I just WANT it and can get it for a price that doesn't hurt?
Mostly Need dictates my purchases. Be that Pedals amps or basses. etc
Click to expand...
Wow...this sums it up entirely for me!
 
#4
cnltb said:
Will I actually use it?
Does it do something I can't get ,or at least appropriate with what I already have?
Does it do something I need done significantly better than a pedal I already have?
...and in very rare cases...DO I just WANT it and can get it for a price that doesn't hurt?
Mostly Need dictates my purchases. Be that Pedals amps or basses. etc
Click to expand...
I will also add- Does it inspire me or my playing without imposing itself (as in, "I can't get through life without this one particular pedal being on all the time! So I'll leave it ON all the time, whether the song needs it or not!")?

I've seen/heard too many players (younger, inexperienced self included) who find a pedal, and it instantly becomes the only sound they will ever use- at least for the next 6 months.
 
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#5
AlexBassMP said:
I know , I know.. we all suffer GAS and we all like pedals and the the things they do but..

I was posting a comment and I noticed that I like some particular pedals but I don't buy them because I won't use them in my band or if I use them it will be only for a little time. I use a Zoom MS60B as a flanger because I don't wanna spend 150/200 bucks in a dedicated flanger pedal because I use flanger 2 or 3 times during the gig.

In my case , rather than tone, quality, price or GAS my main reason to buy a new pedal is the time I'll use it in a gig.

What are yours?
Click to expand...

1. Do I actually want the pedal?
2. Can I imagine a use for the pedal with one of my bands that would sound good?
3. Will I be able to fit the pedal on my board?
4. Can I afford the pedal?

The answer must be yes to all four.
 
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#7
basscapes said:
I will also add- Does it inspire me or my playing without imposing itself (as in, "I can't get through life without this one particular pedal being on all the time! So I'll leave it ON all the time, whether the song needs it or not!")?

I've seen/heard too many players (younger, inexperienced self included) who find a pedal, and it instantly becomes the only sound they will ever use- at least for the next 6 months.
Click to expand...
I second this!
 
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#8
My algorithm is far less complex:

“Do I want to try it?”

If so, I buy it. Pedals are pretty easy to flip or trade, and relatively speaking they are low cost for the most part - we aren’t talking basses or amps or cabinets here. Also, trying them in store rarely tells the tale, I find I need to use them with my rig, in practice or on stage to make a true determination.

I put far less consideration into buying a pedal than any other piece of musical equipment...and for that matter, anything else period. Like seriously, what sort of rigorous process do you people do before buying a car or a house? ;)
 
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#12
since i dislike pedals (but i have them!) in the first place, i'm not easily swayed to the point of buying one. having said that, i will google/research pedals i don't know anything about after reading threads/posts by folks who swear by them. so: i'm a sucker for the hype but i tend to be skeptical on the 30 minute drive to SA or GC to try one. i watch youtube demos and typically get my 'pedal GAS' cured...at least for the moment.

also: i have 'buyer's remorse' after pedal purchases (even if i like them and even if they're cheap!). :roflmao:

but to the OP's point: i think about a pedal for certain tunes. in practice: i'm still just using a little reverb/chorus on a few solos.
 
#13
AlexBassMP said:
I know , I know.. we all suffer GAS and we all like pedals and the the things they do but..

I was posting a comment and I noticed that I like some particular pedals but I don't buy them because I won't use them in my band or if I use them it will be only for a little time. I use a Zoom MS60B as a flanger because I don't wanna spend 150/200 bucks in a dedicated flanger pedal because I use flanger 2 or 3 times during the gig.

In my case , rather than tone, quality, price or GAS my main reason to buy a new pedal is the time I'll use it in a gig.

What are yours?
Click to expand...

My rules are:

Do I want it? Yes

On to rule number two:

Can I afford it? Yes

Buy pedal.

*caveat - I am not in a band, though being in a band would not impact my pedal-buying decisions.
 
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#14
AlexBassMP said:
I know , I know.. we all suffer GAS and we all like pedals and the the things they do but..

I was posting a comment and I noticed that I like some particular pedals but I don't buy them because I won't use them in my band or if I use them it will be only for a little time. I use a Zoom MS60B as a flanger because I don't wanna spend 150/200 bucks in a dedicated flanger pedal because I use flanger 2 or 3 times during the gig.

In my case , rather than tone, quality, price or GAS my main reason to buy a new pedal is the time I'll use it in a gig.

What are yours?
Click to expand...

I'm the same way. To an extent. If something gets my GAS going that much, I get it when/if I can. I see if it will work with the band. If it doesn't it usually gets flipped. A pedal like the EQD data corrupter is so cool! But would I use it? Probably not much. So I wouldn't go out of my way to get it. So yeah,, band use and monetary means I guess.
 
#16
Mine used to be pretty much all of yours... after having three kids it usually comes down to, can I afford it? Probably not hah!

After having so much dirt needs that are now met, and pretty happy with all my others my new rules are that it must blow me out of the water and keep me gas up enough for me to research and think really hard if I could use this on my band board... don’t have time for my spare pedals / play board anymore :(
 
#18
Being still in the early stages of pedal over-acquisiton (and having a flexible budget) I buy most things that take my fancy intending to flip them if they fail to satisfy. So far I've purchased 12 and have definitely decided to ditch 4, with another 2 on probation. I don't really like driving for hours to try something in a shop because it usually takes several sessions before I really get the feel of a new gizmo. Better to buy one and hope I don't lose too much when I sell it.

Whether I keep it depends on whether it's fun and/or inspirational. Also whether it's adequately unique compared to other stuff I own. Current dilemma is the Keeley Dark Side which mostly replicates other common pedals but does have that syncopated echo mode which is pretty cool.

Current GAS includes mothership2 and most of the Fairfield Circuitry line.
 
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