FINAL RESTOCK: Why I’m Discontinuing The NOTADÜMBLË And What’s Next

Summary

In this video, Josh Scott of JHS Pedals reveals a huge mistake in the creation of the 'Not a Dumble' pedal. Initially designed as a tribute to John Mayer’s 'Box It Later' pedal, Scott accidentally used a different, rarer Dumble circuit, the BBC1, which led to an unintentional mix-up. After months of confusion, Scott uncovers the truth behind the error, sharing a deeply personal and transparent account of the process, the challenges faced, and the unexpected outcome. The video emphasizes honesty, human error, and the complexities of pedal design, ultimately offering a unique take on the infamous 'Dumble' circuit.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 2019, Josh Scott mistakenly used the wrong Dumble unit (BBC1) instead of the Box It Later in the Not A Dumble pedal.
• 😀 The mistake went unnoticed for two weeks after the release of the Not A Dumble pedal, when Josh realized the error through correspondence with his head engineer.
• 😀 Josh Scott's attempt to modify the Not A Dumble pedal, including adding a TRS effects loop, revealed that the internal circuits were mixed up.
• 😀 There was no digital record of the Box It Later circuit in JHS’s R&D database, which led to confusion when trying to trace the error.
• 😀 Josh discovered that the BBC1 circuit was mistakenly documented and was in fact the version shipped out in the Not A Dumble pedal.
• 😀 The confusion arose because the BBC1 and Box It Later circuits are visually and sonically similar, which caused the mistake to remain undetected.
• 😀 The problem was further complicated by the fact that the documentation for the Box It Later project had not been properly digitized, and the BBC1 schematic was the only one available.
• 😀 A series of internal R&D issues, including staff changes, the pandemic, and missing files, led to the mistake going undetected until much later.
• 😀 The mistake was due to a lack of proper testing and comparison with the original Box It Later pedal, leading to the incorrect labeling and approval of the Not A Dumble pedal.
• 😀 Despite the error, the BBC1 circuit used in the Not A Dumble has gained positive reactions, with some customers even preferring its rarity over the original Box It Later circuit.

Q & A

What was the mistake Josh Scott made with the Not A Dumble pedal?

Josh Scott accidentally used the wrong clean circuit in the Not A Dumble pedal. Instead of using the Box It Later circuit, he mistakenly used the rarer BBC1 circuit, which led to confusion and a delay in realizing the error.

How did Josh realize the mistake regarding the clean circuit in the Not A Dumble?

Josh realized the mistake when he reviewed an email from his head engineer about the effects loop. He started investigating the JHS R&D database and found no records for the Box It Later circuit, but did find the BBC1, leading him to understand the mix-up.

Why was the mistake not discovered earlier?

The mistake wasn't discovered earlier because the BBC1 and Box It Later circuits are very similar in function, making it difficult to notice the difference. Additionally, there was no direct comparison, as the original Dumble circuits were not physically available for testing.

What was the impact of the mistake on the production of the Not A Dumble pedal?

The mistake led to the inclusion of the wrong circuit in the Not A Dumble pedal, affecting the product's design and leading to confusion among buyers who expected the Box It Later circuit. It also resulted in a recall and refund offer for certain customers.

Why were the BBC1 and Box It Later circuits confused in the first place?

The confusion arose because Josh Scott had worked with both circuits but did not have a clear memory of the BBC1. The units were not fully documented in the JHS R&D system, and the circuit's details were lost in the chaos of the pandemic and company transitions.

What role did the pandemic play in the mistake with the Not A Dumble?

The pandemic created chaos in JHS's operations, leading to a disorganized filing system and misplacement of critical information. This contributed to the mix-up between the BBC1 and Box It Later circuits and made it harder to track the correct schematic.

What is the BBC1 circuit and how does it differ from the Box It Later circuit?

The BBC1 is a rare Dumble circuit that Josh Scott accidentally used in the Not A Dumble. While both circuits serve similar functions, the BBC1 and Box It Later are technically different, with the BBC1 being a simpler, rarer version that has a distinct tonal quality.

What was Josh Scott's emotional response to the mistake?

Josh Scott expressed feelings of frustration, confusion, and guilt. He described the situation as one of the worst feelings in his career, particularly because JHS had sold thousands of the Not A Dumble pedals with the wrong circuit.

How did Josh Scott address the customers affected by the mistake?

Josh Scott apologized sincerely for the mistake, acknowledging the disappointment of customers who had expected the Box It Later circuit. He offered a return and refund option for affected customers, assuring them that their trust in JHS would be respected.

What is the future of the Not A Dumble pedal after the mistake was revealed?

The current version of the Not A Dumble pedal is being discontinued once the remaining 7,500 units are sold. Josh Scott has hinted at a version 2 of the pedal, but details on the release and features of the new version are not yet finalized.