What a pair of hairy balls look like...

[theavondon]

I would have to sell my balls just to get those. So, no.

[bigchiefbc]

This is not intended to poo-poo things that other people are into, but can someone PLEASE explain the DAM madness to me and make it make sense? OK, so he makes tonebender/fuzz face/rangemaster clones. OK, so he has some really old NOS transistors. I'm still trying to figure out how that makes the pedals worth 400 - 2500 dollars. Is it just the classic "mojo" argument all over again? I mean, I'm not a cheapskate. I've paid 300-500 for a pedal several times. I just want it to make sense, damn it.

Supply and demand, that's it. He doesn't sell them for those crazy prices, resellers and flippers do. I bought my first D*A*M for $190, a 1966. After 4 years, I sold it for $875. Would I buy another? Sure, at MSRP. Are they worth the hype? Sure. If you could have one for $250, I bet you'd have one on your board...maybe two or three.

Actually, I doubt it. I don't have any fuzz pedals that cost more than about 150 or so. That's a bit much for a fuzz, for me. I don't have any BJFs or Skreddys either.


But this still didn't answer my question. What is it about the DAMs that MAKE the supply and demand go nuts. That's what I don't get ... Is it just the NOS parts?

[gururyan]

What is it about the DAMs that MAKE the supply and demand go nuts. That's what I don't get ... Is it just the NOS parts?

I think it is a combination of stellar build quality, consistency, NOS parts, packaging, support, etc. Have you ever heard of a bad D*A*M, or even one needing repair? Not only do they sound great, but they look great too. Also, like owning a Mac, you get to join a "family" of users as well. It's like an iPod, it is so successful because it does one thing and one thing extremely well...and it looks awesome too. It's great marketing for a great product that can walk the walk and talk the talk.

Now, do I have one on my board currently? No. Those two I took a picture of are both loaners. I sold mine after years of enjoyment because the value exceeded my need.

[eatyourguitar]

Just to add to the pile of unicorn poop if it aswers someones q. The guy who invented tonebenders met david and gave him an endorsement saying that they are acurate and he even signed some of them

[echobaseone]

I get it. I can't afford it, but I get it.
Paying $300 for a handwired tubescreamer? No, not so much.

[McSpunckle]

I get it. I can't afford it, but I get it.
Paying $300 for a handwired tubescreamer? No, not so much.

But tubescreamers are more compex than tonebenders...

Other than the Ge transistors (which cost 10 bucks at most for the whole pedal), NOS parts are stupid.

Hmph.

DAM's quality does seem to be impeccable, though.

[nbabmf]

It's a pissing contest amongst the affluent yet ignorant fools who spend ridiculous amounts of money on those pedals. A financial circle jerk of exclusivity, if you will.

[Trifarce]

A financial circle jerk of exclusivity, if you will.

Reading this out loud while looking at you avatar's facial expression makes me laugh uncontrollably, not sure why..

[warwick.hoy]

I know those DAMs are crazy pricey. I couldn't afford them. I think there is a bit of discussion with the maker on the Fuzz Movie. Transistors for those are getting scarce and he makes limited amounts.

That said,...this is what a pair of Hairy Balls looks like,......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

[warwick.hoy]

This is not intended to poo-poo things that other people are into, but can someone PLEASE explain the DAM madness to me and make it make sense? OK, so he makes tonebender/fuzz face/rangemaster clones. OK, so he has some really old NOS transistors. I'm still trying to figure out how that makes the pedals worth 400 - 2500 dollars. Is it just the classic "mojo" argument all over again? I mean, I'm not a cheapskate. I've paid 300-500 for a pedal several times. I just want it to make sense, damn it.

Its just like the madness with fodera, because people want them they are willing to pay 7k and wait three months for a bass at one time that was in the 2500 range.

Or Booteek Jazz Bass madness. I can appreciate that the playbillity and customization of a Sadowsky, Lull or Lakland, but in the end they are just Glorified Fenders and cost twice as much. Why spend the money on a status symbol when something cheaper will preform the same function just as well.

[peps1]

This is not intended to poo-poo things that other people are into, but can someone PLEASE explain the DAM madness to me and make it make sense? OK, so he makes tonebender/fuzz face/rangemaster clones. OK, so he has some really old NOS transistors. I'm still trying to figure out how that makes the pedals worth 400 - 2500 dollars. Is it just the classic "mojo" argument all over again? I mean, I'm not a cheapskate. I've paid 300-500 for a pedal several times. I just want it to make sense, damn it.

Supply and demand, that's it. He doesn't sell them for those crazy prices, resellers and flippers do. I bought my first D*A*M for $190, a 1966. After 4 years, I sold it for $875. Would I buy another? Sure, at MSRP. Are they worth the hype? Sure. If you could have one for $250, I bet you'd have one on your board...maybe two or three.

Actually, I doubt it. I don't have any fuzz pedals that cost more than about 150 or so. That's a bit much for a fuzz, for me. I don't have any BJFs or Skreddys either.


But this still didn't answer my question. What is it about the DAMs that MAKE the supply and demand go nuts. That's what I don't get ... Is it just the NOS parts?

Its not Just NOS parts, its knowing what to do with them there NOS parts!

.......anyone can get 3 OC75's and whack them in a Tonebender circuit (and lots of people do, and sell for the same amount!)

You put a random picked transistor Tonebender Vs one thats had its transistors hand picked following years of experience with voltage a hfe patterns, and you can just hear why they cost the price they do!

And to pick transistors as meticulously as DAM, you have to have stock, and im talking LARGE surpluses that are not cheap.

The resale values a high, but its not surprising to me when I hear what they sound like!

[tuffteef]

yeah i kinda agree
u gotta buy the trannys in buttloads then sift them out and match them
then tailor it around the trannys u picked my oc81d fuzzfaceless bender vs some randoms homebuilt oc81d i seen on the tube
his sounded like a ratty peice a crap and mine sounded like the spirit of 70s rock and roll


they are expensive though even for dam prices
i paid a shitwad for mine 270 dollars i think thats alot it would have been more if i got the 2g381 version

[eatyourguitar]

And another thing, he sells them out of macaris who sold the original tonebenders. Great marketing gimick i supose

[nbabmf]

I think Tim of Fuzzfaceless builds a better 'bender.

[Jero]

I just want an ezekiel