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Idea for new forum

4/14/2003 11:35 PM
Mark Hammer	Idea for new forum I posted something in the effects sub-forum and over at Aron Nelson's DIYStompbox site, but since the goal is to have it here, I'll repost where all concerned parties can ponder it. There is enough of a critical mass of people who either currently have a functioning music-gear-related business, are in the mascent stages of getting one off the ground, have a hobby business on top of their day gig, or are thinking of moving in that direction, that it would be worthwhile to have a "boutique business" or "small music-gear business" forum here. All of these folks have wisdom to share or are in search of wisdom concerning things like: - tax tips - hiring people - contracts - copyright and IP - finding distributors - cutting production costs or other manufacturing costs - advertising and distribution - planning out a product line - customer relations - bulk buying - etc etc. Whether amp-builders, luthiers, pedal makers, pickup-makers, repair folks or parts-n-projects distributors, I think there is enough common interest to warrant this. Steve (TBOY), if it seems like "yet another forum to sweat over", consider collapsing all the effects sub-fora back to one. We haven't really needed a half-dozen separate fora for quite a while now. The OT/BS forum can probably fall by the wayside too for now, since it doesn't seem to be fulfilling its function anymore (which as I recall was siphoning off all the non-music stuff to keep the open forum a little more focussed). Regardless of what you think about the wisdom of cropping sub-forums, I think there is enough interest and momentum to keep a business oriented forum alive for a while. Is it appropriate? I think so. Part of the purpose of Ampage is to let folks pursue their musical interests in a way that brings enjoyment to themselves and others. For a not insignificant number of folks here, pursuing that pleasure can evolve into an interest in design and production. For an equally not insignificant number of folks here, part of the pleasure they get out of music comes from using some of the cutting-edge tools provided by those who decided to take the big leap into commercial production and were lucky enough to stay ahead of the game. So, as I see it (and you are cordially invited to differ), setting up a forum that allows people to share business-related knowledge in a non-adversarial way works in everyone's interests. If it helps people from embarking on something that might well be doomed, that's good too. I like to make sure every musician's family can make rent.

4/14/2003 11:35 PM

Mark Hammer

Idea for new forum

I posted something in the effects sub-forum and over at Aron Nelson's DIYStompbox site, but since the goal is to have it here, I'll repost where all concerned parties can ponder it.

There is enough of a critical mass of people who either currently *have* a functioning music-gear-related business, are in the mascent stages of getting one off the ground, have a hobby business on top of their day gig, or are thinking of moving in that direction, that it would be worthwhile to have a "boutique business" or "small music-gear business" forum here.

All of these folks have wisdom to share or are in search of wisdom concerning things like:
- tax tips
- hiring people
- contracts
- copyright and IP
- finding distributors
- cutting production costs or other manufacturing costs
- advertising and distribution
- planning out a product line
- customer relations
- bulk buying
- etc etc.

Whether amp-builders, luthiers, pedal makers, pickup-makers, repair folks or parts-n-projects distributors, I think there is enough common interest to warrant this.

Steve (TBOY), if it seems like "yet another forum to sweat over", consider collapsing all the effects sub-fora back to one. We haven't really needed a half-dozen separate fora for quite a while now. The OT/BS forum can probably fall by the wayside too for now, since it doesn't seem to be fulfilling its function anymore (which as I recall was siphoning off all the non-music stuff to keep the open forum a little more focussed).

Regardless of what you think about the wisdom of cropping sub-forums, I think there is enough interest and momentum to keep a business oriented forum alive for a while. Is it appropriate? I think so. Part of the purpose of Ampage is to let folks pursue their musical interests in a way that brings enjoyment to themselves and others. For a not insignificant number of folks here, pursuing that pleasure can evolve into an interest in design and production. For an equally not insignificant number of folks here, part of the pleasure they get out of music comes from using some of the cutting-edge tools provided by those who decided to take the big leap into commercial production and were lucky enough to stay ahead of the game.

So, as I see it (and you are cordially invited to differ), setting up a forum that allows people to share business-related knowledge in a non-adversarial way works in everyone's interests. If it helps people from embarking on something that might well be doomed, that's good too. I like to make sure every musician's family can make rent.

4/15/2003 1:09 AM
Eric H	I have had several musicians actually give me money for building stuff --does that count? lookked a little lonely in here.

4/15/2003 4:00 PM
Marcus Dahl	I think that this is a great idea. lord knows that there are guys out here that need as much advise and help as I do. I started doing this as a hobby while I built a house, and my family and friends have encouraged me to try and do something with it. Right now I just have 2 dealers in Nashville that have been great. I also have a Japanese distributor that is evaluating my pedals at the moment. I would like to expand and get more dealers, but the funds aren't there yet. Since I've started doing this back last April I've sold over 36 units, which I feel really good about. I can only see myself selling more here in the future, and this will be a great asset to learn from. Thanks Mark for getting this started.....

4/15/2003 4:00 PM

Marcus Dahl

I think that this is a great idea. lord knows that there are guys out here that need as much advise and help as I do. I started doing this as a hobby while I built a house, and my family and friends have encouraged me to try and do something with it. Right now I just have 2 dealers in Nashville that have been great. I also have a Japanese distributor that is evaluating my pedals at the moment. I would like to expand and get more dealers, but the funds aren't there yet. Since I've started doing this back last April I've sold over 36 units, which I feel really good about. I can only see myself selling more here in the future, and this will be a great asset to learn from. Thanks Mark for getting this started.....

4/15/2003 4:21 PM
Chris ( CMW amps )	Mark Can you fill in my tax-papers ? LOL just kidding . Great idea this forum !!! Chris

4/15/2003 5:38 PM
Andrew	Thanks for the new forum Mark! I look forward to seeing what disscussions we have here. Andrew

4/15/2003 11:23 PM
Joe Gagan	kick off offer - PARTS grab bag Thanks Mark! excellent. I will do my best to make it a happenin' place on the net. To kick it off, here is an offer: First person to paypal me $20.00 will get a boutique builder grab bag featuring; at least 10 carling DPDT stompswitches. these are new, but were installed /uninstalled in pedals that I added LEDs [ 3pdts] to. At least 10 carling SPDT stompers. see above Grab bag of at least 10 germanium trannies 5 to misc pots, new but possibly have been used for testing circuits. some misc caps, including a few 4700pf, 3300pf, 1100pf Silver micas just for fun. Other goodies too odd to talk about. My paypal acct is joegagan@hotmail.com First one in gets it!

4/15/2003 11:23 PM

Joe Gagan

kick off offer - PARTS grab bag

Thanks Mark!
excellent. I will do my best to make it a happenin' place on the net.

To kick it off, here is an offer:

First person to paypal me $20.00 will get a boutique builder grab bag featuring;

at least 10 carling DPDT stompswitches. these are new, but were installed /uninstalled in pedals that I added LEDs [ 3pdts] to.
At least 10 carling SPDT stompers. see above

Grab bag of at least 10 germanium trannies

5 to misc pots, new but possibly have been used for testing circuits.

some misc caps, including a few 4700pf, 3300pf, 1100pf Silver micas just for fun.
Other goodies too odd to talk about.

My paypal acct is joegagan@hotmail.com
First one in gets it!

4/16/2003 5:38 AM
Steve A.	I got dibs on it! Joe: Excuse me for not following the rules but I need to know that the Grab bag is still available before PayPal-ing you the money. Thanks! Steve Ahola

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