Durban Differences

bottledtone · 2012-12-27T21:41:24+00:00

So, I'm down PMB/Durbs side for holiday, and suddenly think since I have a certain pedal with me, I'll go and show it to some music shops. Not really marketing, but more of a ...what the hell, I have it with me so I'll show something to the shops moment. 2 shops like a few kays from each other. One saying "there is just noooo market for pedals and everyone in durban wants digital built into amp, then the other says the market is HUGE and we chatted for an hour on the subject. What's the opinion? Durbs moving forward or backwards in the music industry.

exsanguinator

Tokai SA wrote You need to build 50 pedals.
Then take 5 pedals to 10 different music stores, leave them on consignment.
A guitarist plugs into one of your pedals, he likes it, he buys it, now the music store buys one from you.

I agree...which re inforces my simple 1x1m cheap stand to look pro and attract the consumers eye in the shop...
simple pvc water piping filled with sand is the easiest
also does he want to earn a living from building pedals or is it just a past time?
As mentioned...You may need to keep stock as well,because if someone orders one.... there nothing better than next day delivery,
the main objective should be to move your product,not get an order and hope the customer doesnt forfeit his deposit a week later due to unforseen circumstances

And this is all general advice..Im sure we all want you to sell heaps...

exsanguinator

OK ..had a look at your website...so youre past the garage stage it seems...
I hope you have taken advantage of a government grant for small business
My opinion?
Amp wise ...too expensive for entry level
pedal wise...too boutique for mainstream minded customers
Export?
If somebody placed an order for 50 amps and pedals...whats the waiting time?
I would start on an entry level transistor amp...but...it would be cheaper to get one made in china...
Then maybe focus on marketing the tube stuff o/s...with plenty freebees/samples to established artists etc
all in all you need deep pockets..LOL
But then again...what do I know?
Rather you than me...all the best of luck....

Sean

exsanguinator wrote Amp wise ...too expensive for entry level

LOL...yeah, these are not entry level amps.

exsanguinator wrote I would start on an entry level transistor amp.....

Somewhere in Pietermaritzburg an amp builder just passed out ?

RobbieZ

I have read this thread and to be bluntly, I am dissapointed.
Why? We need to support our local suppliers. If any one has a sugestion to help anyone, including bottletone, to better his product, give it. I take my hat of to him.trying to break into this market is not esey. He has a passion and the service one recieves from him is superior and I do mean superior.
Bottletone, keep up the good work. Take the positive things said and work with it. Even Marchall started with a single amp and a dream.

ActionArnie

exsanguinator wrote I would start on an entry level transistor amp...

That's like asking Koenigsegg or Spyker to build the equivalent of a Toyota Tazz ?

RobbieZ

ActionArnie wrote
exsanguinator wrote I would start on an entry level transistor amp...
That's like asking Koenigsegg or Spyker to build the equivalent of a Toyota Tazz ?

I fully agree.

AlanRatcliffe

Certainly no sense trying to compete on the low end, which is price-driven and you can't compete against Asia on price.

Chabenda

Bottletone - there is only one direction that your business will go in and that's up. People will always be prepared to pay more for a top quality and different product. Even better if they can have it built to suit their preferences. You have received a fair amount of negative comment but shguld be able to shrug that off. You wouldn't have got to the stage you are at now if you weren't determined, competent and building the right gear for the market. I will be contacting you for an amp in the next couple of months. Happy New Year and all the best!

TomCat

Sean wrote
exsanguinator wrote Amp wise ...too expensive for entry level
LOL...yeah, these are not entry level amps.

exsanguinator wrote I would start on an entry level transistor amp.....
Somewhere in Pietermaritzburg an amp builder just passed out ?

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:.....ROFLMAO........Epic...

exsanguinator

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Certainly no sense trying to compete on the low end, which is price-driven and you can't compete against Asia on price.

Thats why I said its cheaper to get one made,...
with your own brand name in the same factories that they are all made in china.
Those factories arent exclusive..
I would aim to get the brand name recognised
your mark up should reflect that...
when a parent walks in a shop and wants a cheap beginner amp...If one is R1299 and a local brand(not built)one is R699,(ive no idea what they cost as I havent been in a music shop for years here)
8/10 its the cheaper one sold.
A business needs cash flow....the bread and butter....
boutique=cream...a percentage that eats your bread and butter..would like to taste the cream at some stage.
A long process?...sure....If anyones in it for a quick buck...theres easier ways...LOL
Also...People age/get sick and people sell....
a business thats sold container loads of stuff is easier to sell/get bought out than that of someone that has only sold a garage full...
I really have no idea what the size of his business is...either way you need money to make money....
you need even more money to expand and go to the next level....

Gearhead

ActionArnie wrote That's like asking Koenigsegg or Spyker to build the equivalent of a Toyota Tazz ?

Might be a better idea for Spyker to start building Tazzes than it was building Saabs...

Arno-West

Weird. There seems to be double standards on this forum.
It's ok to GAS for a "Boutique" amp or pedal, cos it shows that you are a tone-afficianado, but mention that you secretly long for a real Gibson Les Paul or a real USA Strat and you are a ponce that only care about what is written on the headstock. You are told those things are overpriced and badly built compared to other copycat brands. Huh? So its ok to blow wads of cash on an unknown/unproven "Boutique" amp or pedal, but don't be a dumbass by buying a guitar that has been around for 50+ years, helped shape the sound of rock n roll and is used by all our heroes. I don't get this.
I had a look at Bottledtone's website and allthough the amps look nice, I still can't get my head around 2 watts? How will that thing keep up with am acoustic drumkit and a 600 watt bass amp on stage? And dont start talking monitoring cos then you might as well get a bigger combo.
His pedals are certainly not priced as "boutique", I think it's quite fair.
Bottledtone, my rant is not directed at you specifically but at the general mindset here.
Sometimes I just dont get it.
Ok, that was my rant. Next please.

bottledtone

Please guys.... Don't get me in trouble.
If you actually want answers I love email chats

Bob-Dubery

Arno West wrote Weird. There seems to be double standards on this forum.
It's ok to GAS for a "Boutique" amp or pedal, cos it shows that you are a tone-afficianado, but mention that you secretly long for a real Gibson Les Paul or a real USA Strat and you are a ponce that only care about what is written on the headstock. You are told those things are overpriced and badly built compared to other copycat brands. Huh? So its ok to blow wads of cash on an unknown/unproven "Boutique" amp or pedal, but don't be a dumbass by buying a guitar that has been around for 50+ years, helped shape the sound of rock n roll and is used by all our heroes. I don't get this.
I had a look at Bottledtone's website and allthough the amps look nice, I still can't get my head around 2 watts? How will that thing keep up with am acoustic drumkit and a 600 watt bass amp on stage? And dont start talking monitoring cos then you might as well get a bigger combo.
His pedals are certainly not priced as "boutique", I think it's quite fair.
Bottledtone, my rant is not directed at you specifically but at the general mindset here.
Sometimes I just dont get it.
Ok, that was my rant. Next please.

Well, there's a broad spectrum of opinion about many things here - which is a good thing. You shouldn't expect one school of thought on any given topic in a forum with this many active members.

There is no single mindset for the whole forum. There are guys who say that genuine Gibsons and Fenders are overpriced. There are those who will say that Gibsons are not that well built. I don't recall anybody being called a ponce that only cares about what is written on the headstock, but then I don't read every post on GFSA (and didn't when I was a moderator). There are some that will say that boutique pedals are way cool. There are some that will take up arms when copy-cat manufacturers are mentioned, and others that will say that the copy-cats are fine.

The mistake is to put one set of words into all mouths. If all of us were saying all those things then I'd share your bewilderment, but some of us say some of those things some of the time, which seems OK to me and tells me that there is no single mindset that pervades this forum.

Arno-West

X-rated Bob wrote
Arno West wrote Weird. There seems to be double standards on this forum.
It's ok to GAS for a "Boutique" amp or pedal, cos it shows that you are a tone-afficianado, but mention that you secretly long for a real Gibson Les Paul or a real USA Strat and you are a ponce that only care about what is written on the headstock. You are told those things are overpriced and badly built compared to other copycat brands. Huh? So its ok to blow wads of cash on an unknown/unproven "Boutique" amp or pedal, but don't be a dumbass by buying a guitar that has been around for 50+ years, helped shape the sound of rock n roll and is used by all our heroes. I don't get this.
I had a look at Bottledtone's website and allthough the amps look nice, I still can't get my head around 2 watts? How will that thing keep up with am acoustic drumkit and a 600 watt bass amp on stage? And dont start talking monitoring cos then you might as well get a bigger combo.
His pedals are certainly not priced as "boutique", I think it's quite fair.
Bottledtone, my rant is not directed at you specifically but at the general mindset here.
Sometimes I just dont get it.
Ok, that was my rant. Next please.
Well, there's a broad spectrum of opinion about many things here - which is a good thing. You shouldn't expect one school of thought on any given topic in a forum with this many active members.

There is no single mindset for the whole forum. There are guys who say that genuine Gibsons and Fenders are overpriced. There are those who will say that Gibsons are not that well built. I don't recall anybody being called a ponce that only cares about what is written on the headstock, but then I don't read every post on GFSA (and didn't when I was a moderator). There are some that will say that boutique pedals are way cool. There are some that will take up arms when copy-cat manufacturers are mentioned, and others that will say that the copy-cats are fine.

The mistake is to put one set of words into all mouths. If all of us were saying all those things then I'd share your bewilderment, but some of us say some of those things some of the time, which seems OK to me and tells me that there is no single mindset that pervades this forum.

Thx Bob. Point taken.

Norman86

arno, the 2watt is more for home or practice than what it is for stage!
but its a specialized peice of kit that, certainly not a solid state practice amp job!

AlanRatcliffe

Norman86 wrote arno, the 2watt is more for home or practice than what it is for stage!

This. Plus home studio for those who would rather use a quality low powered amp (a la Cornford Carrera or Harlequin) than a cheapy or a modeller. These days there is more of a market for these types of amps than the bigger stage capable models.

exsanguinator wrote Thats why I said its cheaper to get one made,...
with your own brand name in the same factories that they are all made in china.

You'd have to order serious quantities to keep the price down though - a huge investment. And you are still in competition with the big-brand name amps, who have similar Asian made models, but branded with names that even beginners recognise (and will buy over a relative unknown - every single time). That's if you can even get them into the local stores (far harder than you would think).

And yes, Bottledtone may not take part in much of this discussion, because of the direction it has taken and forum rules. So if you are genuinely interested in his feelings on these and other questions, contact him directly - he is a very approachable and knowledgeable chap: http://www.craigamps.net/

Arno-West

Ok, starting to see the light...

« Previous Page