[sdiy] Oakley Modular

[Oakley Sound]

Hi all,

I am sorry to say that after careful thought I am putting all new module
development on hold and will probably not be adding to the existing stock
of modular boards. Sales of the modular products have been very poor of
late and this alone cannot support the amount of time I need to run the
business.

I have always ran this part of the business as a way to support a hobby
more than anything but from September Rachel, my trusty helper, will be
going back to work as a teacher. This means I will have to handle all the
orders and shipping like the old days. However, I don't make enough money
from this to make this my full time job so something has to give.

Coupled to this is the new ROHS directive banning lead from solder, PCBs
and components. This will increase the cost of boards quite dramatically
as we would have to go with gold plated boards and some of my most
commonly used parts will disappear. Manufacture would become problematic
as well.

I will continue to develop new musical products but these will probably
be 'whole' instruments like the TB3031 and Orbital. They may well be
surface mount and may well be available as pre-populated only. I may
still dip into the odd modular project, but it will be the odd part not
the full selection you have now.

I wish to thank everyone who has bought boards from us and I hope that we
will still be able to still provide projects for you to build.

If you would like any one of our existing projects, then I would ask you
purchase sooner rather than later. However, I have already announced this
on my own mailing list last week to let long time customers the first
shout at all the existing stock. Over the weekend I have been deluged
with orders for boards and parts. I probably will have to restock on some
product lines, but some may have to go forever.

Support for these projects will still be provided but as boards run out
the discontinued section on the website will become larger.

Thank you,

Tony

www.oakleysound.com