Billm site down?

It's been down since March.

 

There’s always the Internet Archive...

https://web.archive.org/web/*/Billmaudio.com

 

he passed away a while back. rip billm

play music!

 

No posts by his son on their FB page since April, 2019.

 

Always glad to help where I can!

 

I run a website called HallmanLabs.com and one of my most viewed articles is my BillM Modded Fender Blues Jr. I have had readers asking me how to source the BillM mods that I am showing on the site. This leaves me, with a question!

If BillM passed (did he?) and his son, Andrew, is no longer filling orders. Is there any reason I can not start to, at the very least, produce his Clean Boost board? I could design my own and hope to match Bill's design, but do I need to? I feel like he nailed it (on cost & size vs performance) and I don't currently have the time to try and top BillM (which is a tall task, on that PCB footprint).

Legally, can I copy (most of) the design and then sell a slightly modified version of these Clean Boost modules? I am going to reach out to Andrew, for official permission. If he doesn't reply back, which it sounds like he may not (based on FB), could I proceed anyway? I have a BillM Boost Module on hand (to reference) and I am familiar with multi-layer PCB design. In other words, I am in a great position to offer these boards to the public, but do not want to step on any toes.

(I am currently a Senior in Computer Systems Engineering)

 

Consulting an attorney before starting such a business may save you some peace of mind (and, perhaps, money).

I wish you success because a good idea deserves to live on.

 

Sound advice.

I don't want to do anything, to remotely upset anyone, but I do feel there is a lack of supply here, for a very specific market segment.

The Fender community, in my experience, are as knowledgable as the doctorates I met during Engineering at two highly ranked universities in NC.

BTW, I did email Andrew and I am hoping for a reply. I told him to take his time and think about it. I gave him multiple ideas, on how this could help both of us. I could produce all his mods, if he gave me the go-ahead. It's up to him, how he wants to proceed. If he stays silent, I will design it from the ground up.

The glaring part about this, for me, is "BillM", carries a lot of weight and I'd love to carry on his designs. The profits are not that important to me, seriously. I'd love to carry on his tradition of optimal quality at a low cost. The only problem is, I don't have the connection/relationships that Bill did, especially with the transformer manufacturers. However.... I do know the owner of Sparkos Labs, who is up for pretty much anything, haha. I also have a long history with Burson Audio, so I guess it wouldn't be much of a jump, for Hammond.

Keith
https://hallmanlabs.com/

 

I just came across another thing, that makes me think I won't be hearing anything from Andrew. Just read the complaints that were posted to the BBB regarding BillM:

https://www.bbb.org/us/nj/scotch-pl...quipment/billm-audio-0221-90164516/complaints

02/23/2020
"I ordered a standby switch for a guitar amp. I paid them $27.50 through *** *** on 12/10/2019. Since then I’ve emailed numerous times, called numerous times( left voicemails) with no response. It is now past the deadline to file a refund dispute with *** ***."


05/26/2018

"On March 20, 2018, I ordered an item from the Billm Audio Website. About a month later, I sent a text to the number provided on the website asking for the product to be sent to me. I received a pre-shipping notice in the mail. After that, I heard nothing. I texted and called them a few times and did not receive a replay. It's been over two months since ordering this product."


If the complaints were closed, does that mean Andrew refunded them, or they just timed out?

This makes me wonder, just how many people got screwed over on their parts. I really hope Andrew did refund those customers, since I have been referring readers to their site, since 2017.

 

Seriously, just consult an attorney before starting a business based on someone else’s previous work. That could be the best money you invest in your business.

(I have a vested interest in seeing you succeed, since I may end up being a customer)

 

I am not a lawyer (thank God) but I have been told that circuits can't be copyrighted and the thriving pedal clone business seems to support that.

 

Would you bet your business and personal assets on that? Without legal advice to fallback on, that’s what you would be doing. (I’m not a lawyer either, but I’ve seen others do very unpredictable things when business & money are involved)

 

Of course not. I'm not an idiot.

 

There are already two DIY layouts (non commercial and small foot print) for the clean boost:

'Green board':
https://musikding.rocks/userImages/fd/323-fd8bfbb9.gif

'Cream board' (I understand, the latest Blues jr's have a green colored PCB, haha!):
http://guitar-fx-layouts.42897.x6.n...nder-Blues-Jr-Cream-Board-td45845.html#a45850

Great site, by the way.
Goodluck!