Boutique Guitar FX 101
Greetings readers and fellow GAS sufferers (‘Gear Acquisition Syndrome’ – it is a 101 after all!). Today I’d like to share my thoughts on the “What is a boutique guitar effects pedal?” question.
‘Back in the day’ when I started playing guitar things seemed very simple. I went to the school up the road, couldn’t understand why my parents enjoyed watching the news every day and I was the lucky owner of a second-hand guitar, a practice amp, a capo, a lead, pack of plectrums and a DS-1. To be honest, at the time, I thought BOSS was the only company that made guitar pedals until I discovered the RAT and the Cry Baby. Anyway, these days, there is so much choice, and therefore we have to file everything away so neatly, place things in categories and genres or attempt to give everything a label. You know what, I get this! Life is a serious business and if we want to make the most out of our time on this ball of atoms, molecules, and living organisms, we need some rules to help us maximize this. Now here is the question, why do there appear to be no rules for the classification of ‘boutique’ guitar effects pedals? Or do we need classification?
Ok, let’s start at the beginning….one of Oxford Dictionaries online definitions of the word boutique is: ‘A business or establishment that is small and sophisticated or fashionable.’ For me, in the world of pedals, that simply isn’t broad enough. Here at Break the Machine, we deal with pedal makers across the globe, from people creating designs in their bedroom or garage to more established companies who have a team of talented people ‘peddling’ their wares from larger premises (sorry…excuse the pun!). Whichever end of the scale they are at though, the words passionate and creative are always at the fore. I think that the lines have been blurred somewhat over the years with many of the ‘original’ boutique manufacturers (if they ever did call themselves that?) producing larger quantities of pedals readily available across the high street and internet. Good on ‘em I say, this means their products are out there and everyone has a shot at acquiring them (there is that GAS again you see…). Maybe we shouldn’t insist (or assume) that ‘boutique’ should be restricted to being small? In the biggest firms, you have creativity, passion and the genuine desire to ‘do their best’. So maybe ‘boutique’ should be a word that is consigned to the waste bin of jargon joining the likes of ‘stakeholder’, ‘ballpark figure’ and ‘synergy’? I don’t know…
As the world of the stomp-box changes, it is becoming more and more difficult to define ‘What is a Boutique Guitar Effects Pedal?’ and as I’m writing this, I don’t think I am any nearer to finding an answer myself; but, what I do know is that I am unsure if it should be defined. If boutique means incredible designs, handmade on a small scale by one person passionate about what they do, great. But, if it also means incredible designs made on a larger scale, using machines and automation, well, maybe that is ok too? (ok time to stop thinking…).
We are in the golden era of many things at the moment (TV, communication, choice etc.) and guitar effects pedals are right up there. Manufacturers like ThorpyFX, Stone Deaf FX, Earthquaker Devices, KMA, Emma Electronics, Fat Foot Effects, Zander Circuitry, Tate FX, Greenhouse Effects and many, many others are providing new and exciting ways to radically change that simple electric current our guitars produce. As an avid player myself, and aging human being, I try not to discriminate on what I see or read about guitar pedals but make decisions based on my continuing journey for the perfect tone. Ears are as important as eyes! however, this is probably another blog post entirely…
