Wiardgroup

Hello Norman,

I have not seen any information to say that lead free electronic assemblies perform better 
or last longer than assemblies which contain lead. To the extent possible, all Wiard 
products are built using "archival" design and assembly techniques. The aim is to produce 
modules which will still be functional 100 years from now.

The main technique is not using electrolytic capacitors in the signal path. Most modules 
are DC coupled. Electrolytics have a know life limitation. They normally fail "open", so 
using them for power supply bypassing is acceptable. The exception is the Borg Filter 
which requires them in the signal path. The life of the Borg Filter is still at least 25 to 30 
years.

It pains me to think about shipping a more expensive module which is inferior in longevity 
to the current product.

I wonder about purchasing used equipment on eBay. Will it become illeagle to ship used 
gear to the EU because it contains lead? If I plug in a module and listen to it, is it then 
used?

The total amount of lead in all 600+ Wiard modules is only 4 pounds. Wiard's entire 
lifetime lead contribution to the environment will be less than a single car battery tossed 
into a ditch.

As far as the regulations go, what will actually happen is, that one of the smart, capable 
people that are laughingly called "competitors" will figure it out, and the rest of us will all 
copy him or her. It's the American way!

As to why build modules that have the maximum possible life, I can only say "If you do not 
think of the future, the future certainly will not think of you".

--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, Norman Fay <vietgrove@g...> wrote:
> Some of you may be aware that there are new regulations & import
> restrictions afoot in the European Union regarding the goods
> containing harmful chemicals/elements, and one of these is lead.  So
> far, I haven't read too much about this, except for: a post on AH from
> a ModCan customer, stating that Bruce D is concerned about this, A
> statement from Tony at Oakley stating that he is either discontinuing
> or scaling back his line, and get 'em while you can, and I just got
> the latest MOTM list digest, where Paul S seems to be wondering
> exactly what to do.
> 
> As I'm an enthusiastic Wiard modular user in the UK, I'm wondering
> what this is going to mean for future Wiard purchases.  I get the
> distinct impression that musicians in the EU are a distinct minority
> of the customer base of the North American manufacturers, and I guess
> it's completely understandable if the cost of complying w/these
> regulations is greater than the benefits to be gained by continuing to
> sell to us euros!  I guess the 2 issues I'm concerned about are:
> 
> 1/as I wish to continue buying the excellent products made by Grant
> Richter, Paul Schreiber, Bruce Duncan, and John Blacet, what to do?  I
> believe that even shipping bare PCBs is a problem because they contain
> lead too!  Nothing against Doepfer or AS, I'm sure they make fine
> products, but the instruments made by the North American manufacturers
> I've chosen have been the right creative choices for me.
> 
> 2/less likely to be a problem w/MOTM and Blacet, as they're kit based,
> but what if I need to get some item repaired, serviced, calibrated
> sent back to the manufacturer for whatever reason, will these regs
> affect this as well?
> 
> Aslo, Grant, I've been trying to get in touch w/you in the last few
> months w/r/t buying some more Wiard modules, but my emails seem to
> have been blackholing? (or maybe your replies have been blackholing? 
> I've no idea!)  What's the best way to get in touch?
> 
> Many thanks.