Title: What should I do?
Post by: massatony on October 11, 2022, 04:50:50 AM
Post by: massatony on October 11, 2022, 04:50:50 AM
Okay so i'm addicted to making pedals. After around 150 (or more) pedals my wife wants me to stop and get rid of them. Do I get rid of the pedals :( ...........or the wife?
Ps I do love her.
Ps I do love her.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: Willybomb on October 11, 2022, 05:21:49 AM
Post by: Willybomb on October 11, 2022, 05:21:49 AM
You sell them to fund other builds or gear. I've funded a few guitars through selling mine.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jessenator on October 11, 2022, 06:01:17 AM
Post by: jessenator on October 11, 2022, 06:01:17 AM
Quote from: Willybomb on October 11, 2022, 05:21:49 AMThis.
You sell them to fund other builds or gear. I've funded a few guitars through selling mine.
I'm NOWHERE near your number, OP, but I'm cutting myself off, personally, from new projects until I sell the ones I have. But yeah, it's super fun!
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: massatony on October 11, 2022, 06:38:23 AM
Post by: massatony on October 11, 2022, 06:38:23 AM
Have sold/given away about 30. The ones I have sold tend to be to ppl coming back for more. Which is the best place to sell, as I have no luck on our local gumtree. And is it better to have YouTube sound sample?
BTW I tend to make pedals that are worth over $150, unless I really like it for myself.
BTW I tend to make pedals that are worth over $150, unless I really like it for myself.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jimilee on October 11, 2022, 01:50:32 PM
Post by: jimilee on October 11, 2022, 01:50:32 PM
I stopped boxing everything I build, some of them sound no different from others. Marriage counseling is the best move here. 
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Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: Thewintersoldier on October 11, 2022, 03:22:05 PM
Post by: Thewintersoldier on October 11, 2022, 03:22:05 PM
I've built like 200 or so the past 5 or so years. Maybe play them more and take a break for a while. That's what I'm doing. Also you might be spending so much time building she feels neglected. Maybe you build so much because you're avoiding something? If you love her you'll figure something out to get more balance.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: gordo on October 12, 2022, 03:16:03 AM
Post by: gordo on October 12, 2022, 03:16:03 AM
Can you post pics of your wife. :)
Seriously though I found that during lockdown I binge built to maintain some sort of normality till it wasn't. At some point you'll find that the process has a low expectation to return level and it's time to refocus.
The focus factor can be addicting. I find it a brain drain to build but at the same time are you avoiding something else by focusing your attention on building? Having your wife noticing your lack of attention is "normal" for the hobby but can also be a red flag.
I've been doing this long enough (translate: I'm an old fart) that you really have to be careful where the hobby takes you. As with any hobby there are a lot of personal/financial implications beyond being able to create objects that are beyond your budget, or no longer attainable at a reasonale level.
Seriously though I found that during lockdown I binge built to maintain some sort of normality till it wasn't. At some point you'll find that the process has a low expectation to return level and it's time to refocus.
The focus factor can be addicting. I find it a brain drain to build but at the same time are you avoiding something else by focusing your attention on building? Having your wife noticing your lack of attention is "normal" for the hobby but can also be a red flag.
I've been doing this long enough (translate: I'm an old fart) that you really have to be careful where the hobby takes you. As with any hobby there are a lot of personal/financial implications beyond being able to create objects that are beyond your budget, or no longer attainable at a reasonale level.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: Big Monk on October 12, 2022, 11:41:52 AM
Post by: Big Monk on October 12, 2022, 11:41:52 AM
Quote from: Thewintersoldier on October 11, 2022, 03:22:05 PM
Also you might be spending so much time building she feels neglected. Maybe you build so much because you're avoiding something? If you love her you'll figure something out to get more balance.
This.
When a hobby becomes and obsession (a.k.a. compulsion), then maybe you pump the brakes a little and look around.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: Aleph Null on October 12, 2022, 06:11:18 PM
Post by: Aleph Null on October 12, 2022, 06:11:18 PM
Maybe start breadboarding circuits before building them? It's a great way to try a circuit out without committing to building it. It's saved me a lot of time, money, and shelf space.
Also, marriage counseling; even happy couples should get some counseling every once in a while to keep things running smoothly.
Also, marriage counseling; even happy couples should get some counseling every once in a while to keep things running smoothly.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: massatony on October 13, 2022, 08:28:03 AM
Post by: massatony on October 13, 2022, 08:28:03 AM
I'm retired....69. And have plenty of time to make pedals, play guitar, play Destiny and spend time with my wife.... which is not the problem. It's just that she thinks I have too many. I honestly believe that at my age it is a brain workout making these circuits, which can't be all that bad.
Seriously though, I enjoy making my own PCB's and the rest that goes with it. I agree with OP that not all builds should be boxed. I have about 20 like that and one day I'll get around to experimenting with them.
Seriously though, I enjoy making my own PCB's and the rest that goes with it. I agree with OP that not all builds should be boxed. I have about 20 like that and one day I'll get around to experimenting with them.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jimilee on October 13, 2022, 02:02:18 PM
Post by: jimilee on October 13, 2022, 02:02:18 PM
Quote from: massatony on October 13, 2022, 08:28:03 AMOh yeah, it's very therapeutic for me too. Let's me clear my head and think about stuff.
I'm retired....69. And have plenty of time to make pedals, play guitar, play Destiny and spend time with my wife.... which is not the problem. It's just that she thinks I have too many. I honestly believe that at my age it is a brain workout making these circuits, which can't be all that bad.
Seriously though, I enjoy making my own PCB's and the rest that goes with it. I agree with OP that not all builds should be boxed. I have about 20 like that and one day I'll get around to experimenting with them.
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Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: matmosphere on October 13, 2022, 07:47:56 PM
Post by: matmosphere on October 13, 2022, 07:47:56 PM
I say if the money and time aren't an issue AND you enjoy doing it then find a way to offload stuff so you don't just have it sitting around. You could sell stuff at a resonable price. Give stuff to your friends or people you know that play in local bands. There are a decent amount of charities that work with either kids or vets that teach them music and get them playing in bands or whatnot, you could always see if there is something like that locally and offer to donate some pedals.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: mjg on October 13, 2022, 09:00:07 PM
Post by: mjg on October 13, 2022, 09:00:07 PM
If it's the pcb layout and soldering, etc, that you enjoy, maybe there is another area of diy electronics that you can dive into for a while, rather than more pedals? Bonus points if your wife had a hobby that you can create a pcb for her to help with some part of it.
Or...get into eurorack synth. There's plenty of scope for endless building of modules, and they don't look like they take up so much room once they are all slotted into a rack 😅
Or...get into eurorack synth. There's plenty of scope for endless building of modules, and they don't look like they take up so much room once they are all slotted into a rack 😅
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: lars on October 13, 2022, 09:09:55 PM
Post by: lars on October 13, 2022, 09:09:55 PM
Well, some people have over 150 cats...
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: gordo on October 13, 2022, 10:55:52 PM
Post by: gordo on October 13, 2022, 10:55:52 PM
I just finished working on a kid's Blues Junior (I don't do very many repairs lately but the kid needed his amp) and I'll probably send him home with a couple pedals.
So -2 ;D
So -2 ;D
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: massatony on October 13, 2022, 11:42:34 PM
Post by: massatony on October 13, 2022, 11:42:34 PM
I've given quite a few away already. In fact I'm giving away a Proco Rat this afternoon to my daughters friend. I'm seriously considering getting into amps.... how do you hide an amplifier or three! :)
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: massatony on October 13, 2022, 11:44:15 PM
Post by: massatony on October 13, 2022, 11:44:15 PM
Pedals don't eat birds, lizards etc.... they just make noise.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jimilee on October 14, 2022, 12:37:06 AM
Post by: jimilee on October 14, 2022, 12:37:06 AM
Quote from: massatony on October 13, 2022, 11:42:34 PM
I've given quite a few away already. In fact I'm giving away a Proco Rat this afternoon to my daughters friend. I'm seriously considering getting into amps.... how do you hide an amplifier or three! :)
If you figure it out, let me know. Those are spendy. I was gonna build one, but I ended up buying more amplifier for less money. It's quite the conundrum.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jwin615 on October 14, 2022, 12:21:44 PM
Post by: jwin615 on October 14, 2022, 12:21:44 PM
Few ideas.
What are her hobbies? How can you include her?
Start a reverb or Etsy shop with the wife. Turn it into a semi-passive income. Note where you source the pcbs and their resale policy.
Maybe a YouTube channel and Instagram, again, involving her, especially if she is into photography or videography.
Get into designing your own pcbs, so your builds are fewer and less frequent, but the "I made this" dopamine hit is bigger. Then you have 4-5 pedals to put up for sale and no licensing issues.
Probably the best idea: Build a shelf that will hold ~50(?) pedals, assuming you don't have one already. Whatever can fit on the shelf, stays.
Set a mutual goal for the income, have it be self funding and put the rest aside for a common reward. Maybe a vacation, college fund, etc.
If you get to the point of doing small runs, LLC and grow it together.
What are her hobbies? How can you include her?
Start a reverb or Etsy shop with the wife. Turn it into a semi-passive income. Note where you source the pcbs and their resale policy.
Maybe a YouTube channel and Instagram, again, involving her, especially if she is into photography or videography.
Get into designing your own pcbs, so your builds are fewer and less frequent, but the "I made this" dopamine hit is bigger. Then you have 4-5 pedals to put up for sale and no licensing issues.
Probably the best idea: Build a shelf that will hold ~50(?) pedals, assuming you don't have one already. Whatever can fit on the shelf, stays.
Set a mutual goal for the income, have it be self funding and put the rest aside for a common reward. Maybe a vacation, college fund, etc.
If you get to the point of doing small runs, LLC and grow it together.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: massatony on October 14, 2022, 11:38:44 PM
Post by: massatony on October 14, 2022, 11:38:44 PM
I already make my own PCB's. I've got to the stage where I can make one from scratch in about 30 minutes ... holes included.
I have a man cave with 2 cabinets where I put my pedals and another with all the unboxed ones.
Unfortunately my wife is not interested, which is okay.
What I would like to know is what is the best medium to sell the pedals.
I have a man cave with 2 cabinets where I put my pedals and another with all the unboxed ones.
Unfortunately my wife is not interested, which is okay.
What I would like to know is what is the best medium to sell the pedals.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jimilee on October 15, 2022, 01:20:15 AM
Post by: jimilee on October 15, 2022, 01:20:15 AM
Reverb seems to have slightly less riff raff to deal with than eBay. Other than, forums and friends. I sell mine on forums and to friends for 40, which I think is more than fair. Good friends get them for free.
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Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: gordo on October 15, 2022, 10:27:06 PM
Post by: gordo on October 15, 2022, 10:27:06 PM
I'd like to figure out that one myself. All kidding aside I understand how frustrating it can be to integrate this goofy hobby into real life with real people.
Listening to a few folks over in PedalPCB I hear a lot of them selling stuff but I'm not sure how well EBay does these days and Craigslist means I'd have to have peeps over here casing the joint.
Listening to a few folks over in PedalPCB I hear a lot of them selling stuff but I'm not sure how well EBay does these days and Craigslist means I'd have to have peeps over here casing the joint.
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jimilee on October 15, 2022, 11:44:52 PM
Post by: jimilee on October 15, 2022, 11:44:52 PM
Quote from: gordo on October 15, 2022, 10:27:06 PMOh no, you gotta meet them in a neutral location. I was trading and selling guitars a few years back, that's how I did it.
I'd like to figure out that one myself. All kidding aside I understand how frustrating it can be to integrate this goofy hobby into real life with real people.
Listening to a few folks over in PedalPCB I hear a lot of them selling stuff but I'm not sure how well EBay does these days and Craigslist means I'd have to have peeps over here casing the joint.
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Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: gordo on October 16, 2022, 12:00:15 AM
Post by: gordo on October 16, 2022, 12:00:15 AM
Good to know, thx Jimi. Did it work out in terms of $$?
Title: Re: What should I do?
Post by: jimilee on October 16, 2022, 01:15:50 AM
Post by: jimilee on October 16, 2022, 01:15:50 AM
Quote from: gordo on October 16, 2022, 12:00:15 AM
Good to know, thx Jimi. Did it work out in terms of $$?
It sure did. I had to move some stuff before my last move, in addition to just horse trading. Made some money on the stuff I sold. Picked up a Vox AC12n, Got a Japanese Jackson Kelly, and several other guitars passed through here. It's just so much easier than shipping stuff, and cash can't be reversed like PayPal. I keep a close watch daily on the local CL still.