Here comes a rare prize - a single-owner Synthi A - an impeccable EMS Synthi A, manufactured in 2011, delivered by Robin in 2012 after years in the queue. This Synthi A has seen extremely low hours, likely well under 100 hours. It is in mint and thus very like-new condition - there are no clear signs of it having been used and of course no damage whatsoever. It is functionally and cosmetically without a flaw, and it sounds like a dream - a rare find. This is an amazing instrument and tool, yet having understood it is not the best fit for my specific musical direction will sadly let it go to the highest bidder in Peter’s auction this November.
Robin added the following 12 original and highly useful modifications before burn-in, testing and shipping (visible on the included photo): (1) Oscillator stabilisation on all three oscillators. (2) Oscillator sync on Oscillator 2. (3) VC shape on all three oscillators. (4) Hi/Lo frequency range for all three oscillators. (5) Attack time extension to 5 seconds. (6) VC Filter response (Q). (7) 10-turn pot on CH 1 only (8) Centre-zero trapezoid. (9) Patchable voltage inverter. (10) Switchable 18/24 dB/octave filter. (11) Filter “unslew” switchable on filter’s CV input. (12) External gate input on one of the mic input jacks.
Included are many extremely useful accessories, among them 2 custom-built external cards, which are plugged into and powered through Synthi’s on-board Jones connector.
The Synthi SQ-1 Card, built/adapted by Constantin in Belgium, an excellent sequencer and arpeggiator which will control Synthi A and outboard gear, including several other useful functions (for further pics and specs http://www.portabellabz.be/sq1.html - see also https://vimeo.com/409273464).
The Synthi Sister Card, built by Constantin, a jack-of-all-trades modification array - LFO’s, S&H, CV mod busses, gate output and more. (For further pics and specs see http://www.portabellabz.be/sister.html - videos can be found on yt, vimeo and elsewhere).
Synthi A’s original power cable (EU-standard wall-plug).
Matrix pins made to a variety of specs by Robin: 30 white, 20 red, 6 yellow, 4 green pins (2.7Kohms, 7.5Kohms, 68Kohms).
Cable sets for various connections: one consists of a pair of about 110cm cables, each marked by Robin EMS CV ONLY with a 1/4”-plug at one end and a 3.5mm plug at the other.
Another is a cable assembly 5m in length with a Jones connector at one end and three 3.5mm plugs at the other, marked GATE, CV 1, CV 2.
Another consists of four 20cm cables with matrix pins at one end and 3.5mm plugs at the other, mainly but not only for the four mods (vcw2, vcw3, vcq and inverter) found along the right edge of the pin matrix - they have potential uses with external gear as well.
This Synthi A’s original EMS-badged Spartanite case in spotless condition.
This Synthi A's original shipping carton.
Printed documentation including (1) Robin’s manual describing the exact 12 modifications described here plus Robin’s getting-started-tips. (2) The VCS3 User Manual (the main Synthi manual). (3) The Synthi Educational Handbook. (4) The Synthi Book of Sounds including a number of filled dopesheets - plus a small set of EMS Synthi A Dopesheet blanks.
The above Synthi Cards and accessories are packed in protective containers inside a separate double-well shipping carton.
The Synthi A is packed in its Spartanite case inside its original padded shipping carton from Cornwall
The lucky high-bidder will also receive digital materials from EMS, Constantin and other Synthi experts, including service notes and sundry other materials.
LOCAL.PICKUP.ONLY - in Copenhagen or Stockholm.
This Synthi A will be a very attractive purchase for bidders in perhaps northern Europe including Scandinavia. Still, people elsewhere will be interested, and let’s face it: it’s not every day you hear about an immaculate Synthi A, built well after the turn of the millennium, thus 40 years younger than the first Synthi that saw the light of day - VAT not due if purchased in EU.
