Copies, Cloning and Modding. Ethics?

I apologize for falling off the map for a few days.  The weekend hit, and my other job translating Keith Richard's everyday speech into understandable dialogue caught up with me.  I was able to get back to the ol' interwebbing machine and catch up on some music news.  However, it seems the air of music news has been fairly stagnant as of late.  Aside from, Scott Weiland getting fired from his band (again, and apparently is the only one who hasn't realized it) and Lamb of God vocalist being acquitted of murder, not much has happened.  Yet, on a more guitar-related note, one idea caught my attention this weekend which concerns the topic of pedal modding and cloning.  This topic has been beaten like a dead horse into Jack Link's jerky, so I could care less whether you're for or against it. After coming across a few interesting threads recently, it sparked me so to write about it.  Insightful and/or angry reader feedback on this topic is much appreciated.

These are just a couple of observations.  Enjoy!

On Cloning and Reincarnations
Like it or not, it seems to be that pedal cloning (like venereal disease) is here to stay.  Point to point recreations of your favorite pedal can be found in any color for an affordable (or pretentiously inflated) price.  While many snobbishly devalue the authenticity of sound produced by these units (while ever so softly stroking their golden Klon), it seems that a majority of people have embraced cloning with open arms.  However, what line should be drawn where cloning becomes blatant stealing of a manufacturer?  Is everything fair game?  This topic also dances the legal line with reproductions.  Clearly, basic circuits such as T808's, Fuzz Face, Rat, etc. can be easily replicated by even the most intermediate of electrical wizards.  I believe most people have accepted the fact that these are going to commonly available from your favorite boutique manufacturer with their own flavor (such as the toggle switch that engages better playing).

However, what about recreations of circuits that are fairly new (ie. Klon, OCD, Timmy)?  Since the Klon KTR has finally emerged from Bill Finnegan's womb after fermenting for multiple years, many Kloners are believed to be tightrope walking on the line of ethics.  To be honest, I could care less either way.  I peacefully and comfortably rest with the fence firmly lodged between my cheeks, and no intention of moving despite all the tomatoes being thrown.  Personally, I like buying from the original manufacturer.  I'm a big fan of the "if you made it, you deserve the $$$" ethic.  However, I can appreciate the fact that some independent pedal builders recreate famous circuits and take it to the next level.  Aside from the obvious replacing of cheap resistors and chips for nicer ones, I love it when builders add others features that aren't present on the original version.  Sometimes those are necessary to get the sound out of your head, through your amp.  Shelf EQ, clipping options, runaway feedback, pig squeals, etc are great usable features I love to see on clones.  This brings me to my next topic.

Pedal Modding
This topic isn't so much an ethics question as an observation.  Pedal modding has made "life" so much more convenient by simply adding custom features to your favorite pedal, instead of having to buy a second pedal for the niche function.  Since the emergence of popular modders such as Analogman and Keeley, the number of pedal modders has exploded.  So many in fact, that it has become difficult to sift through some of sh%* to find the corn.  How does one possibly pick what builder to go with?  The answer my friend, is reputation and research.  Reading reviews are helpful, but sometimes you have to read between the lines about a builder.  Here's a personal story I'd like share, with moral to follow.  In proper Stonewall fashion, I will leave names nameless.

(**Disclosure:  I have nothing against repairmen (save maybe this one).  In fact, most of them I adore because they fix my stuff.  I trust them, and I have a couple really fantastic friends that are the only ones I will trust them with my stuff.)

Once upon a time, I received a big box EHX Deluxe Memory Man in trade for some various gear.  The previous owner had it modded by a notable EHX pedal modder. I will call him X. The mod was neat, but I never really used it's extra features aside from the increased delay time.  Eventually, I started getting some weird noises that occurred only with the repeats.  I brought the DMM to my favorite certified electronics wiz. He looked at it, did some poking around, but gave it back to me saying that I should send it to the gentleman who originally modded the DMM to be properly fixed. So I sent X an email, explaining the ordeal and that I had someone previously look at it. X replied saying that without looking at the pedal he estimated (also known as a blind guesstimate, which does not bind a repairman to a price) around $100 to fix it, which I thought was a reasonable guess. So I sent it to X. X opened it up and shot me a reply shortly after that which said it was looking at costing more like $200 (also known as a quote, which IS binding to a repair man). Yikes. Expensive, but I loved the pedal and I was ready to be done with the problem. 

Well another couple of weeks went by, and I was beginning to wonder what was up. Finally, X got back and said that my repairman had "undone his mod", and that he was going to charge me full price to remod the pedal AND charge me a service fee for "repair". The NEW price he quoted me was $400. I was absolutely astonished, I told him that I wasn't going to pay that much.  Like most repair places, I was under the understanding that if price was anticipated to rise above the quoted price, I would be notified.  X told me that my pedal was already fixed, it would sit on the shelf for a couple weeks, and if I didn't pay he would just sell it on eBay for $450+.

I didn't have a choice but to give up the pedal. I didn't have $400, and I could find a used one for less (since I wasn't using the mod feature). To be honest, I was fuming angry. Typically I don't get angry, I let things go or get very smug.  I understand that a preliminary quote over email doesn't count until they've looked at your item. However, I already received a new quote AFTER the pedal was looked at. The third and final price was a ridiculous amount, and came out of nowhere.  There wasn't enough evidence to follow with any legal action.  I also made the "mistake" of saying in one of my first emails (before the 2nd quote) telling him "to do whatever he needs to get it rolling again".  I guess I didn't see that as an invitation to double his fee at the time.

After this debacle, I did some looking into X on a couple of the forums.  Most of the X's posts on these forums were defense posts or excuses for shotty work, or blaming pedals that were returned not working on shipping companies.  Standing behind your work (without bad excuses) as a builder/modder is a good way to set yourself apart from every other Jabroni out there.  I find this to be excellent advice for any independent pedal builder/cloner/reduplicator/cat lover out there.  The lesson to be learned is to do proper research before sending your pedal somewhere.  Although I don't have any endorsements or affiliations (I actually currently don't own any of his stuff), I think it is an excellent idea to shoot Analogman an email and pick his brains about the mods you want.

-  Stonewall