Why is THAT stuff selling?

[garcho]

Wampler pedals sound awesome but look like crap I'd buy at Auto Zone. It's hard to get past that kind of thing if, like Mark said, you don't know exactly what you want. If you just play for fun, or don't really know what you're looking for, or want to 'accessorize', of course you're gonna get the crazy ass Devi Ever with Godzilla baking blinking LED cupcakes inside a shark's mouth and a switch that says '666' (not to knock her pedals, or the many pros who use them), or the weird rock/fantasy/hippy looking EHX thing with a thousand knobs and displays. We all know looks don't matter when it comes to music, but they matter when it comes to other things. YATS? Why not put it in a rubber cheeseburger?

[timd]

I think some small things like color/texture affect perception about a pedal, guitar, etc. I really like Fender amps. I am attempting to locate a Fender M-80 half stack from the early 90's. Why? Because it has a gray carpet material around it. The ones produced without the carpet sound the same, but sometimes its just what pleases the eye. People won't be able to tell the difference on the record though....

[AudioEcstasy]

I think it's the novelty and uniqueness of the units that keep them selling 

[timd]

Yes, I believe you're right. I have a friend who's hunting for an old Kustom blue sparkle stack. 

[Canucker]

Musicians (hopefully) are creative types who don't want to be the same as everyone else. Having a custom piece that looks like its one of a kind just reinforces the idea of creativity. Look at boss pedals....they all look the same....not even interesting graphics. They serve a purpose and do a good job of it but they're appearance is about as creative as a box of nails. Electro Harmonix pedals through the years have looked different, had some cool graphics and just seem more fun to collect. If you have equipment that looks one of a kind its eye catching and remembered. I made a grill cloth out of some high quality grey leopard print material and you wouldn't believe how many comments and compliments I got on it...when I said I did it myself people were amazed...as if it took real talent to work a staple gun....then I made a pedal board with matching material and when we did a live to air/radio interview the DJ couldn't get over my pedal board and took a ton of photos of it that he posted on his web site. So yeah if people like your music and see something a little different visually the really seem to be more likely to remember you!....and its not like a bad hair cut or spandex outfit that you'll regret years from now! 

[garcho]

....and its not like a bad hair cut or spandex outfit that you'll regret years from now!

that's not true, is it?!?!

[Canucker]

Time will tell!