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

Came into stock:31st January 2017.

Remarks: Not a vintage effects but an absolute classic pro-audio device by any standards. The Mutronics Mutator is a great sounding pure analog signal processor that adds beautiful creamy filtering through its 24dB-per-octave analogue filters, with envelope follower capabilities, to any audio signal plus some useful on-board modulations options.

Sound on Sound magazine (Paul Nagle) wrote a very good review for this back in the late 90’s, you can read that by clicking the following link:

http://www.mutronics.co.uk/html/sos.htm

As you can see from the customer supplied picture, the unit is in excellent original condition with only some light wear to the control-surface and casings. Importantly, the Mutator is 100% fully operational.

This Mutator has MIDI of course, and operates on EU 220V. Supplied with owners manual (PDF).

Guide Price: £1800 GBP.

Availability: This Mutator is now SOLD as at 7th June 2017.

Click on the thumbnail for higher resolution photo of the actual Mutator for sale.

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

Came into stock: August 2016.

Restoration Status: KSR have already fully undertaken a full overhaul of the Arp 2600 + 3604-P Keyboard ( completed in January 2017), so both items are ready for sale now.

Remarks: We have been given a unique opportunity here as this Arp 2600 + 3604-P Keyboard are owned by the son of the late Johnny Arbiter, who many of you will know, was the owner/operator (post 1990) of the famous Turnkey music retail business in London. Johnny died in 2003, and much of the collection of vintage keys that formed part of the Turnkey studio museum passed to his son, Dan Arbiter – our client.

We weren’t given a lot of detailed background information on this Arp 2600 System, but it was certainly in the Turnkey collection for some years (post 1990), although kept in storage since around 2005, hence our client had commissioned KSR to undertake a full systems-wide overhaul of both instruments, to prepare them for sale.

We’re confident that this version is a 2600P V3.0, manufactured between 1972 to 1974.

Features: Semi-normalised – 3 VCOs, 4 pole Lowpass VCF, VCA, Ring Modulator, 2 EGs, sample & hold Noise, Mic Preamp, Spring Reverb, Voltage Processor and Four Octave Keyboard….the list goes on.

Contains (see picture below):
Original Arp (Moog lawsuit) Filter for this model (encapsulated) 4012
VCOs are original (all encapsulated but no markings) will be Arp 4027-1
Ring Mod is 4014
VCA is 4019

Noted Modifications:

The LED modification on each VCO basically tracks the waveform pulse, so you have a visual reference on the speed of the oscillator, although at higher frequencies this LED becomes constant of course, but the lower the frequency then it’s actually quite useful, especially in darkened studio. The 1/4″ jack output modification about the pan-outs is just a mono-out socket, so handy if you want to take a mono signal straight out to a desk or outboard without needing an adaptor from the 3.5mm sockets.

Notes on the cosmetic condition:

The control surfaces/panels on the synth & keyboard are in very good original condition, so it was decided not to have these cosmetically restored, in order to keep them original. The Tolex covering and bright-work was in need of restoration (as is common on the old Arp systems), so KSR have re-covered both units, and replaced all the exterior nickel plated components. The Keys on the 3604-P were in good shape, so again, where kept original to retain that authentic vintage ageing across the key-bed.

Notes on the restoration:

Aside the re-Tolexing and replacement of the exterior bright work mentioned above, the operational restoration on the 2600 is extensive, and mostly all Arp 2600 systems we see these days need this level of attention to be honest. KSR have undertaken a complete ground-up rebuild of the electronics with full test and calibrations and PSU rebuild etc. Each and every slider was split apart, cleaned and rebuilt, every jack cleaned & tested, and a system-wide check of all connectors, and solder joints etc. Where possible, all the original parts were retained to ensure continuity and authenticity but some ageing components like power conditioning caps have been replaced, but only were absolutely necessary.

Around a £2000 GBP has been invested into this restoration, and most certainly worth with every penny, as a fully working Arp 2600 is still one of the best modular synths ever made, and as relevant to making music with today as it was 40+ years ago, with many pro-studios today using one as their ‘go-to synth.’

This vintage work of electronic art is now in fantastic condition throughout. It is supplied with its original paired monophonic 3604-P keyboard. Having the keyboard is useful but it has limited access to the extensive inputs into the main synth, so to get the most out of any Arp 2600 we would recommend using a multi-channel Midi to CV device like the Kenton Pro-2000…which we can supply but is not included in the price (ask us for a quote).

These instruments have become very hard to find in anything approaching even below average condition these days, so here is a rare opportunity to own a superb fully professionally restored example that will only appreciate in value and add something special to your studio. The provenance also adds something special to this system, so it’s genuinely part of synth lore.

This Arp 2600 + 3604-P Keyboard are sold with a 3 month warranty, and runs on EU220V. Both units come with their lids, and CV/Gate & Power cable. We are able to supply a copy of the user manual (PDF).

We can ship world-wide, so please ask us for a packaging & shipping quote for your preferred destination address.

Price: £7500 GBP.

Availability: This Arp 2600 + 3604-P Keyboard are now SOLD as at 6th February 2017.

Picture supplied below are of the actual Arp 2600 + 3604-P keyboard, but more high-res pictures will be available shortly.

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

Came into stock: 7th October 2016.

Restoration Status: KSR to service once sold, and prior to shipping to the new owner.

Remarks: We’re excited to be able to get hold of this very nice condition CS70M (with Kenton MIDI) as they really are quite magnificent synths for a whole number of reasons. These were proper old-school designed hybrid digital/analogue systems made between 1981 and 1984, and it wasn’t long after these came out that the DX7 was introduced, which seems hard to believe really.

The CS70M has for many people been overlooked, or perhaps overshadowed by it’s bigger brother – the CS80, but this instrument has ascended in popularity among aficionados, and we know this synth is highly sought after by those who truly appreciate it.

6 Voice, dual channel (stereo), aftertouch, 30 memories, ring-mod, chorus & Leslie effects, lowpass, highpass, and bandpass VCF, fully programmable and with a 4 channel polyphonic sequencer etc.

Those in the know will already tell you that this is one of the finest analogue polys ever made, and a work of audio art in its own right. It shares most of the same technology as the CS80 and many of the characteristics and tonal qualities as well. The other big ‘Hello’ is also the fact you can get really close to the CS80 sound for a lot less money…this makes it even more appealing considering the price.

The owner we are selling this magnificent machine for has owned it since 1990 (original sales receipt supplied – bought from from a music dealer in Bath), and had only ever used it at home since. The owner had Kenton fit MIDI to it in 1992 (sales receipt also supplied)

The cosmetic condition of this example is very good overall but there are signs of user wear & natural ageing to the front panel paint, and along the rear-panel in places. The faux wood laminate cabinet it in very good order with only a couple of spots where this has been worn. The pictures we have taken are honest and represent the condition well, so we grade this is ‘good original condition – 7.5 out of 10 cosmetically.’ It’s not a museum piece for sure, but if it’s the sound that’s important to you then it will deliver this beautifully.

Operationally, our trusted ‘Yamaha CS Series’ restoration experts – KSR will be carrying out a full service on the CS70M, which will ensure 100% perfect operation for its new owner.

There are a few demos on YT of these but we like this rather ambient-noodling one from ‘MoreAnalog’ because it demonstrates nicely how the CS70M has the CS80 vibe we are talking about: https://youtu.be/1_jy9ERBTPs

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 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 CS70M is sold through RL Music with a 3 month warranty, and can operate on US 110V or EU 220V. Also, a photocopy of the user manual in a binder is supplied with the synth, plus the service receipts from Kenton for the MIDI install, and the original shop receipt from the current owner (as mentioned above). Also the Kenton MIDI user manual is included, and of course, the proprietary Yamaha Power-cable.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £tbc GBP

Availability: This CS70M is now SOLD as at 21st October 2016.

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

We are Brokering this Arp 2600 for and on behalf of our UK client.

Status: This item is in stock at RL Music.

Restoration Status: Full pre-sale service/health-check has just been completed by KSR, so the synth is available for sale now!

Remarks: Although these are not rare by some vintage synth standards, finding an Arp 2600 in anything approaching even good condition is a real challenge in 2016. This is why we invest such a lot of time, resources and money into getting them restored to the highest possible level that can be achieved – a FULL cosmetic and operational project restoration!

This sales listing is for an Arp 2600 synth only, so does not come with any keyboard controller. The actual version is a 2600P V3.0, manufactured between 1972 to 1974.

This Arp 2600 we are Brokering, was actually sold to the owner in 2013 by RL Music, so we are delighted to have the opportunity to re-sell such a fine example for our client.

Contains:
Original Arp (Moog lawsuit) Filter for this model (encapsulated) 4012
VCOs are original (one is encapsulated) Arp 4027-1
VCA is 4019

The owner of this Arp is the highly respected EM artist, Paul Lawler (www.paullawler.org). Paul kindly gave us his permission to disclose who the owner was as he felt there was some value in the potential new owner knowing that this 2600 has been used on his recent Arcane and Contact albums. There are even some video’s of Paul using this actual Arp 2600 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RteFFsJjSrg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88SjxmIM3Rk

The restoration work we invested into this Arp 2600 in 2013 was extensive (what we term Total Restoration).  The work included re-Tolexing the cabinet & lid, stripped the control-panel to bare metal and had it professionally repainted and screen-printed. We had all the sliders and sockets deep cleaned and the whole synth was electronically restored including a PSU rebuild/re-cap etc. We even fitted a full set of brand new slider caps to finish it off.

This ex-RL Music prepared Arp 2600 is over 40 years old, and is in excellent condition, and only shows only the lightest of wear from 3 years of studio use at Paul’s premises.  On average we spend around £3000 GBP just in restoration costs for these models (synth & keys), and this example we are Brokering has gone through the full restorative treatment only 3 years ago. So, if you have been looking to own a beautiful condition, and electronically sorted Arp 2600, then look no further.

As this Arp has no original 3620 or 3604-P keyboard controller, the 2600 can be very simply operated via a Midi-to-CV converter, or any 1V/Oct controller for that matter. Using a multi-channel MIDI-to-CV device like the Kenton Pro-2000 means 3 note polyphonic (or paraphonic in fact) operation is achievable.

This Arp 2600 is sold with a 3 month warranty and runs on EU220V (via an IEC socket retro-fitted to the synth in 2013 by KSR). A copy owners manual will be supplied (on PDF), and a UK IEC power-cable if required.

Price: £6490 GBP.

Availability: This Arp 2600 is no longer available (as at 29th July 2016).

Click on the Thumbnails for higher resolution photos of actual synth for sale.

Came into stock:  December 2014

Servicing Status: Full restoration by KSR has just been completed.

Remarks: A rare opportunity to own your EMS Synthi AKS in excellent pro-restored condition, and has some great modifications to extend it’s functionality.

This Synthi AKS has a really interesting and genuine provenance as it was purchased new by the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (UK) from EMS back in the 1970s. The Synthi was used for electroacoustic educational programs right up until the 90s, but then stored. The person we purchased it from was a student there and acquired it from the college when they were upgrading their music department about 18 years ago, and it had remained unused since.

When KSR received the Synthi AKS, and they got on with some preliminary restorative cleaning work, it revealed a really lovely cosmetic condition machine, and the electronics inside were in almost pristine condition. We know that the college had some modifications implemented to the synth, which very nicely extended the functionality, but this instrument was clearly well looked after. As part of the restoration work KSR have carried out, all these mods have been tested and everything checked out perfectly.

There is no documentation on the modifications, but from what we can determine through testing, the following has been implemented:

>VCO 1 assign to LFO mode switch
>VCO 2&3 wave-shape invert switch
>VCO 1,2&3 wave-shape assign switch
>VCO 2&3 extended wave-shape control knobs
>Envelope auto-trigger disable switch
>Reverb dry/wet enable switch
>Multi-turn potentiometers on the Input Level 1&2 controls (very useful for fine tuning).

The Synthi AKS is an extremely powerful synthesizer in standard spec, but these mods can really take the synth to a different level altogether.

These iconic and truly amazing pure analogue music instruments are in great demand by professional users, and prices are being driven up fast on the second-hand market around the world, so now might be a good time to invest in one before they become ‘Vintage Buchla or Moog Modular’ prices.

This EMS Synthi AKS comes with a full compliment of Matrix pins. KS inter-connect cable, and of course the power cable. It can operate on either EU 220V or US 110V (switchable), and it is sold with our normal 3 month warranty.

Sales Price: £9,900 UK Pounds.

Availability: This Synthi AKS is now SOLD as at 22nd April 2016.

Pictures below of actual Synthi AKS for sale, so please click on the Thumbnails for higher resolution photos.

Restoration/Servicing Status: This PVC was fully pro-restored by KSR in 2015, so it’s available for sale now!

Remarks: An extremely rare vintage EMS ancillary studio module – the Pitch-to-Voltage Converter.

What is it, and what does it do?
The principle function of the PVC is to convert an audio input into a DC voltage whose value is proportional to the pitch of that input signal.

There is a very informative page on the ‘Old Tech – Vintage Synthesizer’ website that covers the PVC in some depth, so please click the link below to learn more:

http://www.oldtech.com/synth/EMSPtoV1.html

As you can see from the pictures below, this PVC is in excellent 100% original condition, and of course, works perfectly. It’s is sold with a 3 month warranty and runs on EU 220V using the proprietary EMS power-socket (power cable supplied)

Price Post-Restoration: £1300 GBP.

Availability: This EMS Pitch-to-Voltage Converter is now SOLD as at 7th July 2016.

Picture of actual PVC for sale below, so please click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos.