Why Ian Martin Allison Built a $750 DI (And Why People Lost Their Minds)

2026-02-16

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Ian Martin Allison is back, and this episode is a full-on gear-nerd thunderstorm with actual life lessons hiding in the lightning. Blake and Ian go deep on signature basses, the Walrus Mantle DI drama, and the eternal internet question: “Why is this thing expensive if it only has a few knobs?” Turns out, transformers cost money. Craft costs money. Not cutting corners costs money. And sometimes the loudest opinions come from people who were never the customer in the first place. Inside this episode: how Ian...

Ian Martin Allison is back, and this episode is a full-on gear-nerd thunderstorm with actual life lessons hiding in the lightning.

Blake and Ian go deep on signature basses, the Walrus Mantle DI drama, and the eternal internet question:
“Why is this thing expensive if it only has a few knobs?”

Turns out, transformers cost money. Craft costs money. Not cutting corners costs money.
And sometimes the loudest opinions come from people who were never the customer in the first place.

Inside this episode:

how Ian went from collaborator to Creative Director at Scott’s Bass Lessons
what it really takes to design gear people obsess over
why a $400 bass can absolutely punch above its class
how brands weaponize price perception (and why we all fall for it)
short-form vs long-form content, and where music media is headed next
the creative freedom that shows up when you stop performing “cool” and just be yourself

There’s also a perfect dog interruption, some very real talk about staying in an industry because you love the people in it, and a reminder that we’re living in a golden era of instruments, pedals, and options.

If you care about tone, product design, content strategy, and building a creative life that doesn’t make you dread waking up, this one hits hard.

Keep up with all things Ian on his website HERE https://ianmartinallison.com/

Give him a follow on his social media HERE https://www.instagram.com/ianmartinallison/

Support The Show And Connect!

The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577

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