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Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar – w/MIDI

Posted in For Sale, Vintage Synths

Professionally Serviced British Classic in Excellent Working Order

Overview

We are delighted to present this Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar – w/MIDI, a beautifully preserved example of one of the most distinctive and forward-thinking British synthesizers ever built.

Designed by Chris Huggett, the OSCar embodied a unique fusion of digital precision and analogue warmth — combining digitally controlled oscillators with a true analogue filter and amplifier path. Released in the early 1980s, it stood apart for its bold industrial design and its adventurous sonic architecture, which offered both subtractive and additive synthesis capabilities long before such hybrid flexibility became commonplace.

Equally admired by musicians, producers, studios, and collectors, the OSCar remains a landmark in British synthesizer design — unmistakable in both sound and style.

This particular example is an original UK/EU production model, factory-fitted with MIDI, and offered through the RL Music Brokering Service on behalf of a long-term UK owner.

Condition

This OSCar is presented in very good overall condition, graded 9/10 under RL Music’s in-house professional evaluation system, applied to all collector-grade instruments to ensure transparency and confidence for discerning buyers.
There are light signs of age and use visible on the casing and control surfaces, consistent with a carefully used 1980s instrument. The screen-printing around the high-usage Volume potentiometer shows the most noticeable wear, but again, this is quite consistent with many other OSCars we have seen over the years. The distinctive moulded ABS body remains clean and intact, and all controls and keys function exactly as intended. Overall, this OSCar presents as a well-maintained and cherished example.

Servicing & Restoration

This OSCar was evaluated and bench-tested by KSR in October 2025, confirming full operational status ahead of sale.
Following purchase, it will undergo a comprehensive post-sale service by KSR, including:

  • Full power-supply re-cap and conditioning
  • Calibration and general health check
  • Minor preventive maintenance for long-term stability

This post-sale service is included in the purchase price to ensure the instrument is delivered performing at its very best, fully meeting RL Music standards.

Provenance

This OSCar has been in the possession of its current owner for around 20 years, having originally been purchased via eBay from a seller in Italy. The instrument was serviced in the mid-2000s by the well-known UK synth technician James Walker, who performed a general overhaul that included re-capping (extent unknown) and hard-wiring the two main PCBs together with jumper wires to improve reliability. Since then, the synth has performed flawlessly and has not required any further technical attention.

This particular OSCar left the Oxford Synthesiser Company factory with the factory-fitted MIDI interface, rather than having it retrofitted later.

Technical Overview

  • Oscillators: 2 digitally controlled oscillators with multiple waveforms, additive synthesis capability, and oscillator sync
  • Filter: Dual 12dB filters switchable to 24dB ladder mode, with low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass configurations and self-oscillation
  • Modulation: Single LFO with multiple destinations, plus an envelope generator for both filter and amplifier
  • Memory & Control: 24 patch memories, duophonic operation, factory-fitted MIDI
  • Output: Mono audio output with external input for filter processing
  • Power: UK/EU 220–240V model with hard-wired UK 3-pin mains cable

This combination of digital control, analogue signal path, and additive waveform design gives the OSCar its unmistakable sonic personality — from deep basses to rich, harmonic textures.

Handy Links

Price & Availability

£5,990 GBP — available now.

As this is a brokered sale, no VAT is applicable to UK buyers. International buyers are responsible for any import duties or taxes levied in their respective countries.

The instrument will be supplied fully tested, carefully packaged, and prepared to RL Music standards — meaning it has been professionally inspected, fully quality-controlled, and presented to the highest collector-grade specification to ensure authenticity, reliability, and buyer confidence.

Increasingly sought after worldwide, the OSCar represents not only a fascinating milestone in synthesizer history but also a sound long-term investment in British analogue innovation.

Payment

Due to the high value, we accept bank transfer only (UK Faster Payments / CHAPS or international wire).
Full payment details will be provided on the invoice.

Packing & Shipping

We ship worldwide. Packing, shipping, and insurance are not included in the sale price and are quoted upon request.
Our standard practice is professional, export-grade packaging tailored to the instrument and fully insured for its sale value.

UK buyers are welcome to collect from Reading, Berkshire, or we can arrange a dedicated personal delivery within the UK (subject to quotation).
We are happy to tailor a logistics solution to your specific requirements.

Warranty

RL Music provides a full 3-month warranty on this instrument, covering all labour and parts. Our warranty guarantees that the synth will arrive in excellent working order and perform exactly as described.

Conclusion

A true British classic, the Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar remains one of the most characterful and innovative monosynths of the 1980s.
This example combines verified working condition, authentic originality, and professional servicing by KSR — a superb opportunity for musicians, producers, studios, collectors, and investors alike to own one of the most distinctive and musically expressive instruments ever created.

Pictures 

If you would like specific photographs — such as panel close-ups, internal boards, MIDI ports, or serial plates — please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

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