Tom at Waveformless put together a fun post taking a look at going vintage on the cheap.
There are a number of really underrated synths that seem to go for consistently low prices. They’re awesome synths, but nobody seems to know about them, which means you can get a great deal.
Here’s the list of synths that he highlights:
- Casio CZ-101 (typically less than $100)
- Ensoniq ESQ-1 (typically $150-$300)
- Moog (Realistic) Concertmate MG-1 (typically $100-$500)
- Oberheim Matrix-6R (typically $150-$350+)
- Roland HS-10/80 (typically $25-$100)
- Roland HS-60 (typically $200+)
- Roland MKS-7 (typically $200+)
- Yamaha CS-01 (typically $150-$250)
- Yamaha TX81Z (typically $50-$85)
See Tom’s post for his take on each of these synths.
Are these great synths? No – but you can get great deals on them and make some great sounds.
As an alternative to the Casio CZ-101, I’d recommend the CZ-1, which has twice the polyphony plus a velocity + aftertouch sensitive full-size keyboard. And is still dirt cheap.
Got other ideas for cheap vintage synths that don’t suck? Leave a comment!
Tags: Casio, Casio CZ-1, Concertmate, Keyboard Synthesizers, Moog, Moog synthesizer, Oberheim, Roland, vintage synth, vintage synthesizer, Yamaha
24 Responses to “9 Dirt Cheap Vintage Synths That Don’t Suck”
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Thanks – now every one of these boards will be $500+ on eBay.
You missed off the Poly800, DX100, Sequential Sixtraks and the SH09 (amongst others)
I second the Sixtrak. They're extremely easy to repair (socketed components) and it sounds fantastic, a real gem
I second the Sixtrak. They're extremely easy to repair (socketed components) and it sounds fantastic, a real gem
Good synths!
The Six Trak is a little cheesy since it's got only one VCO per voice, but throw a chorus or reverb on it and it sounds pretty good.
Love the "Record 6" tuning function!
Good synths!
The Six Trak is a little cheesy since it's got only one VCO per voice, but throw a chorus or reverb on it and it sounds pretty good.
Love the "Record 6" tuning function!
I also think the Roland Alpha juno 2 should be mentioned I purchased mine for 200 dollars
the korg poly-800 is great!
also
Akai – AX 60, VCO, VCF, VCA + Midi, 6 voices, unison, HPF and one of the harshest most amazing low-pass filters ever
Plus a fader for nearly everything
such a good deal and one of the most slept on analogs
I second that vote on the Akai – AX60. Great synth.
AX80 is also amazing but a bit more.
They we both very good but at the time people were in love with the DX7 so they we ignored.
I think the point here is "cheap" and your Roland Alpha Juno 2 is covered under the banner of the HS10/80 which are the same thing with added speakers for the "home organ" market.
Poly800 rules! DX100 is a TX81Z and I wouldn't have said SH09s are that cheap. In the UK they often go for £300 or 500 USD.
Poly800 rules! DX100 is a TX81Z and I wouldn't have said SH09s are that cheap. In the UK they often go for £300 or 500 USD.
My votes are:
Casio VZ-10m (same as FM but different)
HOHNER HS2e (a Casio VZ-10M with a different badge)
Yamaha SK10 or 15 (string machine)
Cheetah MS6 (almost a copy of the Oberheim Matrix 1000 but half the price)
Casio CT-410V (for cheese appeal but a real synth with a filter!)
Roland D-110 (if you can't afford a D50/550)
Kawai K4R (for usable nostalgia or a K1 for cheap low-fi dirt)
Evolution EVS1 (funny little thing but can produce some good sounds)
Siel Expander 80 (like a Korg Poly)
Ensoniq SQ-R
My votes are:
Casio VZ-10m (same as FM but different)
HOHNER HS2e (a Casio VZ-10M with a different badge)
Yamaha SK10 or 15 (string machine)
Cheetah MS6 (almost a copy of the Oberheim Matrix 1000 but half the price)
Casio CT-410V (for cheese appeal but a real synth with a filter!)
Roland D-110 (if you can't afford a D50/550)
Kawai K4R (for usable nostalgia or a K1 for cheap low-fi dirt)
Evolution EVS1 (funny little thing but can produce some good sounds)
Siel Expander 80 (like a Korg Poly)
Ensoniq SQ-R
Oh, and a Korg Wavestation SR; I know you can get a soft version but it's just not the same for noodling around on.
Oh, and a Korg Wavestation SR; I know you can get a soft version but it's just not the same for noodling around on.
A bit of a toy, but don't pass up on a Yamaha PSS-570 if you see one – it gives AWESOME FM sounds with both presets and manual controls. (And "awesome" is a word I never use.)
A bit of a toy, but don't pass up on a Yamaha PSS-570 if you see one – it gives AWESOME FM sounds with both presets and manual controls. (And "awesome" is a word I never use.)
Awesome!
no no no the MG 1 does suck.
MirlitronOne: Seconded.
I have a Yamaha PSS-470 that I picked up for $3 at a thrift shop and its pretty impressive for a "toy" (especially with a few well-placed bends).
The TX81Z is a great entry-level box. I'm glad to see that on the list.
Roland D-110s usually go for pretty cheap but they're such a pain to program that it kind of forces them into the 'suck' category.
MirlitronOne: Seconded.
I have a Yamaha PSS-470 that I picked up for $3 at a thrift shop and its pretty impressive for a "toy" (especially with a few well-placed bends).
The TX81Z is a great entry-level box. I'm glad to see that on the list.
Roland D-110s usually go for pretty cheap but they're such a pain to program that it kind of forces them into the 'suck' category.
ROLAND ALPHA JUNO 2!!
Korg X5D rocks my temple…
Got it for 175 Euro, say 200 $ or something.
Its newer but can be made to sound analog with some tweaking. ( It has some standard echo/reverb to it, sounds to wet, like a fucking digital cave)