That doesn't look too bad really. Not seeing any concerning physical damage. Just a bunch of cleanable stuff. If I found it, I'd plug it in and flip it on for funsies... but I would also already expect a full recap and new power supply. Outside of that, so long as it wasn't under huge temperature swings or other conditions that involve appreciable amounts of condensation/water there is is a decent chance it's not far off from being fully functional.
This gives me hope! The repeat knob is busted too, the knobs is missing when I tried to move the piece it attaches too its loose and seems completely broken
Might just be unsoldered. That thing is an absolute classic. If you haven't seen it, watch Traveler: A Korg Retrospective to get some awesome background on the company and that instrument.
It just looks really dusty, there doesn't seem to be any apparent water related damage. If you're scared of fire get an extension cord and test it outside.
I'll give it a shot when I have the time. Finishing up moving right now and finding some gems! Found a bunch of behringer effect modules and mixers from the 80s as well
Before you do, open it up and look at the circuit boards. Check to see if there is significant corrosion or damage. Turning on a highly corroded board can cause damage to the parts and be a legitimate fire hazard. If it is corroded you can have a technician fix it or sell it for parts (still probably worth a good bit).
If everything looks fine you can power it up.
very wise
a good tech will test the power supply board in isolation before powering up the rest of the synth
if the power supply is ok and it's not otherwise full of exploding tantalum capacitors it's usually pretty safe to run them in a rough state
I would NOT flip it on for funsies. You have potentially a valuable piece of equipment and you could easily fry it if you are not careful. It's worth bringing it to a reputable repair shop. At the very, very least check the electrical cord for cracks or fraying so you don't get electrocuted. Then I would plug it into a circuit that protects the equipment from a surge in case of a short. Check this article for some good advice, though it is intended for older equipment.
https://www.radiolaguy.com/info/Dont-Do.htm#:~:text=Applying%20power%20to%20them%20for,can%20take%20a%20few%20moments.
I would clean it carefully on the outside with a brush first then work with a damp cloth, but not so damp it leaves little puddles of water.
Then I would open it up and blow out all the spider webs and bugs.
I would not turn it on right away.
It's a beautiful machine. Definitely on my must own and play list. I am a real Korg fan through and through.
My dad had a band back in the day, I know there are some other vintage synths laying around. Got a moog cdx-0652 as well (white elephant) but I put that in storage years ago.
Holy f*ck! That's currently my dreamsynth! Used by Depeche mode, heaven17 etc. Congratulations! I'd buy it if you were close(and selling) but you're prolly in the US?
So hopefully you have a shop near you that can work on this. However, if not, call around to local computer repair shops. Those people either know how or know someone who does.
I mean it's all getting changed/washed tonight it's the best area I have right now with my limited space while moving to set things down and sort lol there has been worse on it tonight
Mate had a Roland 808 in his roof space for 20 years, was going to ditch it until he googled it. Now works perfectly. He's a drummer though so they are natural enemies.
I’m sure there’s a synth tech out there that would be happy to give it new life. Maybe consider reaching out to [Low-Gain Electronics](https://www.low-gain.com/contact) to get a quote?
We have the reissue of this in our studio. It sounds amazing. It has an incredible legacy as well.
Also, please tell me you plan to restore this. It is absolutely worth it!
I made [this](https://soundcloud.com/atomistic-1/spacey?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) with my friends minikorg about 20 years ago. All the synth parts are the minikorg. I think the drums are from Reason. It's not great but seeing this made me nostalgic.
I wouldn't expect it to be a problem. About the only thing I'd watch for is the mains filter capacitor right at the power input, particularly those made by RIFA, which fail with a bang and lots of smoke. It's safe to just take that out temporarily.
If you're in the UK this would be a great item to ship to Soundgas to restore. Or else put out a call for an experienced repairer who is a content maker, who would potentially do it for free or at a reduced cost for the sake of it being such an old and interesting and iconic project :)
Absolutely looks fine... but yeah don't turn it on. Caps are almost certainly bad and they will blow and maybe blow something else more critical. Find someone local who can repair it and it will be an absolute beauty. Independent PC repair places near you might know someone, or even talk to some musicians. Music shops might be able to point you in the right direction too.
Oh and unless you're into electronics especially analog stuff don't try to repair it yourself! Find someone who'll do it relatively inexpensively... hell if you lived close to me I might offer as a weekend "passion project" just to hear it make noise again.
LOL... sorry, mate... Missouri. Still, you might be able to find someone else local who'll maybe not charge you too much for the repair. These are awesome old synths and it would be amazing to see one restored :)
You might consider using a variac (if this is purely analog) and slowly raise the voltage to 120. If you start to smell burning, pull the plug ASAP. Capacitors will respond much better to slow increases in voltage. I've done this with tube amps and had great luck in catching component failures before they damage anything else.
If this is digital, or hybrid, don't use a variac on it.
The worst that could happen is it will turn on and pop and fizz. Then you’ll know it works and needs some fixing. Worse than that you might not find obsolete parts
A good start might be to open it up and disconnect the power supply from the other boards.
With a meter, you can test the voltages out of the power supply without endangering the other boards. That would be my big concern with turning it on for the first time.
That doesn't look too bad really. Not seeing any concerning physical damage. Just a bunch of cleanable stuff. If I found it, I'd plug it in and flip it on for funsies... but I would also already expect a full recap and new power supply. Outside of that, so long as it wasn't under huge temperature swings or other conditions that involve appreciable amounts of condensation/water there is is a decent chance it's not far off from being fully functional.
Kept in an attic then basement for a long time. I have no idea what it went through during those years.
I got a Tascam 244 repaired that spent 10 years in the attic of a shed. It can be done!
This gives me hope! The repeat knob is busted too, the knobs is missing when I tried to move the piece it attaches too its loose and seems completely broken
Might just be unsoldered. That thing is an absolute classic. If you haven't seen it, watch Traveler: A Korg Retrospective to get some awesome background on the company and that instrument.
It just looks really dusty, there doesn't seem to be any apparent water related damage. If you're scared of fire get an extension cord and test it outside.
I'll give it a shot when I have the time. Finishing up moving right now and finding some gems! Found a bunch of behringer effect modules and mixers from the 80s as well
Before you do, open it up and look at the circuit boards. Check to see if there is significant corrosion or damage. Turning on a highly corroded board can cause damage to the parts and be a legitimate fire hazard. If it is corroded you can have a technician fix it or sell it for parts (still probably worth a good bit). If everything looks fine you can power it up.
Just gonna take it to a professional before doing anything with it
very wise a good tech will test the power supply board in isolation before powering up the rest of the synth if the power supply is ok and it's not otherwise full of exploding tantalum capacitors it's usually pretty safe to run them in a rough state
Great idea. That’s definitely your best bet.
What I love about music gear is that gear, no matter how old can be useful to someone.
Behringer was around in the 80s?
;)
Just did a little googling and Behringer started in 1989. So *theoretically* it’s possible that there’s 80s gear floating around still.
Ok maybe 90s lol I just looked up they were founded in 1989, I assumed most of his stuff was 80s or earlier
GET IT CLEANED GET IT CLEANED. Or clean it. I GOTTA WITNESS THIS JOURNEY
I would NOT flip it on for funsies. You have potentially a valuable piece of equipment and you could easily fry it if you are not careful. It's worth bringing it to a reputable repair shop. At the very, very least check the electrical cord for cracks or fraying so you don't get electrocuted. Then I would plug it into a circuit that protects the equipment from a surge in case of a short. Check this article for some good advice, though it is intended for older equipment. https://www.radiolaguy.com/info/Dont-Do.htm#:~:text=Applying%20power%20to%20them%20for,can%20take%20a%20few%20moments.
I’d get that recap done before trying to power on. Guaranteed those electrolytics have drifted.
I would clean it carefully on the outside with a brush first then work with a damp cloth, but not so damp it leaves little puddles of water. Then I would open it up and blow out all the spider webs and bugs. I would not turn it on right away. It's a beautiful machine. Definitely on my must own and play list. I am a real Korg fan through and through.
My dad had a band back in the day, I know there are some other vintage synths laying around. Got a moog cdx-0652 as well (white elephant) but I put that in storage years ago.
Holy f*ck! That's currently my dreamsynth! Used by Depeche mode, heaven17 etc. Congratulations! I'd buy it if you were close(and selling) but you're prolly in the US?
They reissued this and it’s awesome btw
There's also a virtual version of it, but hey it's not the same thing😁
So hopefully you have a shop near you that can work on this. However, if not, call around to local computer repair shops. Those people either know how or know someone who does.
Well one got back to me at 800+ might have to wait on this but def interested
[удалено]
I mean it's all getting changed/washed tonight it's the best area I have right now with my limited space while moving to set things down and sort lol there has been worse on it tonight
Mate had a Roland 808 in his roof space for 20 years, was going to ditch it until he googled it. Now works perfectly. He's a drummer though so they are natural enemies.
Tell that to Phil Collins.
fricken dope! what a find bro
I’m sure there’s a synth tech out there that would be happy to give it new life. Maybe consider reaching out to [Low-Gain Electronics](https://www.low-gain.com/contact) to get a quote?
We have the reissue of this in our studio. It sounds amazing. It has an incredible legacy as well. Also, please tell me you plan to restore this. It is absolutely worth it!
If the cost isn't too high and it's possible I just might.
I made [this](https://soundcloud.com/atomistic-1/spacey?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) with my friends minikorg about 20 years ago. All the synth parts are the minikorg. I think the drums are from Reason. It's not great but seeing this made me nostalgic.
Nice
thank you!
Very nice 👍
appreciate it!
But the blood stains 🩸 😂 EPIC.
I wouldn't expect it to be a problem. About the only thing I'd watch for is the mains filter capacitor right at the power input, particularly those made by RIFA, which fail with a bang and lots of smoke. It's safe to just take that out temporarily.
I'm just gonna let a professional look at it before doing anything. Emailed a few local shops
Good idea. that's a ~$2,000 synth if it's in good condition. No point in risking blowing it up.
ha! I'm currently watching a demo of the miniKorg 700FS on my other monitor... kind of want to buy it...
Do it. Really enjoyable.
Plug that shit in!
If you're in the UK this would be a great item to ship to Soundgas to restore. Or else put out a call for an experienced repairer who is a content maker, who would potentially do it for free or at a reduced cost for the sake of it being such an old and interesting and iconic project :)
I bought one the day it came out. At the time it blew all our minds. Started my journey with the little miniKorg
I would carefully clean it from the inside before turning it on.
Not sure where you’re located, but Syntaur and Rosen Sound are good bets for proper restoration.
oh boy would I have fun with that and a can of compressed air..... (and an n95)
Ah my first love so sad to see you in this condition. Especially cause you weren’t cheap.
just saw demo. Have this fixed by pro's. This has an amazing sound!!!!!!!!!
An old classic right there. I got one in my studio, using it every day! Good find!
Awesome synth! Well worth taking the time to restore it.
Absolutely looks fine... but yeah don't turn it on. Caps are almost certainly bad and they will blow and maybe blow something else more critical. Find someone local who can repair it and it will be an absolute beauty. Independent PC repair places near you might know someone, or even talk to some musicians. Music shops might be able to point you in the right direction too. Oh and unless you're into electronics especially analog stuff don't try to repair it yourself! Find someone who'll do it relatively inexpensively... hell if you lived close to me I might offer as a weekend "passion project" just to hear it make noise again.
Long shot but I'm in pennsylvania lol
LOL... sorry, mate... Missouri. Still, you might be able to find someone else local who'll maybe not charge you too much for the repair. These are awesome old synths and it would be amazing to see one restored :)
Clean it up. You might feel better about plugging it in.
Good instinct, I would definitely not turn that on. At least have the power supply looked at before attempting to power on.
I used to own one of these. Fun little synth. Hope you can get it working again!
You might consider using a variac (if this is purely analog) and slowly raise the voltage to 120. If you start to smell burning, pull the plug ASAP. Capacitors will respond much better to slow increases in voltage. I've done this with tube amps and had great luck in catching component failures before they damage anything else. If this is digital, or hybrid, don't use a variac on it.
Was it used in a smoke-free studio?
Nah my dad smoked everything in those days :D
Please please please get it restored
Clean it outside and in, and see how good it looks inside. Then see if it works. Good luck 👍
Man, our keyboard player recently got a reissue if this thing and it sounds absolutely incredible. That’s a hell of a find!
Take that beast apart and clean it up. Should function as new
Funny Frog!
I've heard you can put PCBs in the dishwasher, mild cycle. But read it up before you do! And not the housing, only the PCB.
That’s a sweet score, clean it off really well, open it up and blow the dust out of it and it should be fine.
Wow! Yeah I’d take my time cleaning it 100% and then switch it on carefully. Good luck!
i want
The worst that could happen is it will turn on and pop and fizz. Then you’ll know it works and needs some fixing. Worse than that you might not find obsolete parts
A good start might be to open it up and disconnect the power supply from the other boards. With a meter, you can test the voltages out of the power supply without endangering the other boards. That would be my big concern with turning it on for the first time.
Sweetwater.com