Some say that the Buchla and other rare systems are an attraction for the snooty.
In building a number of modules for a Buchla DIY system, and knowing that I can build as many for myself as I wish, say five dual oscillators, etc., I find that a certain mystery has indeed vanished but the excitement of actually being able to put in use, that much significantly cool gear is quite heady.
I don't care if I have to build it all myself. I don't care if it is only worth the time and effort involved, and if no one at all would trade a vintage module for a modern build DIY equivalent. It is simply gear that is too much fun for its own good. I don't care if I have to use balsa wood front panels and an empty air conditioner frame as housing. The intrinsic sweet of this gear is obvious, and it's an interesting journey to have to stare so deeply into the stuff behind the panel, even without fully understanding it. I know that the current Buchla gear far exceeds the vintage, but I have to build what I'm able. And no, I don't care if you have a bigger Buchla DIY system than I do. I'd just be interested in jamming together (chuckle).
