Stolen Buchla Music Easel

Jul 13, 2006 2:37 PM

           
 

The Evergreen State College, a small liberal arts school located in Olympia, Washington, was endowed with excellent music technology and audio recording systems in the 1970s. The collection includes many classic analog synths, including E-mu, Buchla, and ARP units, which have been maintained by Peter Randlette for many years. Take a look at the Music Technology Labs at The Evergreen State College.

At the end of June 2006, a 30-year-old Buchla Electric Music Box, also known as the Music Easel, was stolen from the studio. The Easel has Evergreen etching and a metal label on the power-supply and was taken without its lid. The suspected thief appeared from California, said he had a Synthi AKS and a Roland System 100, and disappeared the same day as the Easel. The other systems in his possession may have been stolen as well.

Thievery of this type of equipment is a horrible crime. It takes historic, wonderful instruments and hides them in collections or basements forever. This system has been a student-accessed tool for over 30 years and has inspired countless students. It is priceless, unique, and not replaceable.

It must be rescued!

If you have any information regarding the stolen Easel, please contact Peter Randlette at pbr@evergreen.edu.