danyeo":3mu70bqu said:
So what's your piece of gear that's cheap and readily available that you feel does as good a job as the overpriced boutique gear the snobs hold up to such high esteem?
Let me preface this by saying you know I consider you a friend around these parts... and this is not just directed only at you - these comments come up all the time...
I gotta tell ya man. As a guy busting his ass building ultra high quality amps in small runs that I guess you could label as boutique, I really get tired of comments like this. If you knew what it costs me to build these amps in small runs, including custom head shells, custom, indestructible, powder coated and silk screened amp and footswitch chassis, custom waterjetted and painted faceplates, etc. etc. you wouldn't consider them "overpriced". In order to make a modest profit and pay for the parts and a lot of things that go even beyond the costs of the amps (advertising, etc.), I believe I charge a fair price. I think it's probably similar for most small batch builders, although I know some use "standard" parts (headshells, chassis, etc.) that allow them to sell their amps cheaper than mine...
I think it is fine for people to buy the cheaper mass produced amps that fit their budgets better and sound great as well. It's just that I don't think the folks willing to buy a small batch amp like mine are "snobs" buying an "overpriced" amp. If you view an amp as just a tool and are happy with a mass produced amp, that's great, but some people appreciate the workmanship and overall quality of a hand built amp like mine. Obviously, people buy my amps for the versatility and tones as well, but I'm sure it could be argued that there are cheaper amps that sound good enough given how subjective tone is anyway...
The mass produced amps are built by large companies that have the economies of scale to purchase large batches of parts, have cheap labor and therefore can charge much less than I can. Maybe I sell ten amps in a year, they sell thousands...
You can buy a nice Edwards Les Paul for around a grand. You can also pay ten grand for a painstaking re-creation of a '59 LP. Both are Les Pauls, both will do a fine job in the studio or on stage, but some people are willing to pay way more because they appreciate what goes into that instrument. Amps are no different...
I just see no reason to label things "overpriced" and the people buying them "snobs". Buy what makes you happy and don't judge other's purchases...
My 2 cents... and yes I'm taking this personally like a little baby...
Steve
