ARP

“Here’s your chance to own one of the first ARP 2600’s ever made–the coveted “Grey Meanie”. Before the “Tonus Logo” ARP 2600’s housed in a tolex case, ARP made 34 of these Grey Meanie synthesizers in 1971, housed in a unique trapezoidal case. This includes the matching 3604 keyboard controller and power cord. And, unlike a unit that just sold for more, this one includes the original ARP filter module, not a modern reproduction.

Both the synthesizer and keyboard controller were serviced by Synthchaser (completed in January 2025). Work done included:

All tantalum capacitors replaced (except some in submodules)
Sliders cleaned and new shafts and knobs installed (one slider replaced)
Full calibration under oscilloscope
Power supply recapped
3604 Keyboard refurbished: New key bushings, Keycaps ultrasonically cleaned, Bellcrank caps cleaned and relubricated, New keyboard cables

This synthesizer contains the following modules (all genuine ARP modules unlike in some more expensive Grey Meanie you may have seen which has modern reproduction modules)

3x 4027-1 VCO
4012 VCF
4010 VCA
4014 Ring Modulator
4015 Sample And Hold
4020 ADSR
4022 Noise

The synthesizer is in decent condition, with some dents and scratches to the case, and three holes on the main unit and five on the keyboard controller that have been plugged from old mods that have been removed. There’s also a Moog style ribbon controller mounted on the keyboard controller that has been disconnected and is not functional. Please see photos. Includes an original style oval power cord. The cables that connect the keyboard controller to the synthesizer are not original. One slider was replaced with a reproduction slider, the rest are originals.

Friendly reminder that the ARP 2600 uses Tini-D jacks, which are a slightly larger diameter than standard 3.5mm patch cords. The synthesizer was tested with Tini-D patch cords (not included). While 3.5mm patch cords will often work, their connection will be less reliable than Tini-D patch cords. These cables can be purchased from Buchla.” Click here to visit listing on eBay

“This one is in good cosmetic condition and working 100%. This is for the synth only and not the keyboard. It has been professionally serviced and with a lot of restoration by Phil Cirocco of CMS. As some of you know, Phil is highly respected and is the premiere ARP specialist. This ARP 2600 is a V3.0 made on the 23rd week (June) of 1973. It has some unusual markings for V3. As you can see, it has the G-Clef sticker, but with the Tonus logo Silkscreen. It has the 15.5″ panel which is correct for a V3.0, but has the squared speaker grille instead of the oval. All of this is cosmetic, however. It will be properly packaged when sold and will arrive in the condition as stated. Proof of the actual shipping cost will be provided if needed. This unit is listed as a USA sale only, but I am willing to ship to other countries. Not sold as-is!” Click here to visit listing on eBay

“Reluctantly selling my ARP 2600 which I bought directly from the original owner in Wisconsin, USA, who’d stored it in his loft for 20 years.

Features the original 4012 filter.

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This is a Gray Face Tonus Logo Rev 2

Spec:

Tolex wooden chassis, gray face, ARP Tonus logo
Panel 15.5″ tall (3/4″ gap in S&H internal clock silk screening and tolex case)
All trimmer functions silkscreened on front panel
LM301 op-amps
rev B VCF board
rev B board 4-2
4027 oscillators
4012 filter
Amall footprint 4410 ADSR
PCBs mounted to front panel via Switchcraft 142A connectors
Function symbols silk screened under normalled jacks
Rectangular speaker grille pattern
New power supply design with caps mounted on component side of PCB

Recently serviced by Adrian at Synth Restore, Bedford.

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Condition is excellent for a 50 years old synth. All pots and sliders work fine and original keyboard/synth cable as well as the power lead replaced with custom made cables from Japan. Speakers and reverb working and sound good too. Comes with original manual and patch charts (as pictured).

Only thing that seems to have stopped working is the power light, otherwise good to go.

Comes with a bunch or patch cables (some of them original) as well as the original manual.”
Click here to visit listing on eBay

“Arp Instruments Model 2600 Synthesizer with 3604-P Keyboard. I’m pretty nice shape for age. Cases show wear and tear, but not abused. Light staining. Some staining to keys. This has been fully tested and serviced by our technician and is working.”
Click here to visit listing on eBay

“Up for sale, a circa 1975 ARP 2600 model 2601 V1.0 in exceptional condition and in perfect working order, complete with a 3604-P monophonic keyboard controller. Widely considered one of the greatest, most influential and most important analog synthesizers of all time, the ARP 2600 has been played by a vast array of artists including Joy Division, Stevie Wonder, Chemical Brothers, and Nine Inch Nails, to name just a few, and has also enjoyed a storied history in Hollywood sound effects creation, including at Skywalker Sound to create the original vocalizations for R2-D2. This particular iteration, the 2601 V1.0, was produced from 1975-76, identified by the small trim pot holes and improved jacks.

Freshly serviced by Synapse Audio Systems, this 2600 benefits from a rebuilt ringmod board, recapped as necessary and fully calibrated. The bus bars and j-wires have all been cleaned, and the keybed on the controller has been fully cleaned with all new bushings. The sliders are all original and a few have been rebuilt. All sliders benefit from a chemical cleaning, yet a small amount of noise over time is normal, given the originality of the componentry.

Designed as a more compact, intuitive rival to Moogs modular systems, the ARP 2600 is a paragon of analog subtractive synthesis, featuring a totally analog signal path with three oscillators, one 24 dB/oct filter, one ADSR envelope, one VCA, and one Mixer section. Additional features include an envelope follower, ring modulator, noise generator, LFO with sample and hold, built-in spring reverb, and a pre-amplifier with onboard stereo speaker. Originally marketed to high schools and universities upon its original release, the control layout of the ARP 2600 was designed with one fixed, consistent design (as opposed to the custom-built modular systems of the era) that was more immediately understandable while still rewarding users with plenty to unpack and expand upon. While the semi-modular system has a fixed selection of pre-wired modules, most connections can be re-wired at the bevy of patch points. As such, there’s plenty of nitty-gritty tweaking to be had, with loads of sliders and switches to satisfy any sonic sculptor.

The 3604-P monophonic keyboard controller was actually introduced alongside the previous generation of ARP 2600 (the 2600P), and was acquired independently of thia 2601, which was sold with the duophonic 3620 keyboard that had been introduced the year prior. The 49-key keyboard features Variable and Fixed Tone Interval controls, with a two-way switch to toggle between the two, as well as Tuning and Portamento knobs (each with a two-way on/off mini-toggle). All of the keys are responde venly, and all three original knobs are present.

Cosmetic wear on the ARP 2600 itself is very limited, with just a few tiny scuffs on the exterior of the “suitcase”-style case, which has been fitted with a new handle. The keyboard controller shows some light hardware patina and wear on the enclosure edges.

The original 8-pin controller-to-synth DIN cable and power cord are included.”
Click here to visit listing on eBay