Yamaha CS-60 Synthesizer

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Published on Aug 27, 2017 micronautical

"Needs work, but it's alive!"

via this auction

" This is a working Yamaha CS-60 Synthesizer with some issues. It is complete, however, and could be brought back to full playing capacity.

First, the good:
All components and circuitry are present, and all voices appear to sound (and are in decent tune, but could use fine tuning). Just about all of the sliders work, and all keys play as they should. The pitch ribbon works fine, as does the aftertouch on this synth. The glissando and portamento features work as they should, and the ring modulator and sub-oscillator features work.

Physically, there are no broken keys, missing switches, slider caps or knobs. The case is in good, solid condition, and the top cover is included and in good shape, too. The instrument is in fair physical shape, with no serious dings in any surface or tolex rips, but certainly with many scuffs and other signs of use. There are some chips on the control panel that can be seen in a picture or two.

NOTE: There are NO legs, music stand, or pedals included in this sale.

As far as specific features and playability, the synth is at about 80-90% functionality, but the issues described below obviously limit the range of what a player can do on this synth.

Unknowns: I haven’t tested pedals with this unit, nor have I hooked anything up to the EXT. jack in the back. I therefore cannot speak to the status of these functions.

Here are the issues:
1. The mystery issue is an overarching coming and going of volume on the presets, no matter what is being played or what features are being engaged. It occurs independently from the sustain settings. It’s as if the total output rises and falls (a la vibrato) in volume, in a predictable, pulsating manner. (Is this a sample and hold or other KBC logic / control issue? Dunno.) This doesn’t seem to be the case with the Panel and Memory settings.
2. The sustain seems to be stuck on.
3. Other issues are these: The ATTACK and DECAY slider controls for the ring modulator section don’t work; the green slider for UPPER on the Keyboard Control Brilliance interface doesn’t work; and the VCO and VCF sliders on the Aftertouch section don’t engage the sub-oscillator section as they should."