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

Came into stock: January 2024.

Servicing Status: 

A service will be carried out by Kent Spong at KSR upon completion of the sale. 

Remarks: 

The original Mk1 Korg Trident is a wonderful vintage instrument packed with a load of character, and being SSM technology based, the Synth, Brass and String Machine and packed full of modulation, voicing and timbre controls as well as onboard effects in the form of an absolute killer Flanger and beautiful Ensemble.  Simply…It’s gorgeous!

Being a Korg, the build quality of this early 1980s produced synth was very high, a testament to the fact that it’s still working perfectly with all the original controls working perfectly and all present.

This Trident Mk1 has been in our client’s ownership since brand new, so a single owner machine, and in their own words ‘only ever very lightly used at home,’ which is clearly evident from the pristine condition. .  The operational condition is perfect, so the synth only needs a light service to re-cap the power-supply and put a new battery in, which we will carry out post-sale for the new owner.  

The cosmetic condition is the headline here as it’s genuinely in as-new condition, quite remarkable and without any doubt, the finest example vintage synth we have ever had the pleasure of selling. 

The last thing to note is that the owner had kept the original retail packaging for this beautiful condition instrument, so it’s will be supplied with this to the new owner. If we do end up shipping this to whomever buys it then we would purchase an outer-box to offer some additional protection to the synth and to preserve the OE packaging as that does add to its collectability.

This collectors piece is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty. This is a 220~240V machine that is powered via its internally wired power-cable to a uK 3-pin plug. Included in the sale is the original owners manual, which is also in excellent condition and a Korg foot-switch

Packing & Shipping: 

As mentioned above, the Trident requires a service to principally cover any future proofing needs, and a new battery, so this work will add a couple of weeks to the timeline in terms of completing the sale. We will require the sale to have been completed before this will be undertaken.

We can ship this Trident worldwide, although the packing, shipping & insurance costs are not included in the sale price below, so are subject to quotation.  There may be some short delays in getting the packaging materials produced for shipping as they are custom ordered for the specific dimensions of each instrument.  We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics and/or need a quote.

Sales Price: 

£3,990 GBP

As this is a brokered sale, VAT is not applicable on the sale of this Trident to UK buyers, however, packing & shipping/insurance is subject to VAT @ 20% should you need the goods shipped to you.

Availability: 

This Korg Trident Mk1 is now SOLD.  This listing was updated on 7th Februaty 2024 at 12:11 GMT.

Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Trident for sale.  If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can try and accommodate your request but there may be a short delay in getting this done for you as the instrument is currently in secure storage.

BUY THIS TRIDENT MK1

We are Brokering this limited production run and modern classic for and on behalf of our UK client.

Service Status: 

Full health-check to be carried out post-sale.

Remarks: 

We present a fabulous opportunity to own a mint condition 2018 production version Schmidt 8-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer – Serial number 057. There were only 100 Schmidt 8-Voice manufactured, in batches of 25 at a time, so this example came from the third production run, assembled and shipping from Schmidt during 2018.

About the Schmidt 8-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer:

Schmidt themselves have a website dedicated to this incredible instrument, so we would recommend you click the link below to find out all about what makes this already a classic and among one of the most highly desirable synthezisers ever made:

https://www.schmidt-synthesizer.com/en/

Background:

Our client purchased this Schmidt 8-Voice in December 2017, and as the instrument was built to order for them, they took delivery of it on 21st September 2018. It has resided in a home studio since then and kept under a dust cover when not in use, so is in as-new condition with actually very little use. Our client confessed that due to demands of running his own business, he has not had much time to actually play the Schmidt, and feels it should go to someone else who can get better use from it.

It was originally shipped from Schmidt securely contained within a custom flight-case, and our client had retailed that, so the instrument will be supplied with this case as part of the sale.

We have a copy of the original sale s receipt which might be available to the new owner, subject to our clients approval as it does contain personal details of course, but this forms part of the instruments provenance.

Health-Check:

As this is an almost new machine, we will not be needing to carry out any maintenance on the Schmidt, but it will be fully tested by us prior to handing it over to the new owner.

Condition:

As new – mint condition.

Packing & Shipping: 

We can ship this Schmidt 8-Voice worldwide, although the packing, shipping & insurance costs are not included in the sale price below, so are subject to quotation.  Due to the sheer size and weight of the flight-cased instrument, we would recommend having it custom crated and palleted for shipping overseas.  UK buyers would be able to collect it from us in Reading and/or we might be able to deliver it in person, depending on your location, and subject to quotation.

We are happy to discuss your requirements so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics and/or need a quote.

Sales Price: 

£19,990 GBP

As this is a brokered sale, VAT is not applicable on the sale of this Schmidt 8-Voice to UK buyers, however, packing & shipping/insurance is subject to VAT @ 20% should you need the goods shipped to you.

Availability: 

This Schmidt 8-Voice is no longer available for sale.  This listing was uodted on Wednesday 6th March at 13:07 GMT.

Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Schmidt 8-Voice for sale – these were supplied to us by our client.  If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument then please contact us so we can try and accommodate your request but there may be a short delay in getting this done for you.

BUY THIS ARP SCHMIDT 8-VOICE

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

Came into stock: Became available as a Brokered Sale in October 2022.

Restoration Status: A full restoration was carried out in 2017.

Remarks: We have a remarkable opportunity for you to own a true one-off example of what is considered to be one of the finest vintage synths ever made – the Arp 2600, but with a lot of extra added value.

Standard Arp 2600 features: Semi-normalised – 3 VCOs (4027=1), 4 pole Lowpass VCF (4012), VCA, Ring Modulator, 2 EGs, sample & hold Noise, Mic Preamp, Spring Reverb, Voltage Processor and Four Octave Keyboard….the list goes on. This is an Arp 2600 (2600P V3.0). There is no Keyboard controller included with this sale.

What is different about this Arp 2600?

Wood Cabinet: As you can see from the pictures below, our client decided to have a custom Walnut cabinet made (by Lamond Design) in 2017 for the synth, replacing the original plywood/tolexed case. the cabinet was hand-made by Ross Lamond and finished (stained and waxed) by Kent Spong at KSR post-build. The results are sublime, and as far as we know, this is unique…stunning! All the metal hardware was also replaced with the black anodised fittings to the case. KSR spent 4 days carrying out this highly skilled work in 2017.

Metal Control Panel: The main control panel has been stripped, repainted and screen printed to produce an ‘as new’ finish. This is expensive and very time-consuming work and the panel restoration was completed at the end of 2017. KSR had to strip down the Arp completely so the panel could be sent away for the cosmetic treatment, so the synth has been fully rebuilt by KSR and serviced – around 50 hours work in total (not including the cabinet refinishing work).

Modifications by CMS (Phil Cirocco): Our client commission CMS in the USA to carry out some mods on this Arp 2600, so here is a list of what’s been done to this synth:
>Variable octave switches and pot for all 3 VCOs, range of 2 octaves
>Sync switches 2-3, 3
>17″ reverb tank upgrade
>1/4″ input and outputs (main in/outs)
>Upgraded PSU – running EU 220V
>All sliders were chemically cleaned and lubricated, VCO trimmers replaced
Our client spent over $2000 USD with CMS for these modifications in 2017 – to find out more about CMS then please click this link: http://www.discretesynthesizers.com/arptronics/arp2600.htm

The original owner had invested thousands of pounds on having this Arp 2600 prepared to such a high standard and it certainly stands out as a unique and stunningly beautiful example. The sales price does reflect the investment made and quality of the finish, the technical preparation by two of the industries leading vintage synth specialists.

Brokering Status:

We sold this custom Arp 2600 to its current owner in 2018, and the synth now resides with them in Finland, so it’s located within the EU boarders.  The owner has verified that the instrument is 100% fully operational and in the same condition as when we sold it.  To save potential EU buyers form the complexity and additional  VAT burden of buying this item from RL Music in the UK, we have decided to not to import it back here but to sell it from our client in Finland.  This means that we are not able to sell the Arp with a warranty, so it is sold in ‘as-is’ condition, but it is available to demo upon request.

This custom rebuilt Arp 2600 operates on EU 220V. Included in the sale is proprietary Arp power-cable, and we will also include a PDF copy of the user manual.

Price: £10,990 GBP.

Availability: This custom rebuilt Arp 2600 is now SOLD:  THis listing was updated on 25th January 2023 @ 12:46 GMT.

Pictures of this Arp 2600 are below – high-res pictures available on request.

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

Came into stock: May 2022.

Servicing Status: Full health check by KSR has already been carried out in May 2022, so this TTSH is ready for sale now.

Remarks: This little baby clone of one of the world’s most famous analogue semi-modular synthesizers is a pretty good effort, and we have enjoyed playing it as it works like a 2600 and sounds great.  Having MIDI fitted is useful, and all the LED sliders are pretty.

Our client, a long-time and experienced vintage synth owner decided to try the TTSH back in 2017 as there were no vintage Arp 2600 available at the time. He purchased it from a UK builder (Mr Alistair) and has used it continually, but circumstances now force the sale, so he’s asked us to handle the disposal for him.

Kent at KSR has gone through the TTSH (it’s a Rev 3), and it’s passed as all being 100% perfectly working.  As you can see from our photos, it’s cosmetically like new, although there is a small horizontal crack on the back-panel wood near the output section, which you can see from the picture below; otherwise, it’s in excellent condition.

This TTSH is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and operates off a 2-Pin external power adaptor (wall-wart) that’s rated 100-240V-to-12V/1.5A output. We were not supplied with any patch cables or a user manual, although we can supply an Arp 2600 user manual in PDF, which will cover the user needs of the TTSH.

Packing & Shipping: 

We can ship this TTSH worldwide (it’s not bog or heavy), although the packing, shipping & insurance costs are not included in the sale price below, so are subject to quotation.  There may be some short delays in getting the packaging materials produced for shipping as they are custom ordered for the specific dimensions of each instrument.  We are happy to discuss your requirements, so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics and/or need a quote.

Sales Price: 

£1,490 GBP

As this is a brokered sale, VAT is not applicable on the sale of this TTSH to UK buyers. However, packing & shipping/insurance is subject to VAT @ 20% should you need the goods shipped to you.

Availability: 

This TTSH Arp 2600 Clone is now SOLD.  This listing was updated on 22nd December 2022 @ 11:05 GMT.

Click on the thumbnail for a higher-resolution photo of the actual TTSH for sale.  If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument, then please get in touch with us so we can try and accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for you as the instrument is currently in secure storage.

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

Came into stock: Came into stock in July 2022.

Service Status:  

Full service by KSR was carried out in July 2022.

Remarks: 

It’s not often that digital synths make it into the ‘vintage’ club, but the JD-800 has long been recognised as one of those machines that really stood out. We think it was not just the sound engine but the control surface that pandered to our need for dedicated access to functions other than all the usual menu-diving synths made in the 90s, so this was a huge appeal.

Background:

Our client purchased this JD-800 in the last 90s, although it’s hardly been used in the last 10+ years, so he commissioned KSR to fully refurbish the synth, which covered the key-bed issues these models suffer with. The synth was never used outside the home and comes supplied with the M-512E Memory Card (512K).

Condition:

The cosmetic condition of the outer plastic case in general, all control surfaces and the keys is very good, with just some small signs of reasonable wear for a 30-year-old synth.  You can see from the pictures that this JD-800 is fully 100% intact. All its original knobs & slider caps are present, and the key-bed has had the well-documented ‘glue’ residue issue fixed by KSR.  

The JD-800 is a EU220V version, and we will supply the synth with an EU-type 2-Pin cable that Roland used for these.

Packing & Shipping: 

We can ship this instrument worldwide, although the packing, shipping & insurance costs are not included in the sale price below, so are subject to quotation.  There may be short delays in getting the packaging materials produced for shipping as they are custom ordered for the specific dimensions of each instrument.  We are happy to discuss your requirements, so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics and/or need a quote.

Sales Price: £1,700 GBP

As this is a brokered sale, VAT is not applicable on the sale to UK buyers. However, packing & shipping/insurance is subject to VAT @ 20% should you need the goods shipped to you.

Availability: 

This JD-800 is available for sale now.

Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual JD-800 for sale.  If you require specific pictures not already featured of the instrument, then please contact us so we can try and accommodate your request, but there may be a short delay in getting this done for you as the instrument is currently in secure storage.

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

Coming into stock: Came into stock in July 2022.

Servicing Status: KSR has already performed a full service on this Juno 60 in July 2022;

Remarks: This Juno 60 was purchased by our client some years ago and was only ever used in the home.  The cosmetic condition is very good, and the whole synth only shows light indications of use & wear to the control surface and faux wood cabinet, but overall, it’s a very nice machine at an exceptionally good price. 

The design of the Juno 60 has to be one of the best Roland ever produced in terms of simplicity of sound design and warmth of character. The Juno 60 has been a ‘go-to’ synth for working musicians wanting that vintage sound for quite a while now.  It kind of defies logic that a DCO synth could deliver such a lush and musical tone, and it’s won the hearts and minds of all synthesists who’d had the opportunity to own or play one.

This synth sounds and operates like all Juno 60 should, and KSR has just fully serviced the synth, so it’s 100% working perfectly and good to go.  The price has been agreed with our client to reflect the overall condition and to try for a quick sale, so it’s likely the best value Juno 60 in the world being sold from a dealer.

This Juno 60 is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and operates on EU 220V.  It does have an old flight case, but it’s worn and has no handle. If you were to collect the Juno 60 from us, the flight case would serve as useful protection for transport in person, but we will not ship the synth in the case.  There’s also a printed b&w copy of the owner’s manual; we also can supply this in a PDF if needed.

Packing & Shipping:

We can ship this Juno 60 worldwide, although the packing, shipping & insurance costs are not included in the sale price below, so are subject to quotation.  There may be short delays in getting the packaging materials produced for shipping as they are custom ordered for the specific dimensions of each instrument.  We are happy to discuss your requirements, so please email us if you have any questions on the logistics and/or need a quote.

Price: £2,700 GBP.

As this is a brokered sale, VAT is not applicable on the sale of this Juno 60 to UK buyers. However, packing & shipping/insurance is subject to VAT @ 20% should you need the goods shipped to you.

Availability: This Juno 60 is now SOLD.  This listing was updated on 2nd Sept 2022 @ 11:21 GMT.

Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual Juno 60 for sale.

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

Coming into stock: Came into stock on July 2022.

Servicing Status: KSR have already carried out a full service on this A6 in July 2022;

Remarks: This more modern analogue synth, although over two decades old now (vintage yet?), has some serious curb appeal and could never be accused of lacking facility or punch.

The A6 is an inspired design by Alesis, but with production ceasing some years ago, the synth achieved cult status amongst synthesists, so another great synth for the halls of fame and used by too many artists to list.

The current owner has owned the A6 for only a few short years and only ever used it at home (smoke & pet free etc.), so the cosmetic and operational condition of the A6 is pristine. We sold this A6 to our customer back in 2018, so we know this machine’s quality is very high.

Running on OS: Version 1.40.12
Build Date: 4th December 2002

Our customer purchased one of the excellent quality Stardust synth covers for the A6 (pictured below), which is included in the sale.

Kent at KSR has gone through the A6, checking the power supply, the operational functions/switches, memory etc., and deep cleaning all the potentiometers, so there are no ‘jumping’ encoders, which is a known weakness of these machines.  As you can see from our photos, it’s cosmetically like new.

This Andromeda A6 is sold through RL Music with a 3-month warranty and can operate on US 110V or EU 220V. The A6 is supplied with an IEC power cable (UK 3-pin type).

Packing & Shipping: 

We can ship this A6 worldwide, although the packing, shipping & insurance costs are not included in the sale price below, so are subject to quotation.  There may be short delays in getting the packaging materials produced for shipping as they are custom ordered for the specific dimensions of each instrument.  We are happy to discuss your requirements, so please email us if you have any questions about the logistics and/or need a quote.

Price: £2,850 GBP.

Availability: This Andromeda A6 is now SOLD.  THis listing was updated on 28th October 2022 @ 11:21 GMT.

Click on the Thumbnails for higher-resolution photos.

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

Came into stock: March 2020.

Servicing Status: Full service by KSR has already been carried out in April 2020 and it’s also been fully health-checked again in June 2021, so this Synthi AKS is ready for sale now.

Remarks: A fabulous opportunity to own your EMS Synthi AKS, and very competitively priced!

The current owner has only owned this Synthi AKS for around 10 years, having purchased it in the UK from a non-specialist retailer, and did not have any record of any historical service work.  The Synthi AKS has had minimal use and was stored away for some years, so 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 ‘45300KS,’ so Robin Wood at EMS is likely to have a manufacture date on this example, but it looks like a later model.

Cosmetic Appraisal:

This AKS is in good all original (unmodified) condition, and although it shows some wear to the control surface and a small mark (low-D) in the KS blue surface finish, it’s in keeping with an instrument of this age (around 45 years old).  The Spartanite case is in good condition, although has a small burn mark on the front, left of the ‘SYNTHI’ plate. The nickel catches/hinges show a normal patina, and one of the rear-hinges locks okay but doesn’t sit flat, but both lids are perfectly secure.  We have covered the key aspects instrument in the series of photos below, including an internal shot for those that like that kind of thing, so we hope these candidly show the overall presentation of this Synthi AKS.

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 a couple of very worn Matrix pins, so on our advice, the owner purchased a brand new set from EMS, which are being supplied with the instrument. Also included are a brand new power-chord and cinch-jones interconnect cable.

The service by KSR covered all the critical items like the 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. Aside from the new set of Matrix Pins included and the new power-cable,  Cinch-Jones Synthi-to-KS cable, we can also supply a copy of the user manual (PDF only).

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

Now the UK is no longer a part of the European Union, we all 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 country applicable VAT rates. 

Sales Price: £12,990 GBP.

Availability: This EMS Synthi AKS is now SOLD – this page was updated on 25th August 2021.

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

We are Brokering these instruments 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 both units were fully health-checked again in June 2021, so both the VCS3 Mk2 (Serial #1308) & DK1 (Serial #2113) are ready for sale now.

Remarks: An EMS VCS3 Mk2 with a very interesting provenance.

The current owner has only owned this VCS3/DK1 for over 20 years and only used it at home, but had been stored for some time until KSR was commissioned to carry out a full service on the equipment to get it ready for sale through our Brokering Service.

The VCS3 was owned by Hans Zimmer.

Cosmetic Appraisal:

This VCS3 Mk2 is in good all original (operationally unmodified) condition, and although it shows some wear to the control surface, it’s in keeping with an instrument of this age (around 45+ years old).  The wood case is in good condition and has not been ‘over-restored,’ so has a naturally aged patina to it.  

There is an additional wood strip that’s been added to the bottom control panel, which is there to hide some graffiti that has been hand-etched into the metal panel. As you can see from the pictures, it claims to have been owned by Hans Zimmer, so we contacted him to ask if he knew anything about it…he did!  Hans confirmed that that exact VCS3 was the very first synth he ever owned, although he couldn’t remember what happened to it after his time using it in the UK way back in the early days of his career, so a nice provenance. 

The lower control panel having been hand-etched like this is certainly not something anyone would do these days, but the VCS3 was probably only worth a couple of hundred £-Pounds when this was defaced, so it’s relative.  It would certainly be possible to get both the upper & lower panels restored to original if the buyer wanted, so it’s an option to consider, and the exceptionally keen sales price of this VCS3 has been agreed with our client to reflect the cosmetic blemish.

The other item of note is the right side of the Matrix Panel, where you can see that an EMS-supplied overlay has been stuck on.  We’ve seen a few of these over the years and it’s always done because the original screen-print along that side has worn away through use.

The EMS Dk1 Keyboard is also in good original condition, although we’re still waiting for KSR to supply the pictures to us for this item, so we’ll update this listing as soon as the photos come through.

The sales price for this combo VCS3 Mk2 & DK1 represents outstanding value as it’s easy to see online that people are asking prices in excess of £17K GBP and all the way up to nearly £26K GBP just for a VCS3 alone.  The DK1 is often seen advertised for up to £3K GBP alone.

This EMS VCS3 does come from the owner with a full complement of Matrix pins, although these are old originals, 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 DK1 interconnect cable, the proprietary EMS power-cable.

Service & Options:

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 VCS3 Mk2 operates on 240V. Both instruments are 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 VCS3 Mk2 & DK1 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 VCS3 Mk2 & DK1, 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 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.

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: £13,990 GBP – for both the VCS3 Mk2 & DK1.

Availability: This EMS VCS3 Mk2 & DK1 are now SOLD – this listing was updated on 1st July 2021.

Note on pictures, again due to Covid: Click on the thumbnail for a higher resolution photo of the actual VCS3 Mk2 & DK1 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 VCS3 Mk2 & DK1 for sale.

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.

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.

We are Brokering this Arp 2600 & 3604-p keyboard for and on behalf of our UK client.

Came into stock: Available from RL Music from 22nd November 2019

Servicing Status: KSR have already fully serviced this Arp 2600 & 3604-P in November 2019, so they’re ready for sale now.

Remarks: We present the stunning and iconic Arp 2600 semi-modular which contains the sought after (and so-called) pre-lawsuit Moog 4012 style filter. This instrument is at least 45 years old (built between 1972 to 1974) looks beautifully vintage and sounds absolutely amazing.

This Arp 2600 is a version 2600P v3.0, with original 4012 Filter + 3604P Keyboard controller. It features Semi-normalised – 3 VCOs (type 4027-1), 4 pole Lowpass VCF, VCA, Ring Modulator, 2 EGs, sample & hold Noise, Mic Preamp, 17 inch Spring Reverb, Voltage Processor and Four Octave Keyboard….the list goes on.

This Arp combo has been in the ownership of our client for 30+ years but has been stored for quite a while, so KSR were commissioned to carry out a complete overhaul to get it up to spec and ready for sale through us. Details of the work carried out as follows:

Notes on the cosmetic condition:

The control surfaces/panels on the synth & keyboard have been deep cleaned. To retain authenticity, the original tolex was left untouched but deep-cleaned, and actually is in pretty good shape considering this instrument is 45+ years old. The bright-work (nickel-plated components like catches and hinges) were improved using hand polishing techniques but they are predicability showing signs of ageing, with a natural patina, but we actually feel this is part of the charm of an un-cosmetically restored example, and to some owners, an important character to keep original.

Notes on the restoration:

The operational restoration on this 2600 & keyboard has been extensive, and mostly all Arp 2600 systems we see these days need this level of attention. KSR had 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. The keyboard was stripped and completely overhauled, and new neoprene bushes fitted 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.

The original 3604-P keyboard is certainly useful, and not only is it the historically correct partner for this model of 2600, but also the exact serial number match, so they were paired when manufactured (see serial# picture below). in reality, the 3604-P offers limited access to the extensive inputs into the main synth, so to get the most out of the 2600 we would recommend using a multi-channel Midi to CV device like the Kenton Pro-2000 which can give you 3 note polyphonic control if needed, although any 1V/Oct analogue controller/sequencer etc., will work fine. We can supply a Kenton Pro-200 but is not included in the sales price below, so please ask us for prices.

This is a fantastic opportunity to buy one of the most iconic vintage synths ever made, original cosmetics and paired synth and keyboard. The sales price has been agreed with our client to keep it very competitive and by far the best value example in the UK and Europe at the time of posting this page.

These outstanding synthesizers are hard to find in decent condition, so here is a rare opportunity to own an original example that will only appreciate in value and add something special to your studio/home.

Supplied with all lids, keyboard CV/Gate interconnect & US 3-pin proprietary power-cable. The Arp runs on US 110V (it cannot be converted to run 220V), so we are including in the sale a suitable step-down transformer so you can operate this in the UK/EU. We also supply an Arp 2600 owners manual (PDF).

Price: £7990 GBP.

Availability: This Arp 2600 & 3604-P are now SOLD, as at 14th January 2020.

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

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

Came into stock: Arrived at RL Music in July 2019

Servicing Status: A full service by KSR has already been carried out (July 2019) on this Synthi A, so it’s ready for sale & shipping now.

Remarks: A fabulous opportunity to own a vintage EMS Synthi A, and this example is in super all original condition throughout.

This Synthi (serial #4024) was purchased brand new by our client Father-in-Law in 1972 so they are the original and only owner of this instrument. There have not been any modifications made to this Synthi so it’s factory spec. Being an early model, the sound of this Synths sublime, and a real connoisseurs/collectors machine that we would grade as 9.5 out of 10.

Since 1973, this Synthi A was used in numerous avant-garde music projects by the owner, who was an experimentalist musician, that published an album in the early 70s using this Synthi A (amongst other items). Since the death of the owner, this Synthi A has been kept in storage, unused, since the early 1980s. This is a bit of a ‘barn find’ for the family, so they had commissioned Kent at KSR to undertake a full restoration of this Synthi, which was completed 7 days ago, so the EMS is now in perfect operations condition.

Cosmetically, this is in excellent all original condition throughout, with hardly any noticeable wear to the control panel. The Spartanite case is undamaged and looks almost like new, and the nickel catches/hinges are in very good condition. This Synthi A also comes with a full complement of Matrix pins and the proprietary power-cable.

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 RA Moog Modular’ prices. The price of this Synthi A has been agreed with the owner to stimulate a faster sale, so it’s available at a fantastic price and by far the best value in the world today, for a vintage EMS synthesizer.

We can’t think of a more iconic, truly portable synthesizer ever being made, and even today the design of the Synthi is considered a triumph of feature and form…incredible.

This Synthi only operates on EU 220V~240V with UK 3-pin plug fitted, and as mentioned above, comes with a full set of matrix pins, and the original proprietary power-cable. We will all supply a copy EMS Synthi User Manual (PDF) with the sale.

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

Demos are available by appointment only.

Sales Price: £9,800. GBP

Availability: This EMS Synthi is now SOLD, as at 19th July 2019.

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

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

Came into stock: Available from RL Music as at 9th January 2019.

Servicing Status: A full health-check by KSR will be carried out post-sale but this Synthi was fully serviced by EMS in October 2016.

Remarks: A fabulous opportunity to own a vintage EMS Synthi, and this example is in super all original condition throughout.

This Synthi (serial #4656KS so a Mk2 version) was purchased brand new by our client in 1973 so they are the original and only owner of this instrument. When purchased, this was a (complete) Synthi AKS model and therefore had the Keyboard Sequencer (KS) controller, but our client sold that some decades ago so it no longer comes included with this, hence it’s been advertised as only a Synthi, or Synthi A. There have not been any modifications made to this Synthi so it’s factory spec. One advantage to it being an ex-AKS model is that the PSU is rated to easily run external devices like the KS or DK series controllers.

Since 1973, this Synthi has been in regular home use only, and the owner decided to have a detailed service carried out by Robin at EMS in late 2016. We have the original EMS service receipt which we have scanned and made available to view below so you can see what was carried out.

The cosmetic condition is very good indeed, with only some wear to the screen-print along the matrix, which is not unusual. Both Spartanite cases are in excellent condition. The nickel latches & hinges show signs of oxidisation, which again is normal to see on a 45+ year-old synth, although they easily could be improved with some light restorative work if needed. In all, the instrument shows normal signs of ageing and has not any overt cosmetic restoration carried out, which we know for many people is important in terms of retaining authenticity.

Included in the sale (pictured), is a nearly-new Kenton Pro-Solo Mk2 with PSU and required cables to carry CV/Gate/Filter (cinch-jones connector) to operate this Synthi via MIDI. These are all included in the price, and worth around £200 GBP if purchased new/separately.

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 RA Moog Modular’ prices.

We can’t think of a more iconic, truly portable synthesizer ever being made, and even today the design of the Synthi is considered a triumph of feature and form…incredible.

This EMS Synthi comes with way more than a full set of matrix pins, 35 in total, and 16 of them are brand new (all red), so the pin situation is covered.

KSR will give this Synthi a full health-check post-sale, but we have tested it extensively and can confirm it’s working perfectly, as it should really as Robin did all the refurbishment work only a couple of years ago.

This Synthi is set to operate on EU 220V~240V (front-panel setting). We were also supplied with the original EMS ‘Education manual’ for this model and the proprietary EMS power-cable (with UK 3-pin plug fitted).

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

Demos are available by appointment only.

As with all Brokered Sales, the synth will be fully health-checked 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 work 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.

Sales Price: £9027 GBP.

Availability: This EMS Synthi is available now SOLD, as at 11th February 2020.

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

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

Came into stock: Arrived at RL Music on 17th March 2019

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

We are both delighted and honoured to be able to offer the Roland System 700 Block 1 (Main Console) and Block 2 (Keyboard Controller) for sale.

We probably don’t need to make much in terms of introduction here, but with there only believed to be around 40 full System 700 ever made, then you will appreciate this instrument was scarce even when it was in manufactured during the period of 8 years from 1976. Over the years, the systems were broken up, and/or perhaps Roland only supplied partial systems to buyers back in the 1970s, but it’s not uncommon to see partial systems coming up for sale, like the one we are offering here.

As electronic musical instruments go, this is considered by many to be the Holy Grail of synthesizers, and is without any doubt, amongst the very best designed and built analogue modular synthesizers ever made. It’s not for us to sell the virtues of such an outstanding instrument as the worlds most accomplished synthesists have shown the capability of these beautiful creations, so we will just talk here about this particular instrument that’s available for sale.

Provenance

This System 700 has been in our client’s ownership for only a few short years, and they had purchased it from a very respected analogue synth collector in the EU. Any provenance prior to this is unknown, but like most System 700 we see, these Blocks have been extremely well cared for and maintained.

Cosmetic Condition

Upon arrival at RL Music, we checked over the system and found it to be 100% intact with all the controls, ancillary hardware (including all lids), knobs, sliders caps, switches, keys, cable and serial plates etc., all to be present and correct.

The overall condition of the Tolex covering on each Block is excellent, with only 2 scuffs to note, that can be seen in photos below. The anodised control surfaces & screen print on each individual module to be superb, with only minimal wear…remarkable!

Operational Condition

We carried out a full assessment on the Blocks after they arrived here, so can confirm everything is working. The system will benefit from a minor service, which would include a full potentiometer/slider clean and calibration etc., and this will be included in the sales price.

A much higher level of ‘restoration’ can be undertaken, should any new owner decide that this is something they would like, for future proofing, so the best thing is to contact Richard here at RL Music to discuss your needs as a customised support package can be costed, including extended warranty.

Configuration

This is a standard configured Block 1 – Main Console. here is a full configuration breakdown:

Block 1 – Main Console (sn: 730139)
This is the Heart of the System, and it contains all the basic modules necessary for a professional system. It has 3 x VCO, 1 x Low Pass VCF, 1 x LP/BP/HP VCF, 2 x VCA, 2 x LFO, 1 x Dual ADSR Envelope Generators, Noise, Ring Mod, Voltage Processor, S/H, Envelope Follower, Integrator (Lag Processor), 1 x Mixer, 2 X 5 multiples, Headphone Monitor Module, and an Output Module, which includes Stereo VU Meters, a six-position test-tone, Phase Shifter, Spring Reverb, and voltage controlled Panning. Most common module connections (power, cv, gate) are made internally for easier patching.

Block 2 – Keyboard Controller (sn: 780202):
The 61-key two-voice Keyboard with Portamento and Pitch-bend controls.

What does it sound like?
It sounds incredible, and can be huge or beautifully musical and subtle…like any quality modular system, but the System 700 has its own sound and unique character. Kent at KSR actually wrote a short track with the full System 700 we sold recently, just after he had completed the restoration work, so if you click the link below you can listen to the piece on his Soundcloud account:

https://soundcloud.com/ksr80/uphill-700

The System 700 is a professional grade instrument, with a price tag to match back, even in the 1970s. The recent full System 700 we had available, sold for £70K GBP (February 2019). Recent specialist auction prices ( £110K GBP at VEMIA November 2017) show that these have risen very sharply in price. Demand has always been very high for anything System 700 related, either in the Lab Systems or separate Blocks being sold.

We are selling this Block 1 & 2 System 700 with a full 3-month warranty, and we will ship worldwide. A quote for custom packing (by us), shipping & insurance to get it to you will be produced upon request. Delivery by us (in person) is possible for most UK destinations – prices subject to address.

This beautiful synthesizer is currently set to operate on 220V, but it can be set internally to 110V if needed. We are not supplying any 1/4” jack audio cables with the sale, but the owner has printed off the original owners manual (red folder pictured), so that’s supplied with the system. We also have a high-quality version in PDF which we will include in the sale if needed.

This is one serious music machine and words simply can’t describe the power and potential for infinite sound creation possibilities. There is such a lot to say about this legendary and beautiful modular system but we just haven’t enough room here on our website so please call or email us to discuss your requirements.

Price: £40,000. GBP

Availability: This Roland System 700 Block 1 & 2 is now SOLD, as at 23rd March 2019.

Click on the thumbnail for higher resolution photos of the actual System 700 Block 1 & 2 for sale.

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

Came into stock: Arrived at RL Music in April 2018

Restoration Status: Kent Spong of KSR completed the full 6-week restoration on 22nd June 2018, so the system now resides with RL Music in Reading, UK.

We probably don’t need to make much in terms of introduction here, but with there only believed to be 40 System 700 ever made, then you will appreciate this instrument was scarce even when it was in manufactured during the period of 8 years from 1976.

As electronic musical instruments go, this is considered by many to be the Holy Grail of synthesizers, and is without any doubt, amongst the very best designed and built analogue modular synthesizers ever made. It’s not for us to sell the virtues of such an outstanding instrument as the worlds most accomplished synthesists have shown the capability of these beautiful creations, so we will just talk here about this particular instrument that’s available for sale.

Provenance

This System 700 has very recently (March 2018) been purchased from its original owner in Japan. The owner purchased it new from Roland and had it kept in their home all that time, and although they could not recall the exact date it was bought, it was certainly around 40 years ago. The incredible instrument has been imported directly into the EU from Japan and is now being offered by RL Music for sale.

Cosmetic Condition

Upon arrival at RL Music, we checked over the system and found it to be 100% intact with all the controls, ancillary hardware (including all lids), knobs, sliders caps, switches, keys, cables and serial plates etc., all to be present and correct.

The condition of the Tolex covering on each and every Block is excellent, and the anodised control surfaces & screen print on each individual module to be superb, with only minimal wear…remarkable! Kent carried out some light restorative re-finishing to the Tolex to bring back its depth-of-colour and lustre. There is a ‘Roland” badge missing off the Block 4 lid, but all others are present on the other lids.

There is a small scuff on the sequencer panel, and some of the anodising on certain modules has oxidised due to age, but otherwise, this is a close to perfection as is possible, and the dream of most of us to own. KSR stripped each panel and deep-cleaned the anodised surfaces (very carefully).

Operational Condition

Kent carried out a 6-week complete overhaul of the system, so every jack-socket, sliders, block-connector, DIN-socket, interconnect cables and switches have been deep cleaned & lubricated. The twin VU meters were replaced with NOS Roland meters as the originals were no longer working.

Each and every Module was removed, tested, deep-cleaned and fully calibrated. A number of the power-regulation capacitors were replaced due to the originals having failed due to age. The PSU has been fully refurbished.

The Keyboard was stripped and fully overhauled.

Every single function and detail of the modular system has been methodically & fastidiously addressed, and after investing over £15K GBP in restoration costs, it now works flawlessly and looks stunning!

Configuration

This is a slightly non-standard configured system, and a manufactured later in the production run of these professional studio systems, from what we could ascertain, so here is a full configuration breakdown:

Block 1-Main Console (sn: 590069)
This is the Heart of the System, and it contains all the basic modules necessary for a professional system. It has 3 x VCO, 1 x Low Pass VCF, 1 x LP/BP/HP VCF, 2 x VCA, 2 x LFO, 1 x Dual ADSR Envelope Generators, Noise, Ring Mod, Voltage Processor, S/H, Envelope Follower, Integrator (Lag Processor), 1 x Mixer, 2 X 5 multiples, Headphone Monitor Module, and an Output Module, which includes Stereo VU Meters, a six-position test-tone, Phase Shifter, Spring Reverb, and voltage controlled Panning. Most common module connections (power, cv, gate) are made internally for easier patching.

Block 2 – Keyboard Controller (sn: 630116):
The 61-key two-voice Keyboard with Portamento and Pitch-bend controls.

Block 3 – Sequencer (sn: 800097):
This offers 3 x 12 step sequencer with Pulse Shaper, Clock Oscillator, and Series / Parallel output sections – considered one of the best analogue sequencers ever made.

Block 4 – VCO Bank (sn: 800002):
6 x VCO, 1 x Dual ADSR Envelope Generator, 2 x LFO, Sample and Hold and 1 x Mixer.

Block 5 – VCF/VCA Bank (sn: 800003):
1 x Low Pass VCF, 1 x LP/BP/HP VCF, 2 x VCA, Noise Generator, Ring Modulator, 1 x Dual ADSR Envelope Generator, 2 x Mixers and 2 x Gate Delay.

Block 6 – Interface/Mixer (sn: 780089):
1 x Frequency-to-Voltage Converter (with VDU) Interface with Envelope Follower & Gate Signal Generator, a VCA, 9-channel Audio Mixer, and a Multimode Filter.

Block 7 – Phase Shifter/Audio Delay (sn: 800001):
A 2-channel Phase Shifter and a 2-channel Audio Delay, Amplifier, Envelope Follower, Integrator (Lag Processor), 2 x Mixers and a Sample & Hold.

What does it sound like?
It sounds incredible and can be huge or beautifully musical and subtle…like any quality modular system, but the System 700 has its own sound and unique character. Kent at KSR actually wrote a short track with the System 700 just after he had completed the restoration work, so if you click the link below you can listen to the piece on his Soundcloud account:

https://soundcloud.com/ksr80/uphill-700

The System 700 is a professional grade instrument, with a price tag to match back in the late 1970s, and recent specialist auction prices ( £110K GBP at VEMIA November 2017) show that these have risen very sharply in price. Demand has always been very high for anything System 700 related, either in the Lab Systems or separate Blocks being sold, but finding a full system is exceptionally rare.

Now the System 700 has been meticulously restored, we are selling it with a full 6-month warranty, and we will ship worldwide. A quote for custom packing (by us), shipping & insurance to get it to you will be produced upon request. Delivery by us (in person) is possible for most UK destinations – prices subject to address.

This beautiful behemoth of a synthesizer runs on 110V. We are not supplying any 1/4” jack audio cables with the sale, and unfortunately, the original owners manual was not supplied to us, but we do have a high-quality version in PDF which we will include in the sale.

This is one serious music machine and words simply can’t describe the power and potential for infinite sound creation possibilities. There is such a lot to say about this legendary and beautiful modular system but we just haven’t enough room here on our website so please call or email us to discuss your requirements.

Price: £70,000 GBP

Availability: This Roland System 700 is now SOLD on deposit, as at 15th february 2019.

Click on the thumbnail for higher resolution photos of the actual (post-restoration) System 700 for sale.