EMS Synthi A Mk1 Heavy Mods

EMS Synthi A Mk1 for sale for sale in perfect working order following a deep overhaul and extensive modifications. This has to be the ultimate Synthi for sound designers and sonic adventurers. 

Full service, calibration and sympathetic refurbishment completed - now performing perfectly. It has the classic MK1 boards with PA234s - in my view these are the best sounding Synthis.

Cosmetically it shows a life fully-lived and was used extensively by its original owner, Poli Palmer. The Spartanite case is a replacement and is quite worn/scuffed. The face shows plenty of wear from use and some lettering around the pin matrix have been manually retouched.

When it came to us there were already multiple modifications (not always well-implemented) and the decision was taken to expand on this and make it as versatile as possible. The extensive servicing and modifications totalled around €3500: no expense has been spared to create the ultimate Synthi.

This is not for purists or collectors seeking a perfect example: this is for someone who wants a Synthi they can use and enjoy - where sonic flexibility and sound quality are more important than looks. While the wear might detract from the value for a collector, for those who know and love using Synthis, this will always be a gem. And, because it might not appeal so much to collectors, it is priced more keenly than if it were cosmetically perfect.

One of the images shows the mods mapped out across the face - while many are on toggle switches, there are additional mods on push-pull pots. A list of mods and work carried out is below. 

Modifications (refer to image 2):

Filter 
slew (bottom) / top (unslew)

Meter 
meter (left) / response CV via meter column (right)

Oscillators
left switch : shape CV (right)
central switch : hi (top) / lo (bottom) range
right switch and pot : sync 
pull osc3 square to sync with the envelope

Noise
pull level to replace noise by RVG on row 7
pull colour to clock the RVG from osc3, push to clock from envelope

Envelope (from L to R)
switch 1 : normal (left) / extended attack and decay times
switch 2 : normal (left) / extended on and off times
switch 3 : normal looping (left) / no lopping (center) / always on (right)
switch 4 : trapezoid polarity

Reverb
switch to the right to disconnect the mix CV from the reverb column

The vertical joystick range pot is a switched one to route the CV/gate card CV3 (or KS sequencer CV) to row 16, just like on an AKS

Attenuverter pin
patch the minijack/pin cable to the minijack socket
turn the pot CCW for inverted signal, CW for non inverted signal, center detent is (almost) no signal

Service & Mods:

Restoration
Caps replacing 200€
Trimmers replacing 80€
Vernier dials replacing 300€
PSU repair 80€
Calibration 180€
Osc3 tracking 40€
Right speaker Rendar switch repair 40€
Ring mod repair 60€
Panel cleaning 120€
Osc3 repair offered
Transformer proper mounting and input ch. 2 multiturn pot removal offered

Modifications
Jack socket near the meter replacing by switch 20€
3 osc sync with on/off/on switches 450€
3 osc sync depth pot 150€
3 osc hi/lo range 195€
3 osc shape CV 250€
3 tempcos in osc 45€
RVG 190€
Filter response CV 130€
filter slew/unslew 65€
Attack and decay times extension 65€
On and off times extension 65€
Trapezoid polarity control 90€
Envelope stop looping 65€
Envelope synced to osc3 65€
Attenuverter pin using existing pin-minijack cable 70€
Extra PSU for the Jones socket 220€
Wiring + switched pot for CV3 input to row 16 80€
Inverter pins with new pins 160€
CV/gate card + buffers on rows 8 and 9 150€