Products of Music

In this episode, host Adam Wakeling speaks with Tosin Abasi (CEO and Founder of Abasi Concepts), as well as Ivan Chopik (Founder of Guitar Messenger and COO of Abasi Concepts) about their journeys; the state of the guitar and pedal market; and their approach to product development and innovation.To learn more about Abasi Concepts, visit: https://abasiconcepts.com/Many thanks to this episode's sponsor Chase Bliss.Check out Chase Bliss effects pedals here: https://www.chasebliss.com?utm_source=productsofmusicChapters:00:00 Preview01:35 Intro02:41 Abasi Concepts Origin Story10:16 The First 7/8 Strings17:00 Chase Bliss Sponsor Section18:15 Compromises in Guitar Design20:32 Abasi Concepts Product Development25:16 Ideation to Production31:30 Why Tosin Loves Analog Gear34:40 Digital and the Young Generation35:26 Where Abasi is Looking Next38:32 Gibson Neck Heel Issues39:37 Abasi Concepts Bass Guitars40:00 Abasi Nylon String Guitars42:05 Solving Problems for Guitarists45:30 Leveraging Industry Collaborations47:36 Guitar Market Concerns50:00 Abasi Guitar Quality Issues54:39 Entrepreneurial and Musician Advice58:54 Quick Fire Questions01:01:54 Reddit Community Questions🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

Welcome to Products of Music, where you will hear inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:In this episode host Adam Wakeling speaks with Jamie Stillman, Founder of EarthQuaker Devices about the impact of tariffs on small US businesses; why Jamie is not concerned about the current generation of digital modelers like the Quad Cortex and Helix, as well as how EarthQuaker Devices approaches product development at the company.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_O3xHoxGFwTo learn more about EarthQuaker Devices, visit: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/Many thanks to this episode's sponsor Chase Bliss. To learn more about Chase Bliss, visit: https://www.chasebliss.com?utm_source=productsofmusic Chapters:00:00 Preview01:15 Intro02:17 EarthQuaker origin story05:00 Catalyst for scaling05:53 Julie's impact06:58 Product development approach09:24 Data-driven development10:48 Trends in the market14:31 Chase Bliss Sponsor15:34 Analog versus digital18:36 Guiding product principles22:50 Every pedal has a song in it24:03 Inspiration for pedal ideas27:39 Ideas thought process29:25 More complex EarthQuaker pedals32:50 Hedgehog concept in business35:19 What EarthQuaker is best at41:45 Getting pedals to be ready47:12 Jamie's concerns for the future49:28 Quick-fire questions52:55 How fans can support55:30 Customisation capabilities56:51 Pedals close to being scrapped59:08 Bright pedal LEDs01:00:03 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

Welcome to Products of Music, where you will hear inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:Host Adam Wakeling speaks with Joel Korte, founder of Chase Bliss, about his founder journey, the 'chase bliss way' of product development, as well as his successes, failures and market insights.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTKX8kSsQswTo learn more about Chase Bliss, visit: https://www.chasebliss.com00:00 Preview01:50 Intro03:05 Joel's founder journey09:00 Meaning of 'Follow Your Bliss'12:25 EOS business tools15:00 Chase Bliss way of product dev18:30 Definition of 'best'20:42 Biggest success story25:36 Pedal release timing28:36 Why Joel discontinues pedals33:25 What makes a pedal last?37:45 Analog versus Digital42:52 Future innovation45:37 Chase Bliss midi controller?47:24 Enamel pins48:30 Habit design50:09 New form factor?50:44 State of the market57:35 Chase Bliss budget pedals58:30 Most painful pedal implementation01:00:01 'Quick fire' questions🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode, host Adam Wakeling speaks with Dave Friedman, founder of Friedman Amplification, about his approach to product development at the company; the analog versus digital debate; and what the future of boutique amps looks like.View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSmHFXvpvXwTo learn more about Friedman Amplification, visit: https://friedmanamplification.com/ 00:00 Preview01:24 Intro02:25 Dave's founder journey06:15 Developing amp building skills08:20 The key to creating a company13:10 Option paralysis in digital modeling15:13 The lack of unique guitar tones today20:23 How Dave finds new product ideas23:16 Unsuccessful product releases24:25 Biggest Friedman product success29:10 The difficulty with US tariffs33:35 Early lessons learned38:10 Digital detoxing/experience of analog41:45 How buyer expectations have changed44:10 When to expand the product range45:50 Some insights for entrepreneurs48:40 A few quick-fire questions51:15 Why the amp naming convention?54:14 Friedman takes on other amps?55:05 New Vox-style Friedman amp56:00 How Dave adds his unique touch to vintage amps56:55 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode host Adam Wakeling speaks with Brian Wampler, Founder of Wampler Pedals.From the humble beginnings of modding pedals in his garage to producing some of the most sought-after boutique pedals in the industry, Brian Wampler’s journey is one of passion, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of the perfect guitar tone.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C4sYXrSJY8Y To learn more about Wampler Pedals, visit: https://www.wamplerpedals.com/Guitar Pedal Courses: https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com/ Chapters:00:00 Preview01:03 Intro02:07 Brian’s founder journey05:44 Importance of networking08:40 The Wampler product development process12:39 Getting feedback and external data15:40 Brian’s approach to hiring20:10 When to release new products24:14 The expectation of digital products28:50 Wampler’s audience and expectations30:38 The different USPs in guitar pedals37:13 Diversification of revenue streams40:27 Threat of digital modeling48:00 Asking Reddit’s most upvoted questions56:30 Quick-fire questions01:03:30 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X