knobs, LED color, graphics, and more.
Customers can even upload their own
graphics. We are continually making updates
and adding new options—I am currently
working on adding buffered bypass and
other switching options.
TRW: So can someone really send in their
own circuit design and then get royalties if
someone else buys it?
PR: Absolutely. But it’s got to be an original
design, and it’s got to do something
different than what we already offer. There
are so many creative builders that I didn’t
want to limit the wizard to only what I could
come up with. We have already added
several unique designs from RunoffGroove
and BYOC.
TRW: I love that you are offering licensed
pedals from RunOffGroove and BYOC. How
did that come about? Is the plan to offer
only the BYOC original designs or will you
eventually offer all of their kits?
PR: I love the DIY movement, but it’s not
realistic to expect every musician to have the
time or resources to build their own pedals. I
wanted to give access to some of the unique
DIY pedals out there without needing to
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INTERVIEW //
build the pedal. We don’t have any plans to
license any DIY clones, as there are plenty of
other avenues for non-DIYers to get clones.
TRW: Tell me about the Megapedal. Did you
actually build a giant multi effect unit with all
of your pedals in it?
PR: I actually built two of them, but they
only contain 18 effects—not quite enough
for the entire VFE lineup! I used the project
to develop some of my ideas for a modular,
programmable, open-source integrated
pedalboard. This idea will probably never
get in our production line (because it would
be super expensive), but it’s something I am
personally interested in exploring.
TRW: That’s pretty amazing. Switching
gears, tell me about the Merman. What
inspired you to tackle the venerable Klon
circuit?
PR: Honestly, it was just the sheer number
of requests. For years, I kept saying “no”
because I didn’t want to be another Klone
builder in the market. I always want to add
something new to allow the player to tune
the circuit for their ear and gear. Once I
looked at the circuit design in more depth
last summer, it became obvious what parts
Inside the Head of Peter Rutter of VFE Pedals