Arp Avatar Guitar Synthesizer w/ pickup SN 0081

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via the seller: "This is a great sounding Arp Avatar Guitar Synthesizer, with the same circuitry as the famous Arp Odyssey. I've only used this as a CV module controlled from Moogs or Lyricons, and it works and sounds fantastic. Today I tested it using the Keith McMillen QuNexus portable keyboard and that works perfectly too. Some sliders are a little bit tight, and one (Special Effect/Ring Mod) has been replaced with a metal slider, but they all function well (with the occasional little wiper noise). In very good physical condition with some scratches.

Includes the Analogue Solutions Modular Kit (jacks, wires, schematics) to turn the Avatar into a semi-modular semi-2600 synthesizer.

Also includes the original pickup but missing the pickup extension cable. Includes the 6 pin din plug to make the extension cable. Guitar input has never been tested. Includes 9 of the original slider caps."

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Pics of The ARP Centaur VI Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer System

This is a follow-up to this post from earlier today. See that post for another possible one-off ARP guitar synth (not the Avatar).

Vincent found the following two pics of the ARP Centaur VI.

Left via the VSE forums: "I think there was 2 ARP Centaur VI built. It would have cost about $20K had it hit the markets, but it was hopelessly unreliable. This is the only photo I know of: a former employee of there custom engineering dept. Has anyone seen a better picture?"

Below via gearslutz:

"Just scanned this pic out of an old guitar book my brother had - the prototype ARP Centaur VI polyphonic guitar system. Two prototypes were built but the second one is unaccounted for.

The Centaur never went to production for two reasons. One, the technology of the mid 70s wasn't advanced enough to realize a reliable pitch-to-voltage converter and they couldn't get consistent tracking from a guitar. Two, they used a brute force approach for a polyphonic system - they crammed 115 circuit boards into the thing. Very expensive approach and it ultimately proved to be unreliable - Al Pearlman did a failure analysis and concluded that the mean time between failures was two hours. It was impossible to keep it running.

The project was dropped in favor of a simpler monophonic guitar synth - the Avatar was simply an Odyssey with the keyboard system replaced by a monophonic pitch-to-voltage converter. But they still couldn't perfect the converter, the tracking from a guitar was extremely glitchy, and you had to use a extremely clean picking technique. Between the Centaur and the pitch-to-voltage converter problems, ARP sank a HUGE amount of R&D revenue into these systems.

The not-ready-for-prime-time Avatar was rushed into production. Guitar players balked at the $3000 price tag and unreliable tracking. Avatars sold poorly, dealers blew out unsold units at bargain prices, and Avatars were discontinued after one year of production. ARP never recovered the R&D investment, they dug a very deep hole in which they only recovered $1m sales revenue from a $7m R&D investment."

Two additional pics sent my way via Jimmersound. These come from Mark Vail's Vintage Synthesizers, page 53.

Arp Avatar Guitar Synthesizer

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Synth City is a new sponsor of MATRIXSYNTH! You'll find their banner on the right of the site.

"Here's a great sounding ARP Avatar that can be used as synthesizer module over CV/Gate, the original HEX guitar pickup is no where to be found. Cosmetically the ARP shows plenty of wear in the best kind of way, perfect vintage vibe. All of the slider caps have gone missing, but replacements can be found right here on eBay.

This Avatar was just serviced on 02/16/15 by Chicago's best, Borish Electronics.

Service notes:
-Cleaned all sliders and replaced 1 slider.
-Replaced 2 CMOS IC's related to routing and switching.
-Removed some bad tantalum capacitors.
-Calibrated oscillators and power supply.
-All functions test OK."

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ARP SYNTHESIZER CATALOG

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"1980s (?) ARP SYNTHESIZER CATALOG INCLUDING THE ARP AVATAR, ARP AXXE, ARP ODYSSEY, ARP 2600, ARP SEQUENCER, ARP OMNI 2, ARP PRO/DGX. ARTIST PHOTOS INCLUDE JEAN LUC PONTY. 20 FULL COLOR PAGES."

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Arp Avatar Synthetizer with original pickup SN 2223 0686

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"Arp Avatar in good working condition, comes with the original arp midipickup."

The synth that brought ARP down. Dave Smith touches on it at 5:03 in this recent video. It's worth noting ARP actually created the Rhodes Chroma as their final poly synth. Unfortunately is wasn't enough and/or didn't make it in time to save them. They were sold to Rhodes and the ARP Chroma became the Rhodes Chroma.

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Switched On Austin - Synth studio & store tour | Austin, TX

synth4ever

https://www.switchedonaustin.com

A synth studio and store tour of Switched-On in Austin, Texas -- including the Switched On synthesizer showroom, walk-through of the Switched On synth store and brief highlight of the synthesizer repair area.

During a trip to Austin in early 2020 I had a chance to revisit the Switched On synth shop I first toured in 2018 [video bellow]. Switched On have since moved from their original location to a new spot and are under new ownership, so it was a great opportunity to see the new synth store.

This synth studio and store walkthrough showcases Switched On's extensive record collection, tape machines, various synthesizers, modular gear, classic vintage synths, rack units and more. To learn more about Switched On, visit https://www.switchedonaustin.com

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1977 ARP Avatar Vintage Guitar Synthesizer w/ Extras

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"1977 ARP Avatar Vintage Guitar Synthesizer with Pickup / Cable / Footswitch / Manual / Promos. Used but not abused, some sliders are a bit 'sticky' but work. Unlike most Avatars this one works great, sounds great and tracks surprisingly well (better than any I've heard). It's important to find the sweet spot when mounting the pickup. You get the Avatar, original pickup, original pickup cable, original footswitch, original manual, original service manual with fold out schematics, and original promo literature with flexi record. Guitar not included."

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ARP AVATAR - Some Basses - Chameleon Line

Published on Dec 7, 2016 Amazing Synth

"This is very similar to the famous Herbie Hancock's 'Chameleon' bass line. I didn't try to mimick the timbre. Just a short demo of typical vintage ARP sounds made by this ARP AVATAR.

The picture is taken from the ARP Custom Engineering Group booklet offering any kind of modifications to ARP gear owners (back in 1970s)."

All parts here.

ARP Avatar Modular Analog Synth Modified by CMS

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"Here we have a very special item. It started life as an ARP Avatar guitar synthesizer, which basically took an ARP Odyssey and grafted on a very ineffective guitar interface. Well, that genius Phil Cirocco of CMS gutted the guitar interface portion and added CV/Gate inputs and patch points in and out of virtually every function of the machine. You can make great sounds with this unit alone (hear the mp3 demo I made of 100% sounds from the instrument on auction), or you can pair it with an ARP 2600 or other compatible modular for additional functions.

The filter is Mr. Cirocco's own exquisite Moog clone, I believe based on the design which ARP was almost sued over, and which they then substituted with an inferior design of their own which most of the Odysseys have. I had Phil do one for me and one for a friend, probably 10 years ago. He also added a "turbo" mode the the ADSR envelope generator. The lowest row of jacks along the bottom are multiples."

If you are considering this one, read the details in full at the auction as always.

ARp Avatar Awesomeness - Video

YouTube Uploaded by dzlvs8 on Mar 20, 2011

"All sounds created with the Arp Avatar. The Korg Mono/poly is being used to control the avatar."

1978 Arp Avatar Demo Record

YouTube via jafafah0ts flexi disc
"A vintage 1978 demonstration flexidisc promoting the Arp Avatar."

Update via Brian in the comments: "Ha! This was Ned Leben (the misspell it as Liben) from the band EBN OZN (Leben and Rosen). They were big on MTV in the '80s and he did early Taking Heads records (Psycho Killer) at his home studio in NYC.

The rarely-heard Avatar! I think Heart used their's on 'Dog and Butterfly' album and Pete Townshend on 'Rough Boys'."

Vintage 1978 Arp Avatar w/ Arturia Keystep

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"Vintage 1978 Arp Avatar analog synth module, with Arturia Keystep keyboard controller w/ built in sequencer and midi to cv. Basically a vintage late 70s odyssey mkIII in a module format. All ready to plug and play, comes with cv cables that go between the Avatar and Keystep. Or send midi to the keystep's built in midi to cv to use other midi controllers or sources. Fatter rawer richer than any clone or vst for pure analog tone...fat punchy bass, screaming highs, crazy bleep bloop sounds of all sorts, etc. Excellent shape & in fully working order...cleaned calibrated recapped, refinished real wood side panels."

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ARP Avatar

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"1 of only approximately 300 made, the ARP Avatar was originally designed as a guitar synthesizer based on their popular Odyssey synthesizer. Nowadays, these synths are sought after for their vintage tone and can be modified into a "poor man's 2600" using patch point kits available from other sellers.

This Avatar is in pretty good condition for a 35+ year old instrument - check out photos for details."

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ARP Avatar Patch Bay Expander Kit

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"This kit includes everything you need to convert you ARP Avatar in to a modular synthesizer. This modification brings most of the synthesizers functions out to patch points on the front panel. Features include a separate portamento for each VCO, easy access to all of the important functions of the synthesizer, and the synth will behave normally if no patch cables are inserted. Inserting a patch cable into a CV input will automatically route the incoming signal through the associated CV slider, giving the user full control over attenuating signals. Separate glide controls for each VCO allow lots of new sounds that a stock Avatar can't make.

We have one unit left until we make more later this year.

Polycarbonate Graphic Panel
(2) Potentiometers
Two Knobs (1 x Blue, 1 x Green)
Heat Shrink Tubing
(2) 50 pin IDC cables
(2) PCBs, 1 x Left Panel, 1 x Right Panel
(36) 1/8” Switching Jacks
(36) 3/8” Mounting Nuts
(1) Length of Wire
(1) 1M Resistor
(2) 50-Pin IDC Connectors
Instruction Manual Download"

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ARP Avatar with Pickups

via this auction "This one comes in it's original vintage flight case (dig that crazy logo [Chuck Levins]). It also comes with 3 pickups (2 in the original boxes with all original paperwork). It also comes with 5 original pedals (2 with original boxes), 2 connecting cables for the pickups, 2 original sales booklets (1 on the Arp Avatar and 1 on the Avatar, Axxe, Odyssey, 2600, Sequencer, Omni 2, PRO/DGX."

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Vintage ARP Quadra Overhauled by Synthchaser

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Uploaded on Oct 3, 2019 Synth Chaser

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"This ARP Quadra has just been fully serviced & overhauled by Synthchaser, the west coast's leading ARP specialist - recapped, new key bushings, new touch sensor, sliders disassembled, cleaned and refurbished, clean, fully functional, calibrated, in tune and sounding great. This synth was the final masterpiece of ARP Instruments and added a powerful 2 oscillator lead synthesizer to the bass, poly strings, and poly synth already found in the ARP Omni 2. Add in the lush 14 stage voltage controlled analog phase shifter, a sequencer (more like arpeggiator), assignable aftertouch, 61 key keyboard, and package it all into the coolest looking synth design ever and you have an ARP Quadra!

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Restored Vintage ARP Quadra Synthesizer Keyboard with MIDI

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video by Synth Chaser

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"This ARP Quadra has just been professionally overhauled by Synthchaser, the foremost expert on ARP Quadras! Work done included new orange LED sliders (illumination can be disabled before shipping at buyer's request), recap of all tantalum and electrolytic capacitors, new touch sensor, keyboard refurbishment, new IC chips, reliability enhancements, and perhaps most unique of all... this may be the world's first ARP Quadra with MIDI!

While many synths are listed as "serviced" or "fully serviced", they are usually devoid of any details of what was actually done. Those that do provide details or service invoices often reveal that the synth was merely superficially serviced, and not genuinely "future-proofed". I have not only serviced this Quadra, I've taken it down to the chassis and overhauled it. Work done included:

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The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation Announces ARPs for All

via The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation where you can find additional details.

"The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation (ARPF) is thrilled to announce ARPs for All: a new program to bring the magic and inspiration of rare vintage ARP synthesizers to EVERYONE in the music-making public.

In partnership with The Record Co. (TRC), ARPs for All is launching an initial collection of 5 instruments (the ARP Avatar, Axxe, Odyssey, and a vintage ARP 2600 with ARP Sequencer) available for hands on use, learning, and experimentation at TRC’s community recording and rehearsal facility in Boston. Over the summer of 2021, these will be joined by an ARP Omni, Quadra, Solus as well as a rare ARP Explorer on loan from the estate of Alan R. Pearlman.

In the coming year ARPF and TRC will grow this living collection of instruments and foster deeper community engagement through experiential educational programming for the public as well as music synthesis-focused residencies for emerging artists.

Join us and make ARP’s incredible legacy of musical (and electrical!) ingenuity accessible to future generations of makers. In other words: ARPs for All!"

ARP AVATAR with Mods

images via this auction
" 1. MIDI by synhouse.com, (The CV inputs also work if you want to go full OLD-SCHOOL.)

2. FILTER UPGRADE
Avatar filters have a upper frequency limit of 11khz! This frequency response upgrade is similar to the 2600 filter upgrade extending the cutoff frequency range from 11khz to 28khz. Also replaces some critical components in the signal path. Your filter sub module is removed, tested, upgraded, re-tested and re-installed into main board "C".

3. AUDIO PATH UPGRADE
This mod replaces critical signal path components with audiophile grade components. Low end response is improved resulting in a more accurate wave shape. This mod used to be called the "Low end wave correction mod" in the early days of CMS. High end response is also Improved.

4. POWER SUPPLY REBUILD
Certain critical components in your power supply have a shelf / working life of 20 years maximum. It's probably time your power supply was rebuilt. These units are getting very old, so if you are serious about your ARP, you should get the Power Supply Rebuild.

5. PORTAMENTO ENABLE
Stock Avatars have their portamento circuits hardwired to the guitar section. This mod rewires the portamento so that it slews the keyboard cv input. (MIDI works too)

Please note: The guitar functions of the avatar have are disabled and/or removed. So, no pickup, guitar cord, or guitar board, is included with the synth. Why would you want that anyway! Avatars are prized for the synthesizer section, which is fully functional. Cosmetically, there are some corner dings, and some front panel scratches (partially repaired to prevent corrosion of the steel case). These are illustrated in the photos. However, the inside is clean, and all the sliders have been cleaned and re-greased. No slider caps are included, as is common for the avatar, but they are easy to find on ebay, or from CMS if you want a set."

ARP Avatar

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"ARP Avatar synthesizer. Only 300 were ever produced. Famously brought down the ARP company due to the failure of the guitar controlling section (never tested in this example, pickup not included). It's essentially a cv / gate controlled (keyboardless) Odyssey.

It's had a recent service from Synth Prof where all the sliders and circuits were cleaned, new caps, portomento engaged (previously only for the guitar section), and the 4075 filter range extended to 28khz (putting it more in line with an ARP 2600). The pulse width faders seem to still be a bit crackly but could be replaced (i decided against it) easily if required (it's not a feature you tend to tweak on the fly). On the whole the faders are on the stiffer end of the spectrum but to me that's preferable to overly loose.. it's not an issue. In great cosmetic condition, only a couple of scratches here and there. Generally the unit is in excellent condition, especially considering it's 35 years old! Collection (North London) would be preferred but can ship.. please enquire about international shipping."

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