Are you being fooled by guitar pedal and gear demos? Vlog 20

In this video I'll dive in a little bit and discuss several things that can affect the way a video is received by the listener and show a few examples. While this is a bit tongue in cheek of course, the point to take away from this is that nothing beats trying the product yourself if at all possible in order to really decide if you like it or not... youtube videos aren't enough to make a decision, there are too many variables that go into it...

[@KennyCarlile]

This is exactly why I just buy all the pedals. All of them. ;)

[@wampler_pedals]

Thank you Kenny :)

[@guitareMTL]

Maybe not a popular comment here but I'm planning to play with zero pedal very soon. I've had like 25 drive pedals and never like them...

[@WayneMemphisMojo]

As do I

[@louierubio]

Yes

[@Hesohi]

The only solution. @Kenny Carlile

[@BeyondtheRecord]

may I add a little thing here? :) there's a way you might get fooled by a demo: if the pedal gives more volume to the sound, your brain will automatically think it was a better tone. That's because you hear harmonics more clearly, more highs and so on. this might make you think you are dealing with a great pedal when that's not really the case. Always make sure to match your volume ;) have a great day!

[@wampler_pedals]

very good point!

[@oig40203]

Years ago I had a friend who worked at Circuit City selling stereos. He said people doing speaker comparisons always gravitated toward the brightest speakers, because those highs jump out at you. Many were dissatisfied when they got them home.

[@matzer8846]

Wise words from a knowledgeable man! Absolutely agree ... the players style, phrasing, attack, pick speed is what does the song/theme ... the equipment just helps/guides ... Thank a lot for sharing!

[@karlhouseknecht]

Thanks for this, Brian. I had to stop watching certain people demo pedals or amps because of HOW they played (without a pick, all the time) even though they repeatedly claimed you'd never know. You know. You can tell. The type of pick matters. The WAY you pick matters. Pickup selection, volume knob, hybrid picking...it all matters. This was a great, eye opening demonstration.

[@riccosuabe]

one of the most truthfull builders out there!

[@freiermann7]

Ahh, I see. The secret is the pile of picks you have sitting back there

[@wampler_pedals]

+freiermann7 exactly!

[@SuperRoggerRabbit]

I knew it ...!

[@michaelreis8266]

Yeah, I bought a Jimi Hendrix Pick and now my teeth are completely F&%#ed!

[@dobby240]

+Michael Reis hahaha man that's funny stuff

[@michaelreis8266]

+dobby240 Thanks for legitimising my irony, I'm taking a bow \m/

[@tlawhon]

My rule of thumb is that KZbin videos are almost never a valid way to judge the sound of guitars, amps, or pedals. Always listen in person before purchasing. The videos are good for entertainment, for getting ideas of things to try, and, depending on who it is, for hearing opinions from someone you've come to trust on something they are listening to.

[@raypolakovic1290]

I find written descriptions better than youtube descriptions. For instance, I read about Goodsell amps in some online forums, was curious about the tone, and I went to youtube to hear them demo'd. I thought they sounded bright, but thin and too brittle. None of these amps are available in my area (PacNW), so I took it on faith, and bought one from reverb. Needless to say, the amp is a beast, insanely responsive, distorts organically when overdriven, and sounds NOTHING like the youtube demos.

[@Yupppi]

I have to say you can do some research in youtube if you are aware of all the variables. For example same guys with same mic setup playing the same guitars through same amps comparing different pedals gives you a good idea in comparison if you are familiar with the other pedal. Comparisons between alternatives are also good. After that watching a bunch of other people's videos, the worst and the best, and after that judging the overall idea you got of the pedal and going through why they sounded different and how your setup is different. Works with other gear too. It's a lot of work though. I have to agree with you in that new players and the ones who are inexperienced in rig setups or micing amps and cabs have to be careful not to buy gear after hearing just one sample that sounded good. In the end I do love to browse through tens of videos about a piece of gear that caught my interest to figure out the main characteristics of it. The most important part is what it's used for and what does it work well with and to figure out if your gear suits for it or actually rejects it. Usually the biggest problem in demos is that the demo player plays only with a strat. Now strat is a good guitar but totally different from les paul to compare the two basic constructions and setups of guitars. Bolt-on alder body with single coils compared to mahogany set neck with humbuckers acts totally different with everything. The voicing and characteristics of the gain for example.

[@mauricegaddin293]

Wow been looking at some of your videos on design etc. Find them really enlightening. Only picked this one up recently. I do agree though there are many demonstrations of gear that can be convoluted. Yip there are so many factors that influence the tone.. and yes often many people procure stuff that and are not satisfied with the results, and it's not the gear... I do agree try the gear where it is possible, unfortunately where I live it is not always possible as most dealers have gone online and and do not stock the gear only a few do so we are often at the mercy of these demos.. also many do not have decent returns policies locally.... I have an IT and electronics background and am now enjoying your older but wiser and useful articles. I look forward to more honest articles that debunk the BS..

[@BillGathen]

Still enlightening folks like me almost 5 years on: a gift that keeps on giving! Thanks for this.

[@FirstnameLastname-bp5cm]

The amount of compression in the audio for web demos in general makes a real impact. Also, last year I upgraded my home stereo to a nice acoustic PA with a big clean sound. Just a 12" acoustic guitar amp with several channels that sounds nice and clean. Before I was relying on my headphones and/or computer built-in speakers. I re-watched several of my favorite demo videos and ended up buying a couple pedals just because they sounded so good. Your video makes a lot of good points, and your concern is real. There are so many videos out there with low quality and also just not enough information about which amp/mic/pickups etc. that this conversation is really needed.

[@standswithfist806]

Super great advice. You win my award for honesty. ...yep....kids while you are shoppin'..... someone else is practicing. Great playing btw

[@MartinRodriguez-fk5jk]

Always learning a lot with you!!!! Thanks for open ours eyes 👀!!!

[@kennethhoneycutt4513]

I have watched a lot of your videos and I would like to extend my deepest thanks for taking time out of your schedule to make these for us they are very educational and help us make better-informed decisions on gear as well as explaining how a lot of the gear works thank you again God bless

[@FredBrum]

That's one of the reasons I demonstrate things in context. Even though I describe full chains at all times, truth is that I regard demos as a way of showing how guy "X" will use effect "Y" for his purposes. You'll see just that on your Catapulp soon. :)

[@timobryan14]

Love these videos - thanks for putting them together, Brian. This really explains a lot to intermediate players like myself.

[@letzrockitrite8469]

There are many videos that rely on the sound in the room for their audio.... wow .. bad idea.. I do appreciate the direct in/inline approach like you're able to achieve on this video to increase the "learner"s stickability... you throw stuff at it and it sticks... YOUR PEDALS ROCK... I learned of them on That Pedal Show with Dan and Mick.. love them too.. Great job Brian.. it sounds like critics are ridin' ya.. they can blow it out their muletrains... love what you do.. !! thanks

[@ashwalker2395]

You're so right. To me it's ridiculous that someone would think they would sound like a playing style from a pedal. To me it's just about a pedal that fits what you do equals awesome. Thanks Brian.

[@godbyone]

I did happen to know. I liked a klon before it was popular. I was a a club in the backs guy was doing a solo. Hit the klon. , I ran up. What was that. He said a klon. Wasn’t easy to find back then I also. Liked the dumble day 1. It was beautiful. I found got it at 15 k. But didn’t have it

[@74dartman13]

I've always said the same thing...nothing beats practice! The pedals are a great inspiration when you get that particular tone you like, which may inspire you to play more, and eventually become a better player!

[@owntone5]

Brian - great video. I like demos where the gear is demonstrated for it's capability rather than a particular style or sound. Pete Thorn's demos are fantastic. He demonstrates the range of the gear alone and in the context of a musical example.

[@lioneltrains7865]

From what I watch and read I would love to work at Brian’s company…man a CEO who does what he does on these videos…I have their pedals and they are what you hear on the videos…my favorite is the pinnacle

[@rangerdoc1029]

This is why I always search for comparisons rather than demos. That way I have a known baseline to compare against.

[@paulkielt9301]

Totally true! I saw many great sounding demos of the tube amp I bought, but I was really disappointed when I received it! After that, I remplaced few components inside the amp to get it sound the way I like.

[@pds11111]

Great video with good tips. The message is difficult but clear. The biggest key to that magic sound is practice and technique. That is a harder reality but necessary.

[@EytschPi42]

VERY interesting... even with the 57 you get way more bass and darker sounds than I would get with one. So, in essence.... every player gets a different sound, even with the same gear... and with different mics, positions, cabs, amps and most of all "preferences", you don't really know what you are getting from a KZbin videos and wether or not you can reproduce that sound.... WELL THANKS BRIAN! You just made my profession useless! TAKE THIS VIDEO DOWN.... or else!

[@marcohermans3207]

EytschPi42 Didn't we know this already? You and Brian give us excellent reviews of pedals and with good speakers or headphones we know in which ballpark the pedal will be. It's more of a character thing. People who actually record themself know how their equipment will sound through monitor speakers or headphones. I encourage every musician to record him or herself so you get a feel how different speakers/mics etc can alter your sound drastically . Keep on reviewing this lovely tiny toys!

[@pauldigga5419]

Marco Hermans I was thinking the same thing then i remembered most people are dumb. Not being a dick. Seriously. How do you not know that different players would get different sounds, dynamics, etc. even with the EXACT same set up. Also I’d never ever use KZbin to get an idea for sound. Impossible to get an accurate representation

[@garystackhouse5787]

Henning... I, for one, love getting different takes on different stuff. As long as I take it in the context of what I know from the sound of your channel, it's still very useful. As I commented to Brian, I watch enough of his videos, your videos, Dan and Mick's videos, etc, that I know the sound you tend to prefer and can then hear the pedal in the context of your other videos. It's like mixing or mastering in different studios with different monitors. As long as you have some context to which to refer, you're golden! Keep up the weird work, my friend!

[@inspectionnegross8695]

I appreciate your honesty in videos Brian. You should do some stuff where you talk with the TruTone/Visual Sound dude. Ya both seem like super real guys.

[@papagJazz]

Well said! Practice, practice, practice if you want to play and sound like your guitar heroes!

[@tookamooka]

Dear Mr. Wampler, Your Ego Compressor and Paisley Drive inspire me every day. Thank You, tookamooka

[@warpfac101]

Thanks, it's all true. Love my Tweed 57 and it took me a few of your pedals to find what I wanted. Going off demos it wasn't my first choice.

[@gbaren]

I agree with everything you said & so much is in the fingers & touch…However: The general character of the pedal still comes through in your whole example (not a bad thing :) )

[@333lefty]

Love your vids dude , the pedals speak for themselves , but the honesty in your personal style rings out loudly as well.........good form small town shredder, (dont forget A. s flowers :)

[@JasonHobbsGuitarist]

I've been doing a different take on demoing tones of pedals and amps lately... A thing called the iPhone.. Lol really gives a bare bones audio of what it sounds like... But I agree 100% that a amp/ pedal will sound different in the style of every player. Great video, Cheers!

[@compareguitarpickups536]

True, so true, Brian. One must try the gear in person so to be sure of the sound.

[@brianmckenzie1318]

WOW, what a great video!!! It's particularly confusing during demos when they only show one side of a pedal and then you think that is all it can do (ie. you only associate it with that particular genre of music). I can see that for pedals built for a "specific" purpose, but not for pedals that cover a wide range. Same as guitars, for instance you see an Explorer shape and automatically think rock or metal, but in reality, it can do anything! Again, great video!!!!!

[@raze1012]

What kills me is when someone demos a fifty dollar pedal through a two and three thousand dollar mesa boogie or boutique head or amp! over seventy percent of guitarist will never be able to afford anything close to that but their lead to believe by buying that fifty dollar pedal they can achieve that same exact tone through a line 6 spider amp etc etc. I actually asked one demonstrator to demonstrate through a cheaper amp and I got a polite " I can't do that".

[@TriPedalReviews]

The level of playing is also a factor, if you spend every moment of your life dedicated to playing guitar. You can make anything sound good.

[@orlock20]

One of my concerns is there are a lot of clones. The Tube Screamer line probably has far more clones than the Stratocaster (the most cloned guitar in the world). There are also a lot of Klon Clones and Big Muff clones. So one sees 12 overdrive pedals at a store, what they are probably seeing is 12 clones. Joyo makes it easy with their color representation such as green being the tube screamer clone and yellow being the Boss overdrive clone. Other companies have either silver or gold pedals which represent the two types of Klons. I blame the customers for the clone market. Digitech tried to have a pedal with a multiple of sound in their Space Station line, but customers weren't interested. Customers were interested in having two or more Tube Screamer clones on their board with different names thinking they were different pedals.

[@utooberblooper]

its important to pay attention when looking at a reason to buy something. most demos show the chain of gear used within the demo,and a person isn't going to demo a $300 pedal through a shitty peavy bandit. i think the truth is more than 70% of guitar players that are serious about it will have decent equipment,i bought a les paul custom and a marshall jcm800 after playing for a year.ive got about $5000 worth of guitars/pedals/amps now

[@robcobi]

I've got a TSA30 with the built in TS9 and a TS808HW, there's a little difference, but not as much as you'd expect. I've been having fun with Klones as well (Have an Aluminum Falcon, Klon KTR and a Archer Ikon that all sound identical). I'm playing them through some great amps so to me they all sound fantastic.

[@raze1012]

trillriff-axegrinder I understand what you're saying but that's not exactly what I said. Of course their not going to demo a $300 pedal through a bandit but they will play a fifty buck Mooer pedal through a mesa boogie. It's very misleading, most people don't read the signal chain in the description they jump straight to the demo and listen. The reason most people buy pedals in the first place is to either emulate a sound they can't afford or a sound that would take multiple rigs. That pedal show is starting to realise this and they've started demoing through working man amps instead of boutique out of reach amps. Anyway I really don't know why you felt it necessary to throw in your guitar collection but it's irrelevant to the point of the original post.

[@aikensource]

I wish you would have gone into the guitars as variables too! I have a friend who doesn't really understand that a PRS Custom 24 is not just for metal and a strat/tele is not just for blues and my ESP with seymour duncans isn't just for shred... I can get good blues/Jazz/worship/rock tones out of any of those things depending on the settings and the style

[@wampler_pedals]

+Sparkplug1034 good idea!

[@aikensource]

***** thanks! I've heard an es335 playing smooth jazz, as well as punk rock, and I've seen Rob Chapman shred the crap out of one. Haha.

[@TimothyPage06]

A few of my buddies in the Toronto jazz scene have been rocking PRS and Mesa Boogie Mark V's for one of the most beautiful sparkling clean jazz, funk and soul sounds I've ever heard and they are slowly converting the rest of us towards it too. 'Genre' is all about who's playing it and what you choose to play on it, not the gear in your hands!

[@drsquirrel123]

Worship tones?

[@bigfootingermany]

Yeah, a very distinct tone and style. Contemporary Christian stuff

[@stephenmunns4205]

Brilliant vid Brian. Adds integrity to what you guys do at Wampler. I remember noticing this on one of the Chasing Tone vids where yourself and Max were achieving completely different tones out of the same set-up, even without changing the mic placement. I play through an ML Deville with a TS-9 and a Boss BD-2 and, again, never sound like any of you guys on here. I'm more than happy with the tone I achieve though :-) Will check out the Clarksdale soon.

[@senseandadapt3929]

Great demonstration of the variabilities, the biggest variabilities are pickup selection, volume and playing style. I learned this after buying a lot of pedals. I have a much smaller board now but the Wamplers stayed. I have the ego mini, ace Thirty, plexidrive deluxe, Tumnus, Wampler Tape echo, and strymon Flint. Telecaster thro a Hot Rod Deluxe.

[@GuitArch54]

informative, sir. Thanks. Volume of amps (solid state vs. tube or modeling), strings, guitar and pickups (single vs. humbucker), playing style, and micing. Yes.

[@samringwald]

Brian sells pedals despite his internet presence. That's why we love him. Also, because of the Tumnus. I love that thing.

[@jaybirdgoody]

for a minute i thought about starting to do videos on youtube about effects pedals and then i stopped and thought about this very topic, the idea that eqipment can be used in a million different styles and all it takes is slight eq changes and mic changes, i felt i would do the world a disservice, and i would rather make art than review product. thanks for bringing this up

[@andrerock6754]

Brilliantly convincing demonstration. Thanks!

[@105Gunner]

Brian - I would love to see/hear an updated version of this video and to get your thoughts on the current state of paid demos, etc...

[@wampler_pedals]

Good idea! I’ll give it some thought

[@khairijohari8453]

I love this video!!! Soo much information here :)

[@jsalmons84]

Speaking the truth! My gear purchases must pass 3 tests: the store test, the home test and the GIG TEST. I'd never buy anything just because of KZbin. It's got to sound good on stage and in the studio. Then it's a keeper!

[@R0BL68]

Off topic I know but, what profile and radius do you have on your Whitfill Teles if you don't mind me asking?

[@brianewert6667]

I believe too that after a few hundred videos your ears "hear through" a few of the tricks. You've heard SO much that you can tell when something is special or unique. My other thought is that as long as mics, or mic positions are staying the same through out the demo, what's the difference? After all, changing the subtleties is (tone, volume, pickup, etc) is what it's all about.

[@5tw8se74]

Your playing is improving Brian. Along with the things you pointed out I teach my students to also keep in mind your tone is also affected by -- Pickups, humbucker, or single coils, and the thousands of variations of pickups, Strings, guitar cables, speakers, tubes, open or closed back cabs, playing finger style, drop tuning, rolling your guitar volume, and tone controls back, where you pick in relation to the pickups, and or bridge, how you set your amp, pedals. It goes on and on. But I'm gonna tell them when they ask. You don't believe me? Go watch Brian Wamplers KZbin video. Thanks Lol.

[@JWCFB]

Best tone I've ever heard from him. I have a DSL 40c and pedals don't enhance its already amazing sound.

[@raypilot9478]

I sincerely appreciate your frank explanation. In a time where honesty is the best policy died out with diving under your school desk from A-bomb explosions. I get now why, when wanting to try out my pedal fascination of moment, accessories associates would frown when I'd grab the nearest low model guitar and practice amp. When musician friends would tell me it's in your hands I thought innate talent; they were telling me pick up your guitar and practice until you can do it. I have one question. I love changing parts, circuits, mods. When I reassemble a guitar and it works and I do hear that differences have taken place and the sounds are what I imagined is it enough?

[@meesterdinglefritz2064]

Love your vids. Nothing political, just great informative videos.

[@KozmykJ]

Re. mic positioning. Aiming the mic at the centre of a speaker vs edge of cone gives very different tones also even at the same distance...

[@DanSZiegler]

Great video. Thanks! I was surprised that the tone brightened when the ribbon mic was pulled away further. Thought the opposite would happen.

[@mrgitarman]

First time I've run into your videos. Quite impressive how much technique you have developed and the main point here about playing style is great. My weakest area is learning how to get down the chicken/ Pickin'.There are so many elements in getting a sound and it's a combination of things. As you said its mostly "in the hands" and is why I have always used a ight crunch base sound and depending on the song I can clean up with technique alone or add something to it such as overdrive.

[@lance134679]

One thing I noticed about the sound in this video is that the basic character of your sound came through with all variations, and it was all great. I think that the effect of the microphone choice and placement is underestimated in most demos. 57's have that big hump in the middle, and traditional ribbons boost lows (when close) and attenuate highs. Both make a huge difference to what we hear, yet the microphone is rarely mentioned.

[@wampler_pedals]

+Lawrence Gillespie exactly! The mic and placement of that mic is critical to the sound

[@AussieCornerStudio]

Hi Brian, great to know as you'll notice all the picks go crab a few different thickness and materials there made of and listen to the tone and dynamics of the string change the sound.Great sound out of the Tele" by the way.

[@JWJames-ut6cp]

The points made here (by the video AND the comments) are all valid. This is one reason to seek out various video demos/reviews of whatever pedal/gear you are seeking info on. My first pedal purchase was made based on a video review. There was a particular setting that had the sound I wanted. When I got the pedal I set the knobs as they were in the video and played one of the riffs that I wanted the pedal for. Guess what? It didn't sound like the video! Well, that's not entirely true. It sounded like the pedal did in the video (it was a tremolo pedal) but, it did not sound the way I expected to when I played. I learned that in some cases you actually have to let the pedal do the work. If I did less playing and let the tremolo do its thing then I could get the sound I heard that made me want that particular pedal. I checked out various video demos of other tremolos before making my purchase and, while playing, the mics and so on all come into factor you need to learn to isolate specific factors within videos (be they all for the same exact item or different brands of a type of item). The way you play compared to how others play can be harder to factor in. And if you play a different style of music than the people in the videos it just adds to the difficulty. I prefer demo/reviews that show various settings of a pedal so that you can hear how things change within the parameters of the video. As I said, I also like to compared videos from different people to see if things are consistent within reason as well as to see if opinions on quality are different. Every now and then you find a video where someone does a side-by-side comparison or 2 or 3 different brands of the same type of effect (or differently modded versions compared to the factory original). The problem I find with some of these is that they are trying to get the same sounds from all the pedals involved. Which can be helpful or not depending on what you want to know about. Comparing differently modified versions of the same pedal is interesting. Although, if you want it to sound like a modded version then why not just get a pedal that sounds like that to begin with? (I am speaking of someone that does not already have the pedal in the first place)

[@kerrysmith2332]

There can be other variables that come into play, even when you get the chance to demo a pedal yourself. I've had pedals come back on me. Initial impression might have been that it wasn't what I expected or wanted so it went into storage. A few years later, different gear, different ears and the same pedal blossoms into something I can't do without.

[@blackfender100]

Great demo thanks so much.I have noticed a lot of Mic'd cabinets on demos.

[@johnchase8510]

Inspiration for a new pedal line Brian... Stomp the switch, and you are an instant "Master Of The Style". You could retire on such technology! I feel bad for folks who are talked into buying tens of thousands of dollars in gear to "Sound like your favorite player", buying the exact gear their "gods" use. They are then let down when these tones do not materialize from their fingers. Along comes the 16 year old prodigy with a Squire and a $500.00 amp, plays and sounds much like Jimi Hendrix, or Steve Vai, or... Practice, not equipment is the secret sauce, pedals make things far more fun, and can be very useful for compositional elements as well. It is nice to have folks like Wampler making such a great selection of fine, fun gear available, as well as a consistent process of demonstration to give an idea of what to go check out. Thank you!

[@TheDogPa]

My favorite is when they feed 2 pedals in series, comparing the unbuffered direct input to the first while the second is in bypass, with a buffered out non-true bypass into the second one. Second one is frequently hotter or brighter...hmmm...? LOL!

[@yjmsrv]

Every time you went to the "bluesy kind of thing"- I thought, gee that sounds great! Funny- each "style" really did have as much or even quite a bit more impact then moving the mics

[@TriPedalReviews]

I agree with your point at the end those that pidgeon hole pedals into categories, like most people that do, just have little imagination :) It'd be like someone giving you a brush and telling you what to paint with it. Demos on KZbin however are valuable tools in making decisions. They give you ball park estimates of what the equipment can do, and with a number of them you get a good general idea and a wide range of playing styles (hopefully). I own about 3X the amount of pedals my local music shop has, so trying in person isn't happening without traveling many miles.

[@wampler_pedals]

I agree!

[@davetrombetti4240]

What this video did was sell me on the Hot Wired pedal. It just sounded great no matter what mic set up was used. On my buy list. BTW, consider a version 2 of the Ethereal with a wet/dry mix knob. I love that pedal.

[@theguitarczar]

When it comes to overdrive/distortion pedals, I don't think a person can grok them in fullness via digital audio as they may sound in our rigs. Fuzz can get fairly close because it is more "effect-y" (when dimed). To me, the only pedals that can be judged based on digital audio are time-based or pitch effects. I've only bought 3 pedals based on KZbin demos and the only one I kept was a delay pedal. The other two were ODs that just didn't mate to my amp/guitars like I thought they would. That's just my unqualified, anecdotal opinion.

[@PaulSmith-qz2re]

Hello thank you Brian you are so spot on bro keep it up keep it going sir all the very best to you

[@javiereu]

Mr. Wampler doing videos??? Im suscribing right now!

[@weepingBear]

Thanks Brian! ON point there! By the way awesome playing!

[@osagie2]

I would like a tour of your studio ! And a look at all your pedals !✌️🙏🎸🎶😎💯

[@Alvolta25]

Yes I've been fooled by pedals demo. Now I know pedals are just a part of a long chain and it's this hole chain who gives the final tone. NOt that pedals are not importants. In fact, the room we're playing in is important, new strings, good cab, mic position, etc,. Today they can make a product say anyting with recording technics.

[@estebanlaguna8679]

gorgeous telecaster, i must say

[@imannonymous7707]

All these demos just make me realize how awesome a great guitar sounds plugged straight into a kick ass amp .

[@godbyone]

I be wish I knew about amp s when I was younger

[@byerh]

Always great info - thank you!

[@rockyrichards2]

I spend way too much time re-watching your videos Brian. LOL. Could you do a video that explains compression please?

[@theguitarczar]

Check out Rivera's demo video where the guy demonstrates different speakers. That's the best online gear demo I've heard/seen. I think I know a way to demo pedals but I only have my rig so it can't be judged against anything.

[@pdx666]

Yup I totally agree Brian I love my hotwired pedal. I don't really play a lot of chicken pickin with it. Mostly rock & punk it just a all around good gain pedal.

[@frantisca]

So the Hot Wired will not transform me instantly in Brent Mason ?? Wow... I'm disappointed :-)))

[@ernieflanaganstingraybassm1463]

ha ha NO...

[@retrobrw919]

Another thing most people don't take into account is KZbin compression and the fact that no matter how good a mic is a recording doesn't sound the same as being in the room with it. The device your listening through matters too. Expensive headphones or home stereo vs a cheap phone speaker type of thing. Best off going to a guitar store and trying them out first.

[@L.Scott_Music]

What I get from this is then a good pedal demo should show a pedal using various styles where the setups are explained. You tend to show us how to get the most from viewing these vids. With you, Pete Thorn, Shawn Tubbs, and HP (who shows most things is super detail) you are going to get a good idea of what a piece of gear is. And here is my main point, as with ALL things, multiple references will get you closest to the truth. Of course, with Pete, I'll watch his videos even if I'm totally not interested in the product because he's gonna play a killer new song (and break it down).

[@fender4brad]

Some of the demos are done by amazing guitarist, this has alway been why gear doest meet my expectation. ;)

[@keithfaust8925]

The biggie for me is what amp they are using. Pedals will sound totally different depending on what amp you are using, how the gain is set, etc. My main amp is a blackface Twin reissue, so I look for pedal demos using a blackface amp of some sort. It will be closer in sound to my amp, at least compared to a demo using a Marshall or Vox or whatever.

[@cliftontube]

So what happens when you can’t find anything but BOSS pedals in your local music store? Save up $250, buy a pedal and have it shipped, return it, rinse and repeat?

[@bigfootingermany]

cliftontube yeah if you have to. In my area, Stuttgart Germany, there are no real music stores anymore. Thomann and Musicstore,de have pretty much put all the mom and pops out of business unless you are looking for a nylon string acoustic guitar. So they make it easy to buy online, and return it if it's not what you like. However getting your money back can sometimes take 3 weeks. Even if you only wanted them to put it on account to buy something else instead. Pain in the a$$. When it comes to buying expensive gear, there is a little trick to getting a price break. Any time an item is sold, and returned. Even if the package was unopened, it must now be sold as a B stock. This is a EU law. Buy that Mesa Mark V online. Pay full price, Then return. In a couple of weeks, that amp you returned will be in the B stock section for a couple of hundred less. Then buy it again from them. Discount. Even if it takes a few weeks to get it.

[@benlogan430]

Stores usually can’t order items just for you to check out. They have to pay up front for stock no more lines of credit. One local shop couldn’t order me an amp unless he ordered a certain amount of product from the vendor. They had me order it myself online. The modern world is very odd.

[@TheDrewSmyther]

I love pretty much any PGS/Andy (now of Reverb) demo video, but I've always been careful of any drive, boost, or distortion demos he does because of how he unique his playing technique is. He definitely makes up for it by the quality of his explanations, at least regarding how and what the pedal was designed to do/sound like.

[@DreidMusicalX]

No, but I usually don't very many cheaper pedals. I have learned they just don't last and many really don't sounds all that great. But I have also found the same in really expensive pedals that are not all that great for the cost of them.

[@youngerscreek8690]

Awesome video Brian! Thanks!

[@benlogan430]

People will be fooled even without the marketing. IMHO because we need to see others using things so we can say a strat is for blues because SRV used one. Or is it a les paul because Billy uses one or is it a V because of Albert King? I use a Gretsch semi hollow, teisco single coil and a Supro reso for my blues. Even a peavey sig with mini humbuckers or 86 Kramer pacer with p90’s. I hope that’s ok? Great vid man! And correct!

[@1thess523]

I recently came across this issue when i saw a demo of the Boss ODB-3 bass overdrive, the demo sounded like what I was looking for but when I got it it wasn't what i was looking for and i realized the demo was done direct not through and amp.

[@michaelludwig7367]

I think the point in my playing career that realized this was when I was in guitar center messing around on a Synyster Gates signature though a line 6 amp, and I got decent blues tones out of it. Its not the gear, its the person playing the gear.

[@MrDavemiley]

Haven't bought hardly any pedals in a few years. My Wampler Pinnacle. and Ego are still here. as are my Mesa V Twin , Full tone Plimsoul and Fulldrive. . Bought an Ethos TWE-1 is the only thing new in a bout 6 years. Love my Wampler pedals !

[@keithlarkins2149]

I have the ego compressor and the paisley drive as they help me get the tone and the mindset for the country style playing techniques and it has helped a lot

[@DreamWeaver3112]

Awsome Tele. Is all the fretboard wear and tare yours? :) Thanks for the informative vids on the Heads and Cabinets. Peace

[@benagen2954]

Thankyou. Love honesty!

[@BillyBlaze7]

hey man, dig your style and your vids, you gotta any acoustic pedals?

[@pdcil]

Hey Brian, Just my 2 cents worth. Watching youtube videos can be deceiving for many reasons. If I was a pedal manufacturer I would cringe at some of the demos people post. Here are some of my pet peeves: 1) I don't necessarily think you need to be a pro level player but please at least be in tune. 2) If possible, demo the pedal on a clean neutral amp setting as well as a slightly or moderately overdriven setting. 3) Read the manual if possible so you understand the product. (I have seen some SLO pedal vid's where the person does not understand that the midrange control is neutral in the "off position" and sets it mid way up for flat and complains the pedal is too mid heavy.) I really appreciate the effort that goes into posting a good demo but some basic things can go a long way in producing a good, useful demo. One other thing: as a purchaser please try and find a demo using gear as close to your own as possible. If you play through a clean Fender Twin with a Tele do not expect the pedal to sound the same through your overdriven Marshall with a Les Paul. Hope this helps some posters.

[@madmatt41187]

The hot wired is an excellent drive pedal. I paired it with the Radial Elevator, and got the lead tone I've been looking for. I can do country to hard rock.

[@Alexander-iq5yq]

Interesting video. In my experience, modelling software showed me the difference between cabs and mics etc with impulse responses. Even cabinet construction (same speakers) can make a huge difference. So really we dont know what a pedal really sounds like until we have it ourselves. Also I was looking into reverbs and noticed on another oldish video you mentioned a plate reverb might be coming soon (my favourite). Are you still working on a plate reverb?

[@wampler_pedals]

great points! Yes, it's called the "reflection" and should be out by the end of the year

[@jimiray1]

You're right man. I use my Paisley Drive to rock out on blues based rock more than anything. I didn't even buy it with chicken pickin in mind. Its all in how you play or "all in the fingers" so to speak. Eddie Van Halen would still sound like Eddie through pretty much any pedals or just plugged straight into an amp with no pedals.

[@stephenowen3383]

You are true but in that case in terms of getting pedals in my budget I could go to my local guitar shop which is fairly far because one recently closed and then go and try mostly Boss, MXR, Dunlop and a few select boutique and cheaper pedal brands but not for example, Wampler, JHS, or Strymon. That is the problem with that idea.

[@wampler_pedals]

+Stephen Owen I agree! Tell them that you want them to stock our pedals, they should stock what customers want to buy

[@stephenowen3383]

***** Yeah. I have also just realised they do stock Strymon now. They didn't last week so that further shows what you mean haha.

[@bullthrush]

Here in Dallas both GC and Sam Ash only stock high volume sales pedals, they don't even offer to order one for you, even if your waving cash in front of them.

[@stephenowen3383]

***** christ that's a bit much. I really don't get attitudes like that. It isn't exactly going to be hard to say to for example, Brian, "we would love to sell your pedals so both me and you can make money." of course Brian is going to be happy for that and of course the seller are going to be happy, as will the consumer. Boss pedals only get you so far.

[@SuperRoggerRabbit]

I agree, I keep telling Metropoli Music in GDL, to stock up on Wampler ... and nothing ... only BOSS and MOOER ... feeewww ... Maybe you guys have more pull ?

[@Emma-kz3zr]

one the of tricks I notice alot is demo of pedals with certain types of pick ups e.g a pedal + amp will sound completely different on tele compared to les paul

[@TriPedalReviews]

Very true. I've recently been demo'ing spring reverbs, and decided to do both Les Paul and Stratocaster examples, the response and sound is completely different. And not many demo spring reverbs with Les Pauls :)

[@ethanpearson897]

Case in point being that the tubescreamer is probably the most used pedal in modern metal (besides a gate)

[@adamniswonger8015]

I'm struggling with this currently. Trying to decide on a Princeton reissue, DRRI, or custom 68s of either it's admittedly easier to find information and sounds now than it was 5 or 10 years ago, but it's still hard to tell. Still looking for that creamy/bell/chimey sound for under 1k. Blues jr nos tweed I had wasn't quite right.