Mooretone Music, LLC

Hand Crafted Vintage Style (modernized) Guitars

Tube Amplifiers

Pickups

Mooretone Tremolo Bridge

Who are we, and why can't I find you on the Internet Anymore?

Mooretone Music, LLC is a small Mom and Pop concern which was formed in 2003.  Originally "Mooretone Vintage Guitars" was estabilished in 1994 as a DBA--Single Owner Proprietorship.  Mooretone Music, LLC was established as a Limited Liability Corporation when the owners decided to expand and sell other product lines in addition to thier Hand Crafted Aritistic renditions of the original Leo Fender made guitars--1954-1965.  "Working Art" if you will, but with our modern upgrades and options not offered until recently by others.  Mooretone Music, LLC also Hand Crafts vintage tube amplifiers and single coil pickups.  We also provisionally patented our pickup winding process along with our new state of the art 1-piece Alloy Bridge--"Mooretone Tremolo Bridge" which is availabe for purchase through Allparts Music, Inc.  "Mooretone", is officially a Trademark of Mooretone Music, LLC--all rights reserved.

In 2006, Mooretone's new website was launched in an effort to "hear" our customers--many complained that the old site was not professional enough looking to do justice to the quality of our Hand Crafted Guitars and Pickups.  When the new site launched, the word was finally getting out about us and our years of satisfied customers.  Sometime in April of last year, we Copyright protected the information within our website, due to Chat Room members purposely using Blogs to defame and slander us--competitors of ours hiding within those Chat Rooms under fictitious names, and mis-informed about the 1st Amendment, intentionally meant to damage our good name.  We also filed for our Trademark and two Provisional Patents for inventions we intended to prototype, sell and then apply for Permanent Patents.  Suddenly, our website disappeared from the Internet.  It was as if, someone turned a light switch off.  Mooretone went from busy and hectic, to virtually no orders, phone calls or emails and our email was hacked into and used for Spamming and Phishing--again our competitors intended to cause us damages.  About that time, we also began experiencing remote computer takeovers and other issues like virusus and worms embedded within emails sent to us via our website's Contact Page.  Our eBay auctions were hacked into, which made us unable to continue to use our rightfully owned and Trademarked name "Mooretone".  Even after we filed for the VERO Program--eBay did not ask others using "Mooretone" in their eBay User Accounts to relinquish it to us--further causing odd and rediculous blogs to appear in Search Results.  We've sent formal requests to all the major Search Engine Providers, to remove cached pages that are felonious attempts to lure the Internet Users from finding us.  Please be warned...........we don't recommend you visit any of those fake postings as they are Hacker sites meant to capture your computer's ID via "Cookies".  We recommend using McAffee "Site Advisor" before you open a Search Site!  Again, we apologize for those hoping to find us.  And, we are in the processes of moving our site to a secured dedicated server with abuse tracking safety software with encryption. It is for this reason, that we took down the Paypal "Buy It Now" option as well as the rest of the "new" website pages which had code and other scripting we were not aware of, nor did we authorize the Web Developer to install.   

We sincerely apologize to our loyal customers, for any inconveniences this may have caused.  We are in the processes of trying to rectify those issues, which is why Mooretone Music, LLC and its owners had to relocate back to the East Coast--New Jersey/New York area.  We did not have modern Internet or Computer-related talent, available to us while in Missouri, so we could rectify these issues more quickly and hopefully prosecute those responsible.  

Therefore, we also wanted to post this, as we feel compelled to share with others, our experiences in the hopes, that others never have to endure the things we've been put through, as a member of the Internet Community and Small Business community within the United States of America. 

A Helpful Guide to Internet Based Business Start Ups or Expansions

We wish to offer this Guide, for others looking to start up or expand their businesses into the Internet.  We also hope to de-bunk some hype and myths about the Internet as a whole--those who print stories or post recommendations suggesting that "Internet Businesses" can be relocated to rural areas of America--providing needed jobs while enjoying lowered costs of overhead which spells "greater profitibility".  You have probably read those articles in magazines like "People" or "Barron's" or "Money" or seen television programs suggesting similar concepts for Mid-Cap, Individuals or Small Home-based businesses--big or small companies looking to grow, might find the Midwest, is a "Gold Mine" of opportunity awaiting.  Those may be true for some, but the following is what we experienced and as such, we hope to make you aware of some issues that we missed and added to our shattered dreams--the demise of our once booming small business.   

First.....................if you don't have the Computer saavy to defend your web site or PC from attackers and hackers usually financed by your competitors, then don't even think about starting up or moving your company's products into the On-Line community.  First, you make yourself vulnerable to the global community of your competitors and some may be very sick and twisted people with low or no self worth, who consider computer hacking a "useful" tool for damaging you and your business.  These people (I prefer to call them "Bottom Feeders") create havoc without any feelings of remorse whatsoever for the damages they inflict upon others.  Sadly, these people are rarely caught as the FBI and other PUBLIC Law Enforcement officials will write you off, as a "Civil Case".   "Criminal Conspiracy" or "Criminal Intent" is not enough today, to expense the costs of your rights as a small business owner.  Prisons are so full with hardened Drug Addicts, that even Murderers and Rapists get lesser sentances-which says it all as far as "Civil Matters" are concerned.  The gist....................we live in a very upsides down society of hysterical and overreactionary Law Makers who have lost all sense of priorities and when you as a business suffer losses, it is merely a "money-thing"--even if your employess depend on you for their livelihoods--your creditors expect their payments--the bank expects your mortgage payement--and how many others are affected by your business' losses?  The "Paranoid" people obsessed with their children, in America, have created the new "Internet Stalking" pseudo-pandemic, which has totally consumed the time and funding the FBI and even the Internet Crimes Divisions within your Local and State sponsored Investigative departments have available--their time and money is spent on the very few instances of "Internet Preditors" seeking under-aged girls, while statistically, your daughter has a better chance of getting hit by lightning twice versus being the victim of such activities.  But, all the Law Enforcement resources go into that issue and leaves little to no resources for other investigations.  By the way.........if you are obsessed with your kids, here is a little common sense for you--PARENT YOUR CHILDREN!  Simply turn off the computer and show them what a book looks like--problem solved--duh.

Secondly, you have to understand the history of the Internet...............which was funded with US Goverment monies and its originators within USC--University of Southern California.  The "Internet" was originally developed for the inner office communications needs of the US Federal Government--National Security Administration.  The concept was developed to streamline communications.  Therefore...............technically, it is still quietly Government controlled and monitored by "The Department of Commerce" and USC continues to provide research and additional technologies to the US Government.  It is also that office which has helped to push for the Global Market Leaders, to form the relgulatory agency, ICANN--"Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers".  The world's largest corporations or "Big Money", demanded Intellectual Rights protections for its product's/service's "Brand Names" across Global Internets--and righfully so.  As the Internet became more and more accessed by the not so moral or ethical types, such as "Hackers" and "Frauds" who used Search Engine Manipulation as a means for driving people away from legitimate companies, to those sites that were fraudulent or ID Theft rings.  As such, ICANN in its original form, was a very good idea and very useful in helping to elliminate those Domain Names which were being used for deceptive purposes.  But as usual, when Governments get involved, the benefits for the many become auctioned to the highest bidding few--Big Business/Big Money Corporations.  And ICANN, is simply not affordable for the typical small business.  And, in truth, ICANN is really just a "front" or myth, as the largest Search Engine Providers already sell Search Results to Big Businesses--those who can afford to pay $10,000.00 per-month for guaranteed Rankings.  Like the Advertising and Marketing Industry in America, only the largest corporations can pay for TV or Radio ads--ironically those are the companies that NEED the least visibility amongst a "Fair Market" society.  People should be able to find the small comanies, not the ones that are already leaders of their Industries.  The point of Advertising and Marketing is to create choices--choices create spending--spending creates more choices and economic growth.  Have you seen the costs of advertising in "The Yellowbook" these days--small businesses can hardly even afford a damn phone book listing.  ICANN, is really just an organization which is used for establishing Domain Name Registration rules that all members called "Registrars" have to abide by.  Ironically.............the US has only one recognized Registrar--"Network Solutions"--which is another farce.  People who register their Domain Names through any other "Registrar" is not really registering with them, as they have to pay a fee to Network Solutions for each Domain Name registration!  Who oversees Network Solutions and Domain Name Registrations--the US Department of Commerce!  So, in essence the US Government and the Search Engine Providers, control what the Internet sees, by way of identifying Domain Registrations--I believe that is called "spying?".  Thus, if you have new technologies or inventions or discoveries, and wish to use the Internet to promote them.................Big Business can simply pay the Search Providers to bury your website to "Cyber-death".  Or, they might use Government technologies to create other electronic damages by hacking, phishing and email abuses.  And, they can hardware, software and even Operating System manufacturer's products to remotely take over your computer, gain all your business' private files and information, etc..................  For instance, when we first started having our problems with such activities, it was immediately following applications to the US Patent and Trademark Office--Provisional Patents, Copyrights and Trademark applications we submitted.  Not only did we run into problems with how our Business Name could be Trademarked, but Copyrights filings were in question--eventhough our company was using certain industry terminologies before your competitors along with certain product specifications which later showed up in our competitor's offerings.  We immediately were dropped by ALL the major Search Engine Providers, our computer was attacked with technologies NOT available to the norm such as, electronic Operating System files were embedded through Critical Updates and what not which destoyed two Hard Drives.  And, due to our massive Operating System re-installations.............we could not longer get "Critical Updates", as our Leased Operating System Owner, placed an electronic block on our computer for suspicion of "Piracy"--suspicion--not proven or court-decided due process!  In essence, every single law on the books in the American Justice system, is allowed to be circumvented by not only Big Coroporations who used Search Engines to deny "Fair Competition" laws as found under Anti-Trust Acts, but the US Government--our elected officials and offices within, were aiding in those violations!  In other words, as far as the Constutition goes, as well as Anti-Trust Legislation, the Internet is a free-for-all for whomever wants to violate your rights as a business owner--unless you have allot of money and can buy your rights!

Finally....................................stick to the fundamentals of business--you need to be in a supportive environment.  When we started out in the Tacoma/Seattle area some 12-years ago......................we had enough local guitar repair business, that it didn't matter if we sold a custom guitar or not.  However, once the Internet proved itself useful in affordably marketing our products to a worldwide audience, we bought into the myth, that our small business could be taken anywhere--WRONG!  It's a great concept--and many businesses can be "Internet-Based"-- right?  First, let's take a look at what types of businesses the Internet mainly promotes--Discount Retailers, Wholesalers and Individual Services!  In other words.........if you sell products manufactured by Industry Leaders, you will be able to endlessly link to their Home Page, and ALL the others they link to--this is the essence of "Paying for Search Rankings"!  It is a networking scheme, which really should fall under the US "Paramid Schemes" laws, but doesn't.  In other words...........if you sell or your products use those products made by the Big Corporations, you will succeed.  Or, if you offer a unique service such as Architectural Plans or Legal Advice, etc...........you most likely will succeed on the Internet--although many of those services are now controlled by Big Businesses who employ and then outsource those services to India and overseas people who work for Slave-like wages!  Again, whoever can pay the most to those Search Engine Providers will get the best Search Rankings.  So, if you cannot pay, you most likely will  not get found on the first 10 pages of Search Results, as those Big Companies, use links and other manipulations like Blogs to further monopolize additional pages of  Search Results--the essence of the "Paramid Scheme".  And, as small business owners, we didn't know any of this stuff--we were naive and thought the world was still honorable and not as corrupt as others made it appear.  What we knew, was that our overhead was high enough as a small business, that if we stayed on the East Coast or West Coast, our products would have to go up in price, which made us unable to compete within our industry.  So we looked to relocating to the Midwest, and buying into the hype, that Internet Based businesses can vitually be taken anywhere......................so long as there is access to the Internet--obviously.  We chose Missouri, as we have relatives there--aging parents need their children sometimes, so it seemed like a win-win idea.  So, we called (then) Southwestern Bell, who proceeded to tell us, "Yes, there is DSL in the town you are looking to buy a house".  That was part of the essentials we had to have to make the decision to buy in that area of rural Missouri.  So, we sold our house, traveled to Missouri and found a house to buy, moved the shop and household and closed on the new house--all in 30 days!  We pulled it off--what feat!  Our first introduction to Missouri was....................................NO DSL!  Oops.............Southwestern Bell made a mistake and DSL was 30-miles away at the neighboring community of Kirksville--we had Dial Up though--what's that, we thought, and then remembered.............oh yeah, that was how people once got online!!  Luckily we later found that there was Wireless, but that later proved to be horrible, as there is little to NO defenses against hackers or technological attacks!  You have to understand, Hardware companies are Big Business--all Industry Leaders know one-another and all work together.  So Routers and other Hardware, will NOT protect you, if someone Corrupt wants you to disappear from the Internet--we won't go into detail here, but our day will come when we expose those companies!  Anyway........when our problems first arose, we did not have a local support mechanism associated with being in an urbanized area, such as computer experts or others we could hire for technological problems we could not solve ourselves.  We were stuck in the middle of Missouri with no support mechanism--no retail or repair business to keep us going--totally dependent upon the Internet.  So be aware, that your options will be limited should a crisis occur!  We recommend NOT relocating to the Midwest unless you take with you, an employee with the Technological know-how to keep you going.  But again.............if the US Goverment and its Big Money freinds want you gone from the Internet--it will be--you cannot do a thing about it!  We actually hired  the only local Expert in our area, whom was a Cisco Systems Certified Expert, whom also teaches "Hardware Configuration" at one of the local Colleges in Missouri--and even he could not figure out our computer problems!  This is what he said, "Microsoft put an electronic block on your computer probably due to the number of times you reloaded your Operating System (Piracy) which is why I can't load SP2 from my CD.  And, you have files from someone that does not exist to my knowledge, embedded all over your Hard Drive which is allowing your computer to be remotely hi-jacked at will--possibly the US Government or some other source that is NOT the usual Hacker-related issues."

In conclusion, our anticipated "Overhead-reductions", we thought we'd experience in the small town of Missouri, was also a farce.  Without competition, local businesses in inflated thier prices due to "convenience tactics"--we either had to drive 30-miles to the nearest large town to save money or we shopped locally and go gouged!  Utilities companies had no competition and so, gas, electric and phone costs were almost doubled compared to areas where there was competition.  And, we also found Missouri to have a higher tax-system!  Missouri has Personal Property Tax, which taxes you on simply owning assets--even after you pay Sales Tax on that same item!  They even tax small businesses, for the tools needed to be in-business.  If you are a Farmer or Rancher, they even tax you on your livestock!  So, if you buy a car, so you can commute to a job, and it is a newer car necessary to absorb the abuses of commuting, not only do you get State Income Taxes taken, but you pay Sales Tax and then you pay Personal Property Tax every single year you own that car!  Those are ontop of your Home-related taxes, sales tax for your business, Business Property, and Semi-annual licensing and title taxes!  Plus you pay Water and Trash Removal taxes and utilities taxes that were rediculously high!  As for the Midwestern-hyped "Moral Fiber" or "Quality of Life" you hear so much about..................the State of Missouri, doesn't even have provisions to protect the elderly or poor from utilities shut-offs!  In the middle of August with a heat index of 110-degrees...................if your Grandmother or elderly Father cannot pay his/her Electric Bill...................they can turn it off and kill that person!  So much for the so-called "Midwestern Hospitality and Moral-Right" so hypocritically preached by so many Self-Ritous members of the Bible Belt!  So, there are little things you need to know before you blindly buy into myths created by the US Goverment's Propaganda Artists, who want you and your business to move to small Midwestern towns,  which are really aimed at your tax dollars, and have little to nothing to do with the Human-element such as economic developements and improved quality of life!

Good luck with your business--we hope it survives as that is 'The Right to the Persuit of Happiness"--once uniquely American!