Are you being fooled by guitar pedal and gear demos? Vlog 20

In this video I'll dive in a little bit and discuss several things that can affect the way a video is received by the listener and show a few examples. While this is a bit tongue in cheek of course, the point to take away from this is that nothing beats trying the product yourself if at all possible in order to really decide if you like it or not... youtube videos aren't enough to make a decision, there are too many variables that go into it...

[BeyondtheRecord]

may I add a little thing here? :) there's a way you might get fooled by a demo: if the pedal gives more volume to the sound, your brain will automatically think it was a better tone. That's because you hear harmonics more clearly, more highs and so on. this might make you think you are dealing with a great pedal when that's not really the case. Always make sure to match your volume ;)

have a great day!

[KennyCarlile]

This is exactly why I just buy all the pedals. All of them. ;)

[karlhouseknecht]

Thanks for this, Brian. I had to stop watching certain people demo pedals or amps because of HOW they played (without a pick, all the time) even though they repeatedly claimed you'd never know. You know. You can tell. The type of pick matters. The WAY you pick matters. Pickup selection, volume knob, hybrid picking...it all matters. This was a great, eye opening demonstration.

[freiermann]

Ahh, I see. The secret is the pile of picks you have sitting back there

[matzer]

Wise words from a knowledgeable man!
Absolutely agree ... the players style, phrasing, attack, pick speed is what does the song/theme ... the equipment just helps/guides ...
Thank a lot for sharing!

[mauricegaddin]

Wow been looking at some of your videos on design etc. Find them really enlightening. Only picked this one up recently. I do agree though there are many demonstrations of gear that can be convoluted. Yip there are so many factors that influence the tone.. and yes often many people procure stuff that and are not satisfied with the results, and it's not the gear... I do agree try the gear where it is possible, unfortunately where I live it is not always possible as most dealers have gone online and and do not stock the gear only a few do so we are often at the mercy of these demos.. also many do not have decent returns policies locally.... I have an IT and electronics background and am now enjoying your older but wiser and useful articles. I look forward to more honest articles that debunk the BS..

[riccosuabe]

one of the most truthfull builders out there!

[tlawhon]

My rule of thumb is that YouTube videos are almost never a valid way to judge the sound of guitars, amps, or pedals. Always listen in person before purchasing. The videos are good for entertainment, for getting ideas of things to try, and, depending on who it is, for hearing opinions from someone you've come to trust on something they are listening to.

[raze]

What kills me is when someone demos a fifty dollar pedal through a two and three thousand dollar mesa boogie or boutique head or amp! over seventy percent of guitarist will never be able to afford anything close to that but their lead to believe by buying that fifty dollar pedal they can achieve that same exact tone through a line 6 spider amp etc etc. I actually asked one demonstrator to demonstrate through a cheaper amp and I got a polite " I can't do that".

[FirstnameLastname-bpcm]

The amount of compression in the audio for web demos in general makes a real impact. Also, last year I upgraded my home stereo to a nice acoustic PA with a big clean sound. Just a 12" acoustic guitar amp with several channels that sounds nice and clean. Before I was relying on my headphones and/or computer built-in speakers. I re-watched several of my favorite demo videos and ended up buying a couple pedals just because they sounded so good. Your video makes a lot of good points, and your concern is real. There are so many videos out there with low quality and also just not enough information about which amp/mic/pickups etc. that this conversation is really needed.

[MartinRodriguez-fkjk]

Always learning a lot with you!!!! Thanks for open ours eyes 👀!!!

[shorerocks]

Good point, and food for thought for some. But then, all reviews are a compromise. They are as "useful" as your guitarist buddy freaking out over a pedal he used in a store. If you were not there you cannot judge if it is something YOU might want to use and enjoy. Then again I guess we all know that and simply enjoy someone elses opinions on a certain combination (...) of gear. I know I do. Cheers!

[kennethhoneycutt]

I have watched a lot of your videos and I would like to extend my deepest thanks for taking time out of your schedule to make these for us they are very educational and help us make better-informed decisions on gear as well as explaining how a lot of the gear works thank you again God bless

[BillGathen]

Still enlightening folks like me almost 5 years on: a gift that keeps on giving! Thanks for this.

[stephenmunns]

Brilliant vid Brian. Adds integrity to what you guys do at Wampler. I remember noticing this on one of the Chasing Tone vids where yourself and Max were achieving completely different tones out of the same set-up, even without changing the mic placement. I play through an ML Deville with a TS-9 and a Boss BD-2 and, again, never sound like any of you guys on here. I'm more than happy with the tone I achieve though :-) Will check out the Clarksdale soon.

[EytschPi]

VERY interesting... even with the 57 you get way more bass and darker sounds than I would get with one. So, in essence.... every player gets a different sound, even with the same gear... and with different mics, positions, cabs, amps and most of all "preferences", you don't really know what you are getting from a YouTube videos and wether or not you can reproduce that sound.... WELL THANKS BRIAN! You just made my profession useless!
TAKE THIS VIDEO DOWN.... or else!

[standswithfist]

Super great advice. You win my award for honesty. ...yep....kids while you are someone else is practicing. Great playing btw

[osagie]

I would like a tour of your studio ! And a look at all your pedals !✌️🙏🎸🎶😎💯

[raypilot]

I sincerely appreciate your frank explanation. In a time where honesty is the best policy died out with diving under your school desk from A-bomb explosions. I get now why, when wanting to try out my pedal fascination of moment, accessories associates would frown when I'd grab the nearest low model guitar and practice amp.
When musician friends would tell me it's in your hands I thought innate talent; they were telling me pick up your guitar and practice until you can do it.
I have one question. I love changing parts, circuits, mods. When I reassemble a guitar and it works and I do hear that differences have taken place and the sounds are what I imagined is it enough?

[Letsrockitright]

There are many videos that rely on the sound in the room for their audio.... wow .. bad idea.. I do appreciate the direct in/inline approach like you're able to achieve on this video to increase the "learner"s stickability... you throw stuff at it and it sticks... YOUR PEDALS ROCK... I learned of them on That Pedal Show with Dan and Mick.. love them too.. Great job Brian.. it sounds like critics are ridin' ya.. they can blow it out their muletrains... love what you do.. !! thanks