The builder community at the summit is incredible! I had so many good conversations with more established companies and left with several great ideas to try or incorporate into my products!
I appreciated all the insights into building an online business. From previous experience, your analysis that you get both ends of the bell curve in the comments is probably exactly right... and I'm fine with being on the right hand side of that distribution!
My brother and I have vowed to go to Fretboard Summit in 2025. I’ve been FOMO’ing for 3 years now and if I plan and save now I can do it. I have a mortgage and a family. And a crap job. It’s wild I have less money when I don’t play shows. I absolutely understand people saying “I’m doing this for money…” especially when it’s combined with a labor of love. It’s obvious the both of you love what you do. It’s awesome you can actually make money doing it.
I plan to go every year from here on out! The environment, the community, being able to try some amazing gear, meeting a lot of fun people, meeting people that I had previously only talked to online, seeing some amazing shows, being a part of the pedal builders panel, and the amp builders panel were great, oh and they premiered a documentary about Ben Harper and one of his dumble amps, and I ended up sitting next to Ben, so it was really fun to tech it and have his reactions to it! It was a fun 3 days and I highly recommend going.
Zach, good luck with the store. Rhett, good luck in your creator adventures. Thank you both for sharing your wisdom. Life is full of risks, and it's good to take them now and again.
I will say that while I love hearing about the internals of what the UA-cam world is like - I find it a bit off putting when successful UA-camrs complain about the hours they put in. Most career paths include a time when you're building something before seeing any return. As a sales guy I'll put a ton of time into presentations for companies but would never sit down and tell them they don't understand all the hours I put in and how I'm not making a dime for all my time unless they come on board as a client etc etc. As a viewer (and a fan quite frankly - I really enjoy watching you two) I'm glad you're successful and I'm glad that you're being well compensated. If someone isn't happy for you I don't know that they really deserve or need any explanation.
Wow, congrats. HVG is going to be great. It will definitely be on my list of places to visit in Nashville during my road trip of south eastern U.S. next year.
51:20 - I dont have a horse in the race but roger mayer (hendrix's guitar tech/pedal builder etc) strongly opposes this sentiment claiming that pickups have minimal effect on a guitars tone/feel (in reference to jimi's strats specifically).
Get that 💰 fellas while you can. The haters are the turds in the swimming pool. Don't every feel bad about your success. You both kick ass and work hard. Most people will never understand how hard you all work to get here.
Hey Zach, I’m a viewer, middle-of-the-bellcurve fan, I have Omegas too, and am glad that my purchases of your pedals lead you to buy an Omega. I hope you buy another
I’m totally with Rhett that there’s nothing wrong with saying you’re doing this as a way to make money. The great thing is you’re able to make money in an industry you have passion for and that serves folks like me who love what you do (I’m hoping I can pick up a Mythos pedal at some point). So don’t feel bad saying this is your job and is how you make money. It’s totally cool.
That creator conversation around the demo videos is fantastically insightful. I've recently been posting videos, not demo videos, no one cares not even me. The learning curve for what makes a watchable video I think is so daunting to many who have no/little interest but want to be creative within guitar. Whether that's music or equipment doesn't really matter.. If you aren't a film student or photography major or audio engineer or public speaker or researcher or editor or storyteller or historian....you better learn. If you don't have a good camera & set & lights & computer & recording software & mics....you better buy them. And if you do do that even cheaply, simply, & crappily (like me) suddenly you get it. And either you figure it out or, as many builders used to do, you send the thing you make to someone else at the makers expense. Time or money, you gotta invest both and both are finite.
Ya’ll should make bizarro video in which Ben Calhoun goes guitar shopping at High Voltage and Rhett is the sales temp who helps him find just what he’s looking for.😂
Zach, I'd rather watch you, as the pedal creator, demo and explain the pedal that to watch someone else do it. Also, these demos don't necessarily result in a sale that week, but it does get things on my GAS list and often times does eventually result in a sale.
This guitar store thing sounds super awesome. Of course I have plenty of jealousy fueled snark but I’m keeping it to myself because it is all pure jealousy. I cannot wait to get up there and spend some dollars. ❤
lol! I believe that was me on Facebook that asked about whether it was worth it to advertise in guitar mags! I remember you posting that ghostbusters quote and jason jumping in on that!
Really enjoying the business and influencer space talk. As a new and really small brand it feels weird trying to navigate. And yeah trying to create content and grow and IG takes a lot of time.
Here’s a question too… Leo fender wasn’t a guitar player and was successful at building gear. I’m not much of a guitar player but I love gear, and love great tone, how could I make compelling video of the pedals and amps I build? I did just get Rhett’s fretboard fundamentals course a few days ago and plan to start making practicing and learning guitar a habit.
@@mikedr1549I like when gear/music related videos are educational and sometimes philosophical. And I love when I can hear gear in a more musical context vs a demo of noodling.
I'm totally fine with your perspective on money Zach. I buy your pedals mint condition used on Reverb. We'll operate under the incentives of colonization together :)
Long time listener, first time caller. Sorry, but most of the great artists in these modern times aren't falling victim to the "content creator" trap. Sarah Jarosz, Sierra Ferrell, Willie Watson, Joe Bonamassa, Noah Wotherspoon, Grace Bowers, Kingfish, Madison Cunningham, Julian Lage, etc. You don't see Dylan Adams out there dying to be big on TikTok! ;-)
Also people watching on youtube and complaining about the nice gear you have are forgetting that all those nice instruments and amps are part of your occupation and therefore tax write offs lol
America needs more ENTREPRENEURIAL endeavors such as this. Such a great example of doing what you love and creating a business of it!
Love y’all’s conversations. It’s great to be a fly on the wall to friends chatting guitar world/business.
Appreciated the conversation!
And loved the dip- what a blast.
The builder community at the summit is incredible! I had so many good conversations with more established companies and left with several great ideas to try or incorporate into my products!
The fretboard summit is so fun! You guys should definitely go next year as the podcast!
I appreciated all the insights into building an online business. From previous experience, your analysis that you get both ends of the bell curve in the comments is probably exactly right... and I'm fine with being on the right hand side of that distribution!
Old Town Folk School is amazing! I saw Yo La Tengo there and 'twas the only time I've cried at a performance.
My wife and I already have our tickets to go to FS next year, and I’ll be at the grand opening for High Voltage!
My brother and I have vowed to go to Fretboard Summit in 2025. I’ve been FOMO’ing for 3 years now and if I plan and save now I can do it. I have a mortgage and a family. And a crap job. It’s wild I have less money when I don’t play shows. I absolutely understand people saying “I’m doing this for money…” especially when it’s combined with a labor of love. It’s obvious the both of you love what you do. It’s awesome you can actually make money doing it.
Do it! This year was my first time going and it was so fun!
@@madsenamplificationAwesome! I’m glad you had a good time! What was your favorite part and are you gonna try and go again?
I plan to go every year from here on out!
The environment, the community, being able to try some amazing gear, meeting a lot of fun people, meeting people that I had previously only talked to online, seeing some amazing shows, being a part of the pedal builders panel, and the amp builders panel were great, oh and they premiered a documentary about Ben Harper and one of his dumble amps, and I ended up sitting next to Ben, so it was really fun to tech it and have his reactions to it! It was a fun 3 days and I highly recommend going.
Zach, good luck with the store. Rhett, good luck in your creator adventures. Thank you both for sharing your wisdom. Life is full of risks, and it's good to take them now and again.
I will say that while I love hearing about the internals of what the UA-cam world is like - I find it a bit off putting when successful UA-camrs complain about the hours they put in. Most career paths include a time when you're building something before seeing any return. As a sales guy I'll put a ton of time into presentations for companies but would never sit down and tell them they don't understand all the hours I put in and how I'm not making a dime for all my time unless they come on board as a client etc etc. As a viewer (and a fan quite frankly - I really enjoy watching you two) I'm glad you're successful and I'm glad that you're being well compensated. If someone isn't happy for you I don't know that they really deserve or need any explanation.
Great episode! Been watching RS for years but new to this podcast. A winner. Thanks!
Wow, congrats. HVG is going to be great. It will definitely be on my list of places to visit in Nashville during my road trip of south eastern U.S. next year.
Fun episode. Looking forward to adding the new store to my next Nashville area guitar tour.
Ryan at 60 Cycle Hum is going to flip!!! LOL
51:20 - I dont have a horse in the race but roger mayer (hendrix's guitar tech/pedal builder etc) strongly opposes this sentiment claiming that pickups have minimal effect on a guitars tone/feel (in reference to jimi's strats specifically).
Get that 💰 fellas while you can. The haters are the turds in the swimming pool. Don't every feel bad about your success. You both kick ass and work hard. Most people will never understand how hard you all work to get here.
Hey Zach, I’m a viewer, middle-of-the-bellcurve fan, I have Omegas too, and am glad that my purchases of your pedals lead you to buy an Omega. I hope you buy another
I’m totally with Rhett that there’s nothing wrong with saying you’re doing this as a way to make money. The great thing is you’re able to make money in an industry you have passion for and that serves folks like me who love what you do (I’m hoping I can pick up a Mythos pedal at some point). So don’t feel bad saying this is your job and is how you make money. It’s totally cool.
That creator conversation around the demo videos is fantastically insightful. I've recently been posting videos, not demo videos, no one cares not even me. The learning curve for what makes a watchable video I think is so daunting to many who have no/little interest but want to be creative within guitar. Whether that's music or equipment doesn't really matter.. If you aren't a film student or photography major or audio engineer or public speaker or researcher or editor or storyteller or historian....you better learn. If you don't have a good camera & set & lights & computer & recording software & mics....you better buy them. And if you do do that even cheaply, simply, & crappily (like me) suddenly you get it. And either you figure it out or, as many builders used to do, you send the thing you make to someone else at the makers expense. Time or money, you gotta invest both and both are finite.
Yall are 💯 that people don't understand how hard it is to make videos. And to succeed at it is even harder...
Came from Spotify just to ask you guys to get Tim Henson on here some time, I’d love to hear you two pick his brain on his unique approach
I will say, scarcity-buying the Dark World isn’t a bad idea. Super unique and awesome Reverb
Ya’ll should make bizarro video in which Ben Calhoun goes guitar shopping at High Voltage and Rhett is the sales temp who helps him find just what he’s looking for.😂
Great perspectives here!
Zach, I'd rather watch you, as the pedal creator, demo and explain the pedal that to watch someone else do it. Also, these demos don't necessarily result in a sale that week, but it does get things on my GAS list and often times does eventually result in a sale.
This guitar store thing sounds super awesome. Of course I have plenty of jealousy fueled snark but I’m keeping it to myself because it is all pure jealousy. I cannot wait to get up there and spend some dollars. ❤
lol! I believe that was me on Facebook that asked about whether it was worth it to advertise in guitar mags! I remember you posting that ghostbusters quote and jason jumping in on that!
in contrast with the clarity of zach's camera/set up, rhett looks like he's broadcasting straight from a cheech & chong movie set.😶🌫💨💨
outstanding advice gents
Good choice on the Omega, Zach!
I can see this company blowing up. Nice
I never adjust my guitars when the seasons change. Maybe I can't feel the difference...
0:17 "I'm not at home" sounds a lot like "I'm on a horse". Random but true.
Really enjoying the business and influencer space talk. As a new and really small brand it feels weird trying to navigate. And yeah trying to create content and grow and IG takes a lot of time.
Here’s a question too…
Leo fender wasn’t a guitar player and was successful at building gear. I’m not much of a guitar player but I love gear, and love great tone, how could I make compelling video of the pedals and amps I build?
I did just get Rhett’s fretboard fundamentals course a few days ago and plan to start making practicing and learning guitar a habit.
@@madsenamplification What content do YOU find compelling?
@@mikedr1549I like when gear/music related videos are educational and sometimes philosophical. And I love when I can hear gear in a more musical context vs a demo of noodling.
I'm totally fine with your perspective on money Zach. I buy your pedals mint condition used on Reverb. We'll operate under the incentives of colonization together :)
Long time listener, first time caller. Sorry, but most of the great artists in these modern times aren't falling victim to the "content creator" trap. Sarah Jarosz, Sierra Ferrell, Willie Watson, Joe Bonamassa, Noah Wotherspoon, Grace Bowers, Kingfish, Madison Cunningham, Julian Lage, etc. You don't see Dylan Adams out there dying to be big on TikTok! ;-)
Dick Dale played lefty on a lefty built Strat strung upside down. Go figure.
Also people watching on youtube and complaining about the nice gear you have are forgetting that all those nice instruments and amps are part of your occupation and therefore tax write offs lol