oberheim ob-x, ob-xa, or ob-8???

[yetipur]

Hello,
I'm interested in purchasing an oberheim polysynth. I've heard good and bad things about all 3. The Ob-x is awsome, but very un-reliable as I've read. Things like the key contacts always breaking or the 27+ year electronic components simply dying. The Ob-xa (which was originally my first choice) has the tuning problem thing that I have heard about so often. So, I'm leaning towards the Ob-8, but this one alot of people say does not sound as good (FAT is the word I always see) as the other two, however is supposed to be a bit more reliable in terms of tuning. I see Analog Inc. on ebay selling completly restored OB-x's and OB-xa's for $2200 and $2800 respectivley. Is this too much?? Other people are selling them for around $1200-$1500 range......but you never know what you're getting. What do you guys think??? Any preferences or suggestions??? Also does anyone know of a good analog synth repair person on this planet?? They seem to be no where to be found. I know about Kurts amps but I need someone good(not that he's not good, he just does not work on "peasant" synths like mine which is understandable) to work on an Omni 2 and a ARP solina string ensemble.
Thanks a lot

[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by yetipur

Hello,
I'm interested in purchasing an oberheim polysynth. I've heard good and bad things about all 3. The Ob-x is awsome, but very un-reliable as I've read. Things like the key contacts always breaking or the 27+ year electronic components simply dying.

I didn't get one in the end, but if I did, personally I would spring for the OB-X for that reason, paradoxical as it may seem. The oscillators and filters are discrete or op-amp based, which means they can be repaired if they fail. The subsequent versions are based on the Curtis CEM chips which are very rare. IIRC the only Curtis ICs used in the OB-X are the envelope generators which you could probably rig up a replacement for without it sounding too different.

[SuperJX]

Have you posed this question on the Analog Heaven list yet? I don't have personal experience with any of the three boards, but I would venture that the crew there certainly do.

I do know that Paul Schreiber at Synthesis Technology has a cache of CEM chips, and even some SSM chips. Probably also knows which ones were in which OB, so there's a potential source for replacements. Although they are certainly more rare than discrete components (usually).

If you find one for $1200, maybe budget another $500 to have a good tech give it a thorough clean-up and once-over. Could end up much cheaper than the rebuilt ones.

Good luck!

[Somnium7]

Originally Posted by yetipur

Also does anyone know of a good analog synth repair person on this planet?? They seem to be no where to be found. I know about Kurts amps but I need someone good(not that he's not good, he just does not work on "peasant" synths like mine which is understandable) to work on an Omni 2 and a ARP solina string ensemble.
Thanks a lot

I do analog synth repairs for reasonable rates. My experience includes everything from the exotic to the mundane. I have a well equiped shop and can supply references. I'm also an avid synth-diyer and build my own synthesizers from the ground up. I've been a member of the synth-diy mailing list/community since 1997 and the folks there can vouch that I am a good trader and fair in business transactions.
I'm not the fastest service you can find though. I have a day job, a band and a family so when it comes to synth repairs I cannot guarantee a quick turnaround. Unless, of course, money is no object .
Email me if you like and we can exchange phone numbers. frankentron(at)hotmail(dot)com