OBERHEIM FOUR VOICE FVS-1 FOR SALE 
 Rare Vintage Analog Synthesizer

 

 

 

         

 

GENERAL INFO: 
The 4 voice was one of the first polyphonic synths. Each of the 4 Synthesizer Expander Modules ( SEMs ) can be assigned to a different note. Splitting voices between modules is also possible. So is a monophonic unison mode. A single voice is surprisingly powerful, offering 2 oscillators, 2 envelopes (1 for filter, 1 for volume), an LFO, pulse width modulation and a SWEET multimode filter with sweepable mode (which few synths offered). The programmer module allows fast saving and recall of programmed sounds. Most programmer modules do not work any more. This one does. Not only that - the battery has been replaced too. :) How does it sound? Unbelievably FAT and waaaaarm. Even a single SEM kicks a$$ - This is REAL analog! In unison mode, it allows EIGHT oscillators per key. Nothing sounds like it to us and we have had played more synths than anyone we know. This is our personal favorite for analog strings and pads and is also great for huge sweeps, basses, leads and other musical analog sounds. This FVS-1 has the standard configuration of modules: 4 x Synthesizer Expander Module ( SEM ) Keyboard Output module Polyphonic Keyboard module Programmer module.

If you are an analog synth head who makes musical sounds, you need one of these. To avoid disappointment though, I would recommend that anyone looking for a dedicated sound effects machine pick something like the EMS, EML and other gear we are currently offering instead. This 4 voice is fabulous at musical tones and can make some interesting sound effects but there are better choices for clangs, zaps, explosions and similar atonal timbres. :) (Email us if you need help deciding on a synth which is right for you).

Famous users include: Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, Styx, Larry Fast (Synergy), Jan Hammer, Herbie Hancock, Human League, Lyle Mays, Michael McDonald / Doobie Brothers, Patrick Moraz, Pink Floyd, Steve Porcaro, The Shamen, Tim Simenon, Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke / Erasure, Tangerine Dream, Stevie Wonder and many other influential musicans who could afford one - this was a very expensive instrument when it came out! (This list was compliled with the aid of synthmuseum.com)


CONDITION:

 Our items are as described, which means no typical surprise post-sale repair bills or serious flaws typical of most vintage gear deals! 

This 4 Voice is in excellent condition.  We've had it for many years and it's performed reliably for us the whole time.  It's in such nice shape we were never going to sell it but we got another one with special history we've decided to hang onto, so this beautiful example is now up for sale.  We serviced it recently.  All features were tested.  We replaced battery and tested memory, so you shouldn't have to worry about the battery dying and losing your sounds anytime soon.  We cleaned connections resulting in an instrument that plays without the horrible crackle typical of most vintage gear today.  We recalibrated the 8 oscillators so instrument plays in tune.  We removed and cleaned all keys.  We removed the old key bushings and replaced them with new ones.  We cleaned key bed, key contacts, bus bar and adjusted the J wires.  We cleaned this unit internally and externally.  We closed spaces between bus bar segments to prevent J-wires from slipping through in the future.  All features were retested and determined to be working properly.  A lengthy burn-in test and retest were then performed and this instrument passed with flying colors - everything was determined to be working as it should.  After the rebuild, this keyboard feels new.  The synthesizer plays and sounds GREAT.  As you can see from the photos above, this unit is in exceptional cosmetic condition.  There are a few minor imperfections in the tolex - a few nicks and scratches that were carefully touched up, and a few very minor scratches here and there, but nothing at all worth mentioning in detail except this:  The wood in the back left corner of the removable lid is cracked and the tolex is torn (the tear's about 1").  Since this is relatively minor, our repair time is limited and it's not going to matter to most buyers as they're just going to put the lid in storage, we decided to leave it the way it is and feel it shouldn't effect this sale since it's such a minor issue most other sellers wouldn't even bother to mention.  Hey, come to think of it, the person who sold it to us didn't mention it either!  How typical.  This 4 voice is in great shape and is sure to make whoever buys it very happy.  

Don’t let our overly critical descriptions discourage you, check out the detailed photos above!

 TERMS OF SALE
PRICE
CONTACT US email minime123@onebox.com

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