JHS Pedals and Coppersound Drop $119 Short Circuit Pedal

What Is the JHS Coppersound Short Circuit Pedal?

The JHS Pedals Short Circuit, a collaborative effects pedal developed with Brooklyn boutique builder Coppersound, has officially launched at a retail price of $119. The release is notable both for the technical ambitions behind its design and the personal story surrounding its development. JHS Pedals founder Josh Scott revealed this week that he was deep in the pedal's development process immediately before a cycling accident that left him requiring 29 stitches to his face. The fact that the Short Circuit has now reached market represents the completion of a project that Scott nearly never finished.

Why Did JHS Pedals Partner With Coppersound?

JHS Pedals and Coppersound operate in overlapping but distinct corners of the effects market. JHS has built a reputation over more than a decade as one of the most prolific and consumer-accessible boutique pedal brands in the United States, with a strong media presence through YouTube education content and a catalog that spans dozens of designs. Coppersound, based in Brooklyn, New York, caters to a more premium segment, building effects with an emphasis on handcrafted construction and circuit originality.

The collaboration reflects a trend in the boutique pedal world toward cross-brand releases that bring different design philosophies to a single unit. According to Reverb's 2026 market data, collaborative and limited-edition pedal releases consistently outperform standard catalog items in resale value within the first six months of launch, with co-branded units averaging a 22 percent price premium on the secondary market compared to single-brand equivalents in the same price tier. That pattern suggests the Short Circuit could hold its value well if demand matches the pre-release attention it has received.

How Does the Short Circuit Compare to Previous JHS Humor Releases?

Scott specifically positioned the Short Circuit as a step beyond previous entries in the more playful end of the JHS catalog. The Notaklön and Notadümblë, two pedals that leaned heavily into tongue-in-cheek naming as a commentary on boutique gear culture, became talking points more for their branding than for circuit complexity. The Short Circuit, by contrast, has been described by Scott as significantly more advanced in its design approach.

Details on the specific circuit architecture have not yet been fully disclosed, but the Coppersound involvement strongly implies a premium internal build. Coppersound's existing lineup includes the Telegraph Stutter and the Wardenclyffe, both of which are known for functional depth that rewards players who engage with them seriously rather than as novelty items. The Short Circuit appears designed to sit in that same territory while reaching a wider audience through the JHS distribution network and the $119 entry price.

What Does the $119 Price Point Mean for Boutique Pedal Buyers?

For a co-branded release involving a builder with Coppersound's reputation, $119 is a notably accessible price. Coppersound's solo releases typically retail between $195 and $295, meaning the Short Circuit lands well below what buyers would normally expect to pay for a pedal carrying that brand's involvement. JHS's scale and production relationships are likely a factor in keeping costs down.

The boutique pedal category has seen meaningful price pressure in 2026. According to Guitar Center's 2026 retail trend report, the $100 to $150 segment of the effects pedal market grew by 17 percent in unit sales year over year, driven by buyers who want boutique aesthetics and circuit quality without crossing into the premium tier. The Short Circuit is positioned directly within that growth window.

What Happened to Josh Scott Before the Pedal Launched?

Scott shared this week that he was actively working on the Short Circuit collaboration in the period immediately preceding a serious cycling accident. The incident required 29 stitches to his face and, by his own account, nearly cost him much more. The disclosure added a layer of personal weight to what might otherwise have been a straightforward product announcement.

Scott has built much of JHS's public identity around transparency, from his widely watched YouTube series examining the history of effects circuits to candid discussions about the business realities of running a pedal company. The personal detail about the accident fits that ongoing pattern of openness and gives the Short Circuit a backstory that is likely to resonate with the JHS audience beyond the technical specifications.

Where Does This Collaboration Fit in the Current Boutique Pedal Market?

The JHS and Coppersound partnership arrives at a moment when the effects pedal sector is seeing increased collaboration across brand lines. Smaller boutique builders have found that co-releases with more established brands solve a core distribution problem, while the larger brands gain credibility from the association with handcrafted design heritage. The Short Circuit is a clean example of that dynamic working in both directions.

For collectors and players tracking the boutique space, the $119 price point and the dual-brand identity make the Short Circuit one of the more strategically interesting releases of the late summer season. Whether its circuit depth justifies sustained collector attention will depend on player reviews over the coming weeks, but the launch has already generated meaningful attention across guitar media.

Track This Release on Fretfolio

If you have been logging boutique pedal acquisitions in your Fretfolio collection, the Short Circuit is exactly the kind of co-branded release worth cataloging from day one. Fretfolio's Reverb market tracker will surface secondary market pricing data as units begin trading hands, giving you a real-time read on whether the Short Circuit follows the typical appreciation curve seen in successful boutique collaborations.