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If any word is underlined, you can click on to get more detail. Click on the photo to enlarge it and see more photos if available.
| Make |
Ems |
| Model |
VCS3a Putney and VCS/KB Cricklewood |
| Description |
This is an early Putney / Cricklewood set in unbelievably beautiful condition and perfect working order. It was owned from new by the famous Dartington College of Arts in Devon, and has an interesting history - at one stage it was played by John Hurt in the cult classic film The Shout.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z243DOiMYM&feature=youtube_gdata for a brief glimpse of the VCS3 halfway through the long clip / trailer (careful of the word-wrap!).
When we received it from the college along with the Sequencer 256 also used in the film, and a Moog IIIC (both sold in the last auction), it was internally beautiful, the casework was good, but the panels were not so good.
So the decision was made to ask Robin Wood to strip and re-screenprint the panels, so that they were of the same standard as the rest of the machine and the Cricklewood.
The whole case was dis-assembled, Robin had the work done superbly, and then Lucid Sound (second only to Robin at servicing EMS gear) re-assembled the VCS3, and tested and serviced it where necessary. The Cricklewood was also checked and serviced.
It now plays beautifully in tune through the entire range of the keyboard.
There are only a few things that would stop this being mint:- a few tiny digs in the woodwork; some scratching around the multi-pin connector on the back of the VCS3 and a few small scuffs on that panel - the sort of thing you would expect from a 40-year-old instrument; and (highlighted in one of the pics with an arrow) a small piece missing on the red plastic cover on the meter switch.
This is an absolutely gorgeous instrument, as beautiful as you could ever find. Keys, knobs, pin matrix, panels etc. all perfect. What you can't see is that the internals are also gorgeous - in Lucid's opinion one of the best (possibly THE best) he has ever seen. It is also in perfect playing condition, giving the lie to people who say you can't play proper melodic music on a VCS3. You can on this.
It comes with a full complement of pins, a user manual (early, but probably not original), a UK mains lead with mini-Bulgin, a newly-made multi-pin connector, and even a custom-made see-through plastic cover for the VCS3.
The photos don't do it total justice - please email pforrest@vemia.co.uk for high-res photos if you want.
This synth could give you immense pleasure for the rest of your life!
Further VEMIA note 1: some people have thought this last sentence was a bit silly, sounding like a mail-order bride catalogue. What I meant was that if you are going to spend the large amount of money needed to buy one of these classic EMS synths, you might as well buy the very best example you will ever hear of. That way you will never see another VCS3 and think 'if only that were mine'. Unless you're an EMS bigamist.
Further VEMIA note 2: as always, Robin Wood was really helpful when answering my questions. He explains about this instrument:- 'The Cricklewood was the forerunner of the DK1/DK2 mechanical keyboard, made from all afromosia. For the DK1/2 the lengthways panels were made from plywood faced with leathercloth.
The reason for the name Cricklewood is that this is where David Cockerell lived and worked.
The VCS3a label on the back he doesn't think is significant:- 'It appears on the back panel of some Mk1 VCS3s but was removed from the panel artwork well before the change was made to the Mk11. It doesn’t seem to relate to any difference in hardware and there is nothing comparable on the Synthi A.'
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| Age |
n/a |
| Weight |
12 kg |
| Condition |
Near mint |
| Location |
Uk (Item is at Vemia 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 : Yes |
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Service manual : No |
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First owner : No |
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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 |
12/11/2011 |
| Category |
Synthesizer (Modular) |
| Serial number |
186 (Putney); 3420 (Cricklewood) |
| Sphere reference |
# 8977 |
| Statistics |
Created on : 22/10/2011 |
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Changed on : 30/10/2011 |
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Published on : 30/10/2011 |
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Displayed : 4576 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 |
5450 GBP |
| Converted price (1) |
5450 GBP |
| Shipment |
International or local shipment to pay |
| Packing costs |
n/a |
| Payment |
Full pre payment needed |
| Auction bid step |
50 GBP |
| Auction highest bid |
9550 GBP |
| Converted highest bid |
9550 GBP |
| Leader or winner |
danboyd |
| (1) Currency conversion |
Note that conversion rates were last adjusted on 4th April 2026 at 15:07 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 https://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 may change at any time. If you are in the euro zone please check the current rate at https://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Payments must always be in GBP. For more info please see the FAQ about exchange rates.https://spheremusic.com/Winfaq.asp?Question=91. |
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