Pedal Prices?

[Aristocat]

So I'm about to buy some pedals for my rig and a thought crossed my mind regarding a couple of 'choice' ones that I'm hoping to add.

I get that the Capistan is considered a grail delay, but why the fuck do people think that pricing them as low as $250 (average) is gonna get them sold? Average tax is around 7% so new at 299.99 you're only paying $320. I would expect to see them start at $200-210 at least.

Same goes for most gear I'm seeing being sold these days. I plan on adding an ISP D (original; non-G) and they go beat for as low as 80. How can a pedal go for 65% of the original cost used? I don't low ball and I wouldn't imagine daring to ask to buy it at $40 but lets come back down to Earth.

Anyone else feel this way when buying used gear? I don't usually buy nor am I a gear whore/flipper so it's always for practicality; not value.

 

[rlord1974]

A lot of people think their gear is worth more than it really is. Especially the hard core pedal junkies.

Check out the Empress Tape Delay if you can - it's a great option/alternative to the El Cap. Not as many functions but, honestly, how many functions do you need in a delay pedal?....Especially if you're gigging with it. Your singer isn't going to give you 2 minutes between songs to twist every knob and activate every hidden function on your pedal.

 

[Aristocat]

A lot of people think their gear is worth more than it really is. Especially the hard core pedal junkies.

Check out the Empress Tape Delay if you can - it's a great option/alternative to the El Cap. Not as many functions but, honestly, how many functions do you need in a delay pedal?....Especially if you're gigging with it. Your singer isn't going to give you 2 minutes between songs to twist every knob and activate every hidden function on your pedal.

Believe me, I've looked into that as well. It's a killer pedal. The Wampler Faux Tape Echo and the Dispatch Master on my list as well. Hell, I'd go back to a DD-3 FWIW.

The EL Cap has my interest because of the built in reverb functionality (the Dispatch Master has this too). That's the draw for me and why I'm running my G-Major now.

I'm a plug and play guy when it comes to pedals. I could tweak endlessly but that's wasted effort/time.

But even common pedals such as a TU-2. Why are they selling for $80 used?

If the market dictates the prices; we need to let reality sink in.

 

[Enjolras56]

It's crazy man. On the Gear Talk Classifieds group on FB, stuff like "barely used, i just checked it to make sure it works" Strymons commonly get listed for $10-$20 off new street price.

 

[Aristocat]

It's crazy man. On the Gear Talk Classifieds group on FB, stuff like "barely used, i just checked it to make sure it works" Strymons commonly get listed for $10-$20 off new street price.

It's laughable.

I can't fathom why anyone would buy a used Strymon for only 20 less than it was originally worth new.

 

[university81]

i think it depends a lot on the brand as well

like gibson/fender holding their value pretty well, certain pedals are the same (eventide is another example and say strymon over here new it's around 270 euro , and used prices are about 200 euro incl. shipping)

stuff that floods the market to some extent (boss) you can usually find for super cheap, the tu-2 is pretty much indestructable which might explain the price =) , or second hand digitech pedals (x series for example..) or the ibanez tone lok pedals go for super cheap used usually half the price new, but a lot of those pedals are on clearouts from stores as well

i try and buy everything used, especially pedals even if you're 'only' saving 20-30% it all adds up

 

[Aristocat]

i think it depends a lot on the brand as well

like gibson/fender holding their value pretty well, certain pedals are the same (eventide is another example and say strymon over here new it's around 270 euro , and used prices are about 200 euro incl. shipping)

stuff that floods the market to some extent (boss) you can usually find for super cheap, the tu-2 is pretty much indestructable which might explain the price =) , or second hand digitech pedals (x series for example..) or the ibanez tone lok pedals go for super cheap used usually half the price new, but a lot of those pedals are on clearouts from stores as well

i try and buy everything used, especially pedals even if you're 'only' saving 20-30% it all adds up

Oh of course it does.

I've just noticed this more so in the past couple of years. When I was in HS and still working in music stores, you'd see things more reasonably priced. It seems as though most things are going the way of the Klon.

It all depends on the person who's selling (as we know) but I can't believe while looking through different mediums what I seem to come across price wise (plus/minus $15).

 

[Enjolras56]

Hey, if the market is willing to pay it...

When I first started selling gear on eBay not too long ago, I'd look up completed sales and say to myself "wow, I can really get that much for this?"
So honestly, yeah, I've been that guy that has put it up for what "comps" sell for on eBay. If it goes for that, why shouldn't I get it too? If there's a lot of competition, I'll put it up for 10% or so less than other comps so I get just get a quicker sale. I'll usually put things up OBO or use "best offer" feature on eBay. Top dollar isn't all that important to me.

Obviously Strymon is hot and in high demand. That being said, I've had a Creation Audio Labs Holy Fire on the market for weeks (you guys have probably seen it in the classifieds). Sells New for $199.
It's a great pedal- just not talked about much or sought after as much. I based it off 1 completed sale that went for $155. Virtually no bites except for a few low ball offers until I brought it down to $120 and it finally sold.

Back to high used prices for readily available in-demand pedals...
So what is it? Is it that the internet has made it that much more possible for anyone around the country or world to bid these things up? Guys just trying to edge each other out to win the auction even if it only saves them 10%? Hmmm...

 

[bonedarrell]

To counterpoint, why should used items be substantially cheaper if they still function properly? You can save some coin and the seller doesn't have to take it up the keister. It's all about supply and demand. If I want a specific piece of gear and it is only 20-25% less than it is new.....that is a 20-25% savings in my book....as long as it functions the same as a new one.

 

[university81]

i think it depends a lot on the brand as well

like gibson/fender holding their value pretty well, certain pedals are the same (eventide is another example and say strymon over here new it's around 270 euro , and used prices are about 200 euro incl. shipping)

stuff that floods the market to some extent (boss) you can usually find for super cheap, the tu-2 is pretty much indestructable which might explain the price =) , or second hand digitech pedals (x series for example..) or the ibanez tone lok pedals go for super cheap used usually half the price new, but a lot of those pedals are on clearouts from stores as well

i try and buy everything used, especially pedals even if you're 'only' saving 20-30% it all adds up

Oh of course it does.

I've just noticed this more so in the past couple of years. When I was in HS and still working in music stores, you'd see things more reasonably priced. It seems as though most things are going the way of the Klon.

It all depends on the person who's selling (as we know) but I can't believe while looking through different mediums what I seem to come across price wise (plus/minus $15).

yeah i still don't get people who expect it to be a reasonable price selling something 10-20 $/euro off what it costs new .. given the 30 day returns programs the big online retail places do seems a bit silly , then again i might just spend too much time surfing forums/classifieds/ebay =)

how something like the klon given it's not that old can fetch that kinda money is insane , like the 'modern vintage' i wonder at what stage a 59 les paul might command 1 millliooonn dollars, or those dumbles

 

[Aristocat]

To counterpoint, why should used items be substantially cheaper if they still function properly? You can save some coin and the seller doesn't have to take it up the keister. It's all about supply and demand. If I want a specific piece of gear and it is only 20-25% less than it is new.....that is a 20-25% savings in my book....as long as it functions the same as a new one.

I get where you're coming from and although I specifically stated the El Capistan, my argument pertains to pedals that are easily available to get both new and used.

Why should a mint Boss/MXR pedal sell for only 10-20% less for what they've gone for new pre tax? Is that even justifiable in the grand scheme of things? Whenever I have sold gear, I've tried to keep it reasonable.

I brought a mint TC Hall Of Fame to GC and they offered me $60 for it. Did I throw a fit: Hell no! They have to make a profit. Next week, it was in there for $90. Granted it came with the box, manual and I threw in an adapter with it.
The flip is that a private seller needs to make a profit too but if they were to sell the same pedal for $120 what's the point? They're readily available for 70-90 used. That's what I'm trying to illustrate here.

As far as Strymon is concerned, you can buy directly from them. There are dealers that can get them. They popped up used on a biweekly basis and they are currently in production so whether it is bought new or used there is an abundance of them available in both instances.

If this were a discontinued pedal being sold, then I can see the rational in asking for 10-20% off of the new price of the now discontinued item. You can even cite rarity and desirability. Some have gone awry such as Klon or vintage pieces of equipment because they have 15+ years on them. Granted things accumulate value as time goes on but how much of that is intrinsic value and not sentimentality for the gear?

If I were to sell my amp tomorrow, it'd go shipped/PP'ed for $2,000. I paid $1800 the amp and put $1,400 worth of mods/work into it. All things considered I'm out 1,200 which is roughly 65%. You could even cite that it's a 71 Super Lead in healthy condition. But I'd go as low as $1,700.

But as long as it works I guess everything works out well.

 

[technomancer]

With the Strymon pedals they get priced like that because they sell, simple as that.

 

[blackba]

FYI, ISP just released or is releasing a new 2nd series of decimator pedals, so the originals should be dropping in price soon. The newer ones are supposed to be improved and you an link multiple decimators together.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Yeah, what the fuck are people thinking trying to sell an El Cap for $250! Idiots! I sold mine for $280..V1.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Here's the deal, a lot of gear may be used but physically, it is still in great shape. If it "looks" virtually new, I guess people feel they can ask close to asking price. That said you gotta be realistic, a well used TU-2 shouldn't be seeing a dollar above 60$.

 

[rlord1974]

FYI, ISP just released or is releasing a new 2nd series of decorator pedals

I could use a little more decoration on my pedalboard.......

 

[blackba]

FYI, ISP just released or is releasing a new 2nd series of decorator pedals

I could use a little more decoration on my pedalboard.......

The auto iPad text is so annoying sometimes.

 

[rp108]

I personally think the Strymon stuff isn't that great. I have owned an El Cap, Brigadier, Blue Sky Reverb, and Orbit. They all affect the tone in high gain amps and do not handle the signal level they say they do. Eventide is where it's at. Get an H9 and be done with it.

As far as pedal prices. Strymon stuff is in high demand (or at least was), especially over at TGP.

 

[rlord1974]

I personally think the Strymon stuff isn't that great. I have owned an El Cap, Brigadier, Blue Sky Reverb, and Orbit. They all affect the tone in high gain amps and do not handle the signal level they say they do. Eventide is where it's at. Get an H9 and be done with it.

As far as pedal prices. Strymon stuff is in high demand (or at least was), especially over at TGP.

I've had the El Cap, Brigadier, Blue Sky Reverb, and Orbit as well. I liked the Orbit and the two delays, but realized they were WAY overkill for what I need on a gigging pedalboard. I thought the Blue Sky Reverb sounded like a tin can.

 

[Aristocat]

I personally think the Strymon stuff isn't that great. I have owned an El Cap, Brigadier, Blue Sky Reverb, and Orbit. They all affect the tone in high gain amps and do not handle the signal level they say they do. Eventide is where it's at. Get an H9 and be done with it.

As far as pedal prices. Strymon stuff is in high demand (or at least was), especially over at TGP.

I've had the El Cap, Brigadier, Blue Sky Reverb, and Orbit as well. I liked the Orbit and the two delays, but realized they were WAY overkill for what I need on a gigging pedalboard. I thought the Blue Sky Reverb sounded like a tin can.

If I could find a great example of a reverb/delay combo I wouldn't be so dead set on the Capistan. I know that the Dispatch Master by EQD makes one but I've only heard ambient/indie examples and it's hard to picture it in a hard rock/metal context.