Elka Rhapsody 610 String Synth

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"It is "multi-phonic" as it uses a divide-down, electric organ type of architechture for its tone generation. There are two tones for each note so it's probably fair to say it's dual-oscillator, and it can create some really lush timbres. It's richer sounding than the ARP Solina String Synth (if you can believe that!).The four-octave keyboard is not velocity sensitive.
SUPER RARE! Vintage! 1974!! As used by Vangelis, Supertramp, Tangerine Dream, J. M. Jarre and more!

Very big, great sound!
elka_sample.mp3"

I wonder how these compare to the Elka Rhapsody 490.

Update via Micke in the comments:
"The Elka Rhapsody was Billy Currie's favorite stringer for many years. He used it quite prominently on U-vox's first three albums and also to some extent on 1980's "Vienna". John Foxx was also using it on his first couple of albums."

Elka X705 Vintage Synthesizer Combo Organ Synth

via this auction

"You can get a lot of info about the Elka X705 from this great site if you go to this link: http://www.combo-organ.com/Elka/#X-705

This has a lot of features once it gets going. There's 2 rows of keys and drawbars. There's a string section, also a synthesizer with a filter."

Update via Qwave in the comments: "I own one o these too. I
The Stringsection is 100% technically identical to the ELKA Rhapsody 610 http://till-kopper.de/elka.html. Only some sliders are missing. The monophonic synth is a build in ELKA Solist 505.

Jarre used one of these with some optical extras for the very first China tour to play the "Last Rhumba" live."

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Elex K2 1970’s Rare Italian Vintage String machine (Farfisa/Hohner) - SN 27157

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via this auction

This appears to be the first K2 on the site. You can find demos of another modle, the K4, in previous posts here.

"Very very rare Italian string machine made in the 70’s. Branded also as Farfisa or Hohner , this is the original one, made by Elex, a very obscure Italian brand from Recanati. It works great, cosmetically has some signs of age.

Sounds similar to the Elka Rhapsody 610, but with a few differences - the 'Ensemble' button does not turn the chorus on/off (as you mighty expect) the chorus is permanently on - instead, this enables the lower part of the keyboard from the split point down to play all 4 octaves simultaneously (eg for the C2 key, C2, C3, C4 and C5 all play simultaneously) - it is fully polyphonic and sounds massive. It also has a 'Bass' (presumably guitar) preset which plays bass below the split point. Unlike the 610, each of the Piano/ Harpsichord/Cello/Strings can be enabled/cancelled for each half of the keyboard (although, like the 610, there are separate level controls for each half of the keyboard with the addition of a level control for the 'Bass'). The only omission compared to the 610 is the lack of decay controls for the Piano/Harpsichord. There are separate outs for the 'Piano', 'Piano-Harp' and 'Bass' as well as a mix output ('General')."

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ELKA Rhapsody 610 w Original Case & Pedal

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via this auction

Update: moving this one up as the auction link was broken. It's now fixed.

This is a supporting member listing.

"A rare and iconic Synth from '70s.

used by Jean Michel Jarre, Supertramp, Tangerine Dream among others...

In perfect working and aestetics conditions!

I made a video to show this synth in action [posted here]

There's also a mod available on Tubbutec for add MIDI controlling.

SERVICED by pro tecnician.

- Original ELKA case included

- Original Elka Pedal

- Manual/Schematics"

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ELKA Rhapsody 610 "1th Generation" (1972) w Original Elka Case (SERVICED)

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via this auction

video in the listing previously posted here.

"This is the rarest 1th Generation of Rhapsody (Serial n.3786 ) with a more Raw and Rich sound in the harmonics than the 2th Generation (Serials from n.5000) which differs also for the buttons on the left side of the keyboard (on the 2th Gen are whites..)"

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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."

elka rhapsody 610 string synthesizer

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via this auction

"beautiful analog strings very sharp hapsichord clavinett and anaolg piano sounds
especially nice when you mix them all

famous users are tangerine dream you can hear the 610 very clear on many of their records
also jean michel jarre used it lots and supertramp

check out this webpage it will give you lots of info in the synth till-kopper.de/elka.html"

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Elka Rhapsody 610 Rare Vintage Italian String Synthesizer w Case

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via this auction

Demo video posted here.

"100% working conditions
Amazing aestetics conditions
SERVICED by pro tecnician
Comes with its original ELKA case!"

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ELKA Synthex 1981-1985 SN 1239

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via this auction

"The Synthex was conceived and developed by independent Italian designer Mario Maggi, who then gained the financial backing of the company of Italy, who produced the synthesizer from 1981 to 1985. Elka, a company more noted for its organs, had previously introduced their Rhapsody 490, 610 string machine, the monophonic Solist 505 and the big combo organ/synth X-705. A total of 1850 units were produced. Today is a highly sought-after instrument which recently reached quotations around 8.000 UKP. It was succeeded by the Elka EK-22 (based on the CEM3396 chip which was also featured in e.g. Oberheim's Matrix line of synthesizers) and the Elka EK-44 (based on Yamaha's 4-OP FM).

Elka SynthexGeneralmusic (GEM,LEM,ELKA)Dates1981-1985
Technical specifications842 memory40+40 locationsChorus, Ring ModulationInput/output61-keyLeft-hand controlJoystickExternal controlCustom interface / MIDI (late models)
Foot switches (Advance, Glide, Hold, Release)"

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Elka Rhapsody 610 String Synthesizer

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via this auction

"The 610 can be split and has the piano and clavichord vs the 490. The clav is more like a harpsichord, similar in sound to the harpsichord on For Your Love."

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ELKA Rhapsody 610 SN 1680

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via this auction

"This machine sounds different from other string synths in that it sounds very haunting and the bass end sounds just down-right mean!!! The low end is deep and gravelly giving it this tremendous "growl" to it. It also has piano and clavinet sounds which can be fun and can really add to the texture of the strings/ viola,cello sounds or used by themselves. This synth also comes with it's original foot pedal and cable which work flawlessly!"

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Elka Rhapsody 610 Keyboard Synthesizer

via this auction

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Elka Rhapsody 610 w/ Case, Cover, Pedal, & Legs

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via this Vemia listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

"70's String Synth as seen with Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze or Supertramp. Coming with original: Road-Case (intact), chrome Stand, leather cover & Pedal."

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Elka Rhapsody 610 String Synthesizer SN 1377 with Original Hard Case

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via this auction

"This machine sounds different from other string synths in that it sounds very haunting and the bass end sounds just down-right mean!!! The low end is deep and gravelly giving it this tremendous "growl" to it. It also has piano and clavinet sounds which can be fun and can really add to the texture of the strings, viola & cello sounds or used by themselves.

You will notice there are several slider caps missing, but the actual slider pots are still there and work just fine. You can move them with your fingertips or a pen cap, or just replace the caps like I always meant to.
This synthesizer, while a bit beat up looking, is 100% operational and sounds absolutely fantastic. The (very rare) original hard case is being included in the sale as well!!!"

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Elka Rhapsody 610

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via this auction

Different top than other models.

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Elka Rhapsody 610 vintage analog string synthesizer From the Steve Ripley /Leon Russell Estate?

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via this auction

According to the listing: "We are honored to be selling items from the Steve Ripley (The Tractors, Bob Dylan, Ripley Guitars, The Church Studio) and the Leon Russell Estates. May need some work but appears to be in pretty good shape."

You can find additional listings here.

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ELKA Rhapsody 610 w Original Case and Pedal (FULLY SERVICED) SN 7515

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via this auction

Video at the listing previously posted here.

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ELKA Rhapsody 610 SN 1011

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via this auction

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John Keating Electronic Philharmonic Orchestra 1974

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via this auction

"Artist: John Keating

Title: The Electronic Philharmonic Orchestra

**This recording highlights the new technology of the time and the orchestra comprises of the following instruments.

Solina-String Ensemble ARP 2600 Odyssey
Elka - Rhapsody 610 Farfisa - Synthorchestra
Freeman - String synthesizer
Hohner - Clavinet D6
Moog - Mini Moog

Released: 1974
Record Label: EMI
Cassette type: Normal Stereo DOLBY
Labels: PAPER LABELS
Country of origin: U.K
Cat:TC-EMC-3057 (no Bar code)

Side One
FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN
PROMENADE
LOHEHGRIN: PRELUDE ACT III
GENERAL LAVINE
TRISTAN AND ISOLDE
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

Side two
SABRE DANCE
HEBRIDEAN IMPRESSIONS
FINALE 1812
THE UNANSWERED QUESTION"

I didn't find the release on YouTube, but I did find the following from 1975:

John Keating - Starcluster (1975)

Published on May 23, 2013 mondo moog·12 videos

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds BY John Keating

Uploaded on Jun 21, 2011 edgycorners·575 videos

"A very groovy take on The Beatles 1967 classic. It is off the album entitled Space Experience 2.
If you dig the Moog and easy listening then you'll like this.
Enjoy."

Elka Rhapsody 610 String Synthesizer

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via this auction

"does not look that good as you see on the photos, lots of scratches and a few faders lost their caps and the upper part of them broke, but all of them are working, there are just 4 fader knobs left. But all faders could be moved by using your fingertips, a few of them crackle. But: all sounds and keys are working fine, no dead keys !!! delicious strings and amazing 70s analogue pianos ! looks very used but sounds great."

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