Group Buy : Chinese Stereo Ribbon Mics

  • Thread starter Thread starter magicalpig
  • Start date Start date
Understood,,,I didnt follow the last situation as it unfolded, and dont want to re-open a can of worms again either. I also follow your explaination on this.
Unfortunately the golden rule effect does come into play, even though it would appear to be between the manufacturer and the "name" distributor(s) to fight it out. I am still all for the best price though if a manufacturer says here you go guys,,,,you can get them for this cheap price, I am there. ;)
(I surely wont say to myself "Man I dont want to buy that so cheap, and offend Musicians Friend!" LOL :D But I understand your point. ;)

I guess its sorta like the "Stupid Deal of the Day" with Musicians Friend (which is cool) holds, but does that throw off the business then for Sweetwater and 8thstreet and the rest of them if they sell a product cheap? I doubt it. No one will go out of business over it. (woops here I go opening that can,,,I'll stop) :eek: :D

Zbert, thanks for the explanation though. ;)

Peace
AJ
 
I'd rather question the ethics and legitimacy of US or European chinese mics distributors business than be afraid of them possibly losing it.
I have no problem with those who import the mics and mod them before they actually sell them. Fum from shinybox comes to mind. I know Cascades offer transformer upgrades for some of their mics but it costs 248$ for the X15 (2 of them upgraded) and 140$ for the Fathead over their original price.
I'm no business pro but I'm sure after all taxes and expenses those companies still make a huge profit, an almost fraudulous margin... If you're in charge of a company and can prove me otherwise, please don't hesitate to enlighten me.

Have you ever bought clothes, furniture or any other goods direct from the factory? There was a huge area of a town I lived next to, filled with "manufactures shops" where you could buy famous brands clothes like Kenzo, Levi Strauss... for half the price. No one ever complained and it had a legitimate aura around it. What's the difference between this and buying direct from chinese guys?

It's like we should feel guilty and outlaws for putting the effort in a community initiative, such projects becoming more and more rare nowadays.

Last, I don't think a few group buys from forums will ever threaten any of those companies. I mean, is the majority of potential chinese mic buyers hooked up on forums? I doubt it. Considering the efforts & uncertainties involved in such group buy projects it is very likely that it won't become a habit...

Just my personal views,
Victor.
 
The only thing that comes to mind in the way of an ethics problem is that if the mic maker is under some sort of contractual agreement to manufacture a specific model of microphone only for distribution through a given vendor.

Say for instance, NADY and the manufacturer agree to build/distribute a specific model with the intent that said model would be "exclusive" for NADY. But I'm not seeing this as a fit right now. There are several identical mics being sold through several brand name distributor simply having different badges.

It's a game and the big boys don't like the little guys cutting them out of the action. What's worse, we've gotten a pretty good idea on what the mark up is like. We've gotten to be smarter shoppers.
 
Hi!

I've created a private forum board for discussing, getting infos & updates about the group buy.

Hopefully, it will serve relative anonimity of the group buy (big names of the ribbon mics are less likely to stop us from doing it) & will avoid choosing one forum over another to display infos about it...

Please send me your e-mail address to :
theonlymagicalpig@yahoo.com

I will send you info about how to subscribe to the group.

Thanks for your understanding,
Victor.
 
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I will!!!

What section would be the best to pass the info?

Thanks,
Victor.
 
Ho, I see!

I just read across http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopic.php?t=42758&highlight=ribbon+mics .
Well, as soon as the admin have cleared my registration, I'll come visit you...

I'll say it again on TapeOp, but I'd prefer we discuss this project within the private forum rather than publically for the sake of protecting it. I'd like the project to be referred as least as possible as a GP as well... If you think I'm a bit over paranoid come discuss it on the forum!! ;)

Just send me your email address and I'll give link and registration code. Some users of this forum have already registered, this is no SCAM or SPAM or any other -AM word.

Thanks,
Victor.
 
Im not intrested in the mics but am tired of greedy u.s corps that think there the only ones entitled to cheap products and labor. I thought competition was healthy why else do all the trade groups exist excpet to stick it the locals and fatten there pockets they use the consumer as a example but we dont benefit. Sure walmart might have cheaper products cuz there made in the poorest countrys and they might pass some saving along but in the end its about the bottom line so why get mad when the consumer demands the same. I wish you all luck with your mics we shouldnt be treated any different then a big company.
 
Hi!

If anyone on the forum has any idea about a custom design for a ribbon microphone, please come and talk about it on the GB group.
Suggestions about ribbon element, electronics (passive or active), body parts... are more than welcomed.
As the chinese manufacturer proposes to realize a custom ribbon mic design, why not take advantage of it.

We could end up with a better mic with no competition problem...
As for the price of such custom design, if this design is a great one, as I think there will be no patent appliable, it's reasonable to think we could get a deal on production costs as the manufacturer would benefit of the design to produce and sell a brand new product...

What do you think?

Thanks,
Victor.

To join the discussion, please send me an email : theonlymagicalpig@yahoo.com
 
Hello!

The message board for the chinese stereo ribbon community order is now public.

HERE IS THE LINK

This change has two reasons :
1. in order to get known the forum needs to under anyone's eyes
2. another group buy initiated by someone else is likely to take place in the future and I don't want to interfere.

I'll leave the forum open to public for a month. We need 100 units in order to place an order which isn't a lot. If within a month time the quantity is not reached, I will drop the project.

Any other info on the message board.

Thanks,
Victor.
 
Just a quick update about the GB to let you know we have 34 mics on the list for the moment and need 100. Come on, join in!!

Thanks,
Victor.
 
Sorry, I didn't realise the forum could be confusing... Maybe because I created it :rolleyes: On second thought it is true that the layout is not the best I have seen.

Anyway, don't hesitate to send me a PM or mail to ask any question,
Victor.

...And thanks, Kojdogg :cool:
 
The specs are HERE

Info about the price is HERE
Please, read this last thread entirely (it's not big).

We'll have some updates soon.

Victor.
 
Alright,

I'm waiting for confirmation by the chinese manufacturer on a few things by tomorrow but here is how it's gonna be

Still time to put your name on the list here : LIST

Final price :

195$ per microphone, all expenses included.
365$ for two microphones or more, all expenses included.
(Shipping charges from France are 42$ so do the math.)

When you buy one microphone you get :

- the stereo ribbon mic in itself
- the shockmount
- a wooden case for the microphone
- a splitter box and cable that runs from mic to splitter box. You'll need two XLR cables to get the stero signal out of the splitter box.
- shipping charges to your home
- a limited warranty for defects

The warranty is :

I will order 1 extra microphone per 10 units and a few extra ribbon motors for repair. So if you receive a broken unit you can send it back to me, if I can't repair it I'll send a replacement mic free of charge. The return shipping charges would be on your part though.
The warranty is limited 1. In number. But I think more than 10% defect units are VERY unlikely 2. In time : once I have sent every mic, I'll wait a few weeks so can check for defects.

For non-UE residents :

I'll send the packages as gift, which IMO is fair as you will already have paid for taxes. Basically the transaction is like : you give some money to one of your friends so he can buy something in his country and he sends it back to you...

- The order is for 100 mics minimum so we need 91 mics to be able to do it (91 mics + 9 'warranty' mics). There are 80 microphones on the list at the moment...
- Money will be sent to my e-mail address [theonlymagicalpig@yahoo.com]


For more info, please check out the board.

Thanks,
Victor.
 
magicalpig said:
Final price :

195$ per microphone, all expenses included.
365$ for two microphones or more, all expenses included.
(Shipping charges from France are 42$ so do the math.)

...
- The order is for 100 mics minimum so we need 91 mics to be able to do it (91 mics + 9 'warranty' mics). There are 80 microphones on the list at the moment...
- Money will be sent to my e-mail address [theonlymagicalpig@yahoo.com]


For more info, please check out the board.

Thanks,
Victor.
Click to expand...
Hey Victor,
Please forgive my confusion here. When you say "all expenses included" and then list the $42 shipping charge here, do you mean that the shipping charge is included as part of "all expenses included" and you are just listing it for reference, or do you mean that we should add $42 on. I'd assume the former, but just want to make sure.

Also, I'm assuming that we need to hit 91 and that the other 9 are included in the price and spread over the cost per unit?

Thanks!
 
Yes, everything's included in the price kojdogg, shipping charges and 'warranty' mics.

The price for two mics is a bit less as I assume it will help reaching the critical 91 mics quota.

Victor.
 
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