Fuzz demos? Social Influencers? Whispers and rumors?

[PeterBregman]

Hey, so now that I have a new non-limited pedal out, I find myself in the position of having to promote said pedal to the masses. I haven't had to do that in a very long time. I don't really know how all the cool kids do it. I'm not important (or wealthy) enough to get The Pedal Show guys to tell everyone to buy my pedal, and I don't know how people into fuzz find out about the fuzzes they buy...so here's my informal market research:

Where do you find out about cool new stuff? Are there any particular youtube/instagram people/channels you like? Is it mostly message boards and word-of-mouth? Does advertising even work these days? Do any of you do demos regularly? Should I buy up a ton of billboard space on major highways? Should I tell no one and hope that good will and karma get me through?

Please discuss.

[Chankgeez]

Here's a good place to start: memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=34480

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClXyft ... TBE_0dFQZw

[Blackened Soul]

It a good question even on the other side [looking for stuff]. Anymore the only time I even see anything about a newish pedal is randomly on instagrm which means your enclosure and finish [if any] have to be very unique. I think the other problem in finding anything "new" is the over saturation of pedals and evenmoreso pedal demo vids.. Here is my one bit of advise: If you or someone else demo the thing make sure as HELL that you focus on the sounds/features it does that are DIFFERENT from every other fuzz/pedal/thingy out there.

Also: make sure the thing it does differently happens with players other than yourself and with testing gear other than yours in the demos..

This was always a big issue with the person that founded this site's stuff...
the demos and hype were always... always more than the actual thingy when you get it and didn't use the same gear and play nothing but recycled smashing pumpkins riffs...

[PeterBregman]

Here's a good place to start: memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=34480

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClXyft ... TBE_0dFQZw

Good call. I've seen a bunch of his demos before and they're cool.

It a good question even on the other side [looking for stuff]. Anymore the only time I even see anything about a newish pedal is randomly on instagrm which means your enclosure and finish [if any] have to be very unique. I think the other problem in finding anything "new" is the over saturation of pedals and evenmoreso pedal demo vids.. Here is my one bit of advise: If you or someone else demo the thing make sure as HELL that you focus on the sounds/features it does that are DIFFERENT from every other fuzz/pedal/thingy out there.

Also: make sure the thing it does differently happens with players other than yourself and with testing gear other than yours in the demos..

This was always a big issue with the person that founded this site's stuff...
the demos and hype were always... always more than the actual thingy when you get it and didn't use the same gear and play nothing but recycled smashing pumpkins riffs...

Yeah, these are all really good points. Application and interaction are super important. I might even try to make some non-guitar videos (what happens when you run a ____ through this thing?). To me, weirdo fuzzes are about exploration anyway. Thanks!

[PSQRCL]

Heya Peter!

I do demos of pedals I enjoy and have done a few fuzzes. I've got the HEQ1 and HEQ1.2 and would be happy to do a demo of the HEQ1.2?

Here's a link to my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/psqrcl

Some ILF demos:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8bv8GEjxvU[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po6Y84racZQ[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZhnLgUCNWo[/youtube]

[goroth]

Hey PSQRCL - I've been trying to follow you since that Filter Drive demo. That is some of the tastiest playing I've ever heard.
For some reason when I click the link in Laowiz's posts it says account not found. When I type in PSQRCL I don't get any results. I don't get it.

I also quite like Collector//Emitter's demos - like Chanks said. He seems to generate a fair bit of exposure too.
Demos in the Dark and Eric merrow seem to demo the same stuff as C//E, but their demos don't do much for me.

Is Knobs still a thing?
Devon Blue Whitaker does the Knobs thing and generally plays pretty nicely.

[UglyCasanova]

I agree with the dinosaur. I'd also add Pepe and Megan L.

And if it oscillates, send one to Eivind August

If it's cool on bass, Patrick Hunter.

That's what I've got off the top of my noggin'.

Lastly, don't do one of those EQD events where every demoer and their granny posts a demo at the same time. I watch one or maybe two of those, while I'd probably watch 3-4 if they were spread out over a couple of weeks. This is obviously subjective.

[PeterBregman]

I do demos of pedals I enjoy and have done a few fuzzes. I've got the HEQ1 and HEQ1.2 and would be happy to do a demo of the HEQ1.2?

I just listened to your LaoWiz demo three times in a row because I like your melodies so much. PM'd!

Is Knobs still a thing?

I sent Scott an email, but I don't know if he's doing demos anymore these days.

I'd also add Pepe and Megan L.

I totally forgot about Megan L! Her demos are great.

Lastly, don't do one of those EQD events where every demoer and their granny posts a demo at the same time.

Luckily, I am very disorganized and also hate those media barrages. It's cool to see multiple people's takes on a pedal, but I'd rather they do them on their own time.


Thanks everyone, these are super helpful!

[Chankgeez]

These're all good choices. I'd listen to demos from any one of these people!

[UglyCasanova]

I'd also add Pepe and Megan L.

I totally forgot about Megan L! Her demos are great.

By far the most underappreciated demoer I know of. Would be an excellent choice!

[Pepe]

I have to check that channel out.

[goroth]

Anne sulikowski makes some wonderful noises.

https://instagram.com/annesulikowski

[dubkitty]

deffo Collector/Limiter. the first thing i look for when considering a new pedal is C/L and Knobs demos. and though he's mainstream AF, Andy of Andy's Demos would probably give you more exposure than any other 5 accounts combined. since he's on his own now he's doing less mainstream/more "boutique" demos than were allowed by PSG/Reverb. couldn't hurt to try it.

[coupleonapkins]

If you send one to Hainbach maybe he'll hook it up to a toaster? And if Simon the Magpie comes over TWO toasters?

But I'll echo everyone here on C/E, Andy, Pepe, Dennis Kayzer, et al., and if you are brave enough to battle the royal order of Roland overlords, Johnny Demarco:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qagGStK0L4I[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qagGStK0L4I

[Dandolin]

DeMarcown'd

I was gonna suggest maybe a long-form demo jam by Nope Smoker
but failing that, I don't think I've seen anybody mention Ponderer Sounds (apologies if I missed that)....

a recent-ish fuzzy one:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmPUyyPpyiM[/youtube]