Oh ye of little faith LOL
I've been working on the audio tracks for the Easter program at the Crystal catherdal and it's a real challenge with a fast approaching deadline.
Anyway,, I just glanced at some of the past posts and was surprised and puzzled at some of the negative posts from people that are not, and never have been part of the GB's. From day one I have been, and still am encouraged to continue. This is what keeps me doing it. For the benefit of those that don't know, It all started with me asking a few studio owners if they want to go in on some mics for cheap. After receiving our mics, word got out and others wanted some and it grew from there. As far as using the forums goes, I figured if there was a problem, it would have ceased long ago. When I shared this on the 3db forum, Lyn Fustin stated that "he will allow it but feels uncomfortable about it" With this in mind, and to honor and respect his feelings, I never mentioned it again on his board.
This being a group buy, input from MANY involved has made this happen and kept it growing. I don't even want to think how I could have done this without Randy. It was mentioned that I refused help from Michael Joly and a lawyer. Well since Michael has been involved with Cascade, it only seemed natrual that there might be a conflict of interest here so I never went there. The help of the lawyer, that was mentioned, if some might remember, was due to the fact that Pay Pal was holding everyones money hostage, and would not return it or complete the transactions. I greatly appreciated the help BUT someone else on this forum has a brother or cousin who is the president of E-bay North America who also owns Pay Pal and got this taken care of instantly. Another post referred to "Chances customers" Well,,, I'm not selling anything. This has been a group effort the whole trip. To mention only a couple, someone on this board designed the logo, Another person (I think it was Michael Joly) suggested a remedy for the ribbon sag and as we all know with this batch, his remedy worked. I even received 2 thank you's from other brands that had the same problem resolved. There was mention of me profiting from this. Some of you might remember from the previous GB when the manufacturer shipped us quite a few more mics that we ordered and paid for. I could have kept this to myself and made some $, but posted and suggested/took a vote that we, as in our group, donate these mics to the 2 studios that were destroyed in Katrina. Those few mics in a small way, helped them get back on their feet and they still see daily use.
The preamps,,, Well when we tried the prototype, we A/B'd with the ones in my board and they were very very close. If we had opened them up and found pistons, crankshafts, valves, and gears, it wouldn't have mattered because the bottom line is, it sounded excellent and many were ordered on the spot, just on the sound alone. Many of the statements that "they sound fantistic" was from those who have them and are using them day in and day out in a professional environment. You might remember when we were striving to get 100 orders (thats what I was expecting to order) and ended up ordering 1000. When I received the news of the 100 that were recalled, it gave me a sense that there was some level of quality control. Being a "Group" we should all be pleased at some of the suggestions for fixes. I am one person trying to do a part in a massive group effort.
I never expected an order this big. It's taken a long while and only have less than 10 orders left to fill and will soon request info on shipping the replacement ribbons. I was trying to think of a way to ship such delicate items and someone on this board suggested plastic CD containers. Since this board is terminating this topic, it might seem like it's leaving everyone hanging. I can understand stopping it, but will miss the constructive/productive discussion from those that are truly positive, so for future info I guess I will be posting on PSW alone.
Future GB's? You bet, but there will be profit made. I am expecting the prototypes around June/July. Steve Hogan offered his services and will share in the profit.
The prototype of one weighs around 75 pounds and don't want it to make more than one round way trip to the manufacture. I think it best to limit to 100 pcs. I can handle that no problem.
On another note, someone from the UK and someone from Australia offered to receive bulk shipments and distribute. He will make a profit and still save those orders a ton of money. I/you international guys collectivly have paid in excess of $15,000.00 in shipping alone from here to you not counting duty. People in those countries will save the ship to USA, duty to USA, ship to UK/AUS, duty to UK/AUS. It will be directly from the manufacturer. Anyone out there with logistic chops that could figure how to include the shipping charge with the purchase price would also save valuable time.
Have there been mistakes? Sure. On something that has grown so big, it turned out to be more than I alone could manage efficiently. I run a tiny but busy studio and I SO appreciate the words of understanding. I only wish I could answer all the E-mails and PM's, but I would have to be doing this full time to achieve that. The negativity fortunately is the minority, but at times seems loud and in the majority, but numbers don't lie. The majority wants to continue and thats what keeps me coming back and doing this. I'm soon going to try to get the mass mail working again, as before I couldn't send to more than 20 E-dresses at a time. This thread has been active for a long time and the group buys have been overwellmingly supported from day one.
If there were a lot of unhappy campers, it would have fizzeled out long ago.
Well,,,, back to the red record button
