Vintage Synth Repair

I've got a Korg Polysix that is not working for sale. My thoughts are its set up for European power. It looks like someone spliced an American style wall plug on trying to get it to work. Other than the plug it looks to be all original. I can't seem to find anybody that can work on it (for a reasonable price). I thought someone on this site might be interested in it. All keys knobs and switches seem to be working correctly as far as movement but unknown if they actually work. Would be great for parts or fix up project. I don't want to trash because I know the value these analog synths could be to someone. Will send pics to interested party or persons.


Thanks- The Cat

Hi Eric,

The Polysix is a pretty straightforward synth to repair. I've repaired several of them through the years, and they all suffered from these issues: Corrosion of tracks near the leaking NiCd battery and failing SSM 2044 ICs.

Changing the battery is easy, but repairing the tracks requires some soldering skills.

I had no problems finding brand new SSM 2044 ICs on the interweb.

Scott Rider "Old Crow" has some very useful info on his site on how to repair a Polysix. There's also a link to the svc manual:

Old Crow's Synth Shop: Korg Polysix Upgrade/Repair Overview

I hope this has encouraged you to repair it yourself. If any question arise in the process, please feel free to ask us here in the group. Many experienced persons here are willing to help.

BTW, in case you want to sell anyway... where is the synth located?

I had a look at the reface cs.. I have a real cs-5, so I wondered what the va version was like.. The answer is it's great, but where's the connection with the real analog machine? Analog monosynth vs digital polyphonic.. Chalk, cheese.. I'll stick with my microkorg.

From: "Paul Rak paul.rak@... [vintagesynthrepair]" <vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com>
To: vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 5:12:27 PM
Subject: Re: [vintagesynthrepair] OT: New Yamaha toys - Reface series
 












>>I had a look at the reface cs.. I have a real cs-5, so I wondered what the va version was like.. The answer is it's great, but where's the connection with the real analog machine? Analog monosynth vs digital polyphonic.. Chalk, cheese.. I'll stick with my microkorg.


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We definitely have 2 schools of thought on this issue. One group appreciates the convenience of the modeling units and software instruments. But like you, I belong to the other side for the originality and versatility, as well as the visual appeal which seems to be very underrated to me. I'm not getting rid of my YC-30 for one of these new upstarts. It seems to me that the originals must be something really special if so many companies go to all this trouble to imitate them.

Wish that Yamaha would release a single keyboard version of the GX-1 with those great sounding patches / samples the GX-1
 had.

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Kirk Slinkard kslinkard@... [vintagesynthrepair]
  To: vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 9:07 PM
  Subject: Re: [vintagesynthrepair] OT: New Yamaha toys - Reface series







  From: "Paul Rak paul.rak@... [vintagesynthrepair]" <vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com>
  To: vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 5:12:27 PM
  Subject: Re: [vintagesynthrepair] OT: New Yamaha toys - Reface series



  >>I had a look at the reface cs.. I have a real cs-5, so I wondered what the va version was like.. The answer is it's great, but where's the connection with the real analog machine? Analog monosynth vs digital polyphonic.. Chalk, cheese.. I'll stick with my microkorg.


  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  We definitely have 2 schools of thought on this issue. One group appreciates the convenience of the modeling units and software instruments. But like you, I belong to the other side for the originality and versatility, as well as the visual appeal which seems to be very underrated to me. I'm not getting rid of my YC-30 for one of these new upstarts. It seems to me that the originals must be something really special if so many companies go to all this trouble to imitate them.

I meant a Yammy keyboard that has GX-1 samples of its analogue sounds.

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: barndoorproductionstheatre@... [vintagesynthrepair]
  To: vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 9:36 AM
  Subject: Re: [vintagesynthrepair] OT: New Yamaha toys - Reface series





  No samples in the GX-1.  All analogue.



  Would still like to have one, mind you.