2026 - State of the Company

[Jameson]

Since we took over Bottlehead last June we have been so encouraged by the community's response. Thank you to everyone who has purchased, emailed, called, and posted in our forums. We appreciate the warm welcome! As we're finally settling in, we wanted to share a general update on the state of the company.

• Our shipping lead times have shortened significantly. We’re fulfilling nearly every order under a week from purchase, and we’re putting up preorder lists for products where we don’t have inventory. For this reason (and because it’s more stuff for us to remember to update) we are retiring the shipping status page.
• We have worked on a product roadmap, so to speak, and will be working with our Seattle crew (Dan & Eileen Schmalle, Paul Birkeland, and Paul Joppa) to get new kits in your hands somewhat regularly. We’re not going to say what’s on that roadmap, but we think you’ll like it. Generally speaking, look for product updates to follow a pattern of a big swing release followed by updates to existing products or more accessible new releases. For those keeping track at home, SEX 4 was an update to an existing product, so... a big swing is coming soon.
• We have evaluated the impact the current administration’s tariffs have had on our profitability. Like many small businesses, the impact hasn't been great. Bottlehead relies heavily on imports: there are no domestic producers for many of the parts we need for our kits and a lot of our tubes aren't available here (especially new production tubes). While our chassis plates, transformers, and wood bases are all produced domestically, some parts are just not feasible to produce in the US (e.g. PCBs are 10% of the cost when produced abroad). We are always open to and looking for cost-effective American options.
• All that said, we’ve made the decision as an ownership group to keep prices where they are for the time being. We may revisit as the tariff situation continues to change.
• We are exploring partnerships with companies who share our passion for quality sound and no bullshit. We are always open to more of these relationships. If you’re an audio company and want to collaborate, shoot us an email and let’s chat.
• We’ll be attending, but not exhibiting at, Axpona this year in Chicago. If you’re there we’d love to say hi!

On a personal note, we wanted to thank you all sincerely for the opportunity to continue the Bottlehead legacy. Thanks for your orders and your feedback.

That’s it for now. Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thanks from Jameson, Eric, Jean, and Lindsey