EMS Synthi AKS

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK customer

Came into stock: March 2021.

Servicing Status: Full service by KSR has already been carried out in March 2021 and it’s also been fully health-checked again in June 2021, so this Synthi AKS is ready for sale now.

Remarks: Another EMS Synthi AKS, and very competitively priced!

The current owner has only owned this Synthi AKS from new and used it at home for home recording until around 1984 when it was stored away until KSR was commissioned to carry out a full service on the EMS to get it ready for sale through our Brokering Service.

The serial number is ‘ 4471KS,’ so Robin Wood at EMS is likely to have a manufacture date on this example, but it looks like an earlier production model.

Cosmetic Appraisal:

This AKS is in good all original (unmodified) condition, and although it shows some wear to the control surface, but it’s in keeping with an instrument of this age (around 45+ years old).  The Spartanite case is in good condition, and the nickel catches/hinges show a normal patina.  We have covered the key aspects instrument in the series of photos that KSR did for us, as you can see below, so we hope these candidly show the overall presentation of this Synthi AKS but if you need more then please just ask.

This is a good condition example of the model/type, perfectly working, but does show some signs of use and its age, so it’s no museum/collector’s piece, but the price has been set to reflect that. It’s important to understand that with dealer-supplied examples of the Synthi AKS being advertised for between £15K to £18K GBP these days, we know that the sales price for this example represents excellent value.

This EMS Synthi AKS did come from the owner with very worn Matrix pins, so we would recommend a full new set be purchased for this instrument for best results when patching it up, which we can still source from EMS directly for around £260 GBP.  You can specify if you would like these supplied with the instrument upon purchase.

Also included in the sale is the cinch-jones KS interconnect cable, the proprietary EMS power-cable, and three Presto-Patch blocks for the Presto-Patch fitted to this particular model.

The service by KSR covered all the critical items like replacement of old power-regulation caps, deep cleaning, and calibration, but In addition to the above, the following work can also be carried out by request. This is a costed option, so is additional to the sales prices listed at the bottom of this page:

*VCO stabilisation modification implemented in line with EMS guidelines = £480 GBP

This Synthi AKS operates on 240V or US 110V (switchable) – it will be sold with a 3-month warranty. We can also supply a copy of the user manual (PDF only).

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The Synthi AKS is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the synth before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the Synthi AKS, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or this EMS.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are affecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Ordering From the EU (Post 1st Jan 2021): 

Thanks to all those who voted us out of the European Union, we/you now have new levels of bureaucracy to deal with when you buy equipment from any business in the UK, for onward delivery to any destination in the EU.  In order for us to be able to ship to the EU now, we will require you to supply an EORI number if you are buying from us as a business, which will be provided in the Commercial Invoice that goes with the consignment.  Private individuals purchasing equipment from us will not require an EORI number but the goods will still be subject to VAT, which is charged by your own countries Customs, to clear the goods, so we now do not charge VAT on our purchasing invoice. The VAT rate applied upon import into your country will be set by your own countries applicable VAT rates. 

Sales Price: £12,990 GBP.

Availability: This EMS Synthi AKS is now SOLD – this page was updated on 15th September 2021.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Synthi AKS for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the instrument at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo-equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Synthi AKS for sale.

BUY THIS SYNTHI AKS

Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 w/...

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK customer

Came into stock: May 2020.

Servicing Status: Full service by KSR was carried out in September 2020, and a health-check was also done in May 2021, so this vintage Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 is ready for sale now.

Remarks: We are delighted to offer this fantastic condition Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 w/MIDI, which comes from a private seller based in the UK. The synth has had regular use and maintenance – evidenced by the perfect operational condition.

We could never have imagined that we would have to say this, but this Prophet 5 is the vintage original model, so not the 2020 Dave Smith re-issue.

These are unique sounding instruments, and there’s a certain punch and warmth that this vintage Curtis chipset based system delivers, and you just have to listen to a-ha, Soft Cell and Genesis etc. to appreciate how influential this synth was to musicians in the 1980s….and still is today.

Did you know that the Prophet 5 can be set up to operate in different temperaments from equal-temperament.  The operating system allows you to program microtonal adjustments across the keyboard, and store this in the synth memory locations.  This is not something we have tried, but the user manual goes into some depth about how to achieve it.  

The operational condition is flawless, and as you can see in the high-res pictures below, the overall cosmetic condition (wood cabinet, front panel, modulation panel & rear panel) is outstanding for a 38-year-old instrument, with only very minor wear from use.

This Prophet 5 is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and can operate on US 110V or EU 220V. Also, we have the original user manual so will be supplied with the synth, and the dust cover (pictured).

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The Prophet 5 is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are still Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the P5 before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth out then that option is open to you. 

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this worldwide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £5,500 GBP – no VAT applicable for UK buyers.

Availability: This Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 w/MIDI is SOLD.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Prophet 5 for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the P5 at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

BUY THIS PROPHET 5/button]

Roland Jupiter 8

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our EU client.

Came into stock: December 2020.

Restoration Status: A full service by KSR was been carried out in December, so this instrument is ready for sale now.

Remarks: This Jupiter 8 forms part of a larger collection of vintage synths that we are brokering for our client. This Synthacon has been in our client’s collection for several years.

Roland Jupiter 8 (14bit model) – Serial Number: 212296, has been retrofitted with a MIDI kit.

We are always very happy to sell any Jupiter 8 and this one is a good representative example that has MIDI as well. What can we say that hasn’t already been written about the JP8…honestly, nothing new.  However, we’ve seen relative values for this flagship vintage analogy poly-synth climb sharply in recent years, so they’ve become unaffordable to most people, which is a real shame.

The overall condition is very good, with only the normal amount of wear we would expect to see on a synth this age, although there is a blemish that you can see on the back-plane, on the right-hand side, which we have included a picture of to show, for full disclosure.  

We discussed the price at some length with our client and agreed to keep the sale price as reasonable as is possible for this model, so we think you will find this cheaper by far than any currently available for sale in the world right now, in comparable condition, fully serviced and sold with a guarantee. 

This JP8 operates on EU/UK 220V.  We will also supply a PDF copy of the owners manual.

As the instrument is being Brokered through RL Music, it will be sold with a full 3-month warranty and we can ship worldwide.  

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The JP8 is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the synth before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the JP8, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or this Jupiter 8.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are affecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £11,990 GBP

Availability: This Jupiter 8 with MIDI is now SOLD – this sales listing was updated on 19th February 2021.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual JP8 for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the synth at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo-equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

Pictures of the actual Jupiter 8 with MIDI for sale are below.

BUY THIS JP8

 

 

Synthacon Mk1 Feb15

Synthacon Mk1

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our EU client.

Came into stock: December 2020.

Restoration Status: A full service by KSR was been carried out in December, so this instrument is ready for sale now.

Remarks: This Synthacon Mk1 forms part of a larger collection of vintage synths that we are brokering for our client. This Synthacon has been in our client’s collection for 6 years and was purchased from a Vemia action in 2014.

As you will see from the pictures, the overall condition is very good but the original laminate-wood cabinet has seen better days, but it’s 100% original to the synth.  It’s not a complicated cabinet to have reproduced, so whoever buys the Synthacon might like to have a new cabinet made for it, but this instrument is nearly 50 years old, so is entitled to show its age a little.

Rare doesn’t come close to describing how few and far between these vintage mono synths are these days, and once you have had the opportunity to play one you will understand why they never seem to come up for sale anymore.

There’s some information on the web about the Steiner-Parker Synthacon and its designer, but the fundamentals are that it’s a 3 VCO system that uses a diode-based 2-pole resonant low/band/high-pass VCF, and simple but clever modulation routing that gives this machine true sonic magic. You will read about the resonance power that does not diminish through the filter range…it’s true. The specs don’t really tell you anything really as it’s all about the sound and complex possibilities.

The Synthacon were designed and hand made by Nyle Steiner himself. They were produced under the synthesizer company called Steiner-Parker, which was a small business working out of Salt Lake City in the mid-1970s. The Steiner-Parker business was jointly owned by Nyle, Dick Parker, and a third partner. More info Nyle here: https://www.patchmanmusic.com/NyleSteinerHomepage.html

There were essentially 2 versions of the Synthacon, the Mk1 version we have here for sale, and the Mk2. The Mk2 was a duo-phonic version of the same instrument in effect, although the Mk1 is said to have the edge on the Mk2 in purely sonic terms – manufactured from around 1975.

These instruments were all hand made, and the design and construction of the synth reflect that boutique feel to the synth, but the heart of it all is the sound and flexibility of this unique machine. A true masterpiece of simplicity and power in such an unassuming package. A synth for the connoisseur you might say.

We all appreciate that there is a small, but very distinguished, list of vintage synthesizers that transcend all logic, commercially speaking. Why indeed we should want them so badly is sometimes difficult to explain, but electronic music instruments from Buchla, EMS, Serge, and many vintage Moog synths, etc., are all held in high regard for being something special…vintage in fact (by definition). The Synthacon is in this special group of exotic vintage electronic music technology. 

This Synthacon runs on US110V – the PSU cannot be modified to operate on EU rated 220V.  If it sells to a UK/EU customer then you will supply a step-down transformer to operate the synth.

We have a PDF copy of the user manual & service notes/schematics which we will supply.

As the instrument is being Brokered through RL Music, it will be sold with a full 3-month warranty and we can ship worldwide.  

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The Synthacon is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the synth before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the Synthacon, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or this Synthacon Mk1.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are affecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £9,000 GBP

Availability: This Synthacon Mk1 is now SOLD, as of 29th March 2021.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Synthacon for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the synth at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo-equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

Pictures of the actual Synthacon Mk1 for sale are below.

BUY THIS SYNTHACON

Minimoog #7767

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our EU client</strong>

Came into stock: December 2020.

Restoration Status: A full service by KSR was been carried out in December, so this instrument is ready for sale now.

Remarks: This vintage Minimoog forms part of a larger collection of vintage synths that we are brokering for our client. The serial number is 7767.

Our client purchased this Minimoog from a private selling in Germany in 2014, and has used it in his home environment since then.  The Minimoog has been fully serviced by KSR in December 2020, so is 100% fully operational. Kent at KSR also attended to the wood cabinet with some light restorative work, to bring back the lustre of the wood. 

Cosmetically, this 45 -year-old vintage instrument is in very good condition, with the control surfaces, keys and metalwork all looking in great shape and representative of a Minimoog from this early period.  The wood cabinet is lovely, as you can see from the pictures, but there are one area that has a blemish, on the left side of the front-strip. The aluminium rear-enclosure is missing its ‘Moog’ sticker, and the metal itself does shows signs of it age, but this is normal from others we have seen from this age (production around 1976).

This Minimoog operates on either US110V or EU 220V (switch on the back).  We do have a user manual (in PDF format).  As the instrument is being Brokered through RL Music, it will be sold with a full 3-month warranty and we can ship worldwide.  

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The Minimoog is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the synth before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the Moog, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or this Minimoog.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are affecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £5,000 GBP

Availability: This vintage Minimoog is now SOLD – as of 22nd April 2021.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Minimoog for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the Moog at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

Pictures of the actual vintage Minimoog for sale are below.

BUY THIS MINIMOOG

Prophet 5 Rev 2

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK customer.

Came into stock: December 2020.

Restoration Status: A full service by KSR was carried out in December, so this instrument is ready for sale now.

Remarks: We are Brokering this very rare vintage Prophet 5 Rev 2, for and on behalf of our UK client.

This Prophet 5 Rev 2 has been fitted with Kenton MIDI, a JLC Modification to increase the patch storage memory to 120, and the pitch-bend was replaced with a lever.

Our client has only owned the Prophet 5 since 2018, and all the modifications were carried out to the synth before he purchased them, so we don’t have any documentation or history on when these were done, but all the mods work perfectly.

As always, opinions circulate about the good, bad, and differences between the Rev 2 and Rev 3 Prophets but the fact remains that the SSM based Rev 2 simply sounds (a lot) better.  It’s a significantly more rounded and fuller sound (trying to avoid the word fat you’ll notice) and the fabled SSM oscillators and filters work beautifully within this earlier Dave Smith designed synth.

The system architecture does differ quite significantly from the later versions, in particular with the abundant use of the SSM chipset throughout, but that’s the point of the Rev 2 and why it’s the most coveted model of all the Prophet lineage. Reliability is sometimes muted as a reason to avoid them, but regular use and good care is the key to longevity with any vintage analogue hybrid device and we have seen no less or more reliability with the Rev 3 platforms – and we have seen quite a few of both.

What we do know is that this beautiful instrument has been meticulously maintained, and in regular use. KSR commented that this was in very nice condition ‘on the inside,’ which is as important an indicator as the exterior cosmetic condition is. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to buy (arguably) the ‘best Prophet 5 to have,’ and the price has been agreed with our client to keep it as competitive as possible, for a genuine, vintage Rev 2.

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The Rev 2 is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the synth before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the Synthi A, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or this Prophet 5.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this worldwide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are affecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £5,990 GBP

Availability: This vintage Prophet 5 Rev 2 is now SOLD – this listed was updated on 12th May 2021.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Rev 2 for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the P5 at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

Pictures of the actual Prophet 5 Rev 2 for sale are below.

BUY THIS PROPHET 5 REV 2

EMS Synthi A Mk2

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our customer</strong>

Came into stock: November 2017.

Restoration Status: A full service by KSR has just been carried out in October, so this instrument is ready for sale now.

Remarks: We’re delighted to be able to offer an EMS Synthi A Mk2 to our customers who want to experience a vintage EMS but don’t need the extra expense/facility of the KS (Keyboard/Sequencer) that the AKS model offers.

Identical to the Synthi AKS (synth) in sound & operation, the Synthi A is the ultimate portable synth, packaged in the same Spartanite case and offering the endless programming possibilities through the matrix panel interface.  EMS originally named the Synth A the “Portabella” which followed the naming conventions of its early synths like the “Putney (VCS3 Mk1)” and Cricklewood (DK1) keyboard etc.

The EMS Synthi A was first brought to the market by EMS the same year as Moog launched the Model D Minimoog to the world – an auspicious year for synth fans indeed!  This example we are offering for sale is a later revision, an Mk2, and was manufactured during the Datanomics company ownership period which would have been between 1979 to 1982. The Mk2 Synth A is usually identifiable by the serial number and the power-conditioning components used internally.  This particular Synthi A has a serial number of 4687.

Our client has had this Synth A in his family for many years and it originally belonged to his father who had made modifications to the synth.  There are no documented notes on the mods, and after Kent at KSR had investigated this, he could not see ay internal connections that changed the normal function of the synth.  These mods that you can see are drilled into the front panel, so it’s far from being a collector’s piece,  but it might be worth considering having Robin at EMS undertake his suite of factory-mods to take advantage of these already made panel insertions…that is what we would do if it were ours.  The other idea is to have the panel fully cosmetically restored (subject to quotation & T&Cs) to remove the holes and get the finish back to standard. 

The above suggestions are all things for any future owner to consider, but overall, it does not affect the operation of the Synthi, which is now 100% perfect.  The price on this has been lowered significantly below-market prices for a vintage EMS Synthi A, in order to reflect its cosmetic situation, but as a workhorse/studio instrument it will do the job nicely, and you get to save a lot of money.

Our client commissioned KSR to carry out an extensive ground-up overhaul to bring it up to a perfect operating specification, whilst ensuring its operational authenticity is preserved as much as possible. Electronic instruments of this age do need a minimum level of restoration, but we approach this kind of work sympathetically.

The restoration time & resources invested in this instrument by KSR include:

>Spartanite case deep-cleaned, re-finished & all hardware cleaned.

>Control Panels deep-cleaned.

>Every control component (potentiometers/switches/matrix panel), cleaned & lubricated

>Power-Supply re-capped & calibrated.

>Legacy Matrix Pins cleaned & tested.

>Full system-wide calibration & soak-test.

The above restorative work is the minimum we asked KSR to carry out as they would all need this level of attention due to their age, but In addition to the above, the following work can also be carried out by request. This is a costed option, so is additional to the sales price listed at the bottom of this page so please contact us for a quote:

*VCO stabilisation modification implemented in line with EMS guidelines.

*This Synthi A comes with (almost) a full complement of old matrix pins, although to be honest, these original 40-year-old pins are well past there best so we would recommend you also purchase a brand new (full) set of matrix pins, which we can source for you. although they are supplied from EMS directly, so ask us for a quote for these or contact Robin Wood at EMS directly.

This instrument operates on either EU/UK 220~240V or US110V via a front-panel switch.  The instrument is sold with a 3-month warranty from RL Music and we will also include a user manual in PDF format and a brand new proprietary EMS UK-plug IEC power cable.

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The Synthi A Mk2 is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the Synthi before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth it out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the Synthi A, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or the Synthi A Mk2.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are effecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £8,990 GBP

Availability: This Synthi A Mk2 is now SOLD – this page was updated on 13th November 2020.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for higher resolution photo of the actual Synthi A Mk2 for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the Synthi at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo-equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

Pictures of the actual EMS Synthi A Mk2 for sale are below.

BUY THIS SYNTHI A MK2

Roland TR-606

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK customer

Came into stock: October 2020.

Servicing Status: Full service by KSR has already been carried out in September 2020, so this Roland TR-606 Drumatix is ready for sale now.

Remarks: The Roland TR-606 was the analogue drum machine that was designed to be paid with the iconic TB-303 Bass Line.  The design cues are obvious really, so this was a cool and funky machine that musicians ‘on a budget’ could get access to drum and bass…in effect.

Our client has owned this immaculate condition TR-606 for several years and had it fully serviced a few years ago, but KSR has just gone through it again to ensure it’s all ready for its new owner.

The operational condition is flawless, and as you can see in the high-res pictures below.

The cosmetic condition of this example is at the highest level we have seen. Clearly, this drum machine has been very well cared for with home use only in its 38-year life.

This TR-606 is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and can operate on EU 220V. Also, we can supply the user manual in PDF format. The original box and carry bag are also supplied in this sale along with an external PSU.

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The TR-606 is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the TR-606 before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth it out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the TR-606, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or the TR-606.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are effecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £450 GBP.

Availability: This Roland TR-606 is now SOLD – this page was updated on 16th December 2020.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for higher resolution photo of the actual TR-606 for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the TR-606 at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo-equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

 

BUY THIS TR-606/button]

Roland TR-808

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK customer

Came into stock: October 2020.

Servicing Status: Full service by KSR has already been carried out in September 2020, so this Roland TR-808 is ready for sale now.

Remarks: The demand for high-quality examples of the world most famous drum machine continues to grow, so we were delighted to be able to offer this completely original and unmodified condition TR-808. 

Our client has owned this beautiful condition TR-808 for several years, and that had it fully serviced a few years ago, but KSR has just gone through it again to ensure it’s all ready for its new owner.

Plenty has been said & written about this iconic instrument, and the significant number of clones/copies, and even Roland’s TR08, are all made in homage of the iconic status that the original machines hold.  It sounds great of course and is one of those ‘must-have’ instruments if you’re serious about your vintage analogue sound.

The operational condition is flawless, and as you can see in the high-res pictures below, the overall cosmetic condition is excellent, with only very minor wear from use.

This TR-808 is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and can operate on EU 220V. Also, we can supply the user manual in PDF format.

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The TR-808 is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the TR-808 before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth it out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the TR-808, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or the TR-808.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are effecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £3,100 GBP.

Availability: This Roland TR-808 is now SOLD, this page was updated on 18th November 2020.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for higher resolution photo of the actual TR-808 for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the TR-808 at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo-equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out…but he’s like that.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

 

BUY THIS TR-808/button]

 

EDP Wasp Deluxe

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK customer

Came into stock: October 2020.

Servicing Status: A full health-check by KSR has already been carried out in September 2020, so this Wasp Deluxe is ready for sale now.

Remarks: A really fantastic condition example of the ‘luxury’ version of this classic mono synth – EDP’s Wasp Deluxe, manufactured from 1979 to 1981. The Wasp sounds thick and creamy and is without a doubt a design classic, and so much so that a well-known synth manufacturer is building clones by the thousands in 2020.

The Deluxe version basically provided the owner with a more traditional wood cabinet, larger speaker and a proper 37 note key-bed, so perhaps had more appeal to musicians that could actually play a keyboard rather than messing around with the touch-sensitive keyboard that came with the standard Wasp.

It’s a rare thing to find these special editions and looking at historical sales data, they have become highly collectable.  The original EDP Wasp is a brilliant creation from Chris Huggett and brought analogue synthesis to a lot of us youngsters back in the late ’70s who had little money to spend on our music passions.  We were very saddened to hear the Chris has passed away on 22nd October, another genius British synth designer gone.  Chris leaves us all with a legacy that has already stood the test time and popularity into the 21st century, any of us could only dream of achieving so much. 

Kent at KSR confirmed that this Wasp Deluxe is actually signed inside by Chris Huggett, so this was actually built by him!

Our client has not owned this Wasp Deluxe very long, having purchased it as a fully serviced example from a UK synth dealer in 2019, but he commissioned KSR to fully health-check the synth to ensure it’s 100% before placing it up for sale through us.

It’s been very well cared for, and cosmetically speaking, is in good condition, with only the expected amount of wear to the control surfaces. All the controls work perfectly, and the original wood cabinet is in very nice condition aside from some damage to the back, which you can see in the photo below.

This Wasp Deluxe operates via the external 9V DC PSU.  We were not supplied with one but a brand new external PSU will be supplied with the Wasp.

As the instrument is being Brokered through RL Music, it will be sold with a full 3-month warranty and can be shipped worldwide.

Note on Demos, and because…Covid:  The Wasp Deluxe is currently based in Surrey (UK) with our tech, Kent at KSR.  Although there are strict Covid-19 restrictions in place throughout the UK at present, Kent has very kindly offered for anyone who would like to see and demo the Wasp Deluxe before buying it, to demo it at his premises.  Kent is able to set up the synth in a place that meets distancing rules, that’s safe for him and the customer, so if you want to check the synth it out then that option is open to you. 

Alternately (recommended), Kent can produce short video demo’s to show the working condition of the Wasp, but this is by request only.  If we get a single request to do this then we will, of course, upload that to the KSR YouTube channel and probably just post it here in the listing, but Kent’s a very busy guy (good techs always are) so he’s not had the time to proactively do this for us and/or this EDP.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this world-wide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  Again, the Covid issues are effecting our packing suppliers, so there may be some short delays in getting materials produced for shipping, although courier companies all seem to be operating normally.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Sales Price: £3,990 GBP.

Availability: This Wasp Deluxe is now SOLD, this page was updated on 18th November 2020.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for higher resolution photo of the actual Wasp Deluxe for sale.  Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Kent has offered to photograph the E1 at his premises in Surrey, so these photos come straight from him using the best photo-equipment he has available. It’s our workaround for the Covid issues/restrictions and we’re very grateful to Kent for helping us all out.

If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can request that Kent at KSR can accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for us/you.

BUY THIS WASP DELUXE

Synth Miniatures

RL Music, in collaboration with Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira Rolt, are delighted to announce the launch of Vintage Synth Miniatures

Back in 2007, we had an idea to offer high-quilty hand-made scale reproductions of vintage synths, but exhaustive searches to find the right person or business that could help us came to nothing, so we shelved the whole thing but still had the ambition to realise that idea.

Winding forward to late 2019, we finally had some success as we made contact with a massive vintage synth fan who also happens to makes scale models. Talk about the perfect fit!

Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira Rolt, an Illustrator and graphic designer, although now retired, is a Prog Rock lover and vintage synth fan. He’s lives in São Paulo, Brazil, and has been producing artwork and models for many years as a hobby. However, more recently he’s been promoting his ‘vintage synth miniatures’ through attending synth related events in Brazil, so his models and skills have reached a wider audience, but he plans to keep this labour of love as a hobby. Ronaldo was very interested to work with us at RL Music due to the obvious synergy and shared passion for vintage synths, so we offered him a way to channel some business back to him, and satisfy our own need to build our own vintage synth miniatures collection to go with our original instruments in the RL Music Collection.

Ronaldo was invited by Mr Michel Geiss (Jean-Michel Jarre’s partner) to make an exhibition at Synthfest in France last June 2019.

UVI, the well known French Music Software Company, commissioned Ronaldo to produce 53 miniatures (keyboards and drum machines) for them.

Ronaldo, a huge Prog Rock fan, decided to build Rick Wakeman’s rig from 1973…

How to Order

This first PDF (vintage_synth_miniatures_gallery) is a 21Mb file. It contains 77 images that Ronaldo has supplied us of the 1/6 scale models he has previously made.

vintage_synth_miniatures_gallery.pdf

This second PDF (Ronaldo_the_builder) is a 1.8mb file that has images of Ronaldo himself at some synth events with his collection, and shots from his workshop.

Ronaldo_the_builder.pdf

This last PDF (pricing_summary) is the current price list to purchase the models as listed in the gallery PDF above.  It also covers some Q&A you may have, but please call or email Richard if you have any questions if not covered in the document.  This price list will be updated when new models become available. Ronaldo is entirely open to requests to make just about anything vintage keys (drum machines, sequencers etc.) related, so ask Richard at RL Music for a quote to make your favourite instrument if you can’t see it listed.

pricing_summary.pdf

We hope you are as excited as we are about this launch. These beautifully hand-made replicas are so cool, and you know already that they are instant collectables, and we all know what happens with ‘collectables,’ so get your shopping list together and give Richard a call or email.

 

Advanced Notice

Following on from our facebook post on 9th December 2019:

Facebook Post Link

Did you know that more than a lot of what we sell doesn’t even make it to the sales page(s) on our website? This is because we have an ‘advanced notice’ book, a VIP list if you will, gathered for people who have made specific enquiries for makes and models ahead of time.

We’d like to open this process up to be more proactive, so have created a simple ‘sign-up’ form below that will enter you into an advanced mailing list that will ensure you are immediately notified of any exciting new (vintage) instruments coming through our business.

Click the VIP box below to get signed up. You’ll get a confirmation email once accepted, which is all done in accordance with very stringent GPDR rules.

Crumar Stratus

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK Client.

Came into stock: Available from RL Music from February 2020.

Servicing Status: A health-check has been carried out by KSR but we will have it fully serviced as a priority once the sale has been completed.

Remarks: This is a rare instrument in 2020, and an unusual Organ/Strings combo that brings something different to the table at a time when the world was dominated by big Prophets, OBs and Jupiter polysynths in the early ’80s.

It’s a CEM based 6 note polyphonic analogue system that employs two DCOs that are then distributed through dived-down ICs.  This architecture would have been used to keep the costs down, so you can see the Stratus was aimed at the consumer market. It sounds really nice, warm and very vintage in character, and is still very affordable today.

As you can see from the pictures below, the cosmetic condition of the panels and faux wood are excellent on this 35-year-old machine, and the Stratus still has its original gig-bag and three overlays. There are some small marks to a couple of the key-tops and minor scuffs here and there, but we think you will agree, it’s a fine example and certainly the best condition Stratus we have ever seen.

We think the Stratus is cool and a low-cost way of reaching into that vintage sound, that early ‘80s electronica vibe, and offers musicians something different socially when the current generation of cheap synths are all sounding the same in a world that is full of replicants.  

This Stratus is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and can be shipped worldwide. The synth operates on EU 220V via an IEC socket, power-cable supplied (UK plug fitted).

Demos are available by appointment only.

Packing & Shipping: We can ship this worldwide, although the packing & shipping cost is not included in the sale price below, and is subject to quotation.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics.

Update – 4th November 2021:

This Crumar Stratus has been in storage for a while now so will need a proper check by our tech, and may need some service-related work carried out before we can ship it.  As this is a Brokered sale and not our own instrument, we would need to apply a charge to service the unit for the buyer, so please bear this in mind if ordering the Stratus.  If you would like to understand the potential costs of servicing then it’s best to contact us directly to talk it through.  In addition, any servicing work will add up to 14 days on top of the time it will take between the sale and being able to get it ready for shipping or collection.

Price: £750 GBP.

Availability: This Crumar Stratus is now SOLD.  This listing was updated on 1st August 2022 @ 16:19 GMT.

Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos of the actual Stratus for sale.

BUY THIS STRATUS

Arp Odyssey Mk1 Blac...

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK Client.

Came into stock: Available from RL Music from February 2020.

Servicing Status: A health-check has been carried out by KSR but we will have it fully serviced as a priority once the sale has been completed.

Remarks: We are brokering this very good condition example for a UK client who has owned it for 20+ years. 

One of the worlds best known & loved vintage synths, much cloned but never surpassed. This is actually a Mk1 Odyssey but with the black & gold cosmetic finish…a very rare edition.  You can immediately tell by the smaller on/off switch and the fact it also says 2800 on the back that this is an Mk1 Odyssey with a different cosmetic finish – very rare! This Odyssey was manufactured between ‘74 and ‘75 which is simply the blackface replacing the white face before the Mk2 came out.

So, being an MK1, but in black & gold, it utilises the most sought after & musical 12dB 4023 VCF type.

Cosmetically, this 45+year-old (The Mk1 version being last produced in 1975) vintage analogue instrument is in very good condition but does show a normal amount of wear for an instrument of this age. 

We are fairly certain that Arp themselves fitted the aftermarket  CV/Gate/Trig I/O modification implemented into the synth, so this adds additional functionality and certainly brings the Arp into a more useful role as an analogue controller, or to be used via sequencer etc.

This very rare blackface Arp Odyssey Mk1 is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and can be shipped worldwide. This example is a US model, so runs on 110V. We can provide a step-down transformer if needed (subject to your requirements & quotation).

Demos are available by appointment only.

<em>As with all Brokered Sales, the Odyssey will be fully serviced post-sale before it’s sent to its new owner. We do this to ensure that the instrument leaves us in perfect operational condition, and it is backed up by our full warranty to give the new owner complete peace of mind. The servicing is carried out as a priority once the sale has been completed, and although it will delay shipping/delivery by a short time, we know from experience that customers are happy to wait.</em>

Price: £1,650 GBP.

Availability: This Arp Odyssey Mk1 Blackface is now SOLD, as at 13th February 2020.

Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos of the actual Odyssey for sale.

BUY THIS ODYSSEY

Yamaha CS30

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK Client.

Came into stock: Available from RL Music from 15th January 2020.

Servicing Status: A full service by KSR will be carried post-sale.

Remarks: We are brokering this very good condition example for a UK client who has owned it for 30+ years, although it’s not been in much use in recent times, so they have asked us to find a new custodian for it.

A very powerful mono synth from Yamaha’s ‘CS’ family, the CS30 is a remarkably flexible system, and although it takes a moment to get your mind around the programming logic, that’s certainly half the fun in mastering them. 

The CS30 is an extremely capable synthesizer with some excellent routing & shaping facilities, characterised by the fabled ‘CS series’ resonant filters which deliver a very musical tone. The sine wave on the VCOs can be set up to output one of the most potent basses we have ever heard from a mono synth, something not many people will appreciate. The built-in 8 step sequencer makes this synth unique in the CS series and is one of only a few vintage synths that featured this beneficial facility. There are a useful amount of inputs for control including CV/Gate so you can hook her up quickly to a Midi to CV converter. There is also an audio-in for running external signals through the synth, which is a nice touch.

This example is a Japanese market model, so runs on 100V. We can provide a step-down transformer if needed (subject to your requirements & quotation).

Brokered through RL Music, it is being sold with a full 3-month warranty and can be shipped worldwide.

Demos are available by appointment only.

A health-check has been carried out by KSR but we will have it fully serviced as a priority once the sale has been completed, and although it will delay shipping/delivery by a short time, we know from experience that customers are happy to wait.

This price has been agreed with our client to keep it keen, affordable, so we know this represents excellent value compared to any other dealer supplied CS30 being offered around the world right now.

Price: £1,190 GBP.

Availability: This Yamaha CS30 is now SOLD, as at 17th January 2020.

Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos of the actual Yamaha CS30 for sale.

BUY THIS YAMAHA CS30

Arp Quadra

We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK Client.

Came into stock: Available from RL Music as at 21st November 2019.

Servicing Status: A full service by KSR will be carried post-sale.

Remarks: A really beautiful condition example of one of the best looking and sounding hybrid analogue polysynth of its generation – The Arp Quadra.

Produced between 1978 to 1981, the Quadra was adopted by many of the great bands of that era, probably the most notable being Tony Banks of Genesis – it’s beautiful and distinctive sounds can be heard in many of their albums of that period.

As the name suggests, the Quadra is 4 instruments in one, so a Bass synth, Polysynth, Lead synth, and String synth..all of which it does exquisitely well, and the built-in phase-shifter is to die for.  This all adds up to make this ‘must-have’ vintage keyboard for any serious fan. 

Here’s an excellent demo from a friend of ours – Marko Ettlich, otherwise known as RetroSound.  Marko delivers a beautiful demo of the Quadra in this short 3:50 piece:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksuG-f_HsRA

Here’s an operational demonstration video of this actual Quadra that Kent at KSR produced for us on 15th January 2020:

https://youtu.be/nQJss5Pxv58

Our client has owned this Quadra for over 10 years and very well cared for in his home. They commissioned James Walker to fully operationally overhaul the Quadra in 2009, so it’s had one of the worlds best synth-techs apply his skills to bringing the Quadra up to full spec with the required re-capping, new keyboard-bushes and calibrations etc.  As mentioned above, we will ask KSR to fully health-check and apply any service actions required post-sale.

Cosmetically, this 38+ year-old vintage analogue polysynth is in fantastic conditions you can see from the photos, with only some signs of wear to the metal panel in places. The main control surface is in remarkable condition with all the controls (slider/keys) intact and all mylar membrane switches working perfectly. The leather end-cheeks are in super condition throughout, with just some light wear as you would expect for a device this age.

This Arp Quadra operates on EU 220V.  We do have a user manual (in PDF format).  As the instrument is being Brokered through RL Music, it will be sold with a full 3-month warranty and can be shipped worldwide.  

Demos are available by appointment only.

<em>As with all Brokered Sales, the synth will be fully serviced post-sale before it’s sent to its new owner.  We do this to ensure that the instrument leaves us in perfect operational condition, and it is backed up by our full warranty to give the new owner complete peace of mind.  The servicing is carried out as a priority once the sale has been completed, and although it will delay shipping/delivery by a short time, we know from experience that customers are happy to wait.</em> 

Price: £8,300 GBP.

Availability: This Arp Quadra is now SOLD, as at 29th April 2020.

Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos of the actual Arp Quadra for sale.

BUY THIS QUADRA