BJFE / BearFoot fx Guitar Effects Community

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:19 pm**

DocRock wrote:Excellent observations, EJ!

You do make a good point about the "apples to apples" comment. It is true that the only BJF counterpart to an MP pedal is the LGW (and the AMWM, but those are so scarce, it almost doesn't count). I hadn't really thought about that when I was typing my comments. I guess maybe what I was getting at, in a broader sense, was that some folks might tend to hold out and spend their money on the BJF brand pedal as opposed to the MP brand of pedals.

Just brainstorming here, one thing Harri et al. at MP could do to address the "lack of human touch" to their pedals (even though they ARE handmade) would be to have the builders themselves start signing the bottom plates or something. Maybe even have pics and little bios about the kind Finnish folks who do the work to make these creations for us? Maybe some of the folks attracted to the handmade nature of the BJF brand could also be more attracted to the MP brand if we could know who is actually making them. The best part...it would cost them NOTHING to do it.

Remember the Tylenol TV commercials from a few months back, when they had people who worked there (or at least actors pretending to be) give little personal statements about the pride they take in making a product that so many people like, etc.? Or some of the auto maker commercials or the cereal commercials where you see factory workers talking about the cereal they make or the cars they build?

I think it could only enhance the "human factor" if the folks at MP who build the pedals were to sign them on the inside or something. I also like my idea of identifying them on the MP website. All of this could make a better connection with the consumer, thereby reinforcing the idea that these pedals cost what they cost because they're still handmade by a real, live human being and not punched out on an assembly line.

Anyway, just my continued ramblings....

Doc

Totally agree Doc! These are great ideas I think. I know the brand that I work on is brainstorming ideas to do much the same thing. How do make a mass produced brand feel local and personal? The ideas you mentioned do a lot to bridge that gap at minimal expense. Would really set MP apart!

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:49 pm**

Yes much interesting discussion ... some other things for the pot....

the LGW was the 'crossover' design - the bridge if you will ... its kind of the poster child for the BJF - MP relationship....

the LGW is the oddball in the BJF line - its the only one that uses an op amp and is ungooped - its the one that doesnt really need BJs hand/ear tuning and can be assembled by other hands with BJs 'recipe'....

Bottom line BJ makes as many pedals as he possibly can - he made a decision that all BJF pedals would be made by his own hands - BJFs will never be plentiful or easy to get or cheap.....

the only way you would ever likely see some of these 'other' designs like phasers and delays etc is if there is a way that other hands can do it .................

BJ could probably do nothing but make Honey Bees for the next year straight and still not meet the demand .....

so BJ makes what needs 'hand tuning' and MP makes what can be done by a solidified 'recipe' and can also meet RoHS standards

the RoHS part is often overlooked - but basically it meant that there can be no ongoing BJF sales in the EU - the MP pedals fill that void and in much greater numbers.........

and there may be other intermediate MP products to fill the Hi - Lo brand gap ----

need is the mama of invention and who knows where this economy will lead us :wink:

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:39 pm**

Just for the record, I love my MP pedals! I have them all so far, and they all rock. My favs are the Fire Red and the Sky Blue so far. And someday I hope to land a used MP amp. Just wanted to show some love so people don't get the wrong idea about the thread.

Posted: **Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:12 am**

Oh yeah, +1 to that!

I don't think anybody would misinterpret anything being said here, but I can certainly appreciate your wanting to make sure.

I love the MP Pedals, and (sadly) can only dream of owning an MP Amp.

I think this thread is more about how to make MP do even better and get even more recognition, etc.

No harm in any of this, it's all good ... good chat among happy people having fun.

Doc

Posted: **Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:09 am**

I know this thread is aimed at MP discussion, but I just want to say a few things about BJF pedals: I admit that I haven't been coming here quite as often, and that comes down to a few key facts. First, I just can't afford to have $450 to $500 tied up in a BJF pedal, new or used. Second, my hunt for modulation pedals has pretty much ceased and any overdrives or fuzzes that I purchase at this point are purely icing on the cake and by no means a necessity for my board. Finally, I wish that there was a more organized way to obtain the BJF pedals, customshop and standard. I know that this complaint might come off as kindof obnoxious, because there is always the thrill of the hunt and all that, but the only lists you can get on at this point that I know of are through Harri at Custom Sounds. The customshop stuff is made is such incredibly limited numbers that you literally have to win a lottery to have the opportunity to purchase one. I think Donner hinted that there is something new on the horizon as far as this goes, though. I'm curious to find out what that is. I really love the BJF pedals and hopefully when the dollar climbs out of the hole it's in and the economy improves I'll be able to pick up a few more.

Posted: **Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:32 am**

Right , MP and BJF and the BJF R and D customshop are 3 different animals

MP serves the masses
BJF serves the discriminating few
the R and D/Customshop serves BJs Research and some fun on the side too

the only one of those I have any real involvement in is the Research-customshop and this site is where at lot of research gets done .... and its also something different and fun....

I know the 'drawings' are disliked by some and I understand..... they are also a means to an end ---
One problem I have had with the 'lists' is they get so long that many contacts are over a year ago and the prices have gone up a good bit and that angers those who want the pedal but dont want to pay the current price so thats also very frustrating for both sides ......
And also especially for the research items we need fresh people who are interested now ~ not 6 months ago - so those serve research best as either selections or drawings ....

so yeah MP can get the tones to the masses,
or you can get in line for a standard BJF with CustomSounds or check the emporiums
or you can hang around here and participate in the research and be frustrated

I do what I do mostly because I enjoy it and the people here are some of the best tone junkies Ive met - I wish I could snap my fingers and get everyone every pedal they want, but rare - in demand - hand made things that hold thier value are never going to be inexpensive or easy to obtain ---- or like the old saying goes 'Fast,Good,Cheap ~ pick two' ~ well here you only get one - Good :wink:

this has changed from a year ago and it might be different again, but for now its what we have....

Posted: **Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:44 am**

[quote="Donner"]Right , MP and BJF and the BJF R and D customshop are 3 different animals

I have enjoyed sorting through this thread. Time allows only a brief response.

A:) so yeah MP can get the tones to the masses,
B:) or you can get in line for a standard BJF with CustomSounds or check the emporiums
C:) or you can hang around here and participate in the research and be frustrated

I choose C!

I do what I do mostly because I enjoy it and the people here are some of the best tone junkies Ive met - [/color]

ditto

I am quite thankful for the dichotomy in price range between the MP amp(s) and the MP pedals else I'd be without both !!

EJ, thanks for stimulating discussion. Doc, thanks for coming back. Donner, thanks for all you do in spite of ourselves and our blissful frustrations!!

All, have a great day!!

cork

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:15 am**

Yes good constructive criticism from people who know what they are talking about is always welcome here - thats another version of research...

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:47 pm**

Another problem that isn't directly related to the dollar is the re-sale market is bad for MP pedals :shock:

and still strong for BJF's.

I think people might think twice before
spending around $350 on a pedal, that's worth $250 the next day.

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:43 pm**

amphead777 wrote:Another problem that isn't directly related to the dollar is the re-sale market is bad for MP pedals and still strong for BJF's. I think people might think twice before
spending around $350 on a pedal, that's worth $250 the next day.

+1 to that, I had also thought of this as well.

Doc

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