More Mason Drama

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1477017

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1476885

Absolutely wonderful seeing Mason trying to worm his way out of this one. 

Open Letter from Michael Landau regarding Vertex

http://www.hugeracksinc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=95305

9-6-2014

AN OPEN LETTER FROM MICHAEL LANDAU.

This letter is in response to the recent events surrounding Mason Marangella and Vertex Effects. I first became aware of the drama concerning the Vertex Wah Wahs through Clif Jones , L.A. Vintage Gear , on August 16th. I was late hearing the news because I had been on tour and I’m not a regular on the gear forums. The news was not good, this was exactly the type of drama that has kept me far away from guitar pedal endorsements for most of my life up until recently.

Since I’ve never actually owned a production model Vertex Axis Wah, I anonymously purchased one 12 days ago so I could have it compared to the BBE Ben Wah by a reliable source whom I’ve known for many years, I wanted to have a first hand account of the results. The results show that the Vertex Axis Wah I recently purchased was identical to the BBE Ben Wah.

Obviously I can’t be involved with a company or associated with a person who runs his company like this, so officially as of 9-6-2014, I no longer formally endorse any Vertex products.

I would like to state the following facts for clarity:

- I am not an electrical engineer, the only time I open up a pedal is to change the battery. - I have never used, nor have I ever endorsed any of the production model Vertex Wah Wahs. - The Wah Wah that has been on my pedalboard since January 2013 is an old Dunlop Cry Baby that was modified by Mason, I don’t know the specifics of the mods, it sounds good to me, it does have a Vertex sticker on it from when Mason worked on it a couple of years ago. - I do not use, nor have I ever endorsed the Vertex cables. - I use the Vertex Landau Boost because I love the EXP volume control function. - I use the Vertex Volume pedal only as an EXP pedal for the Landau Boost.

As of 9-3-2014 , I have instructed Mason to give all of the dealers and distributers a 30 day notice stating that the Vertex Landau Boost and the Vertex Landau Chorus will be discontinued.

Out of respect to the entire guitar community: If anyone wants to return their Vertex Landau Boost or Vertex Landau Chorus and is having a problem doing so through Vertex or the dealer they purchased it from, please contact Clif @ L.A. Vintage Gear and I will personally provide a full refund.

Michael Landau

slopeshoulder - banned from TGP!

Finally slopeshoulder got banned from TGP.  I have no idea why, although he seems to get banned from most places he visits. 

Classic slope.

HRI Moderator Marsa - The Most Uncouth Moderator Of Any Forum Pt.2

So Marsa is the reason that two high profile names actually left HRI.

The two threads that broke the camel's back are here and here.

MT, I feel bad about the fact that you felt you had to come here and defend/excuse your view on the Torpedo thing just because the groomed noodler and his gear pimp thinks its the end all. I hope it doesn't bother you as much as it bothers me though.. That being said.. I really appreciate your honesty and that you shared all this great information with us and I hope this little "incident" won't scare you away from hanging out and voicing your true opinion in the future. All the best, marsa.

Again, Marsa demonstrating his rudeness. 

HRI Moderator Marsa - The Most Uncouth Moderator Of Any Forum Pt.1

Huge Rack Inc's Marsa is the most ignorant moderator I've ever experienced.  He is rude and then wonders why people get upset and leave his forum, which is losing traffic.

Here's an example:

http://www.hugeracksinc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=94163

There is no need to question actions taken here on HRI on Facebook when you have no clue as to why these decisions were made. If you have a question, ask me and I'll tell you the truth instead of a bunch of bitch nagging and mindless speculations.

 Of course, Marsa assumes he can tell people what to do on Facebook.  Thing is, when anyone asks him a question he never tells.

Here's another gem from Marsa:

Some of you might think that one gets banned around here for not liking Landau, or Bradshaw, or 80s rack tones or whatever. Well, you couldn't be more wrong... or simple minded.. actually I should ban you if you think that. No, it goes a little deeper than that. What I hate are people saying negative things, just for the reason of putting someone, or something, down. People with an agenda.. People who think they're so much better than everyone else. Or just want to talk shit about something because someone else happens to like it just to make them feel superior or whatever.

I totally understand it if you don't like Landau. I don't hate you for that. Actually, I totally get it. But, don't spread your shit around here like you fucking own the place and that your opinion is what matters however cleverly you try to disguise it. I see right through you. Do it with respect and common courtesy and we'll all get along.

And, again.. if you don't like it here.. go somewhere else. I don't need retards hanging around saying how much they hate it here and how all we talk about is Landau, Bradshaw and TSC. Well, FYI.. THIS IS A FORUM WHERE WE DISCUSS EXACTLY THESE THINGS. Because we share a common interest in this.

I started HRI together with Gluke and have been running it for 15 years. My house, my rules. DOn't like it? Fuck off.

I think that speaks for itself.

Just one more:

Yes, I deleted it. If you missed my last post.. too bad.
The other side of the story should come from a reliable source and not a post on the internet. If you want the information that was posted then go look for it.. elsewhere.

Maybe if Marsa wasn't so rude people wouldn't be leaving his forum.  

Offical Word From HRI on Vertex

Gluke » Fri Aug 15, 2014 11:31 am

Ok I have an announcement to make: I have followed the treads here and on TGP about the vertex axis wah being a rebranded BBE Ben Wah. I think these treads have reached the point where this has been proven without doubt. Since I do own an Axis wah I opened mine and that did nothing but confirm all the info posted in these treads. We did shut down the discussion here because it caused immence amouts of background noise that just dont have the time to deal with.

I am mostly dissapointed about all of this, but we will not allow Vertex/Mason to use HRI as a vehicle to spread misleading information about his products.

If anyone has a lot of spare time and want to get all the information here are the whole thing:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1458484 
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1461942 
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1467707 

Please do not contact Marsa and myself anymore about this. We have nothing more to add. There are no two sides to this story anymore. I have the pedal in my hand and nothing has been said to adress why all the parts inside are same as the BBE and not what was claimed by Mason both in the product description and in posts here on HRI.

We are both very very disappointed by this whole thing and feel rather used.

Take care,

FYI: Topic has been locked to prevent further discussions regarding this incident.

Mason Marangella of Vertex Effects

There has been much talk online about Mason Marangella of Vertex Effects Inc.  Here is a summary.

There is photographic proof which shows the Vertex Axis Wah to be a rebadged BBE Ben Wah, with no changes other than cosmetic/goop, and to remove/falsify country of origin.

   The Vertex Axis Wah sold for more than double the price of the BBE Ben Wah. 

There is also photographic proof which confirms the Vertex volume pedals to be rebadged Boss volume pedals, with tuner out removed, one jumper added, cosmetic changes and goop, and with country of origin removed/falsified.

 

Mason mislead customers over the way in which he advertised Scott Henderson's volume pedal.  Scott had more to say about the matter here.

Photographic proof shows the Vertex cable, claimed to twisted pair and with custom low-capacitance connectors, is actually Belden non-twisted pair cable, using stock high-capacitance connectors, and with Vertex logos added on shrinkwrap. 



Mason started Vertex in 2007 and has built up a reputation.  Sadly he has now been exposed and his reputation has been destroyed.  The evidence has mounted against him and he has said nothing on the subject, hoping that his customers will still pay over the top prices for rebadged goods which you can get much cheaper elsewhere.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Vertex-Effects-Mason-Marangella/Point-Richmond-California/Vertex-Effects-Mason-Marangella-Desperado-on-Huge-Racks-Inc-and-The-Gear-Page-Decepti-1166892

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/20130/vertex/

http://www.hugeracksinc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=94891


http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1461942
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1458484
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1335149

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1223060
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1467707
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1468155


https://www.vertexeffects.com/
https://www.facebook.com/vertexeffectsinc/