Unorganized thoughts are my Jam!! As is honesty and integrity. I don’t understand how people (companies and consumers) can say Free… there is no free lunch. You create great honest content and I enjoy your humor. Its helped me to refine the gear I need vs the shiny new whatever i want. Metal rabbit at the end 🤘🏽🐇🤘🏽
Henning, thank you for always keeping vendors honest. You and the channel are the gold standard for transparency and honesty so I thank you for that. I wish others would follow suit because people are sick of the advertisements of normal RU-vidrs.
In general in life I prefer to take in information from several different sources and try to discover mutual findings in the hope to obtain a basic impression of a situation and or product. Clearly if all sources are extremely negative you can be assured to be very alarmed. But in case all sources are extremely positive, at best it's encouraging....but not automatically a no brainer for me. I ALWAYS will rely on my own perception and how I feel. Having that said I find Henning's video's a very reliable source of common sense, no bullshit, honest information by someone who really knows his shit
Is it possible that Integrity is so rare people can't even recognize it when they see it? I have a handful of go-to channels that I trust because I've watched and vetted them. If you take the time to do this it will pay dividends. My go to channels? Well, this one, Pete Thorn and Leo Gibson. There are others, but these three give me the right amount of information without getting overwhelmed. They all have their own path to honesty but I think the way they do things is respectable, UNDERSTANDING THAT these guys have to make a living.
The reason i watch your videos is your honesty and respect to viewers. Quality of your videos is outstanding. I rather wait for your review than watch official videos from brands praising every detail in order to boost sales. I wish you and your family all the best ❤
I don’t view you as a shill. I have watched hundreds of your videos and I like your humor and your delivery of information. I appreciate that you are providing a curation service for me. Out of the 10s of thousands of gear items, I can narrow down my options for gear to a few things and then go try them myself and pick what I like.
Weird you still get those comments. I am here because you earned my trust and because i think the videos are both entertaining as informative. I like the productreviews, specially the ones that suprise you and inspire you. (HB SC 550 was a great example of that same wit MacMull)
Henning, I have been watching yours and other guitar channels on RU-vid and let me tell you this: you are one of the few I would trust because over the years you have become, what one would call, an "informed expert". You are informed because you look out of the box and are honest about it. What is wrong with informing us even if it is a paid/sponsored video? As long as you are loud and clear about this. Who cares you get the gear for free. What is important to me is, that you give me information I can use for my (nonexistent) guitar career. You rock, man! THANK YOU!!!
I wholeheartedly agree! It's about clear disclosure of (possible) biases, which Henning does extremely well! Honestly my go-to channel for well produced, in depth reviews ❤ (note: written before watching the video)
i feel people are tired of all the gear is great and the fake positive when its mostly 10% changes from each other. Its hurting the community because you can see all the channels views are going down.
The thing for me was always, as a normal viewer, that I barely see these bad comments. Learned pretty late that some of them get filtered out immedietaly only for you to republish them, bascially saying "that's ok." I never took you for one to try to sell me something I don't want. You made honest reviews about things I absolutey do not like. I am still watching for entertainment purposes aswell. And if there's a way for you to keep it that way, that'll be great. Full disclaimer: You actually, personally, sold me something I did want. 😀 So I am basically a shill now too, i guess? Whatever, keep on going. 🥳
It's not about honesty but rather low standards and expectations, so that anything negative about a product is simply ignored. People who will tell you negative things about a product, if they exist, are quite rare nowadays.
Worse is the Phil McKnight take on this - that no products are bad in the modern day, and that's why no one says any products are bad. Whilst, at exactly the same time, openly saying that the fact pretty much every guitar has QC issues isn't because of the price point and that you can't buy a product, especially your guitar, at any price point and avoid QC issues. To me that says that every channel (his included) should be saying everything is crap not that everything is good. They shouldn't be shrugging their shoulders when looking at a $500 guitar with flaws and saying "I've seen the same on $5000 ones" - especially since the market now is online - so the notion we can buy a broken guitar and then take it for a setup is a bit flawed - take it where? Our guitar retailer is the online place we bought it from - so if Thomann or whoever ship broken guitars - where do we take it to get it fixed? Or are we supposed to start sending guitars back and forth across Europe. It's odd that "good customer service" isn't defined as "sends you a working product" but as "lets you send the broken stuff they sent you back to them" - you know, if a retailer paid me a thousand pounds I'd absolutely test their guitar and send it back if it was broken. But, if they want me to give them a thousand the guitar has to work. If it doesn't then they are useless - especially when it becomes the norm. If they have the odd one or two, fair enough, but we've let mediocrity become the norm and the premise for that was the price, but the prices went up and the quality of their work didn't. No, guitar channels on youtube are next to useless from a customer perspective - but, in terms of honesty I think this channel is honest - I watch the videos and I see an egotistical narcissist who openly tells reps from companies how important he thinks him and his channel are to said company, and who is open and honest that he's in this to make money and get free gear. He is honest. But the honesty pretty much makes the content worthless if you want to know about gear - it's a guy who is open and honest that he hid marshall amps because his marshall rep didn't stroke his ego - and that's on a channel that only has around 200k people. Imagine what a disaster he'll be if he actually had big or influential youtube channel. It's no surprise some of the manufacturers don't want to work with him. Make no mistake here, the audience is what the retailers and manufacturers are interested in, not the buffoons with a silly voice sitting in front of the camera talking. And they pretty much want their gear on display, that's all - because it's cheaper than paying to advertise - dirt cheap.
@@michael1 I am currently having a situation with Warmoth. Everybody is like yeah Warmoth is great, they make superb parts, so i bought some stuff and it is uttter crap!
Great video Henning! I am glad there are objective RU-vidrs like you, and not only magazines. You've put a great number of hours into the review of my products, each and every time. I can't think of many times that a magazine has put that much effort into a review of my pedals. Yes, it's happened, but not often. You provide fantastic service and value.
Thank you so much Robert! I love your pedals and I love you my friend! ...and yet, with all of our friendship, if I had to critique something i'd still have to do that because the viewers come first! Say "Hi" to Andrew Timdons from me!
I Personally I don’t give it much thought. But the way you say it, “If i piss them All Off I wont have a job” When you put it that way, You actually aren’t being honest, And no The viewer is not first, The “job” is. An ad is an ad, Not a review. An ad masquerading as a review, Is in fact schilling. Again, I glance at your videos, Never gave marketing a thought, I am remarking on the fact that you have stepped on your own toes repeatedly in regard to the premise presented here, One Sentence after the other a couple times. personally I’d prefer an honest world. But it seems like your “job” is more important to you than that. I could care less about your ads, But this video is double baloney.
and again... if you knew me, you wouldn't say this. If you had any idea how I operate and what goes on behind the scenes... you are simply wrong. From your point of view this might all make sense, but it just isn't what is happening. The viewers DO come first.
@@EytschPi42 I don’t have to know you To see you talk out both sides of your mouth. People have called you a schill, You have described yourself as a schill While simultaneously saying you aren’t a schill. The only honest position based on everything you’ve said, Is that there is nothing wrong with being a schill, And that you are as honest as schill as can be. The question you’re begging right now is, Why do you find being a schill to be offensive? And why are you doing mental gymnastics to avoid association with the term? You have always been open about your placements being paid and what that means, But this videos is a stream of contradictions. Sorry, the premise that your viewers prefer you to get paid, Over a higher likely hood of an honest opinion is just not logical. And that is not “viewers first,” Not trying to jab at you here, You just aren’t making sense.
There are 5 reasons I watch your videos. 1. I really value your honest opinion. You tell about every flaw and advantage of the gear and even tell if it's 'just your opinion' 2. You aren't scared to tell the disadvantages of the gear but at the same time you tell the circumstances why it's not working for you (or others) and that's might be relevant to folks (or not) 3. Your experience applies to things I do and so many other channels simply ignore such a wide range of applications and just ignore everyone else (which you don't (most of the times)) - you have a much broader possible target user in mind and are not afraid to tell if it's not applicable to one group! 4. I don't agree on every of your classification or judgement but yo ALWAYS got perfectly convincing arguments why you've got to your verdict/conclusion and you are able to even tell arguments for/against the stuff because you are able to see the use beyond your own judgement of use it for yourself and don't deny the niche it might be a great fit for 5. Glenn told me to watch it
I may not agree with your opinions 100% of the time, but I always appreciate and respect your honesty. That is why this is one of my favorite guitar review channels on this website... and because of the animals, the wonderful shirts and the impeccable production quality, of course.
I never watched any of your videos, because of your opinion about any gear. Your two cents doesn't matter for me at all. I watched your videos to see what funktions a gear has and how it sounds. After that I build my own opinion about a product. And only that makes for me the value of your videos. You show all the details and possibilities of a peace of gear with "german Gründlichkeit". Its always very informative and of course you always speak about what a peace of gear can't do and what are the limits of a pedal or whatever. And in my eyes thats also a value for the company, because your critisism gives them hints, whats to do better next time. So for me your opinion about a product is much less important than the quality of your reviews.
Very well done. Everything needed to be said was said here in this video. I've heard a few bad jokes, maybe a few bad shirts, but NEVER have I felt you were dishonest or swayed by your allegiance to the company. Excellent explanation and I think you have integrity. Keep up the good work mate.
Hi Henning, I happened upon this video and wanted to say as one of your former guitar instructors at a particular college that I think you are doing a phenomenal job with your channel, your views your reviews and your support of animal rights! Robin Stone
I don't have anywhere near the same reach as you & hence I don't have the clout to ask for stuff (let alone payment) from companies. The way I work it is that I buy a guitar, do a bunch of videos with it, then sell it on. If I get my timing right when selling, and factor in the RU-vid revenue that the guitar has earned me, I usually turn a bit of a profit. Is this enough to live on? No, but I have other revenue streams - private tuition, publishing royalties and Patreon. These all add up to a wage that puts me on a par with any other skilled tradesman. All I'm saying is that this is what works for me. What you do works for you & you come across as an honest, impartial source of info. Keep on doing what you do - I've bought gear on the back of your reviews and not been disappointed.
Henning, in summary, are you saying that you have to earn money? Is that the bottom line? Shame on you! 🤣 To me, there is no one more honest with their reviews than you! Most I can´t afford, most I dont need, but I watch your videos, why, because IF I need something OR I can afford something, I will take your word for it over any other RU-vidr! Thank you!
Hallo Henning, ich sehe Deine Videos seit Jahren und mein Fazit ist: Du machst einen guten Job! Mach Dir keinen Kopf darüber, wenn mal jemand etwas negatives schreibt. Es ist wie bei Amazon: Wenn alles passt, dann schreibt man nichts. Beim einem Problem will sich der Mensch abreagieren. Darum ist der Anteil der negativen Kommentare immer viel zu hoch. Also: Mache bitte weiter so. Ich schaue immer wieder gerne vorbei.
You are the OG for being honest on gear in a balanced way..... unlike Glenn......I have looked at you and Phil Mcknight as the industry standard and what I want my channel to be like eventually. Screw the naysayers.
Oh no! Big Shill has gotten to Henning! Now he’s shilling shilling! Son of a…. I just bought a cat because of this video! You just know those bastards at the cat rescue place sent that unholy beast to Hemning, but he didn’t mention that did he? DID HE?!?! I gotta go fix the cat.
I was going to write a long comment explaining what it's like working from the manufacturer's side, at least from my perspective, having worked with Henning and lots of well-known RU-vidr's. But I'll just say that while measured skepticism over everything you watch & read is good, total cynicism leads people to have wild conspiracy theories that defy reality and logic. Manufacturer's buy access to creator's audiences, not their opinions. The musical instrument industry is also pretty niche and small, so the amount of money people think floats around is way off base, with few exceptions. There are ethical and unethical ways of doing business and in my experience, Henning and most of the OG's are much more ethical than some people seem to fantasize about. EDIT: I should also add that I no longer work in the industry, so saying this isn't influenced by my job or working relationships.
You don’t mention compensation from RU-vid subscriptions, likes, views, watch duration, etc. Regardless of what the product manufacturer provides you, you still make profit from RU-vid itself no? This video presents as though your only income is from the product manufacturer and the business transaction between the two of you. But actually one could give positive reviews to every product because profit is made from RU-vid itself. In general. I enjoy your videos. Just curious about that as it wasn’t mentioned here. 😊
I think I mention it briefly. I say that what stat pays me doesn’t even cover my electricity bill. With a review channel like this you just don’t make much money from clicks. Likes don’t pay anything. If I wanted to make that sweet YT money, I’d have to make other types of videos, but that’s not what I do.
Looking forward to the RANT series... btw... I wonder if Slash gets hate male for being a Paid Shill for Gibson... Oh... but he's Slash! 😂 I'll never forget that wonderful week (short as it was... and no... TNWSS)... hanging out with you and your family, which includes the Gear Street regulars, at Gear Street 4 (Quattro). For other readers of this post... I paid my own travel, housing and even used my own gas money in German gas prices to pick up and drop off people at the airport 45 mins away for the event and volunteered my time to help shoot videos of other RU-vidrs... because I love you guys! I even shot and posted a video making a bit of fun about how tough it is to be a RU-vidr, which was very tongue in cheek because Henning went out of his way to spare no expense to make sure his very hard working RU-vidr friends were treated how they should be treated when at his Gear Street event because he knows from experience that's not the usual treatment they they from companies that they typical "work for"... usually for pennies on the dollar. I've also bought several mugs, T-Shirts and guitars, like my "Love Potion #9" of 42, 1st run Ltd HP42 Harley Benton guitar and proud owner of a Henning Spec Valiant HP42 "Smith" guitar made by my Ukrainian friends and Co, during wartime. Anyone that thinks Henning is a shill, doesn't even know the definition of the word... which means someone who DOESN'T reveal a representing association with a service or product ... who's trying to fool others, scam them or con them. Obviously, outside of Henning's choice of jokes (for God's sake, he's German... what do you expect) and of course, clothing on his shows (not exactly GUCCI)... I trust this guy. He's a true friend, an honest, good representative of a human being on RU-vid and in... a world (said in a deep Morgan Freeman voice) of shills. If you don't believe me, I'll use words Henning's often has to tell companies who want him to "shill" for them... "Go F__k Yourself!" 😮😆🤣😜😅😂😎🎸🤘🐕🐾🐦
A very small single opinion in a sea of very many: Henning, not once have I ever watched any of your videos and found myself thinking “bullshit”. In the grand scheme of things, I'm a nobody, and I can't even play guitar very well yet. But I am a consumer nonetheless and at some point my purchases are either profit, or lack thereof, losses for companies. What I do have is experience of rock god level corporate advertising and managerial battles and I can tell you every single one of those companies out there high or low, big or small needs someone to tell them openly, honestly, and quickly when something that they are trying to sell, is shit. It's almost impossible to place a value on that, but it is most certainly underestimated and undervalued. Good companies will see the power in being given a road map to success through experienced, honest reviewers and commentators. Thank you very much for being considerate enough to take the time to let people out here get to know you better and where you stand on issues such as these. It pretty much answers any questions someone might have had, and just confirms what some of us out here pretty much figured out for ourselves, and already knew.
I think I said this not too long ago....but HONEST people like Henning and other youtubers are the bridge between brands and the consumer, these people ADD value to the product they're reviewing (good or bad), and that helps the consumer make informed purchasing decisions...why would people be mad at that? Now, it's on the consumer to decide who they're gonna trust/prefer when it comes to the information they're looking for...if you wanna see a demo because "they wouldn't take money " for a video, then watch the in-house demos, which btw, they're also being paid to made, because it's their job...it's their job to sell you the product. On the other hand, if you scroll down just a bit and enjoy some charismatic and honest people giving you different opinions on the same product, wouldn't that help you to get a wider insight on how this product actually is? Well that's a service and also a job, which needs to be compensated accordingly.
Henning, I hate to break it to you, but people are stupid. Maybe that's too harsh. People are generally and for the most part incapable of consistent critical thinking. They just say things. As best you can, ignore the shill comments, and whatever you don't, don't stop putting out videos.
In an way, you tell us that everything under the current system is doomed to fail, yet I have to say,: I never had a problem to read when you wouldn't recommend some gear I looked up (and found your review). Obviously I haven't put every review you did to the test
.... and if I did personal taste would play a role as well, but I think you made an example by what you said about gear more than could ever be explained away other ways
I don’t get the point of the complaints in the first place. I mean: We all trust our lokal guitar center tec / store owner if we have questions or are searching the right product. And they LITERALLY SELL it to us, right? „I‘m searching a xyz-pedal to do stuff.“ „Well, try this and that. If you want something like X, Y is not for you.“ and so on. You are doing a good job (even when I‘m having a different opinion), I enjoy your demos and your video-structure. And when you advertise something, that might be the right thing for me - I‘ll try it myself anyway. Keep on rockin‘ 🤘 Grüße aus dem Pott
This level of honesty and integrity is so difficult to find on the internet today. I've followed you for a long time now. And I will stay because of what you've said today!
Watching your videos for a long time, but of course not knowing you personally or anything, you seem like someone with a good moral compass and ethics in this business (and in general). That’s why I like watching this channel, I know I’m getting an expert and grounded opinion! Oh, and the animals of course :)
Ok be honest: what is the best amp sim pedal in the market right now? Universal Audio, Tone X, TC Electronic, Boss IR-2, Strymon, Walrus, HX Stomp? There is something to be said about trusting one's opinion and I absolutely trust yours which is why I ask the hard question(s) On other channels, you always get the usual "well, uh, it depends ... uh ..." JUST SAY IT! - Although I do understand that slippery slope of maintaining relationships with these companies that actually PAY the bills.
Low level 7k sub channel here. Early on, YOU WILL HAVE TO pay for stuff and demo it because companies probably won't give you free stuff. Ask yourself what are you doing RU-vid for? Eventually as a job? Or just for fun? Or both? Sometimes you get paid sometimes you don't. There's no real consistency. Honestly. Learn to negotiate.
I have felt like certain people...i won't name them but they seem to only put out new content when they have a review to do. They used to do a variety of video types. Now they only do promotional videos once a month. I always watch because I love the talent and watch to see the quick legato runs for the first 20 seconds and then I'm off😢
I used to be a RU-vidr and I deleted my channel. My real job pays well and I don't like contracting for reviews and having companies try to tell you what to say and do. I appreciate what you do and how you don't bend for people.
I remember buying a Fulltone '70 fuzz pedal after watching a guy playing a Strat with it through a Ceriatone JTM45. No talking, just awesome playing that spoke for itself, it was NOT a review. But it was honest and REAL. Henning, even the making of this video speaks for itself. The real paid shills keep quiet - and keep lying to the people. Do not worry, people know you're different. I somehow noticed the honesty in your reviews right away, years ago, so I subscribed. I have nothing but respect for your work and the reviews you're doing, even if I'm not really interested in a particular piece of gear being demoed. You're always very detailed in doing it, often making personal remarks that mean a lot to someone not in the room with you to see and hear the piece of gear you talk about for themselves. The attention to detail, the honesty...Knowing that a great part of the entire industry is a scam wrapped up in great marketing, we are lucky to have you and people like you, to help us know the difference. I wish you all the best, piles of gear, AND piles of cash. You deserve it.
Thank you for the video mate. It's really interesting and helpful to hear your take on this kind of stuff. I'm still a fairly small channel but it's cool to know you've experienced some of the stuff I've seen (not doing demos if you think something's bad, dodgy promotion etc.) I do have a question though: I review gear that I buy because I want the gear for myself but is there a better way? I don't think I'd ever not share stuff I wanted to buy anyway but it's obviously not a sustainable way to do this. Making videos is incredibly fun but it's not easy. Thanks again man 🤘
It's that frustrating line. You want to products to demo, but if it's crap it's hard to be constructive and keep the company on side still. It's that "You paid for my time, not my opinion". If you want good reviews, make.good products!
10,000 years ago when a group of 5 men were sitting around a fire a hungry lion came upon these men and they all argued about what to do. Soon it became evident that having just one man making the decisions was a very good idea.To get to the point we are all looking to a RU-vidr to make a decision on that Lion guitar, Lion pedal etc. Fortunately the gear doesn't bite so our leader can tell us which Lions to kill and which ones can be pets to take home. Those that so-call just demo are simply very bad leaders. Sooner or later there Lion gear will bite you. If the gear is pricy you will get eaten alive.___This is a No Wounds site.
The general distrust is understandable. People don't differentiate between RU-vidrs, companies, Instagram ads, Facebook ads and TV ads. People have accumulated that distrust for decades - honest RU-vidrs catch the strays in a bullet storm. People won't suddenly start understanding. They watch some video in their free time - they won't open the channel page. They mostly search or get suggestions. A channel with a lot of actually acknowledged integrity is Gamers Nexus. However there's a difference. If there's a bad product they don't avoid the topic - instead they actively tell the people to not buy it. If a company does something bad they report it as news. This means a lot more negative videos, but that earned them the trust of the audience. It's in a way that one or two videos are enough to be acknowledged from a new viewer. But the path they're walking is not easy either.
This dudes a liar….i was behind him at the lebensmittelgeschaft and he paid w a delay pedal fuzz pedal and polyester t shirt w silly ass kittens and cupcakes all over it….
@@EytschPi42 before I commented my nonsense...I thought if the German language does not provide a ridiculous sounding or long word for "grocery store" I wont spout off....but German linguistics really came through on this one....
I've been watching gear channels for close to a decade and it's sad to see so many of your contemporaries who started 'pure' then devolved into pay for play paid advertisements. I understand it's an income stream and people gotta eat, but some have gone so far over the top that I've lost respect for them. When I need to know the real deal about a piece of gear I always turn to your channel. I trust you to provide the good with the bad or sometimes even the ridiculous with humor and solid information, and I like your dedication to animals
IMHO you summarized it well in the first few minutes: ..."there's a lot of naivety about what we do" ... I like these behind the scenes look at channels like yours. I appreciate that there is a lot of work and thought that goes into each one. And I realize that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding whether anyone will actually watch it; let alone like it. Keep up the great work. I appreciate it and others do too.
Well Done your video's are a great representation of items :) - I still like my Harley Benton Fusion 3 in sparkly pink even though you hated the colour 😄😁😄!!
The key thing is, it’s a job. A self employed job for which you need to be paid. Your position of “you can pay me for my time but not my opinions”. Keep up the great work Henning! 👍🎸🤘🏻
At least when I click on your videos I want to see what you're selling unlike the 2,500 adverts they try to force me to watch during a 4 minute video for crap I will never buy ever.
- Henning Sir, .....does SCHiLL or SHiLL mean a person who Sells something by doing whatever possible to sell it REGARDLESS of morals ..... For example, with ONLINE AUCTIONS ........ ........a "shill" bidder is somebody who has several FAKE ACCOUNTS and bids against their own product to artificially RAISE it's value for making him the most profit from his final SALE to somebody else......... regards Ben
I've not bought a magazine in probably 8 years. I used to regularly buy/subscribe to a variety of mags but you only get their opinion. One opinion. RU-vid when I found it is so much for free. Am I a cheapskate cos I watch free RU-vid videos. Yes! 100%. But I get multiple viewpoints I can actually hear it unlike a magazine etc. Am I happy you get paid to provide free content for me to consume? Hell yeah!
Great video!!! I agree with pretty much everything said and, it needed to be said. I'd like to start a guitar channel and might do so soon... you've been warned! 🤣 Even though I'll try to be as impartial as possible, I have favourite brands and I'll be the first to say may point of view is compromised by my experiences and ideals. I'll openly admit I'll buy something because X used it live, or Y used it on a record. In terms of compensation, even if a channel doesn't get any money or goods, there is still a psychological rewards system at work. Some people will do it for the attention, likes or a desire to be one of the 'faces' in the industry. Hell, there are some 'guitarists' out there that only seem to be involved because Onlyfans might be a step too far. Everybody's got a reason even if it's just for a dopamine hit. That said, all you have to do is just be aware of the psychological and contractual forces at work to get the most out RU-vid and other social platforms. You are your own filter in these instances. Learn to judge who is on the level and who isn't. It's a great life skill to have.
I adopted a nine week old kitten a month ago and she is mad! Absolutely insane and beside herself with curiosity and sheer joy. She runs like a deer. She runs like a deer after my older cats and mugs them and they hate it. Lots of hissing. Too bad, LOL! Dammit, you do a job and deserve to be paid for it. If you get free stuff, I don't give a damn. Other products like vacuums and teapots are sent for free to people who will test them and review them. They keep them. Why in the hell shouldn't you get stuff for advertising a product. Getting compensation is only fair. Rock on. One day I want to crash 42 Gear Street. I'm a nobody, but I'm a female musician, and you need more female musicians there. I like Cabernet. Stock up. I have to fix the cat soon myself, LOL! You're awesome.
I'm halfway through the video, so maybe you'll bring this up later but I think it is also important to mention this: Most of the established reviewers on RU-vid wouldn't even produce a video presentation of a product that is outright garbage. That would be such a massive hit on their reputation that barely anybody would want to do that just to receive a quick paycheck.
Henning, honestly. There is not a single guitar channel more professional than yours. Not even in the guitar world, but just on youtube in general. I mean... name one with better production value. I'll wait... Yeah, didn't think so. We appreciate you. And we are grateful. I learned about so many interesting things from you both about gear and about music theory. I've been following you for over 10 years now. I'd say you're the only one who does this 100% right. Just the video formula with the sounds in the mix, the product shots, the pros and cons and the RELEVANCE (my 2 cents is always my favorite video part)... seriously, there is nobody out on youtube who does it better. And on top of that, what's probably the most important YOU HAVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. That shows because you know what to point out about a product, you know what to look for and what might be relevant for people who are a bit more serious about guitars and making music. That's always been my general feel about your channel: even with all the undeniably German humor (which is great), HP42 is more serious. It's what I'm looking for. Other things to notice? You are actually capable of presenting your statements using proper language. You'd think that would be a given... and then you look at some other of these people who can barely put a sentence together. Such are the times, and Henning isn't even a native English speaker. So yeah. Pluses everywhere (like the Swiss flag where they also speak ze German). You were the only one talking about the possible moral grey area with the Kemper. Nobody else touched this for a long time, and that was what, like 2014? 2015? Bottom line is this, when I want to know if something is either right for me or if it's worth my money, I come to this channel. Integrity. People who think you lack integrity and are a "paid shill" (wtf does that even mean?) need to - like you said - watch your videos. That chinese digital bullshit non-guitar is a perfect example. Anywho. We love you dude. And we forgive you that you suck at playing modern metal.
the reality is, all the products work, ( if the particular unit in question works as designed ) and it's just a matter of discrepancies .... I think a lot of times, the next move depends on what people already have; and how different products fit in ( in terms of feature set ) "is it going to do what I need it to do? or after incorporating it, will I again need something else." .... and most people are just going for the solve, or a re-tweak. sometimes that's a tube amp and pedal board, sometimes it's the Everything modeler, and sometimes i's a combination of hardware and software.....but whatever it is, they want to know as much as possible about it, before making the investment. ( and I think most end up on RU-vid for mulling over something that the PDF manuals indicates will do ) ... or they want a video, not a PDF manual ? and I think some just need something to take their minds of the wretched reality for awhile, ( youtube is a haven for life's off topic escapist ) but reality won't change, until we deal with it.
RU-vidrs that don't get money but get gear are like musicians when we play at a bar and you get payed with beer! Good ol' times lol Like it or not, you got payed. Also, I haven't been to the channel in long but I can say I've seen @EytschPi42 giving negative reviews about equipment, of course he's not gonna be saying this is a piece of s¨¨¨(...or has he? xD ) but I do trust he's neutral in that sense. Also, bad publicity is still publicity, if you have been a working person long enough you know this. I think you gotta be too young to not understand this is a job. Anyways, cheers.
You have integrity and have always pointed out the shortcomings of the manufacturer's products you review. You offer advice on what they can do to improve their instruments and gear. Also, you praise them when they offer something great. You have guts.
It's ironic that the people who come off as the most trustworthy and honest are usually the ones to defend/explain trustworthiness in their trade and the ones most often accused of being "paid shills"... And more often than not, the accusations come from people who don't seem to have a single bit of professionality in them. Which I guess makes sense in a sad way, because how could you be expected to understand something you're not at all familiar with and something that is completely alien to you... Also, as for the "Sponsored content" popup - personally, that popup alone tells me that the content creator/channel actually *does* care about honesty at least to the extent of feeling the obligation to notify their viewers about featuring sponsored stuff. It's still thoroughly baffling to me how many channels completely ignore that obligation, even when it is mandatory to do so as per YT ToS and at least in some countries also by law. I'll much rather watch Anderton's videos, even though they could be downright considered ads by the nature of what the channel is (though I do think they still present a fair amount of their actual honest opinions in them anyway) than someone like the ever-so-popular Leo Gibson (to name one of the biggest offenders as far as I'm concerned) who never puts up the "sponsored" label (almost intentionally, it seems, as he's been called out on it many times) despite rarely buying the gear presented. And I still can't forget how he reviewed a unit he not only got "for free" from the company, but also revealed in the review the unit is sold with his presets made by him out of the factory, and yet it still wasn't marked as sponsored content... And frankly, this issue by no means concerns just guitar channels or music related channels. This is a very widespread issue, unfortunately. And sometimes is a lot harder to figure out who's actually honest with you and who's not - if only it was always as easy as it is with your channel (and many others, of course)...
Unfortunately “advertising” makes our world go round. The “enjoyability” of the “advertising” is what sets Great RU-vidrs apart from the rest. I never want to stop Learning. Honest Gear Nerds are the Best Advertising for Great Companies - and a “Great Company” is humbled by negative feedback! They do exist.
Henning. I watch quite a few guitar and gear RU-vid channels. I enjoy watching almost all of them. There are only two channels that I trust to be up front and have an honest opinion. Your channel, and Jonathan Koh. ( I probably butchered his last name.) As far as the whiners, FKEM. And RU-vid? I've been banned from comments six times this year already. For what? Speaking my mind I guess. FKEM too. Keep doing what you do Henning, I'll always catch your channel for entertaining, honest information. Cats. I love cats! I can't have one. I have 16 dogs... Nuff said... 🇺🇸⚔️🍺🌭👍
I work for a guitar manufacturer, and one of my jobs is working with reviewers on RU-vid. You, my friend, are EXACTLY the kind of reviewer I want to work with; I want honest, CREDIBLE opinions. If you were in Canada, I'd be hitting you up all the time for stuff. Keep it up.
I bought a much touted 12 string off Amazon...Showing great playability etc...got one...WHAT GARBAGE...could no way take a full tune and impossible to play beyond the 4th fret even dropped down a full step. Neck kept pulling forward,over tension on the cheap strings etc. I don't know what they sent or paid these reviewers but absolute garbage. Should've kept my old Yamaha 12 string .Stick with name brands even used. The instructions said how to adjust trussrod..FORGET IT.If any guitar takes more than an 1/8 of a turn in either way its firewood
Bravo!! Pardon my language (to those fellow subs/commenters who may be offended. I know Henning doesn’t mind) but this is an absolutely fucking outstanding video. I have so much respect & love for every bit of your content. Somehow managed to have not even heard of you till around 6ish (?) months ago. I won’t lie, at first and only briefly, I thought you were a dick. I was completely wrong. Not to mention, hypocritically so (I’m very straightforward/perhaps even brash) and only very briefly, as quickly became so fond of you & your content, that I’d go as far as to say, you’re in the upper ranks of my all time favorite content creators. Great sense of humor. Very skilled player. Above all else, as honest as they come. You’re the very bar by which all other reviewers are measured (by me, anyway) therefore, you have my entire trust. Something VERY FEW (if any) other RU-vidrs have, according to me. Keep doing what you do. So glad I’ve found you on here. Keep keeping it real, good sir. Cheers 🍻 🤌🏼🤘🏼🖤
What you are experiencing is very similar to the dilemmas that theater critics have been experiencing since the XIXth century or movie critics since the XXth. There has been pressure by power and money, through 'payola' (US) and 'claques' (French) since the beginning, possibly since the time of Sophocles in the Vth Century BC. Critics (and guitar youtubers are gear critics) can have power but only if they have either a privileged platform (say, the NY Times -say, Guitar Player magazine in the 90s) or credibility. In RU-vid, power and money can tweak the algorithm (as governments have shown in the totalitarian covid era) but small RU-vidrs rely essentially on credibility, entertainment capacity and quality of the videos. Rob Chapman suffered a big hit when he vaunted his 'power'. Henning has managed to draw a fine balance and give valuable information, good playing and some entertainment.
Well, not necessarily addressed to you, EytschPi42 (I think you're cool and mostly on point in your reviews, and when I say "you" below, don't take it literally - it's the general "you, youtubers", not you in particular), but here are a few of the problems that I have with "Guitar RU-vid Land": 1. humbuckers vs. coils, both in neck and bridge - any test of an effect or amp with just some of these type/position combos is half-useless; 2. "and here's how it sounds clean" on strat position 4 or 5 or tele / paul middle position, with soft airy picking and the volume halfway down - am I the only one who actually likes to play clean on the bridge pickup too, and at full volume too, and with some "life" too ...? really ...? 3. 6L6/6V6 vs. EL34/EL84 - I'm sorry, but you're not equipped to demo guitars and effects, if you don't have (and use) both; 4. real amp, cab & mics vs. DI+IR, etc. - same as above ... and, I'm sorry, but no matter how highly you think of your IR's, to demo something just on the basis of that is ridiculous; 5. playing styles - unless it's a strictly "metal" or a strictly "blues" product by design, I don't care if you're a metalheart, or a bluesheart, or a shoegazer or whatever at heart - when you demo a product, you need to play at least a little bit of it all to really show what it can do; 6. real-time switching - when i buy something, i like to be able to play it live, and I wanna know whether it switches with pops, latencies, dropouts etc., so please demo that too, maybe ...? 7. "it sounds great", "it does it", "it works", "they did a great job", etc. - uhm ... tastes and ears vary, but .... really? ... are we listening to the same thing? Again, I think you channel is mostly great, but there are at least 4 top 10 guitar youtubers (not to name names) that i just don't even try to watch anymore because of the above ... and this is how you all get a little bit of a bad name, unfortunately ...
Late to the show, but Guitar-Stuff-Related you are my go-to-chan on RU-vid. I bought stuff because of your opinion and I stepped back from buying stuff because of your tests. You are the man, Henning. Thanks for the work you do 👌
Yes, completely agree with you. Sadly some people have their heads up their ass. Simple. Love your reviews and how you have integrity. Much appreciated.
