via this auction
"It has been rumored that there are 12. I have heard that number a bit higher and a bit lower depending on who you ask. There is a Buchla 700 Yahoo group for enthusiasts so there has to be at least a few of them. It is an awesome and truly unique piece of synthesizer gear.The condition is good. There is a tiny bit of tape residue from the time it spent at JL's repair shop many years ago on the black top and a few of the screws holding down the top panel are missing but easily replaced. The external video monitor output does not work (like about 99% of Buchla 700s). You do not need the monitor to make it work - just touch the panels and off you go. It makes amazing sounds - spatially rich and unlike anything you've heard before. You can hear a LIVE sampling on my myspace site - mainstreetelectricalparade. All the blinking lights work on the bottom and the sensors appear to work well - although it is such a bizarre instrument I am never sure what I am triggering and what is automatic.
It is being sold as a rare vintage instrument. 'As is' condition with no refunds. This is your chance to own an extremely rare experimental instrument. Please do not bid on it if you have no idea what it is.
There is a ton of info on the Buchla here:
Buchla
VSE
Included in the auction: The Buchla 700, a power cable, whatever 3.5" disks I got when I bought it many years ago...a working system 3.5" disk is in the drive currently. "
More via echo7even on AH: "a 700 in this particular condition is a very crippled instrument. The 700 is based around a Graphical User Interface which requires the VSDD chip be operational and a compatable monitor be connected. Otherwise you only get access to the single basic preset and a few of the parameters for the Osc Freq, Index and Filter...the strength of the 700 are the various Osc routings, 12+ X 96 Breakpoint Envelopes (per voice (12)) and user "Timbre Table" generation and the sequencers. other 700 woes are the *sealed membrane*, CEM chips, powersupply, disk drive & backlight. if it works tho it is one of the craziest FM synths ever developed... even has its own phase shifter."
damn - crazy machine. never head about them before, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete<green>and some other great toys in the background there!</green>
I've never seen one of these in the flesh, or even a picture in scale - it's much smaller than I expected.
ReplyDeleteEven crippled, though, it sounds cool....
Nails should snatch this thing up.
ReplyDeleteDrool. I knew about the 700 from vintage-synth books and the Buchla site, but otherwise it was completely mythical. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteIf only I had the money for a Buchla...
Can the monitor output be repaired at all?
ReplyDeleteApparently, rumor has it that JL has the chip now.
ReplyDeleteWho/what is JL?
ReplyDeleteThis is probably only the second or third 700 demo I've seen. It looks like a remarkable instrument, Xenakis in a box.
i have extra monitors for sale. for your 300, 400, 700, or touche'
ReplyDeleteI've been bombarded with inquiries about this 700.. I am NOT the seller.. just a warning that this instrument will likely be expensive to get into operational condition (as well as maintain in the future) and I am sure it will never be "perfect".
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the 700 is important in the context of a Buchla Instrument Collection however is somewhat too fragile/buggy to be used as a reliable compositional instrument.
"buchla-lust" is a pretty common ailment.. I usually prescribe prozac.
rick,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information. I'll see my doctor, and save up for a Kyma instead. Sigh.
I sent this message to the 700 seller today...
ReplyDeleteI suggest anyone seriously interested contact JL for confirmation of the following information.
at the very least I think this information is important to be available for its historical value...
700s are an interesting instrument.. It might be prudent to make sure any potential buyer is aware of the expense involved in repairing and maintaining such a buggy synth.
The VSDD chips are available but not commonly nor are they a cheap part.
Without a monitor/working VSDD it would be impossible to test all the buttons/virtual sliders on the membrane of your 700. Dead buttons on the input keypad is as common a problem with 700s as the flakey VSDD chip and can disable certain functions of the 700.... of the 4 700s I've worked with each of them had at least 1 dead button. there is currently no fix for this.
There are also CEMS and other obsolete (and custom made) components in the instrument which are failure prone and getting hard to source.
JL works are the CANTOS foundation which is not associated with Audities in any way other then geographical location and interest in preservation of historical instruments.
The 700 is a beautiful instrument and the specification is pretty amazing today (20 years after its design) however Buchla was pushing the envelope, design and and production was halted before completion and this makes for a less then reliable piece of gear.
good luck with your auction!
-r
I am the seller of the Buchla 700.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the information on the VSSD chip but wonder why Rick is making such a strong case against my instrument. He has used very strong language and has posted multiple times. It's a bit of a puzzlement to me. I truly hope it is not out of self interest on his part.
I think of the Buchla 700 as similar to a rare automobile. You buy it because it is unique and amazing. You know it will take money and time to maintain properly.
I would assume that anyone purchasing a rare Buchla hybrid instrument would do so because they are fans of Buchla's work - not because they want 100% functionality. For that, they can simply go to Sweetwater. You can buy a rare Ferrari or a mass market Saturn. They are not the same. The collector is not stupid and knows this.
I wish the best of luck to the purchaser. I want the instrument to be in the hands of someone who loves it. I hope they fix the VSSD chip and maintain it. The instrument is too amazing to simply fade away.
Rick - if you really want to help the purchaser - help them after the purchase...you say you have extra chips for the VSSD and you seem to have knowledge.
I Realize this auction is long over but just wanted to pipe up and explain why I repeatedly posted warnings regarding this instrument.
ReplyDeleteI have/had no interest in your 700.. infact I already have one. I was just curious as to why you chose to not post my warnings to potenital buyers and when you did post an email I sent you edited out the warning aspects and tried to put a spin on my comments.
this is why I posted repeatedly and why I felt your auction seemed a little less then honest. I hope the new owner can get some use out of the 700. all the best.
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IS it still for sale?
ReplyDeleteanyone know how much this 700 went for?
ReplyDelete