"I would consider Wampler not as much boutique, just high-end" - Brian Wampler.
I totally agree and believe the same applies to many other pedal-makers we all love, like Earthquaker, Chase Bliss Audio, JHS, etc, etc. And this is not taking any credits from these companies by any means, I absolutely love my Tumnus and Ego Compressor mini and highly recommend them as great sounding and very high quality devices, as well as many other pedals that are mass produced and use surface mount components like MXR's Carbon Copy, etc.
For me the term boutique represents what is demonstrated with this beautiful pedal, 2n2Face by ReevesElectro:
100% analog device with the most valuable components, top craftsmanship with minimum automated or machined processes, custom circuit layouts for simplest troubleshooting/servicing (very important IMO), and exquisite attention to detail.
The quintessential boutique pedal would have every component handmade like handmade capacitors, handmade resistors, handmade transistors, switches, potentiometers... Which is absolutely insane and most likely wouldn't result in a "better sounding" unit! But it would undeniably add value to it, like a work of art! It's a display of craft and skill, and maybe also some kind of personal statement... At least that's how I like to think about it. I also don't think that producing a lot of units like 5000 units is bad for the pedal's "boutique reputation", as long as the human process is the same, I think it would be quite an achievement!
If NASA's Voyager 1 had a guitar pedal along with the golden records for some alien civilization to analyse it, I bet it would most likely be a very simple analog circuit, like a fuzz, but of course, a very VERY boutique fuzz. Just my thoughts! Cheers Mr. Wampler!!
