A video demo of a strange electro-mechanical circuit-bent Casio SK-1.

Pioneering circuit-bender Reed Ghazala discusses the origins of circuit-bending the Texas Instruments Speak N’ Spell:

 

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TheUmbrellaCo is doing some gorgeous mods and bends to Casio SK-1 samplers, turning them into Suitcase SK-1s. 
Here’s a promo video for a Suitcase SK-1, The Gypsy:

 
 
via HighlyLiquid

Circuitastrophe 2008 - a celebration of circuit bending, robotics, 8-bit music, hacking & electronic music will be held in Cincinatti Sept 4th & 5th, 2008. Reed Ghazala will be in the house.
Here are  the details:

GetLoFi has a great interview with Reed Ghazala, the father of circuit bending.In the interview, Ghazala talks about his first experiences with circuit bending, chance art and more.
Here he explains how his idea of circuit bending came about:
“The sounds that came from that first short circuit back in the mid 1960’s were just so interesting! [...]

In case you think Pikachu isn’t disturbing enough, there’s Kaseo’s circuit bent Pikachu, one of a limited edition of 100.
If you like stuff like this that’s a bit out there, don’t miss 13 Bizarre Circuit Bent Children’s Toys.

The Electric Pick Synth is one of the stranger circuit bent instrument ideas.
Features:

2 Photo-Cells
1 Pitch/On-Off
Tone range switch
8 Ohm Speaker
Speaker On-Off switch
Guitar contact hookup wire
Runs on a 9 volt battery

Suggested uses:

Route the pick into a reverb and a wah-wah pedal for an instant analog filter
Dazzle the your band-mates with 3 outputs [...]

GeLoFi is sponsoring an Experimental Garage Sale at the Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago on July 19th, 2008, between Noon-9 PM.
Description:
This free event will be a perfect opportunity for circuit benders and anyone interested to snag up toys for bending and to talk shop with all the Artists present. Already bent devices will be available for sale [...]