A vintage EMS VCS 3 Putney analog matrix synthesizer is up for bidding on eBay.
This one is officially described as “untested” (wink-wink), but it’s going to go for some big dollars anyway, because of a Dr. Who connection:
A vintage EMS VCS3 synthesizer. WITH HISTORY this was John Bakers own VCS3 (BBC Radiophonic workshop see link) and used in the early 1970’s on the rework of the Dr Who theme music, and lots of his other work.
Cosmetically It looks in good condition, but has been unused since the late 1970,s and been in dry storage since I acquired it from johns estate. So sold as is untested for service ect.
VCS3 has now reached cult proportions and have become rare collector’s items so bid and get a piece of history. It will be hard to find another.
Hard to find another one – but EMS does offer them new via their site.
If you’ve got any information on this synth or the Dr. Who connection, please leave a comment!
via retrotogo
Yes. Everything on Ebay is "rare" or "vintage" these days. I wonder if there is anyway to prove that this unit was owned by John Bakers and does that actually make it worth more?
http://atomicshadow.bandcamp.com/
Yes. Everything on Ebay is "rare" or "vintage" these days. I wonder if there is anyway to prove that this unit was owned by John Bakers and does that actually make it worth more?
http://atomicshadow.bandcamp.com/
The only way to prove it would be if the seller had a receipt, or invoice to John Bakers, with his name on it and the serial number linked to this unit. Anything else is pure conjecture……
The whole thing is very fishy – firstly the original DR Who theme was recorded by Delia and did not use the VCS3 nor did the remakes so that part is pure fantasy and the seller should actually change the listing. Secondly IF this did belong to Baker then did he buy it from the Radiophonic Workshop as that is who it would have belonged to originally ??????
This kind of equipment is scary. It's scary in a good way. Whether it was owned by John Bakers or not, it's kind of cool. It's vintage even if it's not extremely rare or valuable. Those dials and knob are synth-sick stuff.
This kind of equipment is scary. It's scary in a good way. Whether it was owned by John Bakers or not, it's kind of cool. It's vintage even if it's not extremely rare or valuable. Those dials and knob are synth-sick stuff.
Cool synthesizer; even if it's not completely original.
Cool synthesizer; even if it's not completely original.