Boutique Pedal Manufacturers Are Feeling the Tariff Pinch

[Chuck D. Bones]

https://guitarbomb.com/keeley-electronics/

In case you don't know how tariffs work, the importer pays the tariff and the added costs are passed on down the line. For now, Keeley is absorbing the tariff costs for imported parts like potentiometers. But eventually, he will have to either lay some people off, raise prices or some of both.

 

[Einzeln]

It is sad and even more sad is the support the orange guy gets. I am afraid he will stay after the end of the term.

 

[MattG]

From the article:

Keeley’s reliance on Chinese imports, specifically for a crucial component called a potentiometer, underscores the challenge. Despite efforts to find alternative suppliers, he notes, “We can’t find a source outside of China for our potentiometer, which is critical for our designs.”

@StompBoxParts - aren't your pots made in the USA?

 

[jwin615]

Keely uses a lot of 9mm pots. I highly doubt any of those are made in the US and if the are they're are likely way above tariff prices.

 

[mckillacuddy]

You reap what you sow, Bob

 

[sticky1138]

It's public record that he was a repeat campaign donor, so I will assume this is the outcome he wanted.

 

[Bricksnbeatles]

It's public record that he was a repeat campaign donor, so I will assume this is the outcome he wanted.

Well that’s certainly disappointing.

 

[jwin615]

Maybe he started taking oxys again.

 

[Coda]

Well that’s certainly disappointing.

With so much nowadays you'd think we'd be used to it by now...

 

[jwin615]

Devils advocate, are there more than 1 Robert Keeley's out there?

Not defending, just want to be 120% sure before passing extreme judgment.

That's an EE in a town of 98k in Oklahoma?
Maybe.

 

[CheapSuitG]

That's an EE in a town of 98k in Oklahoma?
Maybe.

Yeah - I saw that after playing around with it looking up other names of people I know.

Ugh.

 

[StompBoxParts]

From the article:

@StompBoxParts - aren't your pots made in the USA?

China. No way anyone is going to find USA made pots for ~$1ea. AFAIK (someone prove me wrong) there is nobody in the USA making 9mm and 16mm pots.

There are a few companies in the USA making potentiometers, but not in the "standard" size and form factor for guitar pedals. I'm willing to bet if a USA company (Allen Bradley, for example) did make something comparable, the price @ quantities purchased by the guitar pedal industry would probably far exceed the price someone is willing to spend on pots for pedals. That is an assumption. Getting the process done in the USA would likely require some custom tooling and that would be a fortune.

We've been deep in the search for a non-China source for potentiometers. Lots of hurdles.

 

[jimilee]

Maybe he started taking oxys again.

Ouch

 

[jwin615]

Ouch

Yeah. That was low. My bad.

 

[CheapSuitG]

China. No way anyone is going to find USA made pots for ~$1ea. AFAIK (someone prove me wrong) there is nobody in the USA making 9mm and 16mm pots.

There are a few companies in the USA making potentiometers, but not in the "standard" size and form factor for guitar pedals. I'm willing to bet if a USA company (Allen Bradley, for example) did make something comparable, the price @ quantities purchased by the guitar pedal industry would probably far exceed the price someone is willing to spend on pots for pedals. That is an assumption. Getting the process done in the USA would likely require some custom tooling and that would be a fortune.

We've been deep in the search for a non-China source for potentiometers. Lots of hurdles.

I am from Colorado, we have lots of pots here! Blue Dream, Granddaddy purple, OG Kush etc.

Oh.....different pots....my bad.

 

[sticky1138]

Can't wait for all the boutique builders to fold up in the next couple years, so the pedals from overseas can reign supreme as god intended. Another 4D chess win for American manufacturing from some of the finest minds this country has to offer!

 

[jwin615]

Alpha make pots in Mexico in the 90s and early aughts I think.
They moved production overseas though because they kept getting product that was mildewed and full of seeds.

 

[jwin615]

Can't wait for all the boutique builders to fold up in the next couple years, so the pedals from overseas can reign supreme as god intended. Another 4D chess win for American manufacturing from some of the finest minds this country has to offer!

There will still be plenty of careers in cleaning up failed infrastructure and at home hospice for the uninsurable.

 

[giovanni]

There will still be plenty of careers in cleaning up failed infrastructure and at home hospice for the uninsurable.

Don’t forget about debt collection!

 

[tegendemuur]

Heh, kinda like with cancer, you know. There's those who get it that you feel for, and others who you cannot even care the slightest for. Because in the end, it's not just good people who suffer. There's also the bad people. And it makes life a little bit more beautiful.