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| Make |
Ems |
| Model |
VCS3 "Putney" |
| Description |
EMS (Putney) VCS 3 Modular Analogue Voltage Controlled Synthesiser Serial
Number 145, Very Good-to-Excellent condition :
Originally ordered in December 1969 and delivered in March 1970 to the Royal
Academy of Music (see photo for remnant acrylic badge on front panel) - this
info was obtained courtesy of Robin wood at EMS.
Bought privately in London, April 1996 by Lovetone, and now owned by Dan
Coggins, formerly of Lovetone. This synth provided much education and
inspiration for the Lovetone 'Ring Stinger' and 'Flange with No Name'
pedals. Restored and fully serviced in 1996 (and periodically checked since)
by Dan Coggins who also provided a few subtle and discreet but very useful
modifications. This one was gigged by Dan a few times with Sonic Boom's band
EAR, playing 'Question and Answer' with Pete Kember's Synthi A. It has a
solid custom fitted Flight Case and accompanying Service and User Manuals
and connectors.
Also included is a slightly later EMS Synthi DK-2 Duophonic Keyboard (s/n 2423) in
excellent condition with internal oscillator and dual control-voltages and
dynamics functions. This works seamlessly with the VCS 3 to provide some
mind-blowing and unique Mono (sorry - Duo!!) synth sounds, and conjures up
'Virginia Plain' and 'Son of My Father' readily as well as the old Floyd
Meddle/DSOTM-era and Led Zep sounds etc. Play a Hammond through the
envelope shaper and you get to hear how 'Won't get fooled again' by the Who
was done. It can be used happily as a pure musical instrument or more
naughtily as a system capable of the most amazing space age effects - still
overwhelming after all these years!! Designed in the main by David Cockerell
who later designed FX for Electro Harmonix and the Akai Samplers - what a
chap!
Of course Brian Enos' association with these synths tells us that treatments
of all manner of sounds are a primary use of this beast and are easily done
through it's mic/line input channels. The Ring Modulator sounds absolutely
beautiful and terrifying all at once and this ones filter has been peaked up
to perfection - the defining signature of these synths. Also, the short
spring Reverb gives a Flash Gordon like vibe to the proceedings. Sonically
this system is built to overload gracefully and positively enjoys it!
There is no better fun to be had if your an inveterate sound freak/tweaker,
and this one has a special history and collectibilty, too.
Here are the 3 main circuit boards inside this VCS 3 showing the array of
discrete components that make up this early British Synth. All of the
electrolytic capacitors were replaced when the whole synth was restored back
in 1996. Some higher quality control voltage transistors and Allen Bradley
temperature-stabilising Resistors were also fitted to improve oscillator and
filter cv tracking and stability, and it worked a treat. All this was done
with regular consultation with Robin Wood at EMS in Truro.
A Centre-Zero Trapezoid generator output is now fitted which greatly expands
the possibilities of the Envelope CV output by inverting it past 12 o'clock,
and is very performance-friendly giving mind-blowing mirror-image modulation
effects. Each Oscillator has a divide-by-10 range switch, activated when the
Oscillators' 'Shape' control is pulled out. The second channel mute switch
has a centre off type fitted so that the extra position means that the
envelope generator can be triggered by the corresponding internal amp as
featured on the later briefcase Synthi A version. This model has the earlier
GE PA 234 Germanium IC Output amps which give a very smooth, rich distortion
when overloaded.
The Joystick scaling pots have zero-off click switches that allow the two
previously unused Jones connector pins to fly external control or signal
voltages into the patch bay on these rows, and a cable loom is provided with
1/4' mono jacks to provide this. This was originally done for when the synth
was used with an EMS Random Voltage Generator - recommended!
|
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| Age |
n/a |
| Weight |
n/a |
| Condition |
Very good |
| Location |
Uk |
| Vat |
Not from a VAT-registered business. But VAT / duty may be due if importing from outside your trade bloc. |
| Quantity |
1 item is available from the owner |
| Options |
User manual : No |
| |
Service manual : No |
| |
First owner : No |
| |
Original boxes : No |
| Plug type |
United Kingdom standard plug |
| Voltage type |
Internal 110 to 220-240V switchable |
| Status |
Item has been sold or not sold in a previous auction |
| Sale type |
The item is on the auction rooms |
| Ending on |
14/04/2007 |
| Category |
|
| Serial number |
145 (DK2 serial number: 2423) |
| Sphere reference |
# 5354 |
| Statistics |
Created on : 03/04/2007 |
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Changed on : 05/04/2007 |
| |
Published on : 05/04/2007 |
| |
Displayed : 6312 time(s) by members and guests |
| Safety |
All electrical items sold in VEMIA are deemed to be trade sales. No warranty of electrical safety is given or implied. Many items are vintage and would not pass current electrical safety standards. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that items are safe to use in their future environment - if necessary by using the services of a professional. |
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Prices and conditions  |
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The following section gives you the prices as well as shipment and payment conditions associated with the item. Payment is always requested in GBP. Converted price is shown for information and converted with Sphere standard currency rate.
Shipment and Payment links gives you access to an extended description of our rating :
| Start price |
21 GBP |
| Converted price (1) |
21 GBP |
| Shipment |
International or local shipment to pay |
| Packing costs |
n/a |
| Payment |
Full pre payment needed |
| Auction bid step |
20 GBP |
| Auction highest bid |
2435 GBP |
| Converted highest bid |
2435 GBP |
| Leader or winner |
mobileavat |
| (1) Currency conversion |
Note that conversion rates were last adjusted on 5th October 2022 at 10:56 CET. They are there to give you a rough guide to the bid price in your currency. Please check for a more up-to-date conversion at http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html. The bid price will be the actual price in pounds (GBP) at the moment the auction closes. This will be roughly converted to your currency for your information.
For technical reasons, we are unable to update the conversion from GBP to Euro during the auction, although it has changed by well over 10%. If you are in the euro zone please check the current rate at http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Payments from UK and non-Euro currency regions must always be in GBP. Payments to and from Euro currency regions can be in Euros via our French bank.The applicable Euro amount will be the exact amount specified on your invoice or credit note. For more info please see the FAQ about exchange rates. |
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