Was launched at 5pm our time, 550 units only, $250 each (plus postage, plus customs fees, plus VAT when it arrives here), sold out in about an hour I think.
I ordered one but then instantly regretted it and cancelled my order. I'll be careful how I phrase this next bit because a few people bit my head off on TGP earlier....
From what we know so far, other than this version having through hole components, the circuit is the same as the standard reissue ram's head that you can buy anywhere. There doesn't seem to be anything there (NOS components, circuit design, etc) that makes it *sound* different. What makes it special edition is that it's a big box enclosure, it's gold, it comes in a velvet bag inside a wooden box, and it was overseen by Mike Matthews' son.
I appreciate some people buy limited edition pedals purely for the collectible element, but personally I like there to be something that sonically distinguishes it from the standard version.
Thoughts?
(In classic TGP style, someone accused me of "wimping out" for cancelling my order)
Comments
Buy a Fallout Cloud instead and be happy...
I still see it as scalping though, which is detestable, and these manufacturers don't care and are in fact taking advantage of the situation.
It is clearly stupid that folks will pay more for a simple circuit board in a cheap metal box than it costs for a very functional and well set up guitar. This is a bubble, so enjoy it while it lasts.
It's possible that most of the pedal trading population could eventually "age out" and when people my around my age (37) finally want to unload their pedal collection, there might not be anyone younger who is interested in buying it.
I like to think I'll always be able to find a buyer for my more rare and interesting pedals, but I wouldn't want to try and sell a £300 gold Big Muff in a velvet bag to a generation of people who are perfectly happy the muff preset on their modeller/DAW!