Wiardgroup

I thought I would provide a somewhat different perspective from an 
existing 300-series owner. I did not cast the winning bid for this, 
but despite already owning each of the modules that make up this 
system I bid an amount greater than their combined "list price" of 
$3200. Perhaps a few of the factors I considered will shed light on 
the possible motivations of those who who bid more than I did for the 
system.

One of the recurring topics Grant and I have discussed is the Wiard 
as an instrument in the classical sense (as opposed to a collection 
of electronic circuits) for which one can aspire to virtuosity as 
with more traditional mediums such as the violin or piano. I'm sure 
others of you have had similar conversations. This system's well-
chosen selection of modules and ease of transport meet the practical 
demands of such a tool. The packaging itself further contributes to 
the feel of a classical instrument. (Having seen some of the custom 
cases built for Wiard systems by Grant, Gabe, and others I believe 
Sascha may underestimate the "worth" of this craftsmanship.) It is 
quite possible that the high bidder intends to use the Wiard as a 
performance instrument.

I also found this system's heritage very appealing. Similar to many 
other examples of precious art, it was "commissioned" for a specific 
purpose, and a noble one at that: education. For a number of years 
students were introduced to "sound sculpting" on this system, much 
like some of you may have had early experiences with a university 
Moog, Buchla, Emu, or Serge that forever altered you. That's a very 
different past than the typical Doepfer off of an Eastern European 
assembly line. For me this sense of rich history would encourage me 
to treasure the system more deeply, much as the symphonic player 
fortunate enough to own a Stradivari does his or her instrument.

Finally, as Sascha points out, the system's immediate availability 
does warrant some premium. It's easy for all of us to assume that 
Wiard modules will remain at $800 for the foreseeable future, and 
that the eventual supply will be adequate to meet our demand. But 
some of you who have not talked with Grant at length may not fully 
appreciate the labor that he pours into his creations. It's not a 
given that he will make these for another ten, five, or even one 
year. Certainly we all hope that Grant remains happy and in good 
health for years to come, but don't equate the process of investing 
in a hand-crafted Wiard system with the modern age's "click here to 
purchase" approach to commodity goods. And this ignores the utility 
value of the instrument for composition and/or performance between 
now and whenever a system ordered today arrives. For someone who 
earns at least a partial living from their music and feels a Wiard 
could contribute in a meaningful way, this value could easily be 
thousands of dollars. 

There's something to be said for committing, and the buyer of this 
system did just that. Many of us (myself included) spend or spent 
months or years thinking about the Wiard, comforted with an "option 
to buy" it along with many other potential tools. But at some point 
one has to get off the fence and decide if he is actually going to 
pursue a thing or just dream about it forever. For someone ready to 
take the Wiard plunge this system was a great way to dive in.

So "way above value" is contingent upon the eye of the beholder.

Chris


--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "sascha victoria" 
<sascha.victoria@...> wrote:
>
> i considered bidding but decided it would go way above value. that 
being said i think there's a premium for not having to wait. the 
only "one of a kind" aspect of that system was the case and well, 
that case wasn't worth that much extra. i think i'll call grant and 
make my first wiard order tomorrow.