>>>>
Can you elaborate on how the process works for deciding on whether or
not to make a Stooge panel for a third party module? I'm curious
because next year I hope to add some MOTM compatible modules to the
pot.
<<<<
Well,
Our motto is "First, do no harm." By that we mean, "don't do panels
for public consumption that will directly compete with Paul's
business." We want to ensure that we don't inadvertently kill demand
for a genuine MOTM product before it is even released, by making a
panel for a third party product. That's why you won't see certain
panels that we know would be popular, like the Oakley SuperLadder or
MultiLadder. Since Paul has announced that he will be releasing a
ladder filter, we choose not to compete there.
Next, we look for third party modules that we think would be cool,
and which would be popular. Sometimes we poll the list for feedback.
Sometimes we make a panel for a DIY project like the Expressionist
breakout panel or Larry's voltage shifters. This is somewhat more
complex than a third party module, because you have to create pcbs,
or at least document things well enough so that others can
successfully complete the module. To date we haven't done much of
this, because existing third party modules are 'lower hanging fruit',
so to speak. As we run out of interesting modules to make conversion
panels for, we anticipate mining this ground more often.
Finally, there is custom work. It's expensive, but a committed
individual can have custom designs made by us. We are doing our first
custom panels in this next run. IF the customer desires it, and IF it
passes our "non-compete" test, and IF it seems generally useful, we
may make these panels available to the general public, thus allowing
the original customer to make back some of the cost associated with
paying for the originals. We are still feeling our way here.
As always, contact Larry or me with any questions about how things
work, or if you have specific proposals for panel designs.
Moe
Dave's Hot Rod MOTM Shop
http://www.users.qwest.net/~daveb2