This item is in Stock

Came into stock: November 2012

Restoration Status: Currently Being restored by KSR.

ETR (estimated time from restoration): December 2012

Remarks: We like to mix things up a bit from time to time and offer some unusual instruments so when this Powertran Transcendent Polysynth came to our attention, we snapped it up.

Designed by Tim Orr and featured as Kit built synth in the 1981 Edition of Electronics Today International magazine, this 4 note polyphonic evolution of Transcendent (2000) family actually uses Curtis (CEM) chipset tech and sounds really good!

Okay, it might look a little clunky and quirky but the reason we like it is the sound it produces, and a Curtis based polysynth for under a £1000 has to be worth a look. We’ll try and get some video, or at least some sound samples done for you, but you’re going to be impressed!

Cosmetically, this example is in great shape and was built but a skilled tech buy the look of it. KSR will be fully overhauling the synth so everything is going to be addressed, including rebuilding the key-bed etc. so this synth is going to shine and sing like new.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £940 UK Pounds

Availability: This Powertran Transcendent Polysynth is now SOLD as at 9th February 2013

Picture of actual unit (pre-restoration).

This item is in Stock

Came into stock: November 2012

Restoration Status: Currently Being restored by KSR.

ETR (estimated time from restoration): December 2012

Remarks: Arguably one of the most sought after synthesizers in the world and we rarely have these in stock.

We have this beautiful condition VCS3 Mk2 going through restoration that has come from an film score composers collection. We’re not permitted to say who owned it but it’s been used in quite a few scores over the last 20 years. The condition of all the control surfaces is superb with only the cabinet needing some light restorative work by KSR. The whole system will be fully overhauled prior to sale although it’s been very well maintained and looked after over the years by professionals, for a professional.

Being a Mk2 it has the Prestopatch fitted and has silver anodised aluminum panels and coloured ‘Cliff’ control knobs. The EMS has a full compliment of Matrix pins and currently operates on US 110V. We can convert this to EU voltage depending on the buyers requirements.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £9990 UK Pounds

Availability: This synth is now SOLD as at 29th November 2012

This item is due in Stock

Came into stock: Due at RL Music 16th December 2012

Restoration Status: KSR will undergoing full restoration once in receipt of instrument from RL Music (by w/c 17th December 2012)

ETR (estimated time from restoration): January 2013

Remarks: Another really rare find which is in great condition, and a pretty serious piece of kit from the amazing Yamaha CS series on the 70s.

The SK30 is a 7 voice Polysynth that also featured Organ and String section – a Combo Synth. A feature rich synth of it day, with aftertouch as well for modulation options – it’s Yamaha’s answer to the Moog Opus 3 or Arp Quadra. Much of the technology, design and layout is shared with all the other ‘CS’ series of that time including the CS70M etc. The Polysynth is pretty punchy and the distinctive ‘CS’ resonant filter makes this a unique sounding instrument….al la CS50/60/80.

This SK30 operates on EU 220V.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £845 UK Pounds

Availability: This SK30 is now SOLD as at 9th November 2013.

This item will soon be subject to restoration

Came into stock: Due to arrive at RL Music in Early December 2012

Restoration Status: Restoration by KSR will commence in December 2012.

ETR (estimated time from restoration): January 2013

Remarks: It’s great to have a Jupiter 8 back in stock and we are going to be subjecting this to our ‘Total Restoration’ cosmetic overhaul – so spending up to £2K in restoration alone!

Total Restoration means the panels will be stripped and re-sprayed & re-screen-printed and the end-cheeks re-anodised. All the electronics will be completely overhauled, key-bed refurbished, new perspex display etc. This is the highest level restoration we can offer for these wonderful synths and the finished machine will look & play like new.

This example is a 14 bit version. We are also offering a new Kenton MIDI kit to be fitted to this JP8, although the guide price below does not include that (supplied & fitted) option.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £6990 UK Pounds

Availability: This JP8 is now SOLD on deposit as at 18th December 2012

Crumar Spirit

We present for sale, an almost ‘as-new’ example of a truly wonderful instrument – an overlooked and hidden gem of a vintage synth.

The synth was designed in collaboration with Bob Moog , Jim Scott & Tom Rhea back in 1983 and is arguably the evolution of what the Minimoog Model D might have been, and is feature packed.

VSE provides some useful background and specs on the Crumar Spirit, plus a short video by david Morley here: http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/spirit.php

The immaculate & striking ‘blonde’ wood case is completely original so has not needed any restoration at all, but KSR have conducted a full operational service on this exemplarily condition example as a matter of course, even though it was pretty much perfect when we received it.

This is a collectors/museum condition instrument so represents a really special find and long-term investment if your thinking in these terms. The Spirit seems to have been overlooked by many as a high-end vintage analogue synth but once this oversight has been corrected then you will see this become highly sought after and prices rocket – mark our words!

This example is sold with a full 3 months warranty and runs on EU (220V) voltage.

Price = £2890 UK Pounds

Availability = SOLD

Click the thumbnails for higher resolution photos.

Custom Roland Juno 60 – Very Special Edition (Black & White Versions)

Are you after the perfect Juno 60 – something very special?

We are delighted to announce that these ultra-high level custom finished Juno 60 have just been completed from their extensive restorations and are now available for sale.

The RL Music ‘RESTORATION’ page on this website actually features the project restoration of these two synths but here are the highlights about what has been done and invested into them:

In February 2012, KSR had totally disassembled 2 x Juno 60 to begin the project restoration.

>Brand new solid Oak cabinets were hand made by Lamond Design.

>Customsynth stripped and had both Juno repainted, one in black & the other in white – to RL Music specifications. The panels were then screen-printed using different graphic colours to complement the background finish.

>We purchased 2 x Minerva MIDI kits to go with both synths.

>KSR final assembly and fitting of MIDI kits PLUS full electronic overhaul and key-bed refurbishment, staining and hand finishing of wood cabinets and then 7 day soak-test.

>Total Custom Project Restoration time came to 6 months, involved 10 people in 8 different specialist businesses and cost £850 on each synth in restoration alone.

As you can see from the pictures, the results are fantastic and these instruments have been prepared to the very highest standard possible. The Minerva MIDI kits provide full SysEx control of the Juno and come pre-loaded with a full compliment of patches.

Due to the amount of time & effort and funds invested into both these special examples they are sold with a full 6 months warranty and both run on EU voltage (220V).

Price = £1950 GBP Each

Availability = White Version is now sold as at 31st August 2012

Availability = Black Version is now sold as at 16th September 2012

Click the thumbnails for higher resolution photos.

This item is currently being restored

Came into stock: Aug 2012

Restoration Status: Awaiting restoration by KSR.

ETR (estimated time from restoration): End October 2012

Remarks: Big & lush sounding vintage analogue polysynth these Xpanders, and you can carry it under your arm!

Seriously though, it’s a special synth and the example we have just bought is in really nice condition. The original owner had it for over 10 years but it’s been stored for the lat 5 so we’re having KSR undertake a full restoration on the synth.

The restoration work will include a full system overhaul, calibration & soak testing. The case, micro-switches & jack sockets will been deep cleaned plus the wood re-finished so it looks and works like new.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £2550 UK Pounds

Availability: Now Sold as at 30th August 2012

Late Minimoog (Serial No. 11414)

We present a most beautiful example of world’s most famous synthesizer which has been fully restored by our partners KSR.

We have here a late production model was one of the last few hundred to be manufactured, around 1980/81, which makes this a very stable in tuning and tracking – utilising the buffer-board (factory fitted) and late Moog VCOs…a players synth!

A note on the restoration:

On this particular example, we have had the original Moog cabinet re-finished by KSR and the results are pretty impressive. The wood has been stripped, stained and wax finished and shows beautiful character in the grain as you can see from the pictures.

Operationally speaking from the restoration standpoint, we do not change any electronic components that would compromise the integrity of the Moogs character. There might be some components that we will have prudently replaced due to age like but these are off-the-shelf components. The Keyboard is completely stripped and rebuilt with a full set of new bushings, all pots and switches cleaned, and the final calibration and test finishes of the restoration.

The aluminum real panel enclosure is completely original. We decided not to have the panel re-anodized as it contains some original Moog factory stickers that give this instrument complete authenticity. Restoration is a about balance, and although the cabinet is not the original brown varnished factory one, we think the work KSR have done does the synth great justice.

As you can see, the appearance of this professionally restored instrument is wonderful and the cabinet oozes a gorgeous vintage patina to the wood which makes the synth look wonderfully old-school…just as it should.

Considering the age, outstanding condition, and additional care taken in restoring this Minimoog, we are confident that she will see at least another 30 years of faithful operation. Being a Minimoog, this is naturally an excellent investment or everyday useable music instrument.

This example is sold with a full 3 months warranty and can run either US or EU voltage through the power switch on the rear-panel.

Price: £3750 UK Pounds

Availability: This is now SOLD as at 20th November 2012

Click the thumbnails for higher resolution photos.

Roland JSQ-60 – Vintage Sequencer

How about this original 2000 note sequencer to partner your prized Juno 60.

The JSQ-60 will record polyphonically in real-time, including patch-change data, but you can also use the step-record and over-dubbing function. A nice addition if you want to extend the performance capability of your Juno 60 but without resorting to installing MIDI, thus keeping your collection 100% original.

The condition is immaculate and is supplied with its original external UK 220V Power supply. and (attached) proprietary Roland DCB inter-connect cable.

Price = 190 UK Pounds

Availability = This item was sold on 4th August 2012

Click on the image for a higher resolution picture.

This item is currently being restored

Came into stock: June 2012

Restoration Status: Awaiting replacement end-cheeks form Lamond Design and then final assembly and overhaul by KSR.

ETR (estimated time from restoration): End October 2012

Remarks: Very good condition which will have brand new end-cheeks manufactured for it and we have also purchased a new Minerva MIDI kit for the synth as well. This is a UK version and will be a very nice full MIDI spec example once ready.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: £2100 UKP

Availability: This instrument is now sold as at 19th October 2012

This item is awaiting delivery to RL Music from USA for custom restoration to commence

Came into stock: 12th July 2012

Restoration Status: Now at KSR being stripped-down for restoration to commence.

ETR (estimated time from restoration): September 2012

Remarks: This is going to be the subject of a very special custom project called the ‘Vangelis Blade Runner Special Edition’ and full restoration will be carried out through KSR, Customsynth and Lamond Design. More details to follow.

Guide Price Post-Restoration: This is now sold – at 14th August 2012

Sequential Circuits Inc, Prophet 600

We don’t see many of these any more, and finding one in great condition is even less likely, so we were very pleased to get this P600 in stock.

The Prophet 600 was the fist commercially available synth to have MIDI as standard from the factory and this later version has 100 patch-memory. The sound is very reminiscent of the Prophet 5 but sports 2 on-board sequencers and an arpeggiator which is really useful & something the P5 lacked.

The P600 is a really excellent way to dial into that classic Prophet sound but much more affordable than it’s bigger brothers (P5,P10 & T8 etc). It has that wonderful vintage analogue warmth and can can kick out some powerful/edgy leads and effects…a great all-rounder and with character & vintage appeal.

This P600 has only just been fully serviced and is sold with a 3 month warranty from RL Music. lt will run on 110V or 220V and is supplied with its original owners manual.

Cosmetically it’s in excellent condition with little wear and clearly never been gigged. The synth was purchased from a UK collector and is a very nice example and plays beautifully. The only minor item of note is a small blemish to the top right of the front panel which looks like a production article under the paint so probably been there since new.

Price: 1490 UK Pounds

Availability: This synth is now sold as at 14th September 2012

Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos.

Oberheim OB-Xa – Very Special Edition

Finally, after over 6 months in detailed restoration we are delighted, and hugely proud, to present to you a very special edition 8 voice Oberheim OB-Xa.

As you can see, this is totally unique and one-off custom cosmetic finish, which we commissioned Jeff at Customsynth to work with us on, to look like the older SEM based Oberheim systems (2/4/8 Voice etc). The entire synth has been stripped – completely. The metal panels were stripped to the bare metal for the ground up restoration which had professional car grade paint (2 pack) applied and then oven baked, and then the bespoke graphics design and produced into screen for the screen printing process. The end-cheeks are the original wood items but re-finished in acrylic black lacquer which looks perfect with the SEM style panels and has a very hard and durable finish.

On the technical side for this project I worked with ‘Andy Jury from The Synth Proff’ who is an excellent & highly skilled UK based Synth Tech and he has worked countless hours to overhaul the entire electronic system, including the key-bed being refurbished and new bushes fitted. For your info on Andy, The Synthproff website can be found here: http://www.synthprof.com/index.html

In total there has been well over 200 hours of work invested into this OB-Xa and has involved several people over the last 6 months and the final results are stunning! If this restoration project had ben costed on an hourly rate then you’d be looking at several thousands of pounds having been spent to produce this synth to this level.

The reason why we decided to go for this special edition finish is that the original synth was in very poor cosmetic condition and we are unable to replicate the Oberheim paint/screen/lacquer finish that they used for the OB-Xa and OB8 etc. For some reason modern sprayers and printers just can’t do it. Faced with the choice of breaking up the OB-Xa for spares or being bold and undertaking this project…we thought it would be a great challenge to do what you see now.

We know this is not for everyone but if you are after a unique one-off OB-Xa that has had the highest level of professional restoration possible, looks stunning, works beautifully and will last for decades – then this is the one for you.

This Ob-Xa does not have a MIDI retrofit fitted but has the 120 memories option installed.

These pictures look good but still do not do this beautiful synth justice as it takes your breath away when you see in in the flesh!

This instrument is sold with a full 3 months warranty and runs on 110v and 230V voltage (switch on the rear panel). We do have a PDF copy of the Owners manual which will be supplied with the synth.

Price: £3950 UK Pounds

Availability: Sold on reserve as at 13th September 2012

Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos.

Here’s a very cost effective way of dialing into that vintage analogue Roland sound – the Juno 106.

Without any doubt a true vintage synth and a very useable and practical analogue polysynth keyboard for live use as well as studio. The Juno 106 is among the first factory fitted MIDI synths from Roland in the early 80s, and with its on-board effects (chorus) and a really warm 24db/Oct filter, it sounds (and is) really retro whilst the DCO’s provide strong tuning stability.

The more advanced MIDI control on the 106 (SysEx) means you can use external patch-editors (Mac & PC) although in truth it’s not all that complex to program from the front panel…which is a big part of the joy of owing a vintage synth like this.

We picked up this super example from a UK collector who had owned it since new so it’s in immaculate condition – it certainly never left the home environment.

KSR have fully overhauled this Juno 106 and have given it a clean bill of health with no problems found with any of its original parts.

As you can see, the condition is fantastic and high-res pictures are available on request.

This example is sold with a full 3 months warranty and runs on UK/EU voltage. We also have the original owners manual for this 106 and that’s also in perfect condition!

Price: 780 UK Pounds

Availability: This is now SOLD as at 13th November 2012 but we have another being restored which should be available soon.

Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution photos.