Art vs no art for resale

[p_wats]

The art is one of my favourite parts about building. I find it stressful, but rewarding and ties the whole thing together. That said, I don't do a lot of builds for other people and I try not to build for folks who just want a clone for as cheap as possible. Where I'm at these days is if you want a pedal from me it's coming with unique art. There are plenty of builders around who will do it bare for (not much) cheaper, so folks can go that route if they choose.

 

[ICTRock]

I am curious to know others opinions and experiences about placing art on the pedals and resale.

I am typically making pedals for my own desire, but if the pedal doesn’t suit me, I will sell it. Usually, I don’t make much or break even.

I have done pedals with UV art, plain, or with vinyl/metal decals. From my limited perspective, it seems that buyers in this market do not care much or pay more for the UV art. Most of these buyers want the costs as low as possible, but a solid pedal.

Is this other people’s’ experience or am I wrong?

Thanks!

PS- If you can’t tell, I am trying to determine if I continue using UV prints for all my pedals.

I don't know about other people's experience but if you're going to not put artwork on it, not label controls, AND use a white washer I'm not buying no matter what you charge.
If cost were the only deciding factor, I guarantee Chinesium would only come in a bare enclosure.

Also, full transparency, you can't get me to label shit or put artwork on my own builds because they're not for sale. There's a function of laziness in there but it also prevents me from contemplating selling them.

 

[djmiyta]

"I think my issue is that I box up every circuit, even if it doesn’t suit me. Afterwards, I feel guilty for not playing it and feel obligated to sell it. It may be best to rig a better audition set up and only box the pedals that I want to keep and/or sale."
Exactly what I do I'm digging the sound it gets boxed if not it gets labeled working and in a ziplock bag it goes and it won't be lonely with the 40 or 50 other pedal bag buddies in that drawer of pedal slackers, letdowns, and , complete failures.
I have a pedal build journal I write my feelings on how the pedal responds and reacts and any pros or cons whether it gets boxed or not I give my review.

 

[BuddytheReow]

I agree with others that blank enclosures are not where it's at.

I also agree, but I do see the point of making a fully functioning pedal with a blank enclosure your own with art. At that point the seller is asking the buyer to DIY something. I think it's laziness on both the buyer's and seller's parts. For the right price, ANYTHING can be sold.

 

[Laundryroom David]

I've bought lots of pedals just because I like how they look. It's often disappointing but at least they look good

I don’t want to admit how many dozen times I’ve done that.

Disappointment and beauty is better than disappointment and no beauty.

I’m a giant hypocrite. I put 0.fuckall% into making my enclosures aesthetically pleasing, but I won’t even plug in an ugly pedal. I don’t know what my problem is.

 

[JTEX]

I've bought lots of pedals just because I like how they look. It's often disappointing but at least they look good

A friend of mine would say that you're confusing the merchandise with the packaging

 

[cdwillis]

I usually don't label my builds because I personally know what the controls do. That rule gets broken once a build goes beyond 3 knobs. I have a circulator I built last year and I have no fuckin clue what any of the knobs or switches do lol.

I've only sold/traded pedals with three knobs and none have been labeled. I was really surprised when one of my customers, a good friend of mine with a lot of experience with gear, was having problems remembering the controls on the unlabeled Rat I built for him. He wasn't complaining about it, but said it made him think more about what the sounds were vs having a preconceived notion about where controls should be set. I have a few circuits I've been wanting to market and sell so I decided I need to get some art/labeling on the enclosures before that happens.

 

[Erik S]

I usually don't label my builds because I personally know what the controls do. That rule gets broken once a build goes beyond 3 knobs. I have a circulator I built last year and I have no fuckin clue what any of the knobs or switches do lol.

I've only sold/traded pedals with three knobs and none have been labeled. I was really surprised when one of my customers, a good friend of mine with a lot of experience with gear, was having problems remembering the controls on the unlabeled Rat I built for him. He wasn't complaining about it, but said it made him think more about what the sounds were vs having a preconceived notion about where controls should be set. I have a few circuits I've been wanting to market and sell so I decided I need to get some art/labeling on the enclosures before that happens.

I labelled my circulator and still couldn't figure it out.

 

[zgrav]

Art for art’s sake; money for god’s sake!

Yeah, no, as far as I’m concerned, art is a must.

I view my pedals as functional art pieces just as much as I view them as tools. I personally will not build a pedal until I have a fully formed visual concept attached to the project, be it a minimalist user interface that just marks the name, controls, and maker name, or a fully composed visual work.

Absolutely nothing against those who choose not to contribute artwork their own builds, but if you have the creative means to produce a visual expression on any of the pedals you build, then you have an obligation to do it for all of them.

I would call that putting your 10CCents in...

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I got into diy after seeing Juan Solo and Cleggys builds posted on another forum.

I remember thinking I'd love pedals that look like that, with any cartoon, comic or movie character I want on them instead of a bunch of pedals that look the same as everyone else's.

Plus I then thought I might save a few quid building my own what an idiot! I'd have spent WAY less money just buying my pedals but then I wouldn't love them as much and they probably wouldn't look as cool.

 

[Markus Kersius]

I mostly build with no graphics/art/control indication.
If i decided to sell one, I have no problems selling it fast.
Especially when it's a popular circuit.
Art is nice but a lot of overkill on boxes from for example Earthquaker devices.
Or the new vibe from pedal pawn..
Good pedals, but:

 

[Passinwind]

This artwork added at least $200 extra value: