A few years ago, I was perusing a popular guitar-related forum when I came across a post about a particular pedal, and how people were waiting up to three years to get one. I remember at the time that I’d never do that, and I kept to my word; at least until I got on the list to get a Timmy Overdrive. That wait will only be about 6 months, and since I wasn’t in a rush, AND I didn’t have to give Paul Cochrane a down payment, it was a no-brainer putting my name on the list; especially after poring over reviews and sound clips and speaking with Paul directly. There’s other equipment out there that has a long waiting list as well. Analogman’s King of Tone is over a year long. The Faustine Phantom waiting list has been over a year for people who got on the earlier lists (though apparently Tim now has a new production partner and his production times are supposedly going down).
What prompted me to put out this question was that I was thinking about my Timmy on order. Then I thought: What was the impetus for getting on a waiting list? To be completely honest, I’m not sure. But probably a big reason was that I didn’t have to take any financial risk by giving Paul a down payment. Plus, the pedal’s only $129 shipped so it’s kind of hard to go wrong. I _might_ do the same with the King of Tone, but I’m really not sure I’d wait a year or more for a pedal. I guess for me, there has to be a good balance between wait time and financial risk.
Guitar Gear 
Buy used
That’s an alternative, but with some of his equipment, people take advantage of the fact that there’s a waiting list and charge lots. For instance, a used Timmy on EBay will go for over $200.
“I guess for me, there has to be a good balance between wait time and financial risk.”
That’s where my mind is. I even bought an Ethos Pedal with the classic/tle switch for $473 shipped. It wasn’t my thing so I stuck it on ebay.
Pretty much every time I get on a list I end up getting the pedal and if I like it I keep it, if I don’t I get all my money back.
I remember when the Ethos first came out, touted as a “Dumble in a box.” What didn’t you like about it?
I personally decided on the brand of electric bass to buy, ultimately, by the wait time. My price range would have supported several in the boutique range, which involved 1) not being able to try the instrument hands on until it was built and 2) wait times of 2 months to 1 year depending on the brand. All would have been excellent choices but I ultimately chose an American Standard Fender Jazz because there were several out of the box to choose from – certainly not what many would consider boutique but an excellent choice for me nonetheless.