HTH AMPS valve bass overdrive (mkII prototype)

[MisterSpankyPants]

Hey brother! How are these coming along?

[TeleCustom72]

@MisterSpankyPants: you've entitled to your view and its always good to get feedback. however, you're the first person to say these are overpriced. as this is an all-valve pedal, the parts cost is higher than the pedals you mention, not to mention that my Bass OD is point to point wired. as for other pedals that do the same thing, I don't know that there is - this pedal was design after a guy had tried lots of other stuff and came to me with a spec to achieve a cranked SVT (and beyond) tone.

[MisterSpankyPants]

@TeleCustom72 That's the thing, man. The pedal sounds great! I'm not trying to hassle you. I'm just saying if you came down on the price a bit, you'd really open yourself p to a much larger market. This thing could definitely sell, but the only thing holding it back would be a price like that. You'd make a slaying, man. I understand that a lot of the cost is overhead, but Dave Hall makes similar pedals for only $300USD. I like yours better, but it can't compete in the US at that price IMO/IME.

[TeleCustom72]

@MisterSpankyPants: Dave Hall - the luminous paint ones right? I wouldn't say they're comparable with my bass pedal which runs the valve at high voltage, whereas his are all DC powered with low voltages on the valve. Mine is priced to reflect the cost of the components and how long each one takes to build - I ain't getting rich at this, believe me. One day I'll change them over to PCBs so they can be built quicker, then the prices can come down accordingly.

[MisterSpankyPants]

@TeleCustom72 That's the one. Well, I guess I learned something new today (re: different builds).

That being said... I think you should consider implementing a one-time SpankyPants discount...

>.>

<.<

[TeleCustom72]

@MisterSpankyPants: that may be possible, email me direct to talk shop (hth.amps(at)yahoo.co.uk)

[MisterSpankyPants]

Man, I really wanna hear more of this but in a better recording. Could you run a direct track and/or a track through a mic'd bass amp? This thing sounds pretty f'n sweet in this video.

[TeleCustom72]

@MisterSpankyPants: cheers man, glad you like it. this is just the prototype, the finished version will have a clean blend control so you can mix in the clean signal to taste. I'll see what I can do regarding getting a recording with a bass amp mic'd up, but what you hear on this video is pretty representative of what it sounds like in person, but of course the low end is fuller (only recorded with a digital camera's inbuilt mic). I'd love to hear your suggestions for improvements.

[MisterSpankyPants]

@TeleCustom72 As a bassist, it's hard to gauge the amount of low-end a pedal will have coming through a guitar amp or camera mic that aren't suited to lower frequencies, so the mic'd amp would be great if you could swing it.

Also - which Yamaha bass were you using? It sounded like you were using fingerstyle, but I couldn't tell if the bass was downtuned or not.

How much USD do you think you'll be selling this for? :)

[MisterSpankyPants]

@MisterSpankyPants Listening again, it sounds like you're using a pick instead of fingers... I think. ...... . . . .

>.>

<.<

[TeleCustom72]

@MisterSpankyPants: not sure of the Yamaha bass model, it was a budget model in the sub £400 range, but not a bass bass at all (very playable), J-bass pickup setup. the clip was recorded with a pick, no downtuning (well, 'might' have been half a step down, just tuned up by ear). This pedal will be going out for £300GBP, so whatever that is in US$. its all hand wired, point to point construction, so its a step above the usual mass-produced efforts you typically see in this market. Cheers!!!

[MisterSpankyPants]

@TeleCustom72 Holy Cow! Nevermind... that's $445 USD. :(

[TeleCustom72]

@MisterSpankyPants: exchange rate kills it for you guys in the States. for comparison sake, the Matchless hotbox goes for $500 - you're dealing with the top end of the market here, you get what you pay for.

[darkglasseffects]

That sounds very good! Congratulation collegues.