Seriously Wonderful Custom Modular

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

"This is honestly one of the most beautiful and mind-bending modulars I have ever seen or heard. Built by an ex-telecoms engineer with the highest quality control, in a wonderful solid oak cabinet, and with all the anodized blue front panels engraved in uniform style to the same high standard. Not only does it look beautiful - it also sounds amazing. It is capable of some of the scariest and weirdest sounds I have ever heard from a synthesizer. The modules are chosen brilliantly from a variety of high-quality manufacturers. This has been very little used, and at the start price is probably the best value modular we have ever had here. The module quota is like a best-of list:- Oakley MIDI-to-CV, Multi Noise Source & LFO (Designer un-known), Oakley VCO x3, Wiard / Blacet MiniWave x2, Oakley ADSR/VCA x2, MOTM-440 Discrete LPF, Oakley Superladder Filter, Oakley Octal Resonator, Oakley VC-LFO, Oakley Sample/Slew, Oakley Wavefolder, Encore Frequency Shifter, Oakley Little EG, Oakley Triple VCA, Oakley Multimix x2, MOTM 405 VCF, MOTM 410 Triple Resonant Filter, Oakley OMS-410, MOTM 420 VCF, MOTM 480 CS-mode Resonant Filter, Tellun Corporation TLM-150 Neural Agonizer (the most amazing double spring reverb with attitude). Comes with 30 mixed colour patch leads. If you only buy one modular synth ever, buy this one. Packing 20GBP to include a UK or Euro mains lead."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Macbeth M5N

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

"I bought this new from Ken MacBeth about four years ago, and it has sat in my home studio under-used since then as I have pursued other interests and had little time for music. It is in undoubtedly near mint condition, and works beautifully. It has a big big sound, superb quality of simple things lke the noise generator, and is one of the most powerful stand-alone synths in the world. It comes with 20 good quality patch leads, which is probably as many as you'll need most of the time because of the break-jack sockets and standard routings that don't need patchleads. It is now down at VEMIA so that they can handle the difficult part of packing (or ideally hand delivery). VEMIA note: this is indeed a very beautiful one-owner example of a rare and potent synth. Please check out the photos. Packing costs 20GBP - ideally we would like to deliver it by hand, in which case we can take some money off the delivery charge for not having to make a carton etc.!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Classic ARP 2600: 2600P and 3604P Keyboard

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

SN 26757 & 36757

"This is a weird one. It may be a classic synth but when it arrived here it just looked and felt a bit tired and old. The cases look their age (with a couple of replacement catches and the tolex far from immaculate). Inside, the main panel is actually lovely, and in excellent condition, and the keyboard too is very nice. But a few of the sliders were a bit slow to become un-noisy (eg left speaker fader and VCF to VCA slider) and the keyboard is a little clacky. Some sliders, too, are more resistant to movement than others (eg the fune tune sliders.) Plus it had a collection of a few patchleads which honestly look like they are older than the machine itself. But then ..... as I started playing it, it became more and more desirable. You buy an old machine like this (40 years!!) for its character not its modern attributes ... and suddenly the sounds that started coming out of it hooked me. Through the internal speakers, and through external amplification, it sounds wonderful. Everything works properly (given some time for the oscillators to stabilise and a bit of wiggling of any noisy slider) and honestly it sounds so much better than any modern thing. Give it a collection of decent patch leads and it will give you a lot of pleasure back for years to come. Packing 20GBP."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland System 100M Modular with 10 Modules & Keys

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

"Small modulars don't get much more beautifully made and high quality than the System 100M, and this is a great example, with two 191J cabinets, a 181 keyboard, and ten good modules. Cabinet 1: 182 Sequencer s/n 870249, 112 Dual VCO s/n 213018, 150 Ring Mod / Noise / S&H / LFO s/n 770552, 165 rare double portamento controller s/n 270173, 140 Dual Envelope s/n 911109. Cabinet 2: 112 Dual VCO s/n 800443, 150 Ring Mod / Noise / S&H / LFO s/n 800844, 121 Dual VCF s/n 780329, 130 Dual VCA s/n 780305, 140 Dual Envelope s/n 780621. We played this for a couple of hours and didn't find anything less than 100% working, so although of course there are more possibilities than one can check in two hours we are confident you will find it totally satisfying. Cosmetically it has some oxidation showing through the paint on the bottom panel of one of the 191-Js, and the bender lever has been broken and re-fixed on the keyboard. Apart from those faults, this would be near-mint. It comes with the keyboard and module multi-pin leads, and 31 patch leads of varying lengths including 7 top-quality Phonoflex cables which could be reserved for crucial audio patches. UK voltage. Packing 14GBP."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Elka Synthex

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

SN 861

"A beautiful example of one of the great analogue polysynths, the finest work by the genius of Italian synth technology, Sr Mario Maggi. It plays superbly, full of rich smooth room-filling textures, with or without the three-position chorus. All knobs are smooth and silent, the keyboard is a delight, and everything about it we tried is perfect. Cosmetically, it has a few tiny dings on the wooden endcheeks, a crack on the front of the left endcheek, and two superficial marks to the left of the control panel at the bottom of the LFO controls. Apart from these minor things it is undoubtedly near mint. It comes with MIDI via the standard umbilical cord to the 15-pin socket, very professionally done. It has clearly been serviced recently to the highest standards. Packing 20GBP. We will include a UK or standard European mains lead."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Aelita "Soviet Minimoog"

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

"This is really the Soviet Minimoog - with some minusses, of course, but also some plusses. The filter emphasis is much harsher, and the envelopes aren't as well designed, we reckon - but the basic three-oscillator sound and filter in non-resonant mode is a Minimoog rival in every way. The overall cosmetic design is tacky compared with a Mini, but is still solid, and, on this machine, looks all-original. Where it honestly outscores the Mini is in its extras - 'strings' mode, which seems to put a different chorus on each of the footages, unison, and the way you can switch easily between two or three very different sound textures. High-note keyboard priority, great for holding down a bass note and doing stuff over the top - the dedicated LFO comes in useful here too for sequencer-like riffing. Checked by nLi April 14 and still in good working order today. More info at oocities.org/...aelita.htm ruskeys.net/...aelita Packing: 10GBP."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg Sigma

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

SN 240234

"Truly a great synth - and when you discover how many Korg 35 modules are lurking inside, you begin to understand one of the reasons why it sounds so good. It is seriously useable too. Although it is basically a preset synth, each of the presets has a knob dedicated to the most important function, plus you can have as many presets at once as you want, simultaneously - hence the need for so many filters. All the modulation rockers also have a dedicated knob to control their effect. Add in two joysticks, aftertouch, and good interfacing via Hz/V sockets in and out, and CV inputs for VCO FM and VCF cutoff point, ...and an excellent basic sound.... this is almost unbeatable in its class. This example is in very nice cosmetic condition not perfect, but check the photos to see how nice - and perfect working order - Lucid serviced it in early April ready for the auction, when it amazingly didn't sell. So here it is, at a further reduced price. Packing 8GBP."

CLICK FOR MORE »

EMS Sound Beam

via VEMIA

"Near mint and ultra rare EMS Soundbeam, Distance to voltage converter, amazing controller for Synthi performances. A great multi control version plus its original sensor and manual. Working voltage supply: 9 volts AC."

X-Y Controller serial number 5

via VEMIA

"R.A. Moog modular XY Joystick controller, very early and fully working. Serial number 5!!"

RSF Expander 1 with options & Programmer / Sequencer

Expander via VEMIA

"Vintage RSF Kobol Expander I in EXCELLENT working and visual condition. It's a monstrous analog semimodular synthesizer based on SSM2040 + SSM2050 IC's and Fairchild UA726. Its sound is impressive, great basses and awesome filter!!! Also it is possible to change all the waveforms by control voltage (Waveshaper VCO's)... It comes with the special option patch control and programmer interface (all on back panel). Working voltage supply: 220 / 240 volts"

Sequencer via VEMIA

"RSF Kobol Programmer / Sequencer, very hard to find! Excellent visual and working condition. It comes with the connector cable for wiring up the Expander 1. Working voltage supply: 220 / 240 volts"

Electrocomp 400/401 synth/sequencer

via VEMIA

"EML 400/401 vintage multi sequencer system + synthesizer, one of the most powerful sequencer systems ever made, very rare and in excellent condition. It's the rare partner of EML 200, 101 and of course very nice to drive other modular synthesizers. Photocopied manual included, working voltage supply: 110 volts"

EMS Polysynthi

via VEMIA
"Following the recent sale on ebay of Vince Clarke's junked Polysynthi for £4100 here's another of these rare specimens. (VEMIA note: the main difference is that this is virtually as new, and has been checked by Robin Wood!) Polysynthi was designed by Graham Hinton in 1978 when EMS re-located to Oxford from Putney and the first units were shipped in March 1979. This example was the last one to come off the production line in 1981 after EMS went bust and all the stock was inherited by Datanomics. It has a Datanomics sticker inside giving the serial number as 616, but it is known that no more than 50 of these instruments were ever made. This one has been in dry storage for 29 years and has been renovated by EMS in Cornwall. It is in near new, 100% working condition with virtually no marks. The only significant mark is to the vinyl covering on the right-hand side. Most of the panels suffered from flaking of the yellow painted areas but this one is perfect - see photos. Weight: 18 kg Dimensions for shipping (approx): 100 x 76 x 38 cm Equivalent volumetric weight: 58 kg" Update via jochen in the comments: "Polysynthi was NOT designed by Graham Hinton. It was designed by a committee of Peter Zinovieff, Ludwig Rehberg and Alan Sutcliffe."

Update2 via petjen in the comments: "and Rose Zinovieff designed the bright panel."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Bode Frequency Shifter cased & psu

via VEMIA

"Moog / Bode Frequency Shifter 1630 The Bode Frequency Shifter was originally designed for use with Moog modular systems. The sound of the Bode is unique – it produces highly complex waveforms by shifting not only the fundamental but all input frequencies by the same amount. The result: non-harmonic relationships between the frequencies in the output signal. This particular one comes in a nice wooden cabinet with a power supply (230 V), just as it was mounted and sold by Studio Funk Hamburg in the early seventies. Of course it can still easily be built into a modular system. The machine has been checked by a tech recently and is technically in a very good condition. The wooden cabinet shows minor signs of usage. A copy of the original (unfortunately not complete) description by Studio Funk in German language and some notes from the moog modular systems owner’s manual on the Bode are included as well."

rsf Desktop Modular and Modular 11

via VEMIA

"Extremely rare and sought after RSF MODULAR 11 (only 20 Systems made) from 1976. THE Father of KOBOLs, EXPANDERS and POLYKOBOL. That system contains 3 VCO 11, 1 VCF 11, 1 VCA 11, 1 GEU 11 ( ADSR + AR ), 1 ALIM 11, 1 Multiples + 2 CV in + 2 Gate in, 1 VCP 11, 1 VCP 12 ( 2 EXTRAORDINARY Analog phasers / flangers with a GORGEOUS SOUND ) The system is built in a lovely wooden case. As in an ARP 2600, some modulations are prepatched for some modules. The sound is Massive and Wonderful! Nevertheless, it will need a good synth technician WIZARD to precisely Tune and Calibrate the VCOs as they are really ' out of tune ' at the moment! You can see some pictures of the individual modules on the official RSF Site. Runs on 220 V. Cosmetics very good. Needs tuning and calibration. In northern France. Collection by VEMIA should be possible."

via VEMIA

Also see this post and of course the rsf label below.

"For sale here is a RSF Modular 11 system which contains 8 modules + a multiple patchbay underneath. System has 2x VCO, 1x GEV(env), 2x VCA, 1x MNT(mixer), 1x VCF, 1x ALM(power supply).The modules need to be wired again, some minor repairs and calibration need to be done to get this fully functional again. Not many of these modules were produced during 1977-1978. Only about 300 modules maximum, and that for a total of 20 systems worldwide. So these RSF modules are even rarer than old Buchla modules, which were produced in quantities of 500 modules. This is certainly a great addition for the real analog purist who wants something different than the mainstream modulars offered today. The VCO's have a very fat sound and the frequency level that can be reached is amazing. RSF Modular 11 doesn't realy pop up everyday, it's just pure luck that there is another Modular 11 here on Vemia, otherwise it might take you ages to get your hands on one. A picture will be on display asap."

Herb Deutsch's Minimoog for Auction

via VEMIA

"this is an RA MINIMOOG serial number 1034 which means serial 34. very early ra minimoog with a historic value. this is herbert Deutsch's RA minimoog. you can check this with the serial number on the moog archives. herbert Deutsch is the man who co invented the moog modular synthesizer with bob Moog. he also composed the first piece of music for moog synthesizer. this is a true collectors gem. synth is working but needs an overhaul."

Dr Zinovieff's original Synthi A Up for Auction

via VEMIA

"A great chance to own a piece of history, and a wonderful example of a classic instrument. This is Dr Peter Zinovieff's own Synthi A, serial number 4016, which has been beautifully restored by Robin Wood at EMS in the last two months and is in perfect working order. Work done included replacing all three vernier knobs, servicing the joystick to make it a joy to use, and replacing eight pins with new ones - as well as getting it all up to Robin's exacting specs. Four badly-done mods were removed. The case was also provided by Robin. The earliest Synthis often didn't have cases, so Robin has spared one of his last few to make this instrument complete. It has a couple of repairs to the edge, visible if you look very closely at botom left and top right; and seems to have a small gap in the top left corner. But the metalwork and general condition is exceptional - see the photo. The main differences from the machine as designed are that the two main audio oscillators (VCO1 and VCO2) have had the stabilisation mod, and the input gain on channel one has been converted to a ten-turn pot - all very useful. Cosmetically it is very nice indeed, as evidenced by the photos. It will come with Dr. Zinovieff's full written provenance (he believes this is the actual Synthi used in the 'Every Picnic Needs a Synthi' advert), and his signature on the instrument wherever you choose. In the composite photo is a picture of Robin Wood and Dr Zinovieff after the servicing was completed in September."

VEMIA November 2000 catalogue - vintage synths & prices

via this auction

"From ten years ago, a paper catalogue from the VEMIA auction. 24 pages, tiny print, and not well printed - but just about readable everywhere. A couple of illustrations (not high quality!!) - of a massive Roland System 700 and the even bigger Yamaha EX42.

Fun to look at the prices - many of them not the final bids, but all already over their reserves (there are no hidden reserves in this auction) .

That means that in November 2000, you could have had a chance of winning the following (with prices in pounds sterling):

Two Siemens V72s, 440GBP; Vortexion tube amp 23GBP; Roland CR-78 230GBP; Roland TR-808 500GBP; Crumar Jazzman 95GBP; Hohner Clavinet 1 140GBP; Clavinet/Pianet Duo 260GBP; Wurlitzer EP-200 450GBP; Ashly SC-68 140; AKG BX20E 100GBP; Six Audio & Design SCAMP modules 130GBP; BBC EQs in a rack 50GBP; Binson Echorec Baby 280GBP; Binson Tube Reverb 350GBP; Carlsbro Flanger 85GBP; Dynacord CLS222 145GBP; Dynacord TAM19; Echolette SEV66 Vocoder; Echoplex tube model 240GBP; EH Small Stone original 55GBP; EH Talking Pedal 260GBP; Four EMT 256 II compressors and two de-essers 755GBP; Moog 12-Stage Phaser 580GBP; Roland Funny Cat 160GBP; Roland RE-201 190GBP; Roland SRE-555 240GBP; Ursa Major Space Station 450GBP; Reslosound Ribbon 75GBP; two Sennheiser MD421s 250GBP; two Tannoy mics from the House of Commons 45GBP; Two EMS Presto patches 60GBP; Korg MS-03 110GBP; Korg MS-04 110GBP; Optigan Stereophonic Deluxe 220GBP; RSF Kobol Programmer 450GBP; BBC Outside Broadcast four-channel passive mixers 90GBP; Roland VCA800 / CPE800 units 115GBP; Telefunken 12/2 mixer 200GBP; ARP 2600 Blue Meanie (aka Blue Marvin) 1450GBP; EMS Synthi AKS with all EMS mods 1770GBP; EMS Synthi-E 600GBP; EMS VCS3 1900GBP; Korg MS-50 680GBP; Roland System 100M five-module system 880GBP; Roland System 700 complete 9950GBP; ARP Odyssey white-face 480GBP; ARP Pro Soloist 150GBP; EDP Wasp 280GBP; Hohner Bass 28GBP; Korg M500SP 75GBP; Korg Sigma 180GBP; Moog Minimoog 900GBP; Moog Prodigy 270GBP; Oberheim OB-1 460GBP; Octave Cat 330GBP; OSC OSCar 840GBP; Roland MC-202 200GBP; Roland SH-101 190GBP; Roland System 100 101 330GBP; Farfisa Compact Duo 500GBP; Hammond F-100 Extravoice 150GBP; Moog CDX 430GBP; Yamaha EX42 GX-1 look-alike 1250GBP; Vox Continental 300 240GBP; Yamaha YC-45D 280GBP; Elka Rhapsody 610 85GBP; Gleeman Pentaphonic 1270GBP; Moog Memorymoog Plus 1450GBP; PPG Wave 2.3 800GBP; Roland Jupiter 6 580GBP; Roland Jupiter 8 (JP8) 680GBP; Roland VP-330 400GBP; SCI Prophet 5 rev 3.2 760GBP; SCI Prophet 5 with Kenton MIDI 900GBP; Korg SQ-10 250GBP; Roland CSQ-100 34GBP; Roland MC-4 250GBP; a hundred CEM 3396 chips 100GBP; Leslie 147 360GBP; Ampex 351 980GBP; Studer C-37 300GBP."

Yamaha Centennial DX7

via Vemia

"Fantastic condition, extraordinarily rare 76-note version of the best-sounding DX7 (the II FD), with gold-coloured buttons and fluorescent keys. One of a tiny limited edition (100 examples only worldwide??) produced to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Yamaha. Loads of extras, too. One owner, Ben van der Linden, who used this synth to back Audrey Hepburn at a charity Gala, and will give written provenance. Including:- Grey Matter Response E!-2 memory-expansion (256 Voices, 128 Performances), new back-up battery, flightcase, Yamaha music-stand, Yamaha FC sustain pedal, Yamaha Breath Controller BC2, Yamaha cartridge-adaptor ADP1, Yamaha RAM cartridge; Red Planet double-sided data cartridge, containing original Yamaha bank 2A and a special bank from Dave Bristow; Yamaha RAM4 cartridge; Symphony 128 RAM cartridge (4 x 32); floppies, including Demo E! ; all manuals; Book: “E! Update for the Yamaha DX7II” (Steve Preskitt); Opcode DX/TX Editor/Librarian v.4.02 and v.4.03. In the Netherlands, but collection and delivery in north-western Europe and most of the UK is possible by VEMIA at a reasonable rate."

Digital Keyboards (DK) Synergy

via Vemia
"Rare and interesting early multi-timbral digital machine with a sound of its own, and some revolutionary features for when it was released (1982), including a simple and effective four-track sequencer. With a cartridge giving 24 additional sounds, and what looks like the original user manual - Xeroxed but we think original. Cosmetically it is not brilliant - the case has some minor damage, and the lacquer has been dulled in places, for instance above the keyboard underneath the voice selector switches. The fans in these machines tend to get noisy (and even create some static in the audio on powering up), so this one now has a new fan. 220V, but can be changed to 110V operation simply by a tech. With its long, good quality keyboard, this is a pleasure to play."

Magnificent R.A. Moog modular (60s)

via Vemia

"One of the five or so most important items we have ever had in VEMIA: a large R.A. Moog modular hand-made for one client in stages from 1968-1970, in excellent condition and complete working order. This wonderful instrument is being serviced and renovated by Stephen Masucci, one of the very top Moog restorers, as recommended by Dr Thomas Rhea of Moog fame. The current photos were taken before that renovation, and it will be even more beautiful once Stephen has finished with it. It will also sound superb, with its early 901 oscillators etc., etc.. It consists of four beautiful original cabinets, a superb pair of original keyboards, and what could well be unique: a fixed-filter-bank switching device which has all the hallmarks of a Bob Moog one-off. The modules are:- (3) 901 Voltage Controlled Oscillators (1) 901 A Oscillator Controller (4) 901 B Oscillators (3) 902 Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (1) 903 White Sound Source (2) 904 A Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filters (1) 904 B Voltage Controlled High Pass Filter (1) 904 C Filter Coupler (2) 905 Reverberation Units (1) 905 B Scale Programmer (1) 907 Fixed Filter Bank with in/out switch for each filter (1) 910 Power supply circa 1974 (3) 911 Envelope Generators (1) 911 A Dual Trigger Delay (1) 912 Envelope Follower (2) 950 Stacked Keyboards (1) 960 Sequential Controller (1) 961 Sequencer Interface (1) 962 Sequential Switch (1) 4 Input active line level mixer with click filter (1) 4 Input passive line level mixer with low & high pass filters (1) Various patch points including trunk lines and 4 sets of multiples The last two digits of module serial numbers have been removed in the photos because the owner values his privacy. Remember the photos were taken before the roughly $5000 Stephen Masucci restoration. We have asked Mr Masucci for a written appraisal of this instrument, including its condition and the reason why it is important in Moog history - to follow, I hope. The instrument will be packed and shipped from his workshop, so this will be done by someone with much experience of shipping instruments of this size, weight, and quality (including Dr Rhea's own modular). **The restoration is going well as of 13/4/10, but because of Stephen's other commitments for the rest of the month the likely completion date is not till May 7. That will give the winning bidder a few more days to complete the payment.** **If it is bought by someone outside the USA there may be tax / duty to pay by the importer. In the UK, for instance, there would currently be duty at around 3.2% and VAT at 17.5%.**"