Vintage Synths - A dream come true or a total nightmare?

Is owning a vintage synth a dream come true or a total nightmare? In this video I take a brief and lighthearted look at my very small and humble collection of vintage keyboards to show you my own experience. Obviously everyone's experience will be unique but hopefully this video might give you a flavour of what to expect if you are thinking of taking the plunge as a new vintage synth owner.

And if you have experience of vintage gear yourself I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences so please do leave a comment in the section below. Thanks for watching.

[AlexBallMusic]

Really enjoyed the format you took for this one, very creative. You've got some nice bits hiding away there, including the PE-2000 with its famous "caliblation" knob. That 700S is beauty too.

It's all about knowing techs, because a lot of it needs work of some kind, but it's suprising what's fixable as they did make them to last back then and the schematics are usually available.

Ironically, yt's actually not uncommon that a vintage synth is easier to fix than a more recent synth with propriatory digital chips or boards or the like. I've known a few 10-year-old synths have to be binned because the only way to fix them was to get another unit and take the parts out of it and breaking a working one to fix a broken one makes no sense. I've then had numerous 40+ year old synths fixed pretty easily. I'd bet all of yours could be sorted out.

I guess you have to ask whether you can be bothered, as you said. I was over the moon that Prophet was reissued because I could buy a brand new one when I'd given up on the idea of spending 4-5k on a 40-year-old one that would need ongoing work. I press the power switch each day without a concern that I'll be met by an ominious nothing.

[RobertMatichak]

Very entertaining … funny!!
The message came through loud and clear.
Thanks for going the extra distance on making this video.

[markusfuller]

I’m getting tired of repairing vintage synths, just getting hold of the correct components for them is getting increasingly difficult. the majority of synths that I personally own are under 5 years old and theres so many good modern analog synthesizers available to us today. don’t get me wrong I love old vintage synths but I’d rather be making music on something reliable than spending time fault finding and trying to find replacement parts.

[FrankyGun]

As I can see by the computer voice comments, Tim, you actually have a sense of humor. That is very refreshing to see since most of your (content wise fantastic and excellent) videos come across so serious and dry that it hurts. Adding a smile from time to time or giving the audience a good laugh to light up your content would make your videos so much more enjoyable. Love and light from sunny Khao Lak, Thailand 🇹🇭❤️☀️🏖🌴🥥🐘🌈

[marsmediapro]

Quite humorous, and yet, informative. Thank you!

[tomrobinson]

LOL. Very entertaining Tim. Loved it from start to finish. Well worth the watch.

[TonySway]

Good video, I own one Vintage Synth the (Oberheim Matrix 12) the funny thing, is its the most functional synth out of all my new gear, never any issues, it's maybe just the luck of the draw, previous owner took great care of it and had it checked on a regular basis, it's funny cause I thought it would have some faults but to my surprise it runs smoother than of my other new synths, for instance my moog one and waldorf quantum get stuck on patches constantly, my quantum, will malfunction while doing to much tweaking and sometimes give off a loud noise and almost burst my ears lol my Prophets have been very reliable though, anyways great video, I guess it just depends, it's like buying a old car, some last for years, others breakdown constantly

[SRDhain]

I've owned a lot of vintage synths when they were cheap enough to buy on ebay and not feel queasy when they didn't quite do what they were supposed to. I was fortunate that a good friend of mine is one of the best techs in the business, otherwise studio life would have been difficult at the time.

All of them need an overhaul from time to time. The time taken (and the subsequent cost) varies depending on everything you can think of regarding the instrument(s).

Even 5 years ago, I'd have said go for it. But with the increasing plethora of newer analog (and hybrid) synths sounding so good, and costing much less to buy and own (they'll be good to go for at least 5 to10 years), it's a 'have a think' before you shell out for a vintage synth, imo. They're similar to vintage cars; beautiful to look at, and great to take for a spin, but you'll need the time, energy & money /tech to keep them going.

[anoniconoclast]

The Korg DW8000 is so worth getting fixed.

[carlbdfrd]

BRILLIANT TIM, Loved this video and completely agree with your conclusion. I sold 4 of my very vintage synths and bought a new studio with the money:. Thanks for a very entertaining video.

[Howdy]

I will add a positive notion to vintage synths. Mostly they are a hell of a lot easier to repair than mid age synths using small SMT technology as they use large easier to get at components. However as others have said, it is in some cases hard to find parts now. Unfortunately I doubt this vid will stop the onslaught of prices continuing to skyrocket though. Tim, I bet that DW is a fairly easy fix. Worth it as its a gorgeous sounding under-rated board.

[stephenanthonythomas]

I babysat 2 Monopoly’s in the late 80s and mid 90s and just loved that synth. Tried to get owners to sell but they wouldn't part with them. Glad you kept yours! The other synth I really wish I had been more persistent with the owner was a Yamaha SY2. Really weird preset synth but man it sounded great-kinda like a large version of the reface CS.
And I totally empathize with the Pianet T. I had one that needed the little stickie pads. Just had to let it go.
I'm down to a minimoog. Its been in the shop for a year. Complete refurb. Selling it immediately when I get it back. It was a good run.

[sock_park]

"Positively ancient" aka my birth year, heeheehee! Enjoyed the vintage synth tour, thank you.

[paulallen]

Great video. I've had many with problems. Solina with fault on note repeating down keyboard plus ensemble problem, Wurlitzer EP200 with amp fault, 1978 Minimoog busbar problem, Arp Odyssey Mk3 has keyboard problem plus slider fault, and an Arp Omni Mk2 that was dead then burst into life, but then bellowed smoke from a burning tantalum capacitor! Some newer ones had faults too, Moog Anniversary Voyager touch pad not working anymore, Behringer Monopoly with VCA bleed, MPC Live with dead battery plus a Korg Prophecy where the wheel collapsed into it but fixed that. Then again on a positive note I got a working Yamaha CS5!!

[MrC_]

Great video! Love the format. Hope to see more content done in this style.

[performtransform]

I'm guessing this is a fairly representative mix of what vintage looks like. Thanks for shaing!

[renezayas]

Tim was really great show make me laugh and think 🤔 thanks 🙏

[SpikesStudio]

Thanks Tim. I bet most people agree. Me for certain, as there was never an ms-20 in until this year.
Synths might be relatively disposable nowdays, but their affordability and variation is worth the trade. Imo.
Cheers bro, keep up the good work.

[vksoundstudiokokow]

Thanks Tim. A certain magic and openness of vintage things, "honest" sound and understandable operations push us on this coveted, but very expensive path.

[ogasi]

very smart presentation - well humoured