Analog Synth Blog

We interrupt this silence for some news!

2010-07-12T21:34:00.002-07:00

We have a new store! :)

The Taurus 1 Contact Board is now available again! The first three people to use the coupon code t1rev2fs when buying one will receive free shipping anywhere in the world!

Check out the Synthfool's Custom Products section for other items, including a Minimoog MIDI to CV Cable, and a new Minimoog Board Restoration Service.

I also have a bunch of stuff up on eBay right now, too! I'm more than willing to combine shipping between the store and eBay.

Pulling out the Patch Cords...

2010-03-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

I've decided to end this blog.

I don't have time for it anymore, and I'd rather just end it.
I'm keeping all the posts and pictures up, but I won't add any additional content.

The new Synthfool Facebook page is up. It's sort of going to take the place of this blog, minus rants. ;)

To the 11 followers, thanks for your interest. :)

Aloha,
~Monica

Coming Soon...

2010-03-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

The official Synthfool page on Facebook! :)

A couple videos...

2010-02-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

I actually feel like posting more than one item today. :)

These two videos are from a very cool client, Scott Metzger.

Here's a great demo of the 4 Voice my husband recently did for him.

If you like that, check out his cool Memorymoog Demo video. (I got to peek inside this beast not too long ago. Rudi does excellent work! :)

Now THIS is "synth porn"!

2010-02-24T11:32:00.000-08:00

I normally don't like the term "synth porn*", but this definitely applies to this video clip. :)

We stumbled across this gem years ago while going through some VHS tapes.
No actual sex in this clip, but you can imagine what goes on from here. :)

Click here!

Oddly enough, a lot of people we've shown this clip to are more interested in the Moog than what's happening in front of it! ;)

----
* I like synths and I like porn, but I know the difference between them!

Quote of the Day

2010-02-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

"When our relationship is professional, and you're not doing what you're supposed to, forget it."
--Bill Murray

Thoughts for the day...

2010-02-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

In no particular order:

We're almost out of CA3080's. I think I have one left to put up on eBay.

When you are no longer able to provide people with what they want, you find out who your true friends are.

That monster of an Oberheim 8 voice is finally out of my house. That was a nightmare which only served to make me more jaded about the synth world.

Even though life is a bit rough right now, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Weird...

2010-02-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know why my System 700 videos on YouTube generate so many snarky comments. *sigh*

Parts Stuff

2010-01-28T22:27:00.000-08:00

The parts store has been updated. I've adjusted international shipping prices a bit, as I noticed they were a bit high.

Stay tuned to eBay for new listings.

Arp Ody Sliders: Sold out!

2010-01-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

We just sold our last remaining Ody sliders. :)
Thanks to all who bought them over the couple years we had them. :)

Public Service Announcement

2009-12-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

Do not try to use me to try to get to my husband.
It shows you have no true idea of what a good marriage entails, and it shows you underestimate my intelligence.

Thoughts for the Day

2009-12-20T02:51:00.000-08:00

1. Don't pretend to be my friend to get what you want from me.
2. Don't project your own experiences and ego onto me.
3. Knowledge and experience should not be mistaken for ego.
4. In the 13 years I've been around the vintage synth world, I'm constantly amazed at the kind of people this world attracts.
5. When people call you "buddy" in this world, they're guilty of, or about to be guilty of, #1 above.
6. And finally...
7. If you feel inclined to take any of this personally... see #2.

Getting Jiggy with Synthfool #9: Minimoog MIDI to CV Interface Cable

2009-12-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

From the eBay auction listing:

This cable plugs into the keyboard connector of a Minimoog D.
It provides CV and Gate directly into the Minimoog.
It makes the Mini think your external signals actually are the keyboard.
That means you still get the original Moog glide and working orange Keyboard Tracking switches on the filter too.

Works great with many MIDI to CV converters because it requires a positive-going gate (V Trig) and not Moog's special S-Trig.
My husband used it with his Kenton Pro-Solo MKII to test Minimoogs.
Can also be used to interface a modular synth or sequencer with a Minimoog.

CEM's on eBay!

2009-12-11T11:45:00.000-08:00

Check out the "ebay" link on the right for more details. :)

Patrick Moraz' 8 Voice For Sale!

2009-12-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

Click here for more details

A Tribute

2009-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken about 20 years ago. That's me on the left, obviously. :)
The old man next to me is my paternal Grandfather, Luís Adame. Behind him is eldest living son, my Daddy.

Why post this here? Read on:
Grandpa got into electronics in 1930, at the age of 15, when he saved up 75 cents to buy a crystal to make a radio.
Then he had to save up another 75 cents to buy an antenna for it. :)
That started an interest and later a living from fixing electronics (TV's, radios, etc.). He was into CB Radio when I was little, too. I remember seeing his test equipment and CB stuff as a kid and being fascinated by it.

So when I met Synthfool on AOL 13+ years ago and first saw his shop, that fascination was sparked again. And some DNA kicked in after a few years, and here I am today, happily upgrading components on vintage synth circuit boards and rebushing keyboards.

Grandpa was pleased by the fact that one of his Grandchildren shared his interest in electronics, and he told my Dad once that he was impressed that I know what I diode is. :) I have his soldering iron, which I will treasure forever.

Grandpa turned 94 three days before he died, so he had a long, good life full of love and laughter. We should all be so lucky.

Public Service Announcement

2009-10-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

If you see any eBay auctions that claim that Kevin Lightner worked on the synth up for auction, please email: support@synthfool.com for verification before you bid.

Happy Halloween, and Happy Samhain to those who celebrate it. :)

Have you seen the new Jameco catalog?

2009-10-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

If not, here it is, along with their justification for using such a cover.

Oh, and if anyone needs a Rogue or Taurus 2 supply, these guys have 'em. Look for part #10102

Round 3 of eBay!

2009-10-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Dude, we found NOS Micromoog and Memorymoog front panels at the bottom of a box!
So naturally, they're up on eBay. Also listing some more Memorymoog and Polymoog stuff. :)

Synthfool website stuff

2009-09-20T14:19:00.001-07:00

The Price Lists are back up!

The Docs Section is finally indexed nicely.

We have a LOT more stuff to put up! I forgot just how much data the website contained! ;)

Round 2 of Ebay!

2009-09-20T14:15:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all who made our first round of Polymoog parts a rousing success! :)

Round 2 has begun with Minimoog replacement vinyl panels! Choose from two different finishes! :)

Get Yer Polymoog Parts!

2009-09-09T18:50:00.001-07:00

We are currently selling our entire inventory of Moog Polymoog parts.
Everything we have for Polymoogs is being sold.
What we don't sell here will be donated or sent to an electronics recycler to be crushed.
Nothing will be relisted.
Bid now because nothing will be offered again.

Click on the "ebay" link to the right for more details. :)

As seen on AH... ;)

2009-09-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

We're bringing Synthfool back! :)

First step is the Docs section.
I'm working on better index pages and zipping up a lot of the files for ease of download. It's quite a task, so please be patient! :)

Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts. :)

A World Without Bob

2009-08-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

Last Friday marked the 4th anniversary of Bob Moog leaving Planet Earth.

I did a very small tribute to him... I toasted him with a friend when we were at a Steely Dan concert.

I'm proud to say I did meet the Esteemed Dr. Moog a couple times, and somewhere I have a picture of his signature on my first iPod. He signed that when he debuted the Voyager back in '02, the same year he earned a technical Grammy. (Refrained from laughing at the guy who brought his MG-1 to have it signed that night, btw.)

Two years before that, there was the AH party where I danced near Bob. Fun night, but a little bittersweet now because of what happened later that year when someone I had a great conversation with that night got butthurt over the Sage Hoax.

I do wish that idea to have 1 volt/octave known as a "Moog" had gone somewhere. That would have been cool.

So Dr. Moog, I hope you're enjoying the afterlife. You deserve it after the impact you made while on Earth.

Finite Things

2009-08-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

This blog will end someday in the not too distant future, as the content will be moved to a much nicer place. :)

No date for this is set, but I thought I'd let y'all know.

Speaking of finite, if you want a Technical Service Information Manual for a Memorymoog, click on that link and grab one now! This is part of my "sell or recycle" series of auctions.

Yes, this part of the manual has no large schemos, but it does have instructions on how to take a Memorymoog apart as well as how to troubleshoot it. :)

Coming Soon: The "Grab it Before We Recycle It" Sale

2009-08-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Our lovely little community has "Hazmat Collection Days" twice a year, so residents can safely get rid of things not meant for the landfill.

This season's date is on 8/29.

During the next 3 weeks, you will see a bunch of auctions for things that have been hanging around here far too long and are taking up far too much space.

Any items that don't sell will be recycled on the 29th.

BUCHLA!!!!!

2009-07-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

I get to play with this today... as well as the one in the background, hidden near where I put the "asb" mark.

ebay & parts store shipping

2009-07-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

I'm taking off for a little R&R, so the last time I'll be able to ship this week is tomorrow.
Any orders made between Thursday and Saturday won't get processed until Sunday.
Outstanding orders should be able to ship early next week. :)
A bunch of auctions are ending soon, and a lot of them can ship tomorrow morning! :)

Thanks for all the recent eBay orders, too. They're really appreciated. :)

Special deal on 100k Linear CTS sliders for Arps!

2009-07-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

100k Linear CTS sliders for $5 each!

The normal store price is $13 each, so you're saving quite a bit! :)

Emerson & Moog, #2

2009-07-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Figured I'd post two things today, to make up for my sporadic updates.
(As I've said before, this blog is a very low priority, as it's something I do for fun, not fame.)

Anyhoo, here's the second pic I have of Keith Emerson & Bob Moog on stage together. Posted the other one nearly a year ago. (If you click on the "Bob" tag, you can find the other one.)

Syrinx, part 2

2009-07-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

A shot of the inside of the custom Synton Syrinx pic that I posted earlier:

Coming soon to the parts store...

2009-07-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

Minimoog cinch jones connector sets!

Synthacon revisited

2009-07-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

Some of you may recall that I posted a pic of a Synthacon that was here last March.

Here it is post-restoration:

Special Synton Syrinx

2009-06-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

One of the new arrivals for this week...

This was a limited edition, custom Syrinx done by Synton. Neat, huh?!
(And no, it's not for sale!)

Fun w/an Ody!

2009-06-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

Click here to see a video of me playing around with a white Ody in mid-restoration.
(Though y'know, I've been wanting to re-label what we do as "rebuilding" as opposed to "restoring," 'cause it seems to be a more accurate term. Or at least there seems to be a bit of a variation about what "restoring" a synth entails.)

The 2600 keyboard cables are up on eBay, along with a bunch of other stuff.
If you buy anything from my auctions and mention that you saw this post, I'll include some Moog or Arp vinyl stickers with your order! :)

Coming soon: Arp 2600 keyboard cables

2009-06-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

Yep, you read that subject line right! :)

Stay tuned for more details!

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool #9: Match Game

2009-06-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

This little setup enables me to match resistors, with the end goal of making Minimoog oscillator boards happier! :)

For what it's worth...

2009-06-02T12:13:00.001-07:00

My parts sales are for repairs & restorations.
I won't sell parts in bulk.
I also won't lie on customs forms, especially if I say so in an auction!
If a shipping price is kinda high, it means that's the best method of shipping the item, and/or it requires insurance.

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool #8: Air Cooled Dummy Load

2009-06-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

An oldie but a goodie:

This is used to run an amp at full power while monitoring it on a scope.
Produces 4 ohms or 8 ohms using 4 8ohm 100 watt resistors that have a fan attached to them.
Teflon wire was used to make this durable, and it's stood the test of time quite well!

More eBay...

2009-05-28T20:19:00.001-07:00

Put a bunch of stuff up on eBay today.
Some of the usual things and some unusual things. :)

Getting Jiggy with Synthfool #7: OTA/AMP Tester

2009-05-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

Made from one of our buffer board clones, this little tester works with the Amerel power supply to test LM3080's and single opams.

It features a special socket for easier insertion and removal of opamps, and it is a very quick and simple way of testing opamps.

eBay stuff...

2009-05-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

I'm listing some things on eBay I haven't relisted in awhile. :)

I also have NOS C-Prime keys for Pratt-Read style keyboards.

Another Buchla video...

2009-05-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

The second part of the Buchla video my other half put up on YouTube.

Broadway Baby!

2009-05-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

I was looking through the eBay folder on my husband's HD while relisting auctions, and I found this:

We sold this Mini years ago. It was purchased for the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The concept album was made before the Mini was, so it's interesting that a Mini was added to the orchestra.

Getting Jiggy with Synthfool #6: "Fluffy"

2009-04-29T23:01:00.001-07:00

I decided to name this special power cord after the 3-headed dog in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

This power plug has all 3 common power plugs found in synths: Roland/Korg, Oberheim SEM/Arp 2600/Steiner Parker, and IEC-Style (standard).
This was made out of the frustration of having to hunt around for the right power cord.

Shameless Plug alert!

2009-04-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

Got a few things on eBay for prices you'll never see again. :)

Thought for the night...

2009-04-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Had fun fumbling around with a Buchla, but I've got a LOT to learn before I can actually make decent sounds out of it!

At least I continued my tradition of finding the noise source. ;)

No more Sireko Cartridges!

2009-04-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

I just sold the last two Maestro Sireko cartridges I had in stock. :)

BUCHLA!!!!

2009-04-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

Click here for a Buchla 100 modular video on YouTube, courtesy of my husband. :)

Shameless Plug Alert-Sale on Minimoog/Moog Modular Pointer knobs!

2009-04-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

We're selling 42 pointer knobs for Minis or Moog Modulars for the low price of $2.50 each!
You can buy one or as many as you need, but once the 42 are gone, that's all!

Click here for the eBay auction

Getting Jiggy WIth Synthfool #5: Multiple Plugs

2009-04-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is not a custom jig, but rather a modified one. :)

Boss Multiple Plugs (Modified)

A Boss J5 Multiple Jacks that was modified.
It now has 4 plugs instead of jacks.
It sends one signal to 4 places.
It was made almost 20 years ago to test 4 Track recorders.
(A cable was made to test 8 track recorders, but no pic was taken of that.)

Just the board, ma'am...

2009-04-13T17:10:00.001-07:00

(or, Another Shameless Plug Alert...)

While we mainly handle complete restorations of whole Minis, we will, on occasion, take in just a board or two.
Here's the latest of these "just the board" repairs. In this case, a filter board:

If this service sounds intriguing to you, let me know. :)
Obviously, only repairing a Mini's circuit boards won't fix every single problem with a Mini, but it is a step in the right direction. :)

The Last System 700 video from the earlier series...

2009-04-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Click here for the video

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool: #4: SEM Tester

2009-04-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite jigs: The Oberheim SEM Tester

This box is a great way to troubleshoot and fix SEM's without having to take it in and out of its chassis.
The pegs on top that allow for it to rest easily and securely using the SEM's mounting holes.
Harnesses are provided with color-coded molex connectors that match the original chassis wiring.
The box also provides scope and meter outputs.

Jitter, Revisited

2009-04-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from the jiggy series to tell a "jittery" story...

A couple years before I met Kevin, Hans Zimmer hired him to build him a very large Moog modular.
(HZ just wrote Kevin to say it's still fine 16 years later, too!)
According to Kevin, they both discussed synths right and left then and what made them sound good.

Hans said that he preferred the sound of the Moog 901 oscillators.
At the time, Kevin didn't understand what he meant--An oscillator to him had pitch, waveform shape, volume and that was about it.
But Hans was certain this wasn't the case.

Two years later, right as Kevin was putting the finishing touches on Hans' big Moog, he found himself with many extra parts left over.
One part was a blank Moog 921B panel.
Kevin decided to use it to build a CEM3340-based oscillator, which is used in Jupiter 6's, Memorymoogs and many other synths we all know and love. (And Kevin's portable VCO!)

You'd think that using a VCO on a chip wouldn't be any different than what Moog used in a 921B... they're both oscillators, right?
Wrong.
When Kevin installed and made a patch with this new "CEM" 921B, he suddenly realized Hans was right.
There was some sort of sound the Moog's had that this new oscillator didn't.
In Kevin's words, the CEM3340-based oscillator "sounded razor sharp and sterile."

This keen observation wasn't thought of much for several years.
Then, a couple years ago, while restoring a Moog modular, Kevin made a video showing a Moog 901 oscillator plugged directly into an oscilloscope.
Here it is: http://www.minimoog.net/moogjitter.mp4
This video showed some sort of "jitter" in the waveform that wasn't present in the CEM3340 chip.

In an interesting and semi-amusing round of "shoot the messenger," Kevin was slammed when he showed this video to others.
They insisted that the video showed nothing that could actually be heard, and anyone who thought otherwise was probably hearing things.

Ken Elhardt took this position after looking for this jitter with his DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
However, he didn't use an actual 901 oscillator. He used an mp3 of one. (That always struck me as odd, trying to analyze a digital sample of an analog waveform. But hey, I only change caps and rebush keyboards!)
Mr. Elhardt and others added that they prefer a very accurate and stable VCO and if they wanted any "jitter", they'd add it in with noise or whatever. (Personally, I'm not much for ultra-accurate, sterile-sounding oscillators.)

One person even said that Kevin had documented how Moog power supplies were actually responsible for this jitter.
This made me laugh, as the video clearly shows that he used a precision laboratory power supply, not a Moog power supply.
(More on that supply in future posts, as it's the heart of many things that will be featured in the "jiggy series".)

Finally, several people didn't understand what Kevin was showing at all and said whatever great Moog sound there might be is due to drift. (I hope these folks weren't the same ones who like their oscillators sterile!)

But one very well respected tech, Juergen Haible, also countered that Kevin was wrong.
This hurt Kevin's feelings because Kevin used to be friends with him.
He used to share parts, photos and music with him and hosted his site for free.

With all that in mind, I submit for your perusal:
http://www.jhaible.de/living_vcos/jh_living_vcos.html
It's a vco design made by Mr. Haible that he calls "living VCOs."

In reading his description, Mr. Haible describes things this way:
"...A good part of that special sound of early Moog and EMS oscillators is not because of any "randomness", "unstability", "instability" or "noisyness", as so often is said. A good deal of their behavior is because of that, but it is not the whole story. There are also some very deterministic factors in these old circuits which have been unpleasant side effects for the designers back then, but which are worth a closer analysis when we're designing a musical VCO today. "

Kevin found this amusing. (Once he reminded me of this whole jittery debacle, so did I.)
He pointed out that while Mr. Haible says what his VCO's aren't, he doesn't say what they are. No schematic or analysis was provided (at least yet.)
No mention of the word jitter either. ;-)

But Mr. Haible's board layout suggests a design very close to the Minimoog and Moog 921B oscillators. Many of the same exact parts are used as in Moog oscillators.
Mr. Haible's comments suggest that he learned something new here.
He designed his oscillators not to be super accurate, but to be musical instead.
He just built his "living VCOs" upon Moog's basic design.
He intentionally sacrificed perfection for musicality.
Isn't that what Hans originally observed and Kevin documented?

I think Mr. Haible changed his mind, and is skittish about using the word, "jitter."
No harm in a man having to change his position after being so insistent on it previously! (Though I suppose admitting that might be difficult.)

By the way, Kevin said he's has no hard feelings and would love one of his boards.
If we can find the extra cash, I wonder if Mr. Haible will sell us one? :)

Corrosion!

2009-04-04T00:13:00.000-07:00

Looking through old pics and found this... eeyew!

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool: #3: Resistor Substitution Box

2009-04-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

This is a very sturdy and very accurate resistor substiution box that was made after Synthfool was sick of fixing his old, standard resistor substitution wheel.
It features a die cast aluminium chassis with all aluminium Alco knobs found on Emu modulars.
It features .1% Holco resistors
All the switches have doubled up contacts.

Inside the Portable VCO

2009-03-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

A couple pics of the inside of the Portable VCO:

Another System 700 video. :)

2009-03-29T00:04:00.000-07:00

This time I'm hosting it on my server, 'cause I got the wrong kind of attention when I posted the last video on YouTube.

Again, I'm not a synthesist nor a musician... just havin' a little fun with something I had a hand in restoring. :)

Just a reminder...

2009-03-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

Synths are how we make our living, not a substitution for other kinds of wank material.

That is all.

Getting Jiggy With Synthfool #2: Essential Tools #1-The IC Tester

2009-03-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

There are a few essential tools that are worth mentioning as a part of this series.
Here's the first one:
Modular Circuit Technology Mod-HIC IC Tester

Tests many of the chips used in synths--CMOS, TTL, and some memory chips.
An indespensible tool that can even identify certain chips if the writing's been removed.
These are no longer made and occasionally pop up on eBay.

You know, I honestly thought every tech had one of these until it was pointed out to me that they're rare!

New Photo Series: Getting Jiggy With Synthfool: #1: VCO 2 GO

2009-03-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I'm starting a new photo series on this blog, and the content won't be found anywhere else. :)

My husband's made a wide variety of his own test equipment and such over the years. We've finally decided to document them, and he's given me permission to post them on my blog. :)

This is one of my favorites: The Portable VCO

This is a battery operated, CEM-based VCO that could very easily fit in a pocket.

The VCO uses a 9 volt battery to power a circuit that uses a CEM3340.
It is very stable and tracks extremely well.
It features both 1/8" and 1/4" jacks for CV in and Audio out.

Another video

2009-03-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

This time it's me & 1 cabinet of a Roland System 700

Testing a Moog 55

2009-03-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Check out the video Synthfool posted on YouTube!

One of a Kind Minimoog Filter Clone in a Moog Module Shell!

2009-03-25T18:14:00.000-07:00

Click here for the eBay auction!

When restoring a Minimoog...

2009-03-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

"Drill, baby, drill!" is NOT a phrase to keep in mind!

Y'see, you're most likely going to leave tiny bits of metal in the pots when you drill them. That's a disaster waiting to happen!

Steiner Parker Synthacon

2009-03-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Well, part of it. ;)

Speaking of "parts of" synths, check out the ebay link for my latest round of auctions, including a working Arp Solus that's minus the keyboard and case.

Moog & Buchla

2009-03-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

Melodia Theremin and Buchla 100.

If you're gonna change caps...

2009-03-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

... do yourself and the synth a favor and put the value of the cap face up, and make sure the lead isn't smushed up against the positive side of the cap. That way you look like you know what you're doing. ;-)

Changed some resistors today, too. That always takes me back to my early days with Synthfool, when I helped assemble Polyfusion modules. :)

International Shipping

2009-03-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

I will no longer offer Overnight shipping for International (non-USA) orders.

That said. . . if you're outside the USA and you need to order parts, please do not do so at the last minute. Lack of planning on your part does not mean an emergency on my part.

Mini Mouse House

2009-02-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

My husband posted pics of a Mini we just opened up over on the Moog Music Forum

dead cap

2009-02-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

This is why replacing capacitors is standard procedure for restorations around here...

Only 2 left!

2009-02-04T14:02:00.001-08:00

There are only two Taurus 1 Contact boards left! We have no time frame as to when the next set will be made.

Thanks to all who have purchased them this year. :)

Work pics

2009-01-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

I put a few pics on my Facebook account of what I've been doing lately. (Check the labels of this post for hints!)

Yamaha CS-80

2009-01-19T09:18:00.001-08:00

As if I didn't have enough huge synths in my living room, this arrived a week ago:

I haven't seen one of these in about a dozen years, I think. When I moved in with Synthfool, there was one there that had suffered water damage. It couldn't be repaired, so we sacrificed it so other CS-80's could live. First time I ever cannibalized a synth, too! :)

This one will be kept intact, though. :)

Workstation pic

2009-01-19T09:02:00.000-08:00

My setup for changing caps on circuit boards:

Digital Waveform Oscillator video

2009-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

Something cool my husband's been working on:

Only 4 Taurus 1 Replacement boards left!

2009-01-17T12:51:00.001-08:00

Subject line says it all. :)

Been doin' the assistant thing lately...

2009-01-14T18:13:00.000-08:00

My kitchen table has been my workbench lately. It's perfect for replacing caps on circuit boards and working on keyboard actions. Over New Year's we used said table to assemble the last of the Taurus 1 replacement boards. Lotsa stripping and crimping on my part. :)

I used solder wick for the first time in ages earlier this week. Reminded me of a dozen years ago when I was first learning this stuff. :) I used the power de-solderer today and burned my finger when my hand slipped. Ow!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd do this kind of work *and* enjoy it, but it beats a whole lot of other jobs I've had! ;-)

The last of the Moog Taurus 1 Boards!

2009-01-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

There's a half dozen left, and they're ready to go!

Heck, I'll even ship them out on Saturday if you buy them today!

Heavy duty, custom-made 2600 keyboard cable

2009-01-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

Click here for eBay auction.

I'm heading to the post office early tomorrow morning, so if you buy it before 8am pacific, it will ship tomorrow!

Non-Synth content

2009-01-07T18:05:00.001-08:00

Want to know what my husband does when he's not working on synths?

Silly stuff like this!

Update 9 Jan: Link fixed.

Coming soon to ebay...

2009-01-07T13:02:00.000-08:00

Taurus 1 Replacement boards... we only have 7 left!

Arp 2600 keyboard cable... first heavy duty, then normal ones to follow.

CEM 3360 on ebay

2008-12-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

Click the "ebay" link for more details. :)

Synthi 100

2008-12-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

(That's my Energy Dome in the background...)

New Arrivals!

2008-12-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

I wasn't here when they arrived, but I did pass by two trucks on my way home from a pre-snow supply run. :)

The big unit is an EMS Synthi 100, and the two cabinets underneath it are Emu Modular.

Both units come with keyboards, too!

For a high res pic, click on the "Synthfool" link. :)

Inside a 2600 (again)

2008-12-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

Another peek inside an Arp 2600:

32+ years ago...

2008-12-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a price list for Roland US back when it was just BMI:

Friday Flyer

2008-12-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

Found this while sorting through the manuals I've been selling lately.

Roland keys!

2008-11-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

The Roland keys are finally up!

I've got three full octaves, so get 'em while they last!

More eBay talk of the shameless plug variety

2008-11-24T14:23:00.000-08:00

Right now on eBay I'm offering a heavy binder that has the service manuals for the Polymoog line. Included as a bonus is the schematic drawings for the Polymoog Keyboard. It's nearly 4.5 pounds of Polymoog goodness!

After I'm done with this post, I'm going to list Moog Source eproms on eBay. :)

Both on eBay and the store are NOS Micromoog or Multimoog Selector knobs at $5 each.

I put some Moog Music-made photocopies of the Sonic 6 Owner's manual on the parts store.

I also put up the power regulator board that I have up on eBay.

I have a few used but in great condition Roland keys available for $12.50 each, but I need to get a good picture.
In the event you need a key for any of the Roland synths below, speak up quickly! I have 3 each of the natural keys and 19 sharps.

Jupiter 4 (JP-4)
Promars (MRS-2)
RS101
RS202
RS505
System 100
System 100M keyboards
System 700 keyboards
SH-1
SH-2
SH-3 / 3A
SH-5
SH-7
SH-09
SH-1000
SH-2000
VP-330 (early version)

Thanks!

2008-11-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

According to my eBay ID history, I've been selling parts for 5 years this month.
I'd like to say a very special thank you to all the wonderful repeat customers I've had--you know who you are. :)
You guys really do outweigh all the rant-worthy experiences. :)

Depression Generator

2008-11-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

Not quite sure about the origin of this, but thought it was funny:

Anonymous comments disabled

2008-11-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

Challenge me all you want. . . but at least have the decency to let me know who you are!

Edited to add:

Silly me was trying to put up a blog full of original content, instead of regurgitating everyone else's content like some other synth blogs do.

Silly me would never attempt a repair or restoration on my own. Even though I've got the parts and the tools, I can't read schematics and don't know much about electronics. Sure, I'll swap components on circuit boards and work on keyboard actions, but that's because I was properly instructed on how to do so and have my husband to bail me out if I get stuck.

Shipping

2008-11-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

For the record:

I will ship Priority Mail for nearly everything I sell, because it's quicker than first class, parcel post, and media mail, and offers a tracking number. I also get the boxes for free, which saves me a lot of money.

I understand it can be a drag to pay those shipping fees, but wouldn't it suck to pay for a shipping method that's non-trackable and have the rare item you've been looking for for years, get lost in the mail without any way to recover it?

Humor

2008-11-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

(Warning: I do have a warped sense of humor!)

Q: How can you tell if a naive synth tech is a "right-to-lifer"?

A: He thinks that most of the work is done as soon as he conceives the repair.

De-Oxit BAD!!

2008-11-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

Please, for the love Bob Moog, DO NOT USE DE-OXIT!
Do not use it in your Minimoog, Memorymoog, or anywhere else!!

Edited:

My husband pointed out that he's posted about this subject on AH before. So I checked the archives:

Nov 1998
July 2000
July 2003
September 2003
September 2003 #2
September 2003 #3
September 2003 #4

Coming soon to ebay...

2008-11-08T11:51:00.000-08:00

A BUNCH of manuals!

Gibson Amps, Epiphone amps, Micromoog & Multimoog Operation Manuals, Micro/Multi Service Manual, Polymoog service manual... and possibly a Moog binder!

Also.... lotsa Polymoog boards!

Yet Another Shameless Plug

2008-11-07T12:37:00.001-08:00

*Points to eBay link*

I just put up some Korg-compatible NOS keys. I only have E's, B's, D's, and A's, and they're all listed individually. :)

I also put up a couple more items generally found on the store. :)

Anyone who buys more than one "Buy It Now" auction will get reimbursed for excess shipping, or upgraded to express shipping if desired.

And the reason international shipping is so high on these keys is because I want to ship them in a box, where they get a tracking number and some insurance coverage. :)

Minor ebay rant

2008-11-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

Why would someone think I'd want to do business with him again if he's always been entitlement-minded, did not read an auction carefully, and was generally a pain in the neck to deal with?

Oh.... I think I know...his entitlement-mindedness is what makes him think I'm worthy of his business.