40 years ahead of its time?

Hello Ron,

I've taken a look at your web-page, with interest, and had thought of the same principle, some 30 years ago (great minds think alike).

It's not 40 years ahead of its time, just the music industry is over 30 years behind your design.

Your problem is caused by inertia of music companies, complicated by the fact they often have a vested (financial) interest in the currently established pickup systems.

So...how to get around that problem ?

I would suggest you direct market your product, via eBay and the like.

You won't make much profit in the early stages, of course.

If you could get some established and well-known musicians or bands to use your equipment, and for a share of the initial profits they actually endorse your product, you are well on the way to success.

The main problem I foresee is that if it is too successful, one of your units will end up in a cheap manufacturing country, where it will be cloned, and hundreds of thousands then sold for 25% of your price....

Hi Ron,

The "better mousetrap" is often a bear to get recognized. First, even it is truly 'better', there are the issues of credibility (no offense meant) of the inventor, and if or if not the 'thing' being replaced is 'broken'. Except for the marketing and hype (which most of us hate), there's not much way to get a truly new idea to be recognized ... most think "if it ain't broke, why fix it?"

I agree with what SparkY said, that one of the best ways to 'break in' is with an endorsement or sponsorship. One of my customers is a well known manufacturer of professional microphones, but not quite as well known as the really big names. Their strategy was to send microphones (I mean LOTS of them) to well known recording artists and studio owners with little more than a simple introduction. By this, they are now gaining some ground. Interestingly, thier product is not anything demonstrably better than the 'other guy', but their promotion worked. Remember, (and you may be one), Musicians are very selective about their equipment, and getting them to change from their 'favorites' is an uphill battle. I know this from personal experience.

AND, remember ... "Pioneers get the arrows. Settlers get the land". Being a pioneer is a 'heart and passion' thing. If your heart's in it, go for it

I'm having a little trouble seeing this as a "disrupter" that will "put aside a product that is the standard of the market."

What is the real advantge here? I really did not get that from your web site, and you have shown it to every good guitar manufacturer out there so if it is so much better why haven't they jumped on it?

Musicians are fussy about tone, which is why a lot of guitar players still use valve amps rather than digital. The tone of a 50's to 60's Gibson PAF humbucker, or a Fender single coil is as distinct as a Stradivarius violin. I am not so sure that a frequency range beyond human hearing, or a midi interface is much of advantage for a high end guitar.

So, I play guitar, have played in various bands, I love my Fender Strat, my Taylor acoustic, and my Telecaster, and I really want a Gibson Les Paul for my collection, why should I be interested in your pickup?

Here in 'The Live Music Capital of the World' there are many opportunities to establish symbiotic relationships. I am forwarding your info to some friends but I have been out of the entertainment industry so long that I am afraid it will be of little to no help. However Austin and the area has a number of smaller makers that certainly might be worth some effort on your part, particularly as March is fast approaching (SXSW)

Your website fails to explain how this would "put aside a product which is the standard of the market". There are many pickups with different characteristics, and when combined with different guitar constructions there are huge differences in sound tone. I would say that, some of the time, a Gibson Les Paul is absolutely perfect -- I wouldn't change a thing -- certainly not the pickups. At other times, a Stratocaster is perfect. I can't say that I have ever thought "If only this had optical pickups, I'd be happy." Certainly, the guitar will sound different. But better? Is a Les Paul "better that a Strat?

I concur with others that you need to get these into the hands of great guitarists. The music industry has embraced midi, electric violins, synthesizers sampling, etc, etc... they are anything but tradition bound, and if your pickup is demonstrably better, or if it provides a sound that is unobtainable with magnetic pickups, then they will embrace your pickups. Nothing on a website will convince anyone to try your device -- it needs to be heard in person, with a particular known amp. Getting 30 great guitars out there will be expensive -- maybe you can start with just a few given to guitarists who you know like to experiment.

The website could be improved by clearly and concisely explaining the benefits of your pickups, in musical terms -- less about the hardware pieces, more about the sound.

And re similar problems, yes I have had similar problems. I have no advice other than to keep at it, to the extent that you can. Kleiner Perkins (famous VC firm) gets 2500 biz plans a year and funds 25. That means that 99 out of 100 are in your position, trying to get accepted. It's work.

Perhaps if you were optical all the way to the amp... then you could add the advantages of better connections (I hate 1/4 in phone plugs) and a lighter cord. But in any case, put together a clear list of differentiators that make your pickups better than humbuckers, in musical terms -- and get a guitar with your pickups into the hands of the next Jimi Hendrix.

Good luck and have fun.