Enough of this hangling, gentlemen! I am not the expert on Grant's whereabouts - he lives in Wisconsin, I live in California. I do consider myself to be 'a good friend' of Grant's, however - this is something that I am very proud to be. There is no need to be critical here - I am sure that there are simple explanations. Not announcing price or availability simply means that he doesn't know the information yet. If he doesn't have all of the parts in stock yet, then how can he announce price and availabilty? As far as exploitation, I think that we can all see that it can be a bitter pill to swallow when modules that you worked hard to create sell for 2x the price that you sold them for new, and the new owners are expecting you to service them (which Grant does, BTW). Albeit subtle to our eyes, the announcement is not so subtle a change from Grant's side of the cow. Previous to the 'not in production' period, Grant was not in control of his life and business - constantly chasing delivery deadlines with little time for design and other things in life. He suspended 300 Series production at this time to make some important changes. This period of 'not in production' does not mean that he wasn't building custom systems for people who offerred him too much money to pass up. The 300 Series was always available as a custom made-for-you system during this period. What this period enabled Grant to do was to control his activities to allow him to do more designing, which has resulted in the Noise Ring, JAG, Boogie, Borg2, Envelooper and Anti-Oscillator, to name a few. But there is a need for capital to fund Grant's further design aspirations. So Grant has announced that he has brought the 300 Series back into production - that means that he is spending his own money to stock parts with the intention of building 10 or so modules per type. IMHO, I think that his caution about 'predicting' a price or availability is based on experience, and how mistakes taken at this point can sour a project months down the road when the cold wind of reality sets in. (Sorry about the stupid metphor here). Like many on this list, I have known Grant for many years - and he has been both honest and fair when it comes to his business practices and he has rarely, if ever, come out on the better side of the deal. gary Also being a long time John <inform3r@...> wrote: > > You totally missed the premise of my post. I guess it was over your > head? I¹ve been a Wiard 300 customer since around the year 2000. I think I > know what I¹m talking about when it comes to that. I don¹t know what you¹re > getting at when you say ³if you are aware of their existence.² If you have > nothing to add besides rallying on the popular side of opinion then go piss > up a flagpole. > > -John > > > On 4/4/07 6:49 PM, "watson" <companyofquail@...> wrote: > quote from john: > > > > No disrespect to Grant or Wiard. I support both. Just call it what it is. > > BTW, by announcing "full production" and then having to call to receive a > > price(which is probably a high one at that) only FUELS speculators and > > definitely keeps the modules out of the hands of people that could really > > enjoy/use them. > > > > this is possibly one of the most ridiculous things i have read in a > > while....someone that is going to spend 600-1000 dollars per module for a > > synth in the class of a wiard probably isnt going to change his or her mind > > about buying one because they have to call about the price. if you want a > > wiard synth you already know the ballpark it is in (if you are aware of their > > existence) and you eithe rhave the money to play ball or dont. > > > > just my opinion > > > > On 4/4/07, Grant Richter <grichter@...> wrote: > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Hi Paul, > >> > >> Thank you for coming to my defense. > >> > >> People mean well, but they have no idea how things actually get done. > >> > >> It is easy to assume that making anything is like making anything else. > >> > >> But this is a wrong idea. > >> > >> The size of the marketplace determines everything because vendors > >> have minimum orders. > >> > >> The modular marketplace remains as tiny as it has ever been, > >> and my options are extremely limited. > >> > >> I will continue to do the best I can, and hope that people mature enough to > >> realize > >> that being adversarial is in no ones best interest. > >> > >> > >> > >> --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com <mailto:wiardgroup%40yahoogroups.com> , > >> plord@ wrote: > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > Would y'all mind not pissing off the manufacturer until AFTER I get my > >>> > system? Thanks! > >>> > > >>> > The primary difference between now and 4 or 6 months ago is that 4 months > >>> > ago Grant *had none of the parts in stock* for many of the modules. No > >>> > Envelator boards or components, for example, very few faceplates of any > >>> > kind, no racks, no partner/process for silkscreening...if you ordered a > >>> > Wogglebug 4 months ago, it would have been a one-off order and you would > >>> > have paid and waited for the individual manufacture of each part. As > >>> > Grant's recent messages have indicated, he has now established all of the > >>> > partner relationships necessary for production, and more importantly, he's > >>> > *already invested* in stock for 200 more modules. > >>> > > >>> > Grant's entitled to his own business practices. If you want a one-man > >>> > modular company to be run according to your tastes, then start one. > >>> > > >>> > regards, > >>> > Paul > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > John wrote: > >>>> > > Bill I think you?re right. From what Grant just posted I don?t see > a > >>>> > > difference in the availability of the 300 series 6 months ago as > >>>> compared to > >>>> > > it being ?back in full production? today. I guess I?m kind of > >>>> disappointed. > >>>> > > I don?t know why Grant would fly a flag saying that the 300 is back in > >>>> full > >>>> > > swing but then hide all the price + availability info. Isn?t that how > the > >>>> > > 300 has been for the last few years? I was told 4 months ago that if I > >>>> > > wanted a Wogglebug I should call. That was when the 300 was > >>>> ?discontinued?. > >>>> > > He says the same thing now. IMO the 300 is not back in production. No > >>>> > > disrespect to Grant or Wiard. I support both. Just call it what it is. > >>>> > > BTW, by announcing ?full production? and then having to call to receive > a > >>>> > > price(which is probably a high one at that) only FUELS speculators and > >>>> > > definitely keeps the modules out of the hands of people that could > >>>> really > >>>> > > enjoy/use them. > >>>> > > > >>>> > > Regards, > >>>> > > John > >>>> > > > >>>> > > > >>>> > > On 4/3/07 10:07 AM, "Eyesaw" <eyesaw@> wrote: > >>>> > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > Hello Grant and Wiard Folks: > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > Did this exploitation of your product occur during the 300 > >>>>> series > >>>>> > > > production or after the modules were discontinued? I understand wait > >>>>> times and > >>>>> > > > all but how could there have been a premium while the units were > still > >>>>> > > > available retail? > >>>>> > > > Anytime a product is made that is unique and exists in very > small > >>>>> > > > quantities, discontinuation will lead to price spikes. As I > >>>>> remember, Mr. > >>>>> > > > Rittenburg's set was the first "standard", i.e., not the Black one, > >>>>> system > >>>>> > > > produced. That instrument had use value and great intrinsic value > >>>>> ($11K). > >>>>> > > > The previous sale I can remember was Ryan from AH @ $4600 - > >>>>> and that > >>>>> > > > was not that long before the other, after the line was discontinued. > Just > >>>>> > > > pointing out the numbers I know. > >>>>> > > > I am interested in comments re: the said exploitation. > >>>>> Inflation is a > >>>>> > > > killer and prices go up, but I would hope Grant, that an overfocus > >>>>> on this > >>>>> > > > would be a pointless distraction. If you intend to keep the units in > >>>>> > > > production the preceeding issue becomes mute. > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > Good Luck and Best Wishes - > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > Bill (If I only owned a 300) > >>>>> > > > > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> ----- Original Message ----- > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> From: Grant Richter <mailto:grichter@> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> To: wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com > >>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup%40yahoogroups.com> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 11:33 PM > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> Subject: [wiardgroup] Re: 300 series... What's Going On? > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> There have been problems in the past with speculators buying these > >>>>>> > > >> instruments for resale > >>>>>> > > >> at a later date. Since my goal is to get them in to the hands of > >>>>>> working > >>>>>> > > >> musicians and not > >>>>>> > > >> instrument speculators, I now handle all 300 series sales by > >>>>>> telephone only. > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> Yoou can call me at 414-769-0791 and I will be happy ot discuss > it. > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com > >>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup%40yahoogroups.com> <mailto: wiardgroup% > >>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup%25> <mailto: wiardgroup% > 40yahoogroups.com > >>>>>> <http://40yahoogroups.com> > > >> , > >>>>>> > > >> John <inform3r@> wrote: > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > This is great news about the faceplates and Woggle PCB?s but > what I?m > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > getting at (and what I think the other 99% of the list wants > >>>>>>>> to know) is > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > when will the availability and price be posted? > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > A previous post said ?Back in Full Production? so I assume > the above > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > info is somewhere? > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > Regards, > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > John > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > On 3/21/07 10:44 PM, "Grant Richter" <grichter@> wrote: > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > The faceplates are being silkscreened now. > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > Just got Woggle Bug PCBs, rest of PCBs still on order. > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > Waiting for Perkins-Elmer Vactrols. > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > Everythings moving along, but this is thru-hole > >>>>>>>>>> technology. Harder to > >>>>>>>> > > >>>> get than > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > surface > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > mount parts. Longer lead times and more expensive than > ever before. > >>>>>>>> > > >>>> Most > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > component > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > prices have doubled since 2002. > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > in 2002 aluminum was $1.00 a pound, today it is $2.50 a > pound. > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > The size of the American deficit makes the dollar > >>>>>>>>>> weaker in a global > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > marketplace. > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > That is a statement of economic fact, no political > >>>>>>>>>> content intended. > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com > >>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup%40yahoogroups.com> <mailto: wiardgroup% > >>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup%25> <mailto: wiardgroup% > > >> 40yahoogroups.com <http://40yahoogroups.com> > > >>>>>>>> > > >>>> <mailto:wiardgroup% <mailto:wiardgroup%25> <mailto:wiardgroup% > >>>>>>>> > 40yahoogroups.com <http://40yahoogroups.com> > , > >>>>>> > > >> John > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > <inform3r@> wrote: > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > It?s been a while since the announcement. When > are we going to > >>>> > > hear > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > what?s happening with the 300 series? Did I > miss something? > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > Regards, > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > John > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > On 3/21/07 1:39 PM, "loopcycle" <loopcycle@> > wrote: > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > i would like to see continued development > in the 1200 > >>>> > > series. > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > i was really looking forward to a new > oscillator! > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > i would be very excited to see new > developments, whatever > >>>> > > form they > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > take, fiberglass or otherwise. > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > i know i am not speaking only for myself > here. > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > hans > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com > >>>>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup%40yahoogroups.com> > >>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup% <mailto:wiardgroup%25> > >>>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup% > 40yahoogroups.com > >>>>>>>>>>>> <http://40yahoogroups.com> > <mailto:wiardgroup% > >>>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup%25> <mailto:wiardgroup% > > >>>>>> > > >> 40yahoogroups.com <http://40yahoogroups.com> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >>> <mailto:wiardgroup% <mailto:wiardgroup%25> > >>>>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:wiardgroup% > 40yahoogroups.com > >>>>>>>>>>>>> <http://40yahoogroups.com> > , > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > "Grant Richter" <grichter@> wrote: > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>> > > but, would this work for > 300? isn't > >> one of > >>>> > > the points of the > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > 300 to > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>> > > be fully shielded? > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>> > >> > The 300 series will stay exactly > as it is. I was > >>>> > > refering to > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > fiberglass panels only for > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>> > >> > inexpensive systems like Frac-Rac > or Euro- > >> Rack. > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>>>> > >>> > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>> > > >>>>>> > >> > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>>>> > > >>>> > > > >>>>>>>> > > >>> > > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> > >>>>>> > > >> avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Inbound message clean. > Virus > >>>>>> > > >> Database (VPS): 000730-1, 04/02/2007 > >>>>>> > > >> Tested on: 4/3/2007 7:06:04 AM > >>>>>> > > >> avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. > Virus > >>>>> > > > Database (VPS): 000730-1, 04/02/2007 > >>>>> > > > Tested on: 4/3/2007 9:07:15 AM > >>>>> > > > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>> > > > >>>> > > > >>> > > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > >
Message
Re: 300 series... $ Exploitation
2007-04-05 by Gary Chang