Vintage synths no longer synths but art objects

[IncarnateX]

Roland Jupiter 8: 16966 $ on Ebay

Arp 2600 with keyboard: 10127 $

SCI Prophet 5: 9088 $

Original minimoog model D: 7983 $

In the "low" end we can find synths like Roland System 100 M with keyboard for 3093 $ which may still make sense if you are looking for that particular vintage sound. However, is there anyone around that would claim that a Vintage synth sound could be worth as much as 16966 $?

I guess to be an investment such a synth would pay itself better of being leased to museums than the average (and often poor) musician, right?

So are we getting there or are we there already? Are there such things as synth museums yet?

I would have to detach myself completely form the notion that these are basically just synthesizers (often heavy, clumsy and impractical) to attach such values.

But as objects of arts they will definitely be associated to such things as wealthiness, respect and social status in general, and to collectors these benefits are virtually priceless.

Your thoughts?

[dark water]

I would probably separate the idea of 'art' from one of expense, but I take your overall point that such vintage hardware are now (arguably) out of the reach of most hobby musicians.

However, a few comments in passing:

1) As you know, for a while at the end of the 80s to mid 90s, such hardware analogue machines were often sold/bought at bargain prices when the fashion was for digital synths. Prior to that, and from about the mid 00s onwards, these machines were pretty expensive for hobby musicians, but arguably not for those professional musicians with deep pockets.

2) Ebay seller (and buyers) are now much more savvy than even 15 years ago and I doubt that there are many 'cheap bargains' left to be picked up on that site anymore. Given that assertion, if I had a desire for one of the analogue vintage monsters, I would much rather buy one from a reputable site such as RL Music or Vemia Auctions in the UK (I'm sure other synth specialist shops with excellent reputations exist elsewhere).
Such specialist sites are not cheap but I would expect that synths have been serviced and looked after by such specialists better than some bloke flogging his goods on ebay in most circumstances. Given the similar price between ebay and RL Music synths, I would choose RL Music every time if I wished to buy a vintage analogue synth (which I don't currently):
http://www.rlmusic.co.uk/rlm3/tag/for-sale/

3) In recent years, there has been a rise in excellent and new hardware clones. Why buy a scruffy and badly looked after Roland 303 from Geoff in Burnley for £1,800 off Ebay when you can buy an Avalon for half the price from the original developer?

4) Although this veers into well-known trolling/flaming KVR areas, it is still valid to suggest that software synths are now so well developed in terms of features and sound quality that a person can get (almost?) the same sounds for a 1000th of the price compared to some of those analogue dinosaurs.
Either way, unless you have money to burn, I believe that a person would be a fool to spend around £10,000 on hardware synths nowadays given the alternative options.


So I wouldn't say that such vintage synths as you quote are more or less art due to their expense. Nor would I say that they are 'museum objects' as any synth museum worth its salt stocked up on 1970s-1980s synths many years ago.
However, I do take your point that they are out of the financial reach of most (all?) hobby musicians. And I would definitely dodge Ebay if I wanted to purchase such a 'deal''.

[VariKusBrainZ]

I take it you havent seen those advertised for $40,000 and more.

[fluffy_little_something]

It's like with paintings. Many of them are boring, yet sell for millions, especially if the artist or style is in vogue for some reason.

[BertKoor]

If you have a garage/ cellar filled with a 64-ch SSL desk, some NS-10's and LA-2A's etc etc etc and plenty more cash to burn, what else to put there?

Come on guys, move on. This ain't our market anymore...

[fluffy_little_something]

Who is "we"? There seems to be a market for such items

[Muied Lumens]

Well, new stuff is still expensive. Take a look a Buchla setups, or Moog modulars. The new Eventide H9000 is out of reach for most amateur musicians. Not to mention desks that can reach the price of a small house. Professional equipment could be seen as works of art, or just very well made tools.

I don't really have a point. I think these days, great equipment can be had very cheaply.

[foosnark]

However, is there anyone around that would claim that a Vintage synth sound could be worth as much as 16966 $?

If you totalled up my 408HP Eurorack setup, pedalboard, Microbrute, other synth toys, accessories, studio furniture, computer, Maschine, software, etc. it wouldn't reach that kind of price.

But apparently there are people with that kind of money and that kind of love for vintage synths out there.

Also, compare to the price of a good acoustic piano, and synths don't seem quite so ridiculous.

[fmr]

compare to the price of a good acoustic piano, and synths don't seem quite so ridiculous.

Depends on what you consider a "good acoustic piano". Is a Yamaha Baby Grand good enough for you?

https://www.ebay.com/bhp/yamaha-baby-grand-piano

Of course, those are not a Steinway Model D.

[chk071]

I'd also say there is a big deal of "Look, i have that legendary device" involved, otherwise you wouldn't buy a Minimoog for $8000. You can have a Behringer Model D for 350, which sonically is obviously very, very close to the original. This is rather like having a Porsche 911 from the 60's in your garage. The Mazda MX-5 will drive better, and have more horsepower, but, it's just not that classic model from the 60's.

[whyterabbyt]

Looks they're going for at most 50-80% of new price, when adjusted for inflation.

[himalaya]

Your thoughts?

My thoughts are: we shouldn't care for vintage synths any more. The market is awash with superb sounding, brand new, analogue synths and some amazing emulations (Roland Boutiques). It's actually ridiculous how much choice we have nowadays.

So if making music is the aim, vintage synths and their inflated prices shouldn't bother anyone. Simply buy new. Save the $£$£ and make sweet music.

[SiliconDeath]

Forget the jupiter and prophets, where's the Oberheim 8 Voice?

[zerocrossing]

Your thoughts?

My thoughts are: we shouldn't care for vintage synths any more. The market is awash with superb sounding, brand new, analogue synths and some amazing emulations (Roland Boutiques). It's actually ridiculous how much choice we have nowadays.

So if making music is the aim, vintage synths and their inflated prices shouldn't bother anyone. Simply buy new. Save the $£$£ and make sweet music.

Exactly. I heard a SH-101 vs the SH-01a demo, and while there was an audible difference, I thought, “god, I bet that original synth is a bastard to fit in a mix with its boomy bass.” I think software like Legend and RePro get even closer than the Boutiques. Plus, there are tons of great actual analog synths you can buy right now. Many under $1000 and a few as cheap as $200.

I personally don’t pay much attention to the vintage synth market. For me, any slight aural difference is far superseded by the functionality of modern instruments, both software and hardware. If someone wants to pay a million for a Model D, let them. It doesn’t effect me at all. I happen to think my Neptune 2, which I paid around $400 for, sounds as good, and in some cases better. I once tried to sell it (foolishly) and no one was interested (luckily), yet people are clamoring for vintage synths because they’re famous.

I kind of get it. I once went to an auto museum and it was really fun looking at some of the old vintage cars, but that’s a hobby for the wealthy. One thing though, is that those cars were often really beautiful. I’ve never seen a vintage synth that I thought was really beautiful. I hear people on GearSlutz lavishing praise on their synths, and I always laugh. Yup. There’s a panel of potentiometers and switches with a keyboard... ooo! Wood panels!

[himalaya]

Forget the jupiter and prophets, where's the Oberheim 8 Voice?

The 8 Voice is a mythical creature and only makes an appearance at the Winter's Solstice when all the 12 Synth Druids are present.

In the meantime, indulge yourself in the 2-voice re-issue:

https://www.kmraudio.com/oberheim-two-v ... esizer.php

http://www.tomoberheim.com/