Synthfind

“This is Korg’s Polysix synthesizer from 1981. A knob for everything and no menus. Good physical condition except for the left rear corner. See photos. I built a new KLM-367 programmer board for it since the old one had the usual battery leak damage. Only the 8048 microcontroller and the Molex connectors were reused from the old board. Looks great, sounds great, everything works.” Click here to search for synths on eBay

“When I bought this synth in 1999, it was already 18 years old. At the time, it was in perfect condition, save for a couple dings in the wood. I used this in several studio albums and it also made more than a few trips to the stage. For about 8 years this was my go-to vintage synth.

As the years passed, I didn’t really play anymore. In fact, it has been in storage, untouched, from 2009-2018. I kind of forgot I had it.

However, when I turn it on today, it doesn’t act the same. What used to be one of my favorite synths is now virtually unrecognizable. There are so many things wrong with it now, it makes me want to cry. I have no idea how to fix it, so that’s why I’m selling it. It makes me sad because I loved this thing back in the day and it’s really cool looking in a studio.

Alas, I will give you a rundown of the things I found wrong today with the Korg Polysix in this listing.

BAD THINGS ABOUT THE SYNTH IN THIS LISTING:

1.) 3-4 of the keys dont trigger sound, this was not true before it was stored, it might be dirty contacts.

2.) The volume knob is somewhat scratchy when turned

3.) The ASDR knobs don’t work correctly. As a result, most of the sounds this synth makes have quick attack, hold as long you press the key and then immediately release when finished. Similar to the dynamics of a brass instrument. However if you turn the ASDR knobs weird things can happen, but not what you’d expect.

4.) Many knobs work sometimes and don’t work other times. Or they don’t seem to be changing the same thing they changed before.

5.) It takes between 5 and 30 minutes for it to get to a state where it can make sound. This is kind of normal (battery issue?) and one of the reasons I stopped using it. “Warm up time.”

6.) It is completely out of tune. While the keys do ascend and descend, none of the notes are a proper interval. An octave is not 12 steps, but more like 11.3 steps. C1 to B2 is almost an octave on this synth. I’ve never seen anything like it.

7.) Some of the buttons are missing. The contacts still work. See pictures for details on the cosmetics.

8.) Sometimes it will start randomly making glitchy and creepy noises on its own. This synth literally seems to have a mind of its own ocassionally.

These are the most obvious bad things I could find. There are probably other issues I don’t know how to test for. Let there be no misconception, this synth is very far from perfect condition and some people might consider it usable for parts only. The only reason I don’t list it as parts only is because it powers up and makes sound and some musicians might be able to use it as-is.

GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE SYNTH IN THIS LISTING:

1.) It is the ultimate “weird noise generator.” Because of all the aforementioned problems, it is nearly impossible to get this synth to make anything remotely close to a normal sound. Almost every knob turn results in something unpredictable; however,

2.) The cutoff and resonance filters still work perfectly, every time, and they still sound great.

3.) The arpeggiator, pitch bend wheel, chorus effect and octave knob still works.

4.) It has never had a problem turning on. The power and lights have always worked. It has powered up without issue every single time.

5.) It’s 37 years old and still powers up. That’s gotta count for something right? :)” Click here to search for synths on eBay