We are Brokering this VCS3 Mk1 “The Putney” for and on their behalf of our UK customer.

Restoration Status: Restoration has been completed by our Service Partner – KSR (Kent Spong Restorations) on 22nd September 2016.

Remarks: So how about owning an early 1970s Mk1 Putney – one of the most sought-after synthesizers in the world! We very rarely have these in stock, and having a 45-year-old historic music instrument in our possession is always an honour and privilege.

This iconic, and historically important, synthesizer comes from a time when the whole concept of electronic music instruments was in its infancy. This VCS3 would have been made around the time that the first Minimoog appeared to the world, and only a few years after the first Moog modular was created for musicians…wonderous times indeed for electronic music.

We are Brokering this amazing instrument for our UK client, a music teacher (retired), who had acquired it from college music department disposal some 30 years or so ago, and the VCS3 had been kept boxed up by the owner and unused in all that time. Upon first inspection, KSR noted that the VCS3 was in great condition internally, so it has been well maintained during it’s working life as an EM education tool in the 1970s. The overall condition is very good in fact, so post-restoration this will present beautifully, although there is a serial number etched into the rear-panel (photos will be supplied to show this), it’s at the back and quite normal to see on these education supplied synths. Many VCS3 from this period come from education establishments, so it adds really interesting provenance and context we think.

As this VCS3 Mk1 ‘Putney’ has been in storage for quite a while, we had asked KSR to carry out an extensive ground-up restoration to bring it back to its former glory, whilst ensuring we preserved their authenticity at the same time. Electronic instruments of this age need a deep level of restoration, but we approach this kind of work sympathetically.

The time & resources invested into this instrument will include:

>Strip-down of every component, panels, cabinet
>Original wood cabinet sympathetically re-finished by hand (preserving patina).
>Control Panels deep-cleaned (vary carefully).
>Every control component (potentiometers/switches/matrix panel) stripped, cleaned & lubricated
>Power-Supply re-capped & calibrated.
>Brand new Matrix Pin set (from EMS).
>Brand new power cable (from EMS).
>Full system-wide test & calibration.

The above restoration work is the minimum we are investing into the instruments.

In addition to the above, the following work can also be carried out by request. This is a costed option, so would be added to the sales prices listed at the bottom of this page:

*VCO stabilisation modification implemented in line with EMS guidelines = £400 GBP

As mentioned above, we have already purchased a brand new (full) set of matrix pins, supplied from EMS, for this VCS3, and a new power cable. The new matrix pins will ensure a strong continuity of contact in the Matrix Panel.

Inevitably, there are some parts that will need replacement (mostly ageing capacitors). We always work alongside EMS technical guidelines to ensure we can keep the authenticity of these 45+-year-old synths intact, so no components that would affect the sound will be changed unless we absolutely have too, and even then, we will only source NOS parts from the same production era.

Also, we have not replaced the original cabinet, or get the panels repainted/screen-printed, so both instruments are kept 100% original. However, if you prefer to purchase this VCS3 MK1 and then want to have the panels refinished (repainted/screen-printed) to look perfect then this is possible of course, so please contact us for a quote to have this carried out.

As you can see from the pictures, The presentation is excellent considering this synth is 45 years old, and it offers an excellent investment if you have been looking for a ‘keeper’ for your own collection.

Price:

Mk1 VCS3 ‘The Putney’ = £10,900 GBP.

Availability: This EMS VCS3 MK1 Putney is now SOLD as at 29th March 2018.

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

Came into stock: November 2016.

Remarks: A very good condition example of the vintage EMS DK2 Analogue Keyboard Controller for the Synthi & VCS3. Manufacturing date for this will be around 1973, so at least 43 years old.

This DK2 has just been subjected to a complete service by Robin wood at EMS in October 2016 (service receipt available), and KSR have just completed some light cosmetic restoration to the wood cabinet (wood case stripped, re-stained and wax finished by hand).

This DK2 can be described as ‘good original’ cosmetic condition, although there is some inevitable wear to the screen-print on the control panel. The DK2 is 100% fully operational having just had THE master EMS technician service the unit.

The DK2 has two independent channels of CV, these can set to different modes, and the keyboard has its own built in VCO for modulation options, plus as “Dynamic Channel’ output. You would connect the DK2 to the Synthi or VCS3 via the Cinch-Jones keyboard interconnect cable, and additionally, a second 1/4 inch jack cable for more control options via the ‘input channel 2’ on the synth.

The ‘Dynamic Channel’, brings into play the DK2s 37 note velocity-sensitive keyboard. This means the velocity action sends a separate control voltage. This would commonly be used for aptitude control, providing you set the matrix-patch on your Synthi or VCS3 to operate that way. The ‘Dynamic Channel’ can actually be set to control almost any facility on the Synthi or VCS3…which is what these amazing synths are all about really.

If you need it, We are able to supply the Cinch-Jones keyboard interconnect cable to run the DK2 into either a Synthi or VCS3, price upon request.

Sold with a full 3 month warranty.

Price: £1850 GBP.

Availability: This DK2 is now SOLD as at 22nd February 2017.

Pictures below of actual DK2 for sale. Click on the thumbnails for a high resolution photos.

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.

We are Brokering this vintage EMS VCS3 Mk1 & DK2 for and on their behalf of our UK customer.

Restoration Status: Restoration is now complete on both instruments (Nov 2015) by our RL Music Service Partner – KSR (Kent Spong Restorations), so both items are ready for sale & shipping now!

Remarks: So how about owning an early 1970s Mk1 Putney – one of the most sought after synthesizers in the world, we very rarely have these in stock, and having a 43+ year old historic music instrument in our possession is always an honour and privilege.

This iconic, and historically important, synthesizer comes from a time when the whole concept of electronic music instruments was in its infancy. This VCS3 would have been made around the time that the first Minimoog appeared to the world, and only a few years after the first Moog modular was created for musicians…wonderous times indeed for electronic music.

Also, having the slightly later EMS DK2 Keyboard Controller is a real bonus as some players like having the option of a more traditional playing style whilst using the VCS3, as well as having the natural hard-core experimental nature of the synth via drones & the joy-stick useage etc. So the VCS3 certainly benefits from accessing the synth via this keyboard, and it provides a complete package for anyone looking for the genuine article in terms of an true vintage EMS analogue controller, and a third VCO in fact (on board the DK2).

We are Brokering this vintage EMS system for our UK owner who had both instruments kept in his professional London studio for the best part of 30 years. The owner admitted that neither the VCS3 of DK2 has seen much use in production, so felt it was time now to let someone else enjoy using these amazing machines. Both the synth and keyboard were well taken care of during the last 3 decades, and upon early assessment from our restoration guru – Kent at KSR, he commented that the internals of the VCS3 “looked like new” & not 40 years old!

Although both the VCS3 Mk1 ‘Putney’ & DK2 had been very well looked after, we have asked KSR to carry out an extensive ground-up restoration to bring bring both items back to their former glory, whilst ensuring we preserved their authenticity at the same time. Electronic instruments of this age need a deep level of restoration, but we approach this kind of work sympathetically.

The time & resources invested into this instrument will include:

>Strip-down of every component, panels, cabinet
>Original wood cabinet to be stripped back to bare wood and re-finished by hand (preserved patina).
>Control Panels deep-cleaned (vary carefully).
>Every control component (potentiometers/switches/matrix panel) stripped, cleaned & lubricated
>Each original Matrix pin cleaned & tested.
>Power-Supply re-capped & distribution PCB upgraded, calibrated.
>Replacement chrome Cliff caps/inserts for some knobs.
>Brand new power cable.
>Full system-wide test & calibration.

The above restoration work is the minimum we are investing into the instruments.

In addition to the above, the following work can also be carried out by request. These are costed options, so are additional to the sales prices listed at the bottom of this page:

VCO stabilisation modification implemented in line with EMS guidelines = £400 GBP
A brand new (full) set of gold-plated matrix pins supplied (from EMS) = £240 GBP

Inevitably, there are some parts that have needed replacement (mostly ageing capacitors). We always work alongside EMS technical guidelines to ensure we can keep the authenticity of these 40+ year old synths intact, so no components that would effect the sound will be changed unless we absolutley have too, and even then, we will only source NOS parts from the same production era. Also, we will not replace the original cabinet, or get the panels repainted/screen-printed, so both instruments are going to be kept 100% original. The final presentation on both items (as you can see from the pictures below) is stunning, and offers an excellent investment if you have been looking for a ‘keeper’ for your own collection.

Price:

Mk1 VCS3 ‘The Putney’ and DK2 Keyboard Controller = £11,480 GBP

Availability: This EMS VCS3 MK1 Putney & DK2 are now SOLD as at 24th May 2016.

Pictures of the actual VCS3 Mk1 and DK2 for sale are below, so please click on the thumbnails for higher resolution shots.

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.