Ciat-Lonbarde Plumbutter / Plumbutter 2
The Plumbutter is Ciat-Lonbarde's "Drum & Drama Machine", an analog drum synthesizer that acts less like a conventional rhythm box and more like a living, patchable organism. Peter Blasser's own description, quoted in period dealer listings, calls it a psycho-geographical instrument: "My face is a psycho-geographical map of the cities of Baltimore and Cleveland." The core is pulse-based rhythmic machinery derived from the Rolz-5 drum machine, which drives the audio portion of each module through a mixer. A "gonz versus trad" switch changes the audio character of the onboard synth in each module. Blasser's own advice was to start in "trad" and move on from there.
The unit documented here is the "Plumbutter 2," a slim-case revision of the original. As one dealer described it: "There is a new Plumbutter, which we will herein call 'Plumbutter 2'. It is very much similar to the old plumbutter, but in a new slim case." The main external change is that the sigils on the panel are engraved rather than printed. It keeps the mulberry, walnut, and sassafras wood construction. Inside the timber frame are pulse-based sequencers, gestural antennas, ultrasonics, and modular patching. The sounds run from fractured noise textures to ambient drones and abstract one-shots.
Documentation on the Plumbutter is thin and mostly descriptive. It comes from dealer listings and owner accounts, not formal reviews or service manuals. No production years, original price, or electronic specifications (frequency response, power output, dimensions, weight) are recorded in the available sources. Analogue Haven listed the Plumbutter at $1,313.33, though this may refer to the earlier version. Used Plumbutter 2 units have appeared at $1,550 (ctrl-mod) and $1,699 (Perfect Circuit), typically with 20 banana cables and a 12V PSU. One owner noted the instrument "had a beautiful smell when arrived from the exotic woods used," and that it was in perfect condition with light use. Another seller, letting theirs go, called it "such a deep and playful instrument that I unfortunately don't have the time to appreciate these days."
Known specs, such as they are:
- Analog drum synthesizer / "Drum & Drama Machine"
- Pulse-based sequencers, gestural antennas, ultrasonics, modular patching
- Mulberry, walnut, and sassafras wood housing
- Engraved sigils (Plumbutter 2 revision)
- Banana cable patching (20 cables included)
- 12V power supply
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