Ensoniq

“ENSONIQ ESQ-1 Vintage Synth , Made In USA.

I had this synth since 1992 .

It’s a very unique synthesiser , doesn’t sound like any other synth I had .” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“NOT fully tested, I consider it to be working but will need some attention, some keys don’t seem to make as much sound as others, needs a new battery.Some wear on cabinet (i.e. lettering, etc)” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“Fresh from a local estate. Powers on but untested. Look at the photos to judge.” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“Very Good”
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“Good condition—works good —all keys and buttons work good——version 2.2 —see all pictures and ask any questions—may show normal wear” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“Vintage ENSONIQ ESQ-1 Digital Wave Synthesizer w/Analog Filter . Condition is Used.”
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“Ensoniq ESQ-1 Synthesizer Keyboard with 13 sound preset cartridges, as-is

Keyboard powers on with bright display and makes sound.

Keys are intermittent. Some sound, some don’t, some work sometimes. They seem to get better as I play it. Perhaps it will fix itself over time (but don’t count on that). The buttons seem to operate (though I didn’t test every one). The volume and data sliders work. Cartridges that I tried load their sounds but, again, I can’t guarantee that all cartridges work. (You should use some electronics contact spray – like DeOxit D5 – on the cartridge contacts.)

This unit was in storage for years and likely suffered from less-than-ideal environmental conditions. Consider it in need of maintenance. As I say, it basically works but needs TLC. That’s why it’s sold as “For parts, not working” and as-is, as-found.” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“Vintage Ensoniq ESQ-1 Synthesizer Condition is Used.

Comes with:
-Sustain pedal
-Data Cassette
-Sequence Sheets
-Power Cable

Modified to accept two AAs instead of a hard soldered battery. Works perfectly fine. All functions tested.” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“Bidding is for both a Vintage ENSONIQ ESQ-1 Digital Wave Synthesizer with Analog Filters and a padded “Road Case.” Condition is Used. Fully functioning. “Battery Warning” (for saving settings) message lights – Battery can be replaced by a user with soldering iron, braid and solder, a screw driver, allan wrench and battery. I’d do it myself if I was going to keep it. Stored in the foam-lined case so there is virtually no dust inside. Keys are yellowed from age and one has a tiny burn mark but ALL WORK.

Comes with Power Cord and “Hybrid” Road Case” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“You are also welcome to visit and try it out in person! I consider it to be partially to mostly working, I did try a number of the built in sounds and they seem to be working fine but some of the keys produce less sound and sometimes very little to no sound so I think they’ll need some attention. Battery warning comes on when you turn it on so it will need that replaced. I did not test any of the other various memory or other functions, only a basic test. Metal case in good shape, a lot of the lettering on the cabinet is quite worn but in general I’d say it’s in good condition or better cosmetically, no damage or signs of abuse. 2 screws are missing on the front. Comes with a nice fitted soft case, stand, original foot pedal, power cord, USB to MIDI cable and the 2 cartridges (which are untested) pictured, Music Pack and Q Spectrum. If the winning bidder does not want some/any of these accessories ” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“KEYS DONT WORK CONSISTENTLY, with a keybed clean up it MAY work good as new. All the other buttons and faders seem to work great.

ENSONIQ ESQ-1 Digital Wave Synthesizer Vintage Analog . Condition is For parts or not working.” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“Ensoniq ESQ1 Digital Wave Synthesizer Keyboard. Condition is Used. Powers up; works. Display initially indicates internal battery low. Includes one (1) PROM memory cartridge (used). Exterior good cosmetic condition.”
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“2 sound cartridges included. Project synth I never got around to working on. Turns on and the sound is great. Low battery warning is on. I will include new battery for new owner to install. Few keys do not emit sound when pressed, needs keybed cleaning. 1 C key repaired with glue (as pictured), works fine. I do have a new C key I will include for new buyer to install. ENSONIQ ESQ-1 Digital Wave Synthesizer Vintage Analog!. Condition is For parts or not working. This is a project. No returns. ”
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“This keyboard is not far from total restoration at a minimum of cost. I got this from a guy in the early 90s after mine died. But by this time, we were all getting into the latest breakthrough…recording with DAWs (however primitive) with ‘unlimited’ tracks vs. 8. And this ESQ faded away. I don’t recall using it that much. But that’s how I got it.
ABOUT A YEAR AGO: I wanted to get it cleaned up and functioning again, so I took it to my 40-year-long-repair man….who is quite elderly now. He suffered a heart condition while he had it and never got around to fixing it. Many months later, when I picked it up, I did not realize most of the screws were not replaced. So I had to deal with that issue today, when posting. (See below for those kinds of details). I know there are several things wrong with this device, so I’ll walk you through everything you need to know:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
1. UNIT POWERS ON, and basically ALL* of the buttons function as expected. Pictures show various sections of this instrument selected so you can see this. (See #4 for *—one button may not be working)
2. There is no audio coming out of the L/R output jacks at this time…though I never remembered that being an issue, so something could be lose, or upon being moved around a few times over the past 30 years, simply maybe have broken something.
3. This sequences had the expansion memory card installed, which alone, was worth $, and some folks still look for those today!
That was installing hardware, which was very reliable. I can’t vouch for the condition of the card, but I would assume it works.
4. * The CARTRIDGE section (or the cartridge button, or the cartridge itself?) is not reading the cartridge that you see inserted in the pics. I would assume that after all these years, that cartridge may be bad. But if that were true, I remember (?) that the ESQ would at least ‘see’ the cartridge and give an error message, etc. So I’m assuming the problem could be that section of the circuit board also. Or the BUTTON that selects the cartridge is not doing it’s job. That would be the easiest, cheapest fix. But I don’t know what’s causing this.
5. In one picture you can see some pink substance on the black output/foot-pedal jacks. This was always on there when I got it, and I have no clue as to what it is or why someone put that on there, but it never affected anything when I played the instrument…it was just fine.
6. In order to ship the keyboard and not have movement of the actual physical keyboard section itself, you can see in two pictures that I stuffed plastic bags in there to safely wedge the keyboard so it would not move. I have no screw to replace the ones that were missing when I picked up the instrument from the repair shop.
7. You will see that there are approximately 3-4 yellowish keys on the lower left hand side of the keyboard. I had these replaced a long time ago, and the guy had no matches, so we used 3 keys off of some other ensoniq product/compatible product and those keys were different color-wise… but I didn’t mind that, so notice the three off white keys.
8. The memory back up battery is low. These are extremely cheap and available.

THIS IS FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO FIX IT UP,
or knows how to themselves; or for someone who wants to part it out.
But like I said, I think this unit is not far from workable restoration, but I’m not a repair guy. I say this because it was working fine at one point, and it seems to me like the odd things that go out here and there are normal things that also went out when they were brand new and taking them to the repair shop.”
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“Vintage Ensoniq ESQ-1 Keyboard Synthesizer

In Good Condition, Turns On, All Keys Work

The Volume Control Knob Has Been Replaced But Hasn’t Been Soldered Yet And Needs To Be Soldered” Click here to search for synths on eBay