Looks like someone might be buying Smallbear........?

[Drew Hallenbeck]

So they announced on their social media accounts that there might be a deal in the works and that ordering will remain closed for a bit longer. Their homepage has the same announcement.
Just wondering if anyone might want to start some rumors.....
Kidding of course. But this is exciting news. Sure would be great to keep this resource around in at least some capacity!

[EBK]

It would make sense that an inventory check would precede a sale.  Also, I'm pretty sure Steve has already sold off all of his hard-to-find items, so he would see no harm to the DIY community in selling the rest as a single lot and starting his retirement quicker.

[thesmokingman]

Cusack making money moves ... there, I started a rumor

[EBK]

I just don't see Steve selling his "intellectual capital" and enabling SBE to continue to exist.  I really believe the aquisition he hinted at is inventory-only, and we are all cut off.  I am unable to be excited at the moment.  It's good for Steve, of course, and I'm happy for him and his retirement, but I'm sad for the void his retirement leaves behind.

[jkokura]

Yeah, having Smallbear go away leaves a great big void for sure. I don't know how many of us are still around, but those of us who have been doing this for more than a decade (I'm at 12+ years now?) know that without Steve/Smallbear...

NONE OF THIS WOULD EXIST.

For sure, the whole DIY community, even the people who have never purchased anything from Smallbear, owe a debt. They were the first, and most significant supplier for DIY pedal builders, and the whole boutique market exists because he, and perhaps Radio Shack, made it possible for people to purchase a bunch of resistors, caps, ICs and transistors, and turn them into a pedal.

I for one don't fault him for wanting to retire. I'm glad other suppliers exist, because Mammoth taught us that there's more to being a supplier than a desire to supply, and Steve figured it out.

Jacob

[oeslicoalfin]

And the answer is a partnership with synthCube...

Steve posted his update today: https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/update/

[EBK]

Is that good news for us?  I hope so.

[Drew Hallenbeck]

I just saw the announcement on Facebook a little while ago. Sounds like it should be a good deal for everyone. Synthcube has been pretty good for me (the few times I've ordered from them)
Hopefully it won't take too awfully long to get everything back up and running. Sounds like they'll be restocking Smallbear inventory too!

[benny_profane]

Interesting. Not who I would've thought, but not terribly surprised either. I've always had good experiences ordering from them. Plus, they have sales!

[jimilee]

I like synth cube, they typically had the stuff that was hard to done when SmallBear didn't have it.


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[cooder]

Not just loosing it and having another place expanding inventory can only be good news.
I have not ordered form synthcube yet but hearing from you guys there's good experience is good news.

[jimilee]

Synth cube has a store front too.


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[madbean]

This is good news! If the current smallbear site/webstore remains as is all the better.

[bcalla]

Until I read this post, I had no idea that Synth Cube was in Massachusetts.  I live about 15 miles from there.  I'll have to check out their shop.