I Need to Rethink Vemuram Pedals (I Thought They Were Too Expensive)

[@NickGranville]

No, you’re right the price is high. That’s not the point though. The question should be is the pedal worth that price to you?!

[@ZaneQuebec]

For me, a "boutique" single overdrive or distortion pedal is not worth over 200$. A Wampler, JHS, warm audio or J Rocket are very excellent "high-end" overdrives. I'm not saying they are bad but Vemuram are simply just too expensive.

[@seanandben]

The nux 6ixty5ive overdrive is a very decent option for $50, and it an be set for a wide range of overdrives from subtle to high gain.

[@edwardjons8684]

Vemuram are phenomenally well built and thought out pedals - every time. You want the best, you pay for it.

[@joeriffanucci]

I run a Jan Ray and Butter on weekly gigs. (Designed for live playing imo) They are worth the money. I’m sure the case material jacks up the price and cuts down on noise. The pedals are dialed in and if not exactly tweak the mini pots. We can all get things done with junk. Getting that extra 3% is worth it to certain people. 😊

[@whoisthecoppacnk]

This is it. I’m a producer and the world-class level is a matter of 7-5% improvements in sparkle, depth, throat, grit etc when it comes to the final production and mix, assuming your songs are good

[@joeriffanucci]

@ totally agree

[@MikeRiddle1984]

I spent years ripping on the Jan Ray for all its daft marketing and suggestions that the brass case changes the sound. I still don't believe that stuff - it's obviously a load of crap. But I got a well-priced used one on a trip to Japan in 2019 and it's been one of my nailed-on favourites ever since...

[@micktheman6]

Glad to see this question,they are brass enclosures and well built. You can buy one on reverb for 250 that’s not a ripoff. The janray isn’t a Timmy it definitely sounds a little different but obviously with transparent overdrives they’ll sound similar.

[@MrJesusCrisp]

Issue with this kind of pedals is that there are just too many alternatives for better prices, looking at Way Huge, JRAD, Walrus or even MXR for example, and also for most guys it won't be a noticable improvement over what the "standard" version of the pedal does. About the prices being alright inside of Japan, that's not a useful take. Customers outside of Japan don't care about the prices being OK in Japan. These are all very basic overdrive pedals, which shouldn't cost 400€.

[@heymrguitarman7637]

I've owned several Vemuram pedals. 7 from memory, and they've all been fantastic. Expensive but reassuringly so

[@IamMusicNerd]

The only pedal sellers ripping us off are on reverb. The original manufacturers generally charge a fair price given the the work and research that goes in. They need to make a profit to stay in business long-term.

[@nickrouse8426]

Some sellers on Reverb ARE trolling for someone to overpay. Some are priced just fine. Ebay bidding can be a good way to find some deals. I got a mint JHS Packrat for $160 that way. Just gotta shop smart.

[@jamesgrobertson8024]

Great video. Love to hear your take on Vertex stuff.

[@JimmyGallowayGuitar]

I got to say, Shanks is the best drive I've played. A close second [and half the money], Greer Lightspeed. If it inspires, it's worth it.

[@johnnylayton1672]

Isn't their appeal ultimately additional trimpot adjustment capability either on the side or inside these pedals not offered by their inspirations?

[@TLMuse]

Barber may not be an inspiration here, but some Barber pedals have had trimpots for customer customization. -Tom

[@tonystartup3817]

I think many barber pedals have trim pots inside, at least the older bigger enclosure ones did

[@jaunianise4172]

You remind me of that song L'opportuniste Chanson de Jacques Dutronc Je suis pour le communisme Je suis pour le socialisme Et pour le capitalisme Parce que je suis opportuniste Il y en a qui contestent Qui revendiquent et qui protestent Moi je ne fais qu'un seul geste Je retourne ma veste, je retourne ma veste Toujours du bon côté Je n'ai pas peur des profiteurs Ni même des agitateurs J'fais confiance aux électeurs Et j'en profite pour faire mon beurre Il y en a qui contestent Qui revendiquent et qui protestent Moi je ne fais qu'un seul geste Je retourne ma veste, je retourne ma veste Toujours du bon côté Je suis de tous les partis Je suis de toutes les party Je suis de toutes les coteries Je suis le roi des convertis Il y en a qui contestent Qui revendiquent et qui protestent Moi je ne fais qu'un seul geste Je retourne ma veste, je retourne ma veste Toujours du bon côté Je crie vive la révolution Je crie vive les institutions Je crie vive les manifestations Je crie vive la collaboration Non, jamais je ne conteste Ni revendique ni ne proteste Je ne sais faire qu'un seul geste Celui de retourner ma veste, de retourner ma veste Toujours du bon côté Je l'ai tellement retournée Qu'elle craque de tous côtés À la prochaine révolution Je retourne mon pantalon

[@tonystartup3817]

That SD9 still haunts my dreams. One moment it would work fine, one moment it wouldn't. Change the electricity switch transistors. Would work fine, come back the next day and didn't work. Change electrolytic caps, would work. Come back the next day, wouldn't work ... Etc etc

[@jamesgrobertson8024]

@@tonystartup3817 Yea I had the Maxon for a while & just couldn’t get a pleasing tone out of it .

[@TLMuse]

Vemuram is new to me, so thanks for the pointer. The crew at FreeStompBoxes have posted a traced schematic of the Butter Machine. I may be missing something, but the gain section (which determines the distortion character) is basically identical to the SD9 (but the diodes aren't identified; that could potentially be important). Compared to the SD9, there is a bit of high cut at the input, which will affect the distortion character, but which is something you could do with the SD9 and an EQ pedal. The tone control is altered to have a different frequency response. The trimmable EQ (described as a low-mid boost and 6 kHz boost @ Vemuram's site), is completely after the gain stage. I don't see anything that should significantly affect dynamics/headroom, except maybe having less highs in the gain stage (though maybe the diode choice is exotic). It could be interesting to see if a bit of EQ before & after an SD9 could breath new life into it, perhaps mimicking what John experiences with the Vemuram. -Tom

[@ricklaurens5884]

I tried the Vemuram pedals in a store. Plan was too buy the Butter Machine. But … I didn’t like them … There was too much ‘presence’. The Nordland ODR-C is the same quality but way more versatile. Never found anything lacking on an original Timmy (also love the Lovepedal OD11). Never found a good alternative for a SD9.

[@micktheman6]

Glad to see this they are brass enclosures and well built. You can buy one on reverb for 250 that’s not a ripoff. The janray isn’t a Timmy it definitely sounds a little different but obviously with transparent overdrives they’ll sound similar.

[@steveliberty]

I've never played a real Vemuram pedal. But I built a Jan Ray clone from a PCB available online. It really didn't remind me much of a Timmy, even though the circuits has a ton in common. And the Jan Ray clone had so much level - a great enhancement. Really let you use it as a flexible boost (more or less drive, tone shaping, etc.).

[@seanandben]

The nux 6ixty5ive overdrive is a very decent option for $50, and it an be set for a wide range of overdrives from subtle to high gain.

[@MaximilianMengwasser]

Great Video, John! The Jan Ray is my favourite OD. Period. And i‘ve tried a lot (different Timmy Versions as well). The Jan Ray is super smooth and has that „spongy“ feel under the fingers. It stacks super well with the King Of Tone (Jan Ray before) as well.

[@tomfairbairn1202]

Should i sell my boutique pedals and but a digital efx pedal… thats my current dilemma

[@Funk11147]

I’ve had a jan ray it was nice but like all my other pedals nothing ever stays forever. My fav tones tbh are just cranked amps without pedals.

[@monsirto]

One of the few advantages for me, living here in the antipodes, is cheap transport costs from Japan. Never dabbled with selling pedals but I may now.

[@sharkair2839]

i use a $30.00 tube screamer. ts 808, flip the switch ts9.

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

would you do the nu-x 65 overdrive v the janray? the nu-x 65 overdrive is like 35 pounds.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

If it inspires you to play, then follow what your heart desires. Have I played a vemuram peda? Not yet. Have I played absurdly expensive boutique gear before? Yes, I have, and I have spent stupid amounts of money on it as well. However, what you lose upfront, you wind up saving in the long term because that's less flopping around gear. Figured that one out with a Suhr and an Amplified Nation amp. I stopped buying guitars in 2022 thanks to the Suhr and do not desire another amp. If vemuram has that effect with pedals, I say go for it.

[@Jimmy4Thumbs]

Their website shows 13 out of 18 pedals as discontinued. They haven't been on my radar until the last few months, so I don't know if this is SOP for the company. 218 "Vemuram" items on Reverb, so there seems to be a healthy supply of them. I could be tempted by the SD-9 version (Butter Machine?). I've always considered the SD-9 as an "almost but not quite: pedal for me.

[@bazilbrushrocks]

Was that you saying “alright, give it a rest mate” during the TruFie ad, or just the voices in my head?

[@tacdoc8736]

The Jan Ray is nearly a part for part clone of the Timmy, with less versatility. There are no meaningful differences to justify that price, especially when the original is readily available.

[@martinreid1740]

I honestly think you would be better watching some electronic videos to see how these things work. Been playing since the sixties and was delighted when I sold my Colour Sound fuzz ror £400 a few years ago. Still got my original MXR script logo distortion +in it's box if you want to try.

[@stevesteve1965.]

A true testament would be to do a gig with a pedal board with pedals worth no more than £100.. see if the audience can tell the difference. I'm sure these pedals and the like are very nice but I've done many gigs without boutique pedals.

[@nickrouse8426]

"You can't patent a circuit." - Josh Scott

[@davegrice3423]

Watching now for the "One weird trick..." videos...

[@andrewchristie6483]

Good pedals, yes. Reasonably priced in Japan? Yes. For the rest of us - circa £400 (that’s $500 US) Very expensive. Are they shipped from Japan in Limos?

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

Too expensive for me. Yes, ripping us off. Specifically me as a nu-x, joyo, mosky pedal lover. To other people, not a rip off at all.

[@10sassafras]

It’s just clipping.

[@bgrierofficial]

First