Lance Hill of the Vintage Synthesizer Museum

Published on Mar 30, 2020 Vintage Synthesizer Museum

Rare clear Gleeman Pentaphonic in the background. Steiner Parker Synthacon top right.

"An amazing interview with the curator of the Vintage Synthesizer Museum, Lance Hill.
A film by Shayne Keator.
To book an appointment at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum contact:
510-859-3558
or
vintagesynthesizermuseum@gmail.com

Website:
https://vintagesynthmuseum.squarespac..."

Update: I asked Lance if he knew how many clear Gleeman Pentaphonics were produced. Here's what he had to say: "Not sure how many Gleeman Pentaphonic Clear's there are. Rumored to be around 25. Funny enough, the guy I bought this one from lived in San Jose, which is just a few miles from where the Gleeman brothers were producing their synths. He told me that the one we have was originally a black one, but when they came out with the clear one, he had them retrofit it into a clear one, so he could wear it as a keytar and walk around with it on stage."

The MCS70 by ELKA's Mario Maggi - Only One In Existence Might Come to Soundmit

Published on Feb 10, 2020 Badilevintage

Details on Soundmit with the pics further below.

"Hello everybody , my Hobby it's restore the old Combo organ and Synth.
In this video i show you the test after restored of ultra rare MCS70 made by Ing. Mario Maggi .
The only piece in the world!!"

[Side note: Mario Maggi was the man behind the ELKA Synthex. There was only one previous post that mentioned the MCS70 here on MATRIXSYNTH posted back in 2006. This had me wondering whether there are any other one-off synths, and what are some of the rarest synths out there? There was the ASE Modular also by Mario Maggi. There is only one S.W.A.N but it shares the same synth engine as the Syntar. There was also the ConBrio ADS, protoype Minimoogs if you want to count them, prototype Orchestron (not technically a synth, but...), the original Acxel Resynthesizer, clear Gleeman Pentaphonic (same engine as the solid black ones though), rare EMS synths, rare PPGs (here and here for example), and I'm sure others I forget at the moment. If you can think of any, leave a comment below! BTW, the New Old Label is a great resource for exploring vintage gear that never appeared on the site before. I highly recommend it and the exclusive labels for some of the more exclusive synths out there.] Also see the first synth to post.

via SoundMiT

"The rarest synthesizer on Earth comes back to life thanks to the patient restoration work of two passionate Italian technicians

Recently the Soundmit has been involved in an event of those that happen once in a lifetime.
Two longtime friends, passionate about synthesizers, musicians and technicians, have accomplished a feat deemed impossible.

They have completely restored the rarest Italian synthesizer, the MCS70 designed by Mario Maggi, just him ... the father of Elka Synthex.

The MCS70 is a monophonic synth with many surprises inside, perhaps the most evident in the presence of the presets! In an era in which microprocessors were not yet widespread, Maggi succeeded in the enterprise of creating the first analog, monophonic synthesizer with memories!

There is only one MCS70 in the world and has been owned, for almost 40 years, by Patrizio Fariselli, the famous keyboard player of the Progressive Rock band "AREA".

Recently two friends, one technician (Marco Molendi) and the other a musician (Andrea Manuelli), specializing in the restoration of Italian electronic musical instruments, have succeeded in the impossible task of bringing the instrument back to life.

According to the engineer Maggi, it is not possible to give technical details beyond what can be seen in the video.

Francesco Mulassano of Soundmit was invited by Marco and Andrea during the last phase, that of the toast for the goal reached and in fact is one of the very few people in the world who have seen tried and listened to the instrument that, after so many years, remains a jewel of technique and sound.

Special thanks go to engineer Mario Maggi for the work he has done (and continues to do) in our sector.

We hope to hear the MCS70 in new compositions soon and hope to see it at Soundmit in November 2020!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Gleeman Pentaphonic on a rainy day

Published on May 4, 2018 Switched On

"No external effects - Pure Gleeman"

Here's something you don't see or hear everyday. The rare Gleeman Pentaphonic. There was a clear one as well.

VINTAGE SYNTHESIZER MUSEUM STUDIO TOUR

Published on May 26, 2017 once upon a synth

"I went to visit the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Oakland and recorded a little tour. It's called a museum but you can rent it out and play with the gear. They have an impressive collection of rare vintage synths and effects. In this video I'll show you the studio. In future videos I will be posting demos of some of the synths I've recorded while there.

http://www.vintagesynthmuseum.com

~~~ THEIR COLLECTION ~~~
Vintage Synths:
Moog: Minimoog Model D / Taurus I
EMS: Synthi AKS / Vocoder 2000
ARP: 2600 w/3620 / 1613 Sequencer / Odyssey MkII / Rhodes Chroma
Sequential Circuits: Prophet 5 / Prophet T8 / Pro-One
Oberheim: 4-Voice / OB-Xa / Xpander
Roland: Jupiter 8 / Jupiter 6 / Jupiter 4 / Juno 6 / Juno 106 / SH-101 / TR-808 / TR-909 / RS-505
Korg: MS-50 / MS-20 / MS-10 / SQ-10 / VC-10 / Mono/Poly / Univox MaxiKorg / PS-3100
Yamaha: CS-70m / CS-60 / CS-20m
EML: Electro-Comp 101 / Electro-Comp 200
Steiner Parker: Synthacon
Gleeman: Pentaphonic Clear
Crumar: Spirit
Octave: Cat MkI
Oxford: OSCar
PAiA: Proteus
Fairlight
DK Synergy

Modern Synths:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Clear Gleeman Pentaphonic Analog Polyphonic Vintage Synthesizer Brochure

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

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

Evol Fucifier Distortion Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"Described as a Distortion Synthesizer, Evol Audio's Fucifier is a striking overdrive/distortion processor that features an analogue filter, tape simulation, a vintage germanium preamp and an inductor‑based equaliser. Although not a synthesizer in the usual sense, the Fucifier (pronunciation "deliberately vague”) aims to deliver a tempting menu of grunge and deep, fat saturation to satisfy even the most demanding firestarter, industrial‑noise merchant or metalhead..."

See the listing for the full description pulled from Sound on Sound. See the Evol Audio channel below for previous posts including video.

Those knobs remind me of the clear Gleeman Pentaphonic.

Rare Vintage Gleeman Pentaphonic Analog Synthesizer - One of 50 Made

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

via this auction

"What can I say? Here is the rarest of the rare Gleeman. Only around 50 made. Rare does not make a synth "good" it just makes it rare. If you ask around you will find that the Gleeman sounds incredible. I have owned two in my life. This is the 2nd. Both in black. They also come in clear, but those are even more rare, but who cares about "rare" they sound incredible and a ton of attention to detail went into their manufacture. The keyboard action feels great, the controls are intuitive. I purchased this directly from the man himself in his garage. It is one of the first two made (I believe).."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage Synthesizer Museum Featured on ABC Local News

This one in via the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Emeryville, CA.

This is pretty awesome. It's great to see synths of any kind featured in mainstream news.

via ABC7 News in the Bay area:

"A new East Bay museum dedicated to vintage synthesizers has a collection of instruments that produce unmistakable sounds found in many of the songs of the 1970s and 1980s.

Monday, January 12, 2015 08:24PM
EMERYVILLE, Calif. (KGO) -- In today's digital world, an East Bay man is offering up a serious dose of analog at a new museum he just opened to the public.

Some East Bay musicians and engineers have created a unique music space, one that preserves the history of synthesized and music, as well as the instruments which made those sounds in the 70s and 80s, and maybe even more recently.

The Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Emeryville is a place where music lovers can learn, play, rent, or record.

From the classic to the experimental, the museum has instruments that defined more than a decade of music.

Lance Hill is the mastermind behind the collection that acquired piece by piece for more than a decade.

"It's ridiculous," Hill said in regards to his collection, and obviously an addiction. An addiction he used to keep to himself until he found a space for rent.

"I found the studio," he said. "It looked like an old recording studio from the 80s and I just knew that this was the place to have the collection."

The Vintage Synthesizer Museum includes something that's been in magazines with its famous owner, an oddity made of see-through plastic.

Some of the synthesizers on display at his Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Emeryville.


"It was formerly owned by Joe Zawinul of Weather Report. It's kind of in rough condition because he took it on the road," Hill said.

"This clear case, there was maybe 20 of these and I have one of them," Hill said.

It turns out these analog instruments are more than just history. they make sounds that computer engineers still haven't quite been able to imitate. A discerning musician can always tell the difference.

"They sound warm and fuzzy and beautiful," one of Hill's friend's said.

"I don't know, it moves you. It's a little more inspiring," another one of Hill's friends said.

"You are not going to get a computer emulation of this that sounds remotely like this," Hill said.

Unlike digital keyboards, these actually require tuning and they can go out of tune, which some say makes the sound more real."

Joe Zawinul's ARP 2600 and a rare Clear Gleeman Pentaphonic at 1:16.

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

CLICK FOR MORE »

Super Rare Clear Gleeman Pentaphonic Synthesizer

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

via this auction

Here's something you don't see every day.  Although the description states anywhere between 30 and 50 were made, previous accounts state 50 solid black and only 20 clear were made.

"This is a genuine Gleeman Pentaphonic clear synthesizer. I acquired this in 1986 from the original owner. It has spent most of the last 28 years in its case. I did not gig with it. Its been in a smoke free environment. The clear synth case as well as the keys are in excellent condition with no cracks or deep scratches. Everything works. I’ve checked every switch and knob and all are working.

It has been repaired twice. Once in 2008. The red light would come on but no sound. A guy that has experience working with high-end vintage synths repaired it. He said most of its problems were there because it hadn’t been used in almost 2 decades. After playing it and using it for recording I put it back in the case for 6 more years. In 2014 I again got it out and it would power up but I was not able to hear my patches. Again I sent it to the same repairman and again it had some minor issues from not being used for 6 more years plus maybe a little user error. It is now in 100% working order.

For those that don’t know…this is an extremely rare synth. Estimates vary but maybe as few as 30 and maybe as many as 50 of these were made [see above]. The original flight case is included. It is missing a handle and also its interior foam. I’ve been using cloth towels inside the case for padding. The flight case does have an aged look. It will come with a reprint of the original manual as well as a couple of Gleeman advertisements. It will ship FedEx well packed."

CLICK FOR MORE »

1983 GLEEMAN PENTAPHONIC CLEAR SYNTHESIZER PRINT AD

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

via this auction

1980s Clear Gleeman Pentaphonic Literature

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

via this auction

" Double sided color original info on the Gleeman Pentaphonic Clear synthesizer system. Early 1980's, good condition, very rare."

See the seller's other items for more.

Gold Moog Voyager with Clear Knobs

Update 11/6: video here

flickr By Moog Music Inc
(click for more)

That's what I'm talking about...

Pictured top: Richard Devine
Bottom: El P sound lab

The knobs remind me of the clear Gleeman Pentaphonic.  Different shape of course, but both clear.


Update via elestereo in the comments:

"Since late September, there is a thread on the moog forum about the synth. here are the details:

10th Anniversary Minimoog Voyager

Moog will soon be announcing a VERY special and limited Custom 10th Anniversary Minimoog Voyager. Only 5 total of these will be built for the United States (31 total were made).

Price is $15,000.

FEATURES:
• Production limited to 30 total worldwide, with only 5 total in the US
• 24 Karat Gold-plated Chassis with Custom Silk Screen
• Clear Polycarbonate Knobs
• Custom Cut Rear Panel with Indigo (purple) Backlit Moog Logo (see photo below)
• Black Piano Lacquer Cabinet and XY Bezel
• Custom 10th Anniversary Cabinet Inlay - Designed and Executed by World-renowned Inlay Artist Larry Robinson
• Gold customizable Voyager Badge
• Gold Headphones Jack
• All Black Rocker Switches and Jacks
• Custom Fleece Dust Cover
• Handcrafted and Bound Manual
• Custom-built Museum-style Wood Shipping Crate
• When will they ship - December

http://www.flickr.com/photos/84298631@N04/8030538406/in/photostream"

Updated the title from Chrome Moog Voyager with Clear Knobs to Gold.

1983 POLYPHONY Magazine Featuring Clear Gleeman Pentaphonic Larry Fast Synergy

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

via this auction

"POLYPHONY Magazine was a promotion of PAIA synthesizers. In this issue are the Gleeman Pentaphonic clear (cover only) Larry Fast of Synergy and Peter Gabriel, EH advert, PAIA pedals + others! In pretty good condition, not perfect but only slight wear overall."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Rare Clear Gleeman Pentaphonic

This one spotted by Alex on Ricardo.ch. This one is in Switzerland. The Swiss synth museum, Synthorama had one. You can see my pics from a visit here.

There's a black one listed on eBay US here. Note the built in speaker on the black one missing on the clear one here. Pics for that one captured here. See the Gleeman label below for more.

CLICK FOR MORE »

1983 Gleeman Pentaphonic Clear Ad

via Retro Synth Ads, where you'll find the write up and additional scans.

Gleeman Pentaphonic Synth Demo

via this auction
video below and at the auction.
"extremely rare vintage 1982 Gleeman Pentaphonic analog synth with original owner's manual... serial number 8110047, from the original owner.

The Gleeman Pentaphonic is a five-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer produced in extremely limited quantities (approximately 75 total, including 50 black and 20+ clear) during 1982. It was designed by brothers Al and Bob Gleeman and featured three DCOs for a stable and juicy analog sound. The Pentaphonic was designed to compete against such classics as; the Sequential Prophet-5, Moog Minimoog and Polymoog, and the Oberheim 4-Voice.

In addition to three oscillators per voice, the Pentaphonic has a four-pole lowpass resonant filter with an ADSR envelope, a VCA with ADSR, an LFO, and built-in chorusing (slow or fast). There is also a handy 300-note capacity sequencer on-board for simple real-time recordings that you can play along with. There's also a cool X/Y joystick for controlling pitch and mod effects. Some models, such as this one, also had a Presetter added which gave it 100 patch memories and eight digital waveforms."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Uber Studio

via sequencer.de where you will find more.

Check out the red Synton Syrinx minus keys, Blue Syrinx, and the Buchla wall!!!

Three 200es, a System 100 and the uber rare Buchla 700 on top of a Rhodes Chroma.

I spot an Oberheim OB-Mx in the rack as well.

What is the synth in the stand behind the red Synton Syrinx, under the Yamaha VL1? It's not a Waldorf Q.


Update: vid Brandon:It's an Alesis Andromeda A6. Gleeman Pentaphonic clear to the right of the Syrinx's

Memorymoog behind the VL1.

Switched-On Ringtones

via RCP Tones
"'Switch-On your mobile phone with electronic tones designed on vintage analog synthesizers. We've tweaked blips, sequences, and effects from classic Moog, ARP, Roland, and Korg synthesizers and fine-tuned them to sound pristine and clear on your iPhone, Palm, BB, or any smartphone.

This collection is inspired by the "Switched-On" records of the late 1960s, particularly Wendy Carlos' "Switched-On Bach" and the countless "Moog" records that followed. Switched-On Ringtones brings unmistakable vintage electronic sound to your modern smartphone.
Read more about the history of Switched-On music at our blog.

**A portion of each sale will be donated to the Bob Moog Memorial Foundation.**

GEAR LIST
· Moog Minimoog
· Moog Memorymoog
· ARP Odyssey
· Korg MS System
· Korg Mono/Poly
· Roland Jupiter 4
· Roland Jupiter 8
· Roland SH-1000
· Gleeman Pentaphonic
· Sequential Circuits Prophet 10
· Sequential Circuits Prophet 600"

You'll find samples and more at RCP Tones.

Gleeman Pentaphonic CLEAR Synthesizer

via this auction

"Up for sale is a very rare Gleeman Pentaphonic synth. Supposedly there were only about 70 of these ever made. 50 were black and 20 clear."

CLICK FOR MORE »