HI
> a) Except for "rarity", I don't "see" the $$$ placed on the Buchla.
rarity is a big factor but also I notice that Pauls idea of what
makes a modular great differs from what I think most buchlors
look for in an instrument.. this is not a slam just a difference of
opinion.
Buchlas instruments have always been pricey.. even when they
were new they were among the most expensive modulars.
> However, the slide pots are
> useless, I counted 23 bad toggle switches and every jack
needs replacing.
this has more to do with lack of servicing I am sure then actual
poor build quality or design... most 200 series modulars were
sold to schools and often didn't get the type of TLC any modular
synthesizer needs... plus it is now 30 years old!
> I can't hear it in
> action, as all 7 (!) Power One supplies need replacing. Yep, it
has ∗7∗ power supplies!
yup Dons supplies have to be the weak point.. I am sure he
would be the first to admit this... he was into designing
controllers and musical instruments not power supplies after all
:)
> :) I just "borrowed" it for a week. It's going off for a $5000+
refurbish job (4 months at
> 20hr/week).
yikes.... I think that figure is err slighlty inflated.. I have been
involved with number of Buchla system restorations over the last
few years and have yet to see a bill that high... I guess if you were
to change every jack, slider, pot, all the caps, and ICs it could get
to cost that much.... or maybe we are charging too little! :)
just a note I read an earlier post from someone mentioning that
he doesn't like all the colours that Don used.. the colour scheme
and different knob sizes and module layouts were to help the
user find the module they were looking for quikly as well as find
the in/output jack with a glance rather then have to search
around for it.
you have to remember that Don is an academic and his
systems were designed for and marketed to Universities... the
1/8th in jacks were there to make the understanding of signal
flow easier for students to grasp... this may seem trival now but
rememebr this was 40 years ago when there were few
syntheszers on the planet and even few people who knew how to
use them.
I think MOTM stuff has wonderful build and sound quality but I
personally think that all the modules are too similar looking and I
think this can be a little confusing... I like the unique look of Dons
Instruments.. sure the sound quality may not be up to some
people standards but I think most people who use Buchlas are
more interested in exploring Dons unique and interesting control
modules which have not been available on any instrument until
recently ( most of the new modular manufacturers seemed to
have clued into the appeal of the Buchla modulars lately)
take care
-r