The text discusses the obsession that guitarists have with effects pedals and how they are an integral part of defining and inspiring musical genres. It highlights the DIY culture of pedal making, where enthusiasts can create their own pedals at a fraction of the cost of retail options. The lack of legal protection for circuit schematics has led to a proliferation of clones in the market, causing some manufacturers to goop their pedals to obscure their components. The Klon Centaur pedal is used as an example of a DIY pedal being cloned by a big-name manufacturer. The DIY culture offers guitarists the opportunity to build their own equipment and cut through marketing hype to reveal the truths of simple circuits and schematics.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rise of DIY pedal builders | Shift in manufacturing | More guitarists making their own pedals at home; increased availability of affordable DIY pedal kits | Passion for customization and frugality |
| Cloning and replicating of popular pedals | Increase in cloning practices | More DIY builders creating replicas of popular pedals; increased competition among manufacturers to meet demand | Desire for iconic sounds at a lower cost |
| Lack of legal protection for pedal designs | Lack of intellectual property | Limited copyright and trademark protection for circuit schematics and pedal designs; reverse-engineering is not considered trade-secret; gooping as a response to protect designs | Absence of legal barriers to cloning and replicating |
| DIY community selling custom pedals online | Growth of online marketplace | Increased availability of custom acid-etched pedals, direct clones, circuit mods, and hybrid effects; harmonious relationship between DIY community and pedal manufacturers | Expansion of online retail platforms for customized pedal offerings |
| Reverse-cloning and mass production of pedals | Accessibility of iconic sounds | More affordable replicas of sought-after pedals; new offerings from big-name manufacturers meeting pent-up demand; increased access to previously unobtainable pedals | Demand for iconic sounds at a more affordable price |
| Empowerment and transparency in building pedals | DIY movement in guitar industry | Guitarists can build their own equipment, cut through marketing hype, and understand simple circuits and schematics; satisfaction in crafting and playing through self-made pedals | Desire for greater control and understanding of guitar equipment |