On Fri, Aug 17, 2012 at 1:53 PM, J.D. McEachin <
jdm@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> If it's possible to run the Euro PCBs without the pots, jacks, and
> switches installed, then it would save you the time and expense of
> having to design and manufacture a 5U-specific PCB. It would save us
> the years of waiting for you to design and manufacture a 5U module,
> or alternately, the time and extra expense of having to buy your
> assembled Euro modules, remove the front panel, desolder the pots,
> jacks, and switches, and discard the front panel and jacks (currently
> the only way to get your new modules in 5U). It's not difficult to
> run wires from the PCB holes to the pots, jacks, and switches -
> everyone who's built an MOTM kit has already done it. Scott could
> sell kits, parts, and assembled modules. It'd be full of win for everyone.
>
> Jeffrey
All,
I'm with Jeffrey on this one! This is how I see the current
situation: Were it not for us 5U MOTM customers that helped Paul
launch SynthTech, there wouldn't be MOTM in the Euro format. We are
orphaned for the foreseeable future according to the present plans.
Euro-format customers are benefiting on the road paved, in part, by my
kilo-dollar investment in 5U. I like the idea of buying stuffed
boards, sans pots, jacks, and panels. If the pots and jacks are
through-hole components there is likely an assembly cost-adder for
these through-hole components. It usually involves "selective
soldering" in which the through-hole components are soldered after the
SMT parts have been placed and soldered. Since the board is
"complete" for us 5U people, just request a certain number of boards
be pulled before the selective soldering step is performed. Without
the pots, jacks, panels, knobs, and selective soldering step ... these
boards should be cheaper to produce. For the comparatively small
orders like Euro-format synth modules, this solution should not
present any unresolvable problems.
The bonus is that 5U customers want the new stuff: The current lack
of a plan to appease the 5U crowd alienates the very people who
collectively made all this possible. Turn pissed-off former customers
into new customers! It is good policy, good business, and a proper
thing to do. Making this happen is not rocket science. It takes a
few phone calls and a couple of emails. I cannot imagine an easier
solution. Thank you Jeffrey! You hit the nail on the head.
Best!
Tom Farrand