[sdiy] Favorite (American) Parts Suppliers

[WeAreAs1 at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/8/04 10:03:48 AM, scottnoanh at peoplepc.com writes:

<< All very good points indeed!  It's been said before, but it can be said 
again, this *is* the golden age of Synth DIY.  >>

In some ways, you are correct.  This is the Golden Age of Synth DIY.  But 
certainly not because of specific part availability or because we have lots of 
good parts suppliers to deal with.  Anyone who thinks otherwise must certainly 
not have been doing DIY during the late 1970's through the 1980's (the true 
golden age of electronic DIY, at least where parts and kits were concerned).  No, 
that Golden Age really centered around 1982 or so.  If you need proof, go 
seek out an old Polyphony magazine or Paia, Mouser, or Jameco catalog from that 
era.

No, this is the Golden Age because of two things:  1. the existence of the 
internet, which allowed all of us freaks to find each other, and MOST 
importantly  2. the existence of this mailing list (Synth DIY), which has done more for 
proliferating and expanding the DIY phenomenon than anything that ever came 
before.  The Synth DIY list is truly what Bernie Hutchins was hoping that the 
Electronotes "community" would become.  As an aside, I think it's so sad that 
Bernie now doesn't really seem to give a rat's fart about us, other than just 
wanting to grab our money for work and research that, for the large part, he 
didn't really do himself (I would feel differently if Bernie would at least offer 
publishing royalties to his small group of original Electronotes 
contributors).  Thank goodness for stalwart and generous old-timers such as Jim Patchell 
and Barry Klein, who continue to participate and carry the torch!  Huge kudos 
to Rick Jansen, who started the Synth DIY list, and still continues to gently 
and very unselfishly nurture and guide it into this new century.

Anyway, if this really is the Golden Age, it is TOTALLY because of US.

Michael Bacich

(apologies to other great old-timers whose names I didn't mention - Thanks to 
all of you!)