"First Generation Panel
-Top Left (Left Half): Oscillator, Oscillator, Oscillator, Comparator
-Top Left (Right Half): Schmitt Trigger, Triple Wave-Shaper, Dual Mixer
Second/Early Third Generation Panel
-Top Right (Left Half): Stepped Function V.C. Generator/Smooth Function, Dual Universal Slope Generator, Variable Q VCF (1978 Era)
-Top Right (Right Half): Positive Slew, Negative Slew, Dual Processor (1973-75 Era; Unlabeled)
Unknown Generation Panel
-Bottom Left (Left Half): Mults, Filter, Filter, Ring, Gate, Gate
-Bottom Left (Right Half): Gate, Dual Mixer, Bi-Directional Router, Send
Unknown Custom Panel
-Bottom Right (Left Half): Unknown Custom
-Bottom Right (Right Half): Unknown Custom"
I know this synth quite well. It was built by composer Greg Hale Jones in the late 70's from kits that Serge was selling at the time. Greg passed on a few years ago, and left the synth with a friend, Knox Bronson. Knox hit some hard times, and used the Serge as collateral for a small loan. The seller got "analog greed" and thought he could turn a profit on the loan, and decided to ignore Knox's attempts to pay the debt back and regain the panels.
ReplyDeleteThe panels are only half populated, and the bottom right panel has no Serge electronics at all in it - it has some re-cased Boss pedals (Phaser, Chorus) and some multiples. These panels were part of a larger System, and weren't intended to be a stand alone instrument. The biggest value in this instrument is sentimental, since it is in very poor shape, and incomplete.
Knox is currently trying to buy the panels back from the seller, who is asking for a very high price.
That story is made of pure sad. The synth community should gather and collectively kick the a$$ of said profiteer. Jerk.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Knox is getting his Serge back!
ReplyDelete