MXR 185 Drum Computer

via this VEMIA auction

"MXR's answer to the original Linn Drum. Twelve sounds: Kick, Snare, Rimshot, Clap, Block, CowBell, HiHat Closed, HiHat Open, Hi Tom, Mid Tom, Low Tom and Crash. Each sound has it's own slider (HiHats share one slider) with additional sliders for Click, Tempo and Pitch. Pitch allows you to change the replay clock speed for all the drums simultaneously, quite weird at the extremes. Individual outputs. Strange for a mid 80's machine is the omission of MIDI (there is an external clock / tape sync). Sounds are solid and very 1980's, Rimshot is different as it has a decent amount of snare. Buttons aren't velocity sensitive so there is an accent button used in combination with the drum buttons. Serviced, all buttons stripped and cleaned also with new backup battery, fully working. Condition is good, some nicks to the left hand wooden end cheek and a few marks on the front panel. Original manual included."

Analogue Systems TH48

via this VEMIA auction

"Analogue Systems TH48 Analogue Sequencer.Fabulous sequencer in mint condition. Hardly used. Has 3x16 step cv generators with optional triggering and individual outputs, random sequence function, internal clock with external CV input, external clock input, two chromatic quantisers with external cv transposition, slew generator for portamento and other effects, variable gate pulse duration with external CV input,conventional output + S-Trig for use with Moog synthesizers, the highest quality hardwware and design including copies of original ARP 2500 custom built knobs, Leds to indicate sequence position, clarity-simplicity and speed of use, 15 volt CV range. Comes with owner's manual, voltage can be switched between 220V-110V. Sequencer can be used worldwide without using a voltage converter. Sequencer is in mint condition."

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Rack with extras

via this VEMIA auction

"If you want a VS Rack - and it's a fantastic synth, so you might well want one - you won't find a better example than this. Serial number 99, this one was restored by Wine Country in April 2002, and has been sparingly used since. It is in perfect working order, and has the latest operating system (1.2). It comes with the original manual in the classic Sequential folder; an unused RAM cartridge (originally an SCI RAM cartridge but adapted by Wine Country to RAM); a Wine Country Long Term Survival Kit (custom Voice Controller IC, front panel body & switch caps, front panel custom potentiometer, front panel knob*, data slider knob*, and footswitch jack); and a CEM3389 signal processor IC. Plus a certificate of restoration, with the embossed seal and Mr Sesnak's signature. (*Now no longer available at Wine Country!) This cost $2704 in 2002, which equates to about 1660GBP at the moment. Even if Wine Country haven't put their prices up in seven years (unlikely!), with shipping, insurance, and VAT / duty, it would be about 2150GBP."

Yamaha CS50

via this VEMIA auction

"The way to get that classic Yamaha CS80 sound without risking a hernia or having to take out a mortgage. Exactly the same sound generation boards, and in a way, the sound is so huge that four voices is pretty damn full enough anyway. Some people also prefer the lighter touch keys - which still feel excellent quality, like all the hardware on these monsters. This is in perfect working order, sounding superb. It has its legs and music stand, which fasten into the lid (luckily also provided.....). The only thing missing for a complete system is a foot pedal. Cosmetically it is nice but with some negatives. Worst of all, the college to whom it originally belonged had its name and postcode engraved to the right of the front panel - see the picture. There's some wear to the left of the panel, too, by the block diagram. The chrome of the legs and music stand is less than perfect, too - not very bright, with some superficial rust when you look closely. The rest of the case hardware is rather more pleasing. But you buy this range for its sound, and the sound and playability of this CS-50 are awesome. A superb instrument!"

Octave Cat SRM II

via this VEMIA auction

"Great-sounding Odyssey-beater, duophonic (sort-of), and a pleasure to play. If it had standard performance controls it would be almost the ultimate solo-ing synth - the mix of knobs and sliders is really a lot more user-friendly than the ARP sliders. Fantastic interfacing, too - this can be part of a modular set-up exactly as it stands. Fully serviced, 240V, and in nice but not near-mint cosmetic condition. One end cheek has had a repair where a previous owner had put a handle, and there are a few minor bits of surface rust: look on the photo by the CAT logo on the front, and by the VCO1 fine frequency control. But overall I think it's easily justified to call it 8/10 - all the knobs, switches, keys and even grommets are present and correct, and the overall look of the panel, and the whole instrument, is lovely. Plays great - a lovely old monosynth."

Teisco S100P

via this VEMIA auction

"Fabulous preset monophonic synthesizer with aftertouch, basically an ARP Soloist copy with a few extra bells and whistles like a built in flanger and spring reverb. Very playable and expressive instrument, one end cheek has a few cracks on the vinyl covering but apart from that in fantastic condition. **VEMIA note: Sounds nice, works pretty well, but could do with a little servicing: the touch sensitivity seems to be either on or off, very little in between. VCO scaling is close but not exact, and the octave switch is a bit temperamental. ** "

Yamaha CS80

via this VEMIA auction

" This is what the owner says, and I can't really argue with it:- 'Probably the best synth in the world? Well it would be hard to disagree. A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most enigmatic and sonically impressive electronic instruments of all time, the state of the art Yamaha CS80. This particular CS80 plays beautifully; it has the VCO stability upgrade and all the CMOS chips have been replaced and resocketed. The sounds this machine can produce simply cannot be matched by anything else in the synthesizer domain; it is that powerful and unique. A player’s dream machine, no other synth gives you so much feedback and can reward you as much as this one. Condition is excellent, there has been an extra slider fitted on the far right of the control panel but it is not wired up to anything, and could easily be removed and filled if desired. The synth has recently been recalibrated and can be shipped world wide. Power can be switched between 110v and 240v Comes with the original stand and a copy of the user manual.' We collected it, so that it could be at VEMIA for checking and then expert shipping. The first time we powered it up, it took a long long time to settle down into tune - maybe near an hour. These instruments really do not like being transported! But subsequently, it sounds superb only a couple of minutes after switch-on. We were planning to get Lucid Sound to come to check it in situ, but honestly there is nothing I can hear that needs calibrating or checking. It sounds wonderful and plays perfectly. Cosmetically it is very pleasing - some marks and scrapes on the outside of the case as usual, and some corrosion on the legs, but generally lovely. The lid and catches and hinges are good; the legs are really really useful - well-designed to get such a heavy instrument from the floor to upright in one swoop. If possible we will deliver at cost in the UK, northern / central France, Belgium and Netherlands - possibly further if timings worked out; otherwise you will need to pay for crating as well as shipping."

Roland System 700 Sequencer (Block 3)

via this VEMIA auction

"Magnificent hardware sequencer, the centre-piece of the System 700. This one is in lovely condition, probably near mint except that two of the catches have broken on the case. It comes with its lid, and six original Roland long jack-to-mini-jack leads. This example has been modified by Steve Gay of Analogue Systems so that it has an IEC lead to an internal 230V power supply; but the original power supply board (for re-installing into a complete System 700) has been saved and comes with the machine. When we went to collect it, it seemed to be working superbly; but to be sure it was taken to Lucid Sound in case it needed minor calibration. This is a classic, beautiful sequencer."

KORG Trident II

via this VEMIA auction

"The nicest Trident I've seen since there were new machines in the shops - and even nicer in one respect: this one has a beautiful new oak case, custom-made by Jeff Toman's CustomSynth company. The panel, hardware and keyboard are all beautiful enough to justify the 300GBP or whatever the case cost - this is a superb-looking machine. The photo shows a few missing screws, which have now been replaced. The other reason why it was worth buying a new case was that the Trident II is simply one of the best synths ever made! Despite having no velocity-sensitivity or aftertouch, and no MIDI, it has everything you need as a stage or studio instrument. Wonderfully expressive strings, lovely Polysix-like synth thanks to the SSM chips, great brass with the PS-3100-like ability to have it sound only when a predetermined number of keys are depressed, and a superb flanger. Plus great connectivity - see the pic of the back panel. Freshly serviced by Lucid Sound, this will get to you in as superb working order as it is cosmetic order. With a copy service manual. Totally recommended! (VEMIA note: would I rather have this or a PS-3100 or even 3200? This!)"

ARP Avatar

via this VEMIA auction

"A fantastic chance to get the Odyssey sound (and more - the amazing Avatar hex fuzz) without the Odyssey price. But you're going to have to lubricate and/or replace all the sliders, many of which are horribly stiff (and one is snapped off but usable); and also find out why it doesn't seem to be making any sound. The mains power switch lights up, but nothing else happens. It might be something simple like the Main Output switch not working - the LED doesn't light - but even if it is, there is bound to be some calibration and/or servicing needed on the electronics. Cosmetically it's not bad, apart from the missing slider tops. There is a 3cm scrape in the middle of the control panel, and the remains of some lettering - you can still see it around some controls, and there is still a letter D by the VCA ADSR/AR switch. It seems to have been owned / labelled by 'Light Touch'. The end cheeks are actually wood, not the thick leatherette you usually find. Nicely done, too - I would imagine it is some sort of hardwood. Oh, there's no guitar pickup included. But since the guitar synth side (apart from hex fuzz) was pretty impossible to play, that isn't a major loss. This would be great to renovate and add patch points too - and use the extra (guitar) inputs too, perhaps, for inputting extra sounds to process."