All,
This is potentially a controversial topic, so please read carefully,
and don't read anything into it other than what I actually say!
I want to have a discussion about the MOTM standard panel finish.
I have not talked to Paul about this, other than to hear from him the
same complaints the Stooges have - it is a giant hassle to get panels
painted in the polane finish, get silkscreens made, and get legends
screen printed. The whole process is expensive, and paint vendors keep
flaking out. You have to spend a lot of money stocking big batches of
panels to make it economical. In Paul's case, he sits on a lot of
expensive panels that may or may not sell. In the Stooges' case, we
only manage to do a run once or twice a year. It happens so seldom,
that everyone is frantic to get in on a run, resulting in things
dragging on and on.
A potential solution is to change the panel finish. The Stooges are
considering investing in a laser printing system that would allow
laser etched graphics, either on the current polane paint finish or on
anodized panels. But since the painting is the biggest hassle anyway,
suppose for the sake of discussion that we are talking about etched
panels with an anodized finish, and that the price for a 2U undrilled
panel can be kept at $25 or less.
The big advantage is that we could potentially manufacture custom
panels almost on demand. No more 10 month waits for your custom panel.
Other advantages would be flexibility in design. How about blue or red
anodized panels? A different style of layout that puts jacks near
input knobs? Function block graphics ala Arp 2500/2600? Or just like
the current design but with panel edge graphics? Suppose Stooge
Enterprises supported two or three standard graphics styles for new
module designs, in your choice of colors?
The disadvantage is that it would not match the current MOTM standard
100%. Black anodizing is very close, much like a Schaeffer panel. I
know people have a lot invested in their systems, and take pride in
their instrument's appearance.
Hence this discussion - what is your tolerence level for something new?
Now just to complicate things, suppose Paul found the prospect of less
expensive, just in time delivery attractive enough to consider
changing the MOTM standard as well? How would that affect your opinion?
Let me reiterate: I have not talked to Paul. He may have no interest
in this. I have not talked to Paul. He may have no interest in this.
Don't bombard him with any panic about changing the format, OK? I'm
just thinking out loud about solutions to problems.
I've set up a poll for you to indicate your level of interest or
disgust. The choices range from "I'm not interested in custom panels
anyway" to "I'd be interested if they matched closely" to "I'm a
complete madman, and I would totally redo my 100 module monster in
red". I certainly don't want the Stooges to invest in a bunch of
equipment if everybody thinks the idea sucks. On the other hand, it
could potentially work out to allow you to express your wildest panel
desires.
Please visit the poll!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/motm/surveys?id=2063312Stooge Moe
http://www.hotrodmotm.comhttp://wiseguysynth.com