Top 11 Most Expensive Synthesisers in The World

[@mrwanksock]

Why isn't this channel massive? Great content.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for that- great comment - Happy New Year and a may it be a prosperous one for u!

[@MastaBorilla]

In the garbage...

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@MastaBorilla ?

[@Mrphilharmonic]

I love how you mention classic albums featuring each synth. Definitely albums to acquire!

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - good to put it into perspective

[@leftmono1016]

The most expensive synth in the world, is always the next one I want to buy, according to my wife.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I'm banned from buying synths for the moment!!! by the wife LOL!

[@johnsuggs6144]

Wives must read from the same manual on how to deal with us lol

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@johnsuggs6144 yep!

[@londonroulette]

Sell the wife 😃

[@EdEditz]

I sold my wife and bought a Eurorack system. :)

[@Mike-v5y]

Thank you for this! All the info about the value is appreciated!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Glad you like

[@andivax]

Great rating and demos!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@philippendletonmusic]

I'm amazed at the low number of units of all these synths - even the Colossus (I know at least one owner of 25).

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - especially the Moog at number 2!!

[@ronpeters6024]

Nice video! I have 3 of the synths on your list! (JP8, CS80, and DX1). Didnt see the Kinetic Sound Systems Prism though, only 2 were made/completed with a 3rd halfway done. Korg PS3300 would be a good one for this video too as well as the Schmidt eightvoice.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I'm exhausted!!! lol - the schmidt & PS3300 was a regrettable omission - covered in earlier comments - apologies - however - the Prism is a new one on me - I have noted it as a possible contender for a follow up video - from the knowledge I have garnered from all the comments! Thanks

[@wam44]

Great video-You certainly know your way around some synthesizers 🙂I have been a fan of electronic and synth since the 70's. I subscribed.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Suunder]

On the run was done on the EMS Synthi AKS. There is footage of Roger waters in the studio during that time working the song out on the AMS synthi AKS

[@AndyWhitmore]

I've seen that video & recreated the synthi aks on the run sequence - re the 100 - I think the info I got was possibly not accurate

[@organfairy]

But the album cover says it was a VCS3.

[@Suunder]

@@organfairy VCS3 were sound effects. Used for wind ETC it was also used in on the run yes. But the main arppegio is the AMS synthi AKS

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@organfairy yes it does - & if you research it further - they wrongly credited the synthi AKS as the VCS3 - I used to credit the synthi AKS as a VCS3 for this reason - EMS was a small company based in Putney - 5 mins walk from where I live & also named the synthi AKS "the Putney",

[@robertothayer5123]

The EMS Synthi was the very first synth I ever played. Our school's lab also owned an ARP 2600 back in the early 80's.

[@AndyWhitmore]

what a start - good man!

[@it_systemmailforme4085]

Great compilation of great synths. Some wonderful albums and songs.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks!

[@rrss7212]

Great video.I was waiting for some reason Fairlight.)) And yes those iconic Blade Runner synths at the end are unsurpassed. Thank you.

[@AndyWhitmore]

thanks - fairlight is featured in a video I have coming February

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

@@AndyWhitmorePerfect ! Also Synclavier system !!

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@KrystofDreamJourney Thanks - Synclavier is featured in a video I have coming February

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

@@AndyWhitmoreAt Stark Lake Studios here in Orlando, FL they had an entire Synclavier system back in the days. Complete with the original keyboard and the sound modules/dedicated samplers tower, screen etc. Entire original library… All in immaculate condition. There was a point in time (90s, early 2000s) before the vintage gear’s collectors market was created, that nobody was interested in buying things like that anymore. I remember back at Berklee (mid-90s) there was a Wurlitzer music store across from the College. You could buy these analog vintage stuff for pennies !! DX-7 for 100 bucks etc. Students were buying old keyboards just to use them as MIDI controllers at the dorm, and later they passed these units to the freshmen… Anyway, back in Orlando, they ditched this entire Synclavier system. Imagine how much it could have been worth today ?! Immaculate condition ! Straight from the factory…

[@maro_from_germany]

@@KrystofDreamJourney I bought a very basic Synclavier system (FM only, floppies for storage) for $500 in the 90's. I believe a university in California had gotten rid of it and someone decided that he could make some money from this.

[@mournblade1066]

Wow, the prices of all these are insane, especially those modular synths. I have an Access Virus KC that I paid $1200 for, and it can pretty much emulate every one of these for a fraction of the cost. Anyway, great video! And I want to echo what others have said--it's great that you showed examples of not only who used these synths, but what recordings featured them. You have a new subscriber! Happy New Year (2025)!

[@AndyWhitmore]

well thank you very much!! Have a gr8 year

[@RayEttler]

you don't seem to get the point by stating the obvious.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@RayEttler ?

[@piotrmalewski8178]

The catch is, if you dedicate your life to master programming them, you will never have time to learn how to play.

[@4wheelwarrior]

Makes me warm and fuzzy knowing reference grade analog gear like the Colossus were introduced in 2019! Seems not all modern electronics are crap after all. Thanks for the vid!

[@AndyWhitmore]

yep - we haven't lost it yet - the Colossus is new & brilliant

[@RandomButBeautiful]

It's wild that the EMS Synthi AKS not only had a sequencer in 1971 but was in a small suitcase rather than half a room full of modular beast. Groundbreaking instrument.

[@AndyWhitmore]

& its so organic = one of my favourites!

[@dalelaushman8749]

Nice video, Andy! What about the ARP 2500? Surely its up there in the stratosphere.

[@AndyWhitmore]

agreed - it should be on this list! Apologies

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

Hi Andy! You have also a nice collection of keyboards! Congratulations. Keith Emerson was the KEYBOARD PLAYER , Thanx for the video! I Saw ELP 6 times in Buenos Aires Argentina with close encounter with the whole Band and the Manager, Stewart Young, also manager of AC DC, and Keith Weschler, and Will Alexander, the techs... With photos, etc Keith had in Argentina the Emerson Moog, Monster Cable, the Hammond Goff C3, the L 100, Yamaha and Korg workstations, the Ribbon controller, Ensoniq and Studio Logic MIDI leads, Yamaha Grand piano, Gem digital piano, and a lot of Rolands , Korg, Kurzweil, Yamaha via MIDI. Cheers from Buenos Aires, Argentina 🤙

[@AndyWhitmore]

ho from London!!! Thanks for the feedback - you are lucky to have seen ELP 6 times!!! Yes he had all the synths!! Have a great New Year!

[@erik_stein]

Awesome video! Question on Polyfusion System 2000: you state that it was £15k when new. However, the advert that you show lists it at "less than $3,500." According to Google, £1 was equivalent to $2.45 in 1973, making it ~£1,428. Is the ad from a different time or now showing the complete system?

[@AndyWhitmore]

Hi, Thank you for your kind words about the video and for raising such a thoughtful question! You’re absolutely right to point out the pricing in the advert and the currency conversion-great attention to detail. The £15,000 figure I mentioned reflects the estimated cost of a complete, fully loaded Polyfusion System 2000 as it would have been configured for professional use, including additional modules, customizations, and extras that weren’t included in the base price advertised at ~$3,500. The advert shown in the video likely represents the starting price for a more basic setup or an earlier stage in the system’s development. Modular synthesizers like the Polyfusion were highly customizable, so the final price could vary dramatically depending on the configuration and add-ons chosen. I hope this clears up the discrepancy. Thanks again for watching and for your insightful comment! Best regards, Andy

[@erik_stein]

@AndyWhitmore Makes sense. Thank you for the clarification! I love this geeky stuff.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@erik_stein yes - geeky!

[@TheSynthnut]

Andy, interesting to see these stacked up in this order. One correction though, the Emerson Moog was only originally used by Keith as it was a unique collection of bits that had evolved over the years. Carlos had their own system as did others and was not connected other than being a Moog modular. When Moog reissued the KE System recently, I think we only made two, though it had been planned to do three. Without going through my orders I couldn't confirm if there were enough panels for the full three. So, maximum of four systems ever and I don't know the buyers of the reissue ones personally. I think the ARP 2500 should be in the list, along with the Roland System 700 to name a few.

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - covered in the comments - but agreed!

[@newtronix]

Thanks this was a good top 11. The craziest one is the DX1 really, seeming as it's basically just 2 DX7's!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Completely agree - I’d pay £1500 tops for that massive pile of keyboard!

[@newtronix]

@AndyWhitmore Yeah! The rack mount TX816 is 8 DX7s in a box for £700. Grab a dtronics operator controller for a grand and there is your complete FM beast!

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@newtronix yes - & I have just made a video on the TX816 & it sounds glorious!

[@tonicjack9823]

It's way, way more than two DX7's.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@tonicjack9823 I know some people love them!

[@ChocoChola]

Well done. Thanks. Good vid!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Glad you liked it!

[@gixerags750]

My mate would be spewing he sold his EMS Synthi about 10 years ago... 😢, had no idea it is worth double the SH5 I sold around the same time he sold his EMS SYNTHI, I sold my SH5 for $650 Australian1996....got the MS5 now. Great video nostalgia. ✌️ ❤

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes the synthi keeps going up. - the Behringer MS-5 is an excellent clone

[@arthurcrime]

I had a ems aks for several years loved it, we had a vcs3 at university, they threw it in a skip when the music course closed. I think you undervalued the cs80.

[@AndyWhitmore]

they sound like they didn't know what they were doing - the CS80 & Synthi AKS/VCS3 have always been amazing synths! Skip? 😡

[@StephenMasucci]

Wendy Carlos never owned a Moog 15, she had a custom Moog modular from day one. It started small and was expanded over an eight year period. Hers is a unique, one of a kind instrument. She still owns it. Keith Emerson's main Moog modular started out as a single cabinet custom system with a custom preset device. He bought it used and expanded it as his needs grew. It, also, is a unique custom system. Also, the Lucky Man solo was not performed on his, but on a borrowed system.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for the info!

[@VallinSFAS]

With a 65 piece orchestra, the Yamaha GX-1 was an unbeatable stage and tour monster.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Absolutely unbeatable!

[@kierenmoore3236]

Makes the Jupiter-8 (may fave still, I think) seem ‘cheap’ … !! 😜 CS-80, System 55 & GX1 would be my other faves from this list (and I feel obligated to include the DX1, as well). Great video, as always! Thanks muchly, Sir! Happy Solstice Season! ☀️

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for that- me? I’m mystified by the dx1 value! Before I heard of their value- I valued it at £1400! 2 x the DX7 value! lol!😜

[@Canadarago]

I have a Minimoog D I bought in 1975 for about $500. Worth 10 times that now.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I'll give you $500 for it!!

[@Al69BfR]

Interesting that no Prophet and the GS-1 didn‘t made it onto the list. But nice video. Probably the only one I could afford without breaking the bank would be the EMS Synthi AKS. And it‘s, iirc from your video, the only synth that is now worth more than its price when it was new in todays money.

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - sound investment!

[@PierreRipplinger]

These lists inevitably leave some respectable contenders aside, thinking of the Korg PS-3300 and his reissue costing something like €19,000. But thanks for this video making us dream a little bigger in these dire days of Volcas and Aira Minis!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Yes- I’m now aware of these but like u- I know a lot more about these synths now than I did!!

[@MrDddrrrggg]

19? I thought the new reissue was 13k

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@MrDddrrrggg $13k is correct for the Korg PS-3300 re-issue

[@MrDddrrrggg]

@@AndyWhitmore I hope it is because I’ve already made the reservation payment. Don’t want to be paying 19 🥹

[@PierreRipplinger]

@@MrDddrrrggg I thought I heard this price in a review video but you're right, that's the price that comes up the most in a google search.

[@charlesflint9048]

I always lusted after an Emulator2, but finally got the Emulator X CD-ROM version free with a hardware MIDI/ audio interface.

[@ulfjohannesson8036]

Emulator X is a very nice software sampler. I keep a WindowsXP PC running just for that.

[@AndyWhitmore]

excellent - well done

[@iixorb]

Very interesting 👍👍. @8:30 - I learnt from Rob Puricelli (SOS / Gearnews journalist and Pro Synth Network show host) that the DX1 and DX5 use the best quality DACs which Yamaha produced, resulting in a far superior sound to the rest of the 6-op DX / TX lineup manufactured at the same time. A lot of people assume they can recreate the DX1 sound with two DX7's (or even DEXED 😂). Not at all. I've played Rob's DX1 and I own several DX7's. The DX1 tone has a depth, clarity and dare I even say 'warmth' which the other DX's and TX's can only dream of!

[@maro_from_germany]

According to the service manuals both the DX7 and the DX1 used the BA9221 as DAC; the DX5 schematics also lists HA17012 as an alternative. AFAIK none of those ICs were produced by Yamaha.; all of those are 12bit DACs. The output circuitry afterwards seems slightly (but not drastically) different, though.

[@AndyWhitmore]

its amazing the lack of clarity about the different DX's - the DX1 obviously has something about it for it to be in such demand - a very handsome synth!

[@AndyWhitmore]

some impressive detail - thanks for adding!

[@iixorb]

@@maro_from_germany My understanding is that although they are the same part number etc, Yamaha had a process by which they could select the very best ones for the DX1 and the DX5. I don't know if that was by actually listening to them (surely that would be too labour intensive!) or by some electronic means of analysis. As you mention, the latter audio stage would also have been superior in the 1 and the 5.

[@Jhihmoac]

...Either on stage or in the studio, the Yamaha CS-80 was the choice of most pros from the mid 70s and well into the early-mid 80s when FM synthesis became more popular (Yamaha DX Series)... The CS-80 is still used today for its analog sound qualities...

[@AndyWhitmore]

absolutly - thanks for feedback!

[@muppetpaster]

I bought a Schmidt synth one year ago. My dad also had a CS 80 in the eighties...Sadly sold in the nineties...

[@AndyWhitmore]

Anyone who sold a CS80 prior to 2022 is upset about the bargain they gave away - Equally - anyone (like me) who bought one from 2022 regret not buying them earlier when they were half the price! Thats Life!

[@Chris-ec9xi]

I'm not sure, but I believe the ARP 2500 should possibly in the list. I can't imagine you'd get one for 20k or less in good condition.

[@AndyWhitmore]

covered in the comments thanks

[@Hxs28]

I have a lovely Jupiter-8, which I purchased for £5,000 back in 2016 (approximately). I used to own a CS-80 as well, but I ended up selling it due to recurring issues. Transporting it to the repair shop was a nightmare-it required three people just to lift it in and out of the car. Maintaining it was incredibly expensive, so I probably just got unlucky with that particular unit. The good news is that I still have all the audio recordings I made with it.These synths are simply fantastic, but maintaining them over the years can be a costly business.

[@AndyWhitmore]

wow - you got a good deal on your jupiter 8!

[@Hxs28]

​@@AndyWhitmore Ah ha, yes thanks :) , it was from a gentleman in London who transitioned into the construction business and happened to own a collection of keyboards. At the time, I had some spare funds, saw the opportunity, and decided to purchase them. I have paid a good price als for the PPG Wave 2, Rhodes Chroma, and Memorymoog. I paid approximately £2,000 for both the PPG Wave 2 and the Chroma in 2012, and £5,500 for the Memorymoog back in 2011. It was a time in which some of these synths could be still purchased at a decent price.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@Hxs28 es - it kind of all went mad around 2019 to 2022 - you got some great gear there

[@Hxs28]

@@AndyWhitmore Oh Man you too you have a great studio :)

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@Hxs28 Thanks - funnily enough - my enginers hardly touched the analog gear for 20 years - they use it more now

[@londonroulette]

My fav synth is the Roland Jupiter 8 WOW!! (I saw a second hand one in Soho Sound House in London I think around late 80s for…..£350.

[@AndyWhitmore]

bargain!!

[@SeverityOne]

There's a Facebook group, where people like to show their studios. There was one guy who had several of the synths shown here, including TWO Yamaha DX1.

[@AndyWhitmore]

wow! do send me a link - I'd like to share this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4SQYnaYqpmMoZY

[@dubdoodle7191]

There's a guy in Toronto Canada known as "Harold", living in public housing (TCHC) that has most of these synths in a dingy basement of a townhouse complex. Approx $250K worth of synths in a public housing complex basement.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I feel his pain- I have a hoard of keyboards and can’t afford a pint!!

[@umbertoyltp]

Rick van der Linden of Ekseption also made an album with the GX1 in the spotlight!

[@AndyWhitmore]

thanks for that - I have noted this & will check out! I think I've managed to source a real GX-1 to demo!!! Watch this space!

[@aprilsofia1306]

Officer Barbrady! I call Shenanigans! Single Oberheim SEM modules are over $5K these days. So what's that make an original Oberheim 8-voice?!? Hmmmm?!? Especially with the 16 patch memory programmer?!? 1975-79 Eight Voice: US $7,790 ($10,185 with programmer) Today? Good luck finding one. Haven't seen one for sale in years. People LOVE 'em. Put it in their wills to be buried with them! Ok, ok, that last one might be an urban legend... 😘 Long live Tom Oberheim! (88) We LOVE you, Tom!!!

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - this should be in the list! Apologies!

[@TotallyNuss]

1999 era Prince was Oberheim OB-X and OB-Xa. It's in all the videos and live footage too. Jupe came later.

[@AndyWhitmore]

really?

[@louise_rose]

@@AndyWhitmore Yes, I've also heard he (and his keyboard player) was extensively using Oberheim at the time.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@louise_rose Oberheims are classics!!

[@jeffrow316]

I noticed the SynClavier, the fair light and the Kerzwiel K 250 didn’t make the list, but this was very interesting.

[@AndyWhitmore]

This is Synths - they will appear in my Keyboard top 11

[@justinbennitt835]

@@AndyWhitmore the Synclavier and Fairlight are also synths (FM/additive and additive, respectively) but would be more suited in a "Top 10 most expensive synths when new" or "Top 10 highest depreciating synths of all time" list. I owned a Synclavier 9600 with VPK and Direct To Disk tower for a few years and going by the price list (when new), it would have cost the original owner $275,000... and that's not including the D2D tower which would probably have been another $100k. I got it for £1200 🙂

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@justinbennitt835 FFS! Thats a loss!! yes - I would have to research it - but maybe these total classics aren't worth that much these days anyway - I know that they would both be a job to maintain & keep working!

[@GlenBerry]

The list also ignores the very rare PRISM, by Kinetic Sound. A 40-voice model had a retail price of $40,000 USD in the year 1981. That's equivalent to $138,830.80 USD currently.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@GlenBerry noted thanks

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

My first impulse is to repeat how thankful I am that I’ve lost my interest in owning any of these classic synth models, as of the end of 2024. The Roland JX-8p and MKS-70 that I own one each of may not equal the Jupiter or Juno synthesizers, but they aren’t supposed to. They each do plenty to fulfill any desire I personally have to own those models. My next impulse is to thank you, Andy, for mentioning that the CS-80 first appeared in public in 1976. The tangible evidence for that fact is Garth Hudson (incidentally the last surviving member of The Band) playing one during the concert at Winterland in San Francisco from that November known as The Last Waltz. May 2025 be good to all of us.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Always good to hear from you Shred! The Roland JX-8p and MKS-70 are awesome synths & completly equal any Juno! CS80? Thanks!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I’m very flattered, Andy.

[@ytpremium7649]

And come to find out all you ever needed was a TX816 or eight Yamaha DX7 's and some programming skills

[@AndyWhitmore]

the tx816 is a pain to program!

[@londonroulette]

Jeez I’m at no.5 and thinking real estate no, should of got into synths, can’t believe how much they are worth 💰💰💰💰

[@AndyWhitmore]

if you are referring to the moog 55 - this - out of all the synths mentioned - is the one synth I want - 😍

[@juanmontoyajimenez8714]

Good list! But I would still say that the most expensive synthesizer in the world is the E-mu Systems Audity. Only one unit exists in the whole world, and it is kept at the Studio Bell in Calgary. It was meant to be sold for $70,000 in 1979, but then only one was built, so just imagine how much it must be worth today!

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for this - I was unaware of this

[@drydessert4198]

For a part 2 video: ARP 2500, Buchla 100 and vintage 200 (not the later 200e), RSF Poly Kobol.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for this - the follow up video will include:- Arp2500 Buchla 100 Buchla Vintage 200 Analogue Solutions Maximus - TC5000 EMS POLYSYNTHI ANALOG ULTRA RARE Oberheim FVS -1 but won't include RSF Poly Kobol Schmidt 8 Voice Analog

[@Michael_Geyre]

​@@AndyWhitmoreput oberheim Evs instead of Fvs

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@Michael_Geyre noted - OK - well I will get some feedback on the community page before the next release

[@drydessert4198]

@@AndyWhitmore I was going to add the Schmidt 8. Did you already complete the video before the Schmidt came to mind?

[@drydessert4198]

@@AndyWhitmore The Knifonium would also be a candidate.

[@mulgamutt]

Once (and if) Vangelis’ custom synth system ever hits the market, it’d be worth a gazillion. Probably never will.

[@NogueiraMG]

Very nice video, but I think you should considerer another one: Fairlight CMI. It is also a wonderful and very expensive synth. Thank you for post (and sorry for my bad English)!

[@AndyWhitmore]

the Fairlight & Synclavier are featuring in a new video I have coming

[@NogueiraMG]

@@AndyWhitmore All right. I’ll wait… Have a wonderful 2025

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@NogueiraMG Have a Happy Prosperous New Year!

[@NinoAuricchio]

You should check out the Townshend Studio at the University of West London, never got about 8 of these, including a Synthi 100 and GX1

[@AndyWhitmore]

well thank you for this comment - I have already seen his studio on a youtube video produced by his maintenance repairer - however - I had no idea where it was or how to visit it - BUT - thanks to you - I do now - I will be visiting & hopefully making a video of it - Happy NY!

[@NinoAuricchio]

@AndyWhitmore send me a message and I'll put you in contact with the studio manager

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@NinoAuricchio Thats brilliant - my email is [e-mail] - if you DM me - I will send you that message

[@AndyWhitmore]

I have subbed to you! Nice channel!

[@maro_from_germany]

No Technos Acxel? No Crumar GDS? Those two also cost a pretty penny (when they were new; and certainly today if one should ever be for sale). The PPG Wave were (and are) also quite expensive.

[@AndyWhitmore]

good comment - they weren't on my radar!

[@marguskiis7711]

One Synthi 100 was bought into Soviet Union too and it was used by Eduard Artemyev for Tarkovski movies and by Sven Grünberg for "Killed Mountaineer Hotel" soundtrack.

[@minimoog4236]

A certain Richard James bought the one from Warwick Unversity (IIRC). I saw it at the APRS show in the 1990's in the Music Control (RIP) stand. It was glorious.

[@AndyWhitmore]

good to know! Thanks

[@johnelwen4435]

What amazes me, is how few of these instruments were manufactured.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Back in the 60s & 70s - not many manufaturers knew how to make them!

[@jfdwolff]

Surprised not to see any Fairlights or ARP 2500/2600 in the list. Are they going cheap?

[@AndyWhitmore]

fairlight is going cheap these days - the Arp2500 should be on the list!!

[@NigelHopkinsKeyboards]

Hi Andy. Great video. Being a nerdy keyboard player, I know that Emerson's IIIC Moog was a one off due to the amount of extra bits including Blank units. Bob Moog built him a preset box to enable Keith to use it live. It now resides in EMEAPP in Calgary as part of a set up of Keith's equipment. I tried to get over there, but each time I've been there on tour, they were closed. I'm not sure that Rick (as far as I know) ever had a modular Moog. But probably the largest collection of MiniMoogs. As a post further down said...ARP2500. David Hentschel used it songs from "A Spaceman Came Travelling" to "Funeral For a Friend" and "Rocket Man" I believe. I think it was probably David that turned Tony Banks onto the ARP2600. I've recently seen a CS80 advertised at $60,000. Insane. Less than 800 made. I know of one that had a drunk spill his pint of beer into the grill. Make sure you're bolting those doors Andy.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Really interesting info here - I'd love to go to Calgary to check out Emerson's collection! Rick did use many Minimoogs - he used to throw them off the stage when they broke!

[@NigelHopkinsKeyboards]

@@AndyWhitmore I've heard it's worth the visit Andy as Keith's set up was in situ.. Calgary was a bit weird when I was there last year. There was a homicide directly outside our hotel. Canada is wonderful. I'm sure there are a lot of hidden gems of Synths in North America. I saw someone's post who bought a Voyager in a garage sale...ha ha....Never our luck though. Thanks Andy.....

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@NigelHopkinsKeyboards yes - he landed the jackpot - I have had some great deals in the past - a Jupiter 4 for £1000 - mint 4 years ago - as shown here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXWaYnSdpdyWpac 02:35 Roland Jupiter-4

[@ihasmdb389]

Pretty surprised the Fairlight CMI II didn't make it on here

[@AndyWhitmore]

I have covered this in earlier comments - but yes - the top 11 focuses on out right synths - I have covered the fairlight in a february video coming soon!

[@fryk2462]

I cannot see here the Arp 2500, a true contender in this list...

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - I have covered this omission in other comments - it should be here

[@MortenJensen1974]

Roland System 700 full System is also super expansive

[@AndyWhitmore]

yep

[@entropybentwhistle]

When you convert the ‘80s price to modern currency value I’m astonished I purchased a new Emu Emax and new 200W TOA synth amplifier with my street courier wages. I must have been crazy.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I know - it took me 18 months to pay for my MiniMoog - 2nd hand at £690! I worked in a Bank & was 17 years old.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I had an EMU Emax - great reliable sampler

[@zandel_zandel]

Tangerine Dream would have used some of these? Zeit album in particular is always scary and beautiful. But if they haven't, then they achieved a lot with less expensive units.

[@AndyWhitmore]

absolutely - they are an epic band!

[@samuelagboola]

You forgot the most famous GX-1 owners. ABBA. It’s all over their stuff. They still have it too.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Didn't forget & Abba is featured with the GX-1 - I decided to choose 3 examples of artists!

[@tonicjack9823]

Rick Wakeman didn't use or play any Moog modular systems. KE was the one.

[@AndyWhitmore]

really - thanks for the info

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

Yeah..., Rick trademark is the Mini Moog... With 2 by rig. Also he had a Polymoog. Keith had The Emerson Moog, mini moogs , 3 at least, the Constellation, lyra and apollo, Polymoog, the Ribbon controller, in Moogs. And every Brand in the market 😂 Cheers

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@miguelangelmontenegro9939 It does seem that K Emerson had a stupid amount of money to spend on synths!

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

@@AndyWhitmore 😂 but never spend a dollar in synths , organs, keyboards , pianos , speakers , etc...., he was sponsored by each thing he had !! From moog to Hammond, from Yamaha to Korg, fairlight, E Mu , Kurzweil, GEM , Steinway, ensoniq, Studio Logic, Crown, Phase Linear, JBL, hi watt, Bag end, Monster Cable, Casio, Elka, Oberheim, etc ... They spend money and equipment. Maybe in the first Hammond L 100 Keith spent money 😁

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@miguelangelmontenegro9939 one of the lucky few - its so hard to get keyboard sponsorship!

[@p5ri3o]

Luckily, there are "Plug-Ins" that won't FORCE you to have to take out a (Second-Mortgage), just to own one of these BEASTS💪

[@AndyWhitmore]

plug ins definetly give you a taste of what these beasts sound like

[@TheOriginalGeekyNoob]

Also worth mentioning that rumour has it a more modern owner of the GX1 is Richard D. James of Aphex Twin/The Tuss fame.

[@AndyWhitmore]

worth a mention indeed!!!

[@jonhoward180]

No mention of the Synclavier Synclavichord? It was about £30k when new with a £15k add on module. But otherwise this was a geeat video. Cheers 😊

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for watching - I have replied to this comment - but here goes - I was concentrating on pure synths - I will cover the synclavier in a february video

[@rudi6127]

Rick Wakeman never used the modular Moog on the six wives of Henry VIII and he never used the Moog 15 on Journey to the centre of the earth, it’s not often you’re right, but you’re wrong again…

[@AndyWhitmore]

Good catch! I must’ve had my Moogs mixed up-Wakeman was all about the classic Minimoog (sometimes more than one at a time). Always happy to be fact-checked by the synth historians!

[@tsmith7146]

Should the Roland System 700 have been a contender, even at the lower levels of the top 11? Malcolm Clarke's work with the Synthi 100 on Doctor Who - The Sea Devils had a monumental impact on my 5 year old self in 1972.

[@AndyWhitmore]

it was so difficult deciding how many synths to put in this collection - the Roland 700 goes for about 13k not making it to this list - although - I'd love to own one!

[@Michael_Geyre]

​@@AndyWhitmorewrong, for such price you might just have a lab case with a lot of luck Don't expect to have a full system without adding a 0 at your price

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@Michael_Geyre noted - I'll research it more & get it in the follow up video

[@MirlitronOne]

...and nobody mentioned Raybinger (thank goodness).

[@AndyWhitmore]

I'm not familiar with the Raybinger - maybe you can send a link?

[@SpikesStudio3]

I do not play, but a bucket list thing is to touch a gx1. There were 3 found here in a shed. 🇦🇺😖

[@AndyWhitmore]

which shed - any spare?

[@SpikesStudio3]

@ I believe the story goes something like Yamaha sent them here as demo models. And then they were abandoned and neglected and put into storage. Only to be discovered later. This is just my recollection from the story from bjooks.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@SpikesStudio3 ahh OK

[@PizzaPark92]

What about the Fairlight CMI? It's more than just a sampler

[@AndyWhitmore]

I know - i wanted to focus on traditional synths for this video - the fairlight will be covered in an upcoming video

[@universalvibe72]

Waldorf Wave

[@AndyWhitmore]

agreed - covered in the comments

[@pedrogomis]

Where is Analogue Solutions Maximus, TC5000, ...?

[@AndyWhitmore]

i missed that one - i'll do an update later

[@YdalirUllrsson]

On what grounds do you calculate the "equivalent" value, there seems not to be a linear relation from one sxnth to the other

[@AndyWhitmore]

I found the UK price new when bought - published it in the video - then used the Bank of England inflation calculator to convert to todays price. I took a double take when I looked - but it seems - for instance - The inflation rate in the United Kingdom in 1973 was 9.2%. Between 1970 & 1982 - there was some serious inflation. - I hope that explains - I double checked the figures!

[@MFitz12]

Inflation was a bitch in the 1970's.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@MFitz12 7 interest rates in the 70s!! 15% peak on a mortgage!

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Very cool historical view of these synths. Thanks for sharing.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mournblade1066]

Wait--the Moog Model 15 was only 1500 pounds when it was originally released? I would have thought it was much more expensive than that, because I think the Minimoog was around the same price.

[@AndyWhitmore]

minimoog was around 700

[@mournblade1066]

@@AndyWhitmore Huh. I did not know that. You know what--I'm thinking in terms of dollars--700 POUNDS, which would have been around $1500 US. (Back then one British pound was the equivalent of around $2 US, I think.)

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@mournblade1066 you are correct - it was 2 to the pound making the moog model 15 - $3k

[@ApexCypher_]

Superb content. Keep it coming. 👍😀

[@AndyWhitmore]

thanks for the encouragement - got more to come! - every Saturday morning!

[@mrgum6y]

Fairly sure field desk was no13 on the list

[@rimaraf999]

The Korg PS3300 would be another notable mention.

[@AndyWhitmore]

this would have been 12 or lower at £10.5k

[@louisschmidtlin5926]

@@AndyWhitmore PS3300 vintage edition current sell for $50-80K so should be in next batch !

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@louisschmidtlin5926 I have done further research due to the comments & you are correct - do u think I should do a follow up video with the new info garnered from all the comments?

[@Merchantmond]

Does the NED Synclavier not qualify as well?

[@AndyWhitmore]

its featured in an upcoming video - I am concentrating on synths that don't double as a sampler etc

[@Merchantmond]

@@AndyWhitmore Fair enough :)

[@enochroot9438]

Great presentation and interesting breakdown, thankyou

[@AndyWhitmore]

Fantastic- I’m glad u like

[@ArgumentShow]

No Synclavier, Fairlight CMI

[@AndyWhitmore]

this is just synths - no samplers, pianos etc

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@AndyWhitmore. 🙀😉

[@ArgumentShow]

@ Synclavier is PM synth ( wrongly named FM before the DX1 ) 👍

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@ArgumentShow didn't want to say - but I have a keyboard video coming soon - & the 2 samplers are on the list!

[@ArgumentShow]

@ like your videos, memory lane lol

[@liviou2004]

What about the Schmidt eight voices synthesizer ? (22, 000 €)

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - its been noted in earlier comments!!

[@JC19676]

Where is The Fair light CMI? The Synclavier? The PPG Wave? At least one of them cost the price of a house when it came out!

[@AndyWhitmore]

the first 2 are not out and right synths so were not considered for this list - the PPG wave is valued at 12k today - this is not about new prices - it is current todays prices - but I appreciate your input

[@ahmwsynth]

Pretty sure (Prince’s) 1999 was an Oberheim, not a Jupiter 8.

[@ahmwsynth]

Reading through the comments, this video appears to be full of seriously wrong information. WTF? Don’t make videos full of errors…

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for Watching

[@AndyWhitmore]

Prince used Obegheims & Jupiters 8s

[@keithbarnhart6952]

The Roland Jupiter-8 was primarily popular due to its durability and ability to stay in tune. It wasn't that particularly great sounding, I actually like the Jupiter 6 better. IMO, The Prophet , Chroma , Oberheim 8-voice, Yamaha, Korg PS-3300, and Memorymoog all sounded better, yet the Roland was far more stable and road worthy. BTW, I'm not sure of what the comparison is meant by "most-valuable," and most expensive. How do you factor purchase cost against current value? The Chroma and the Korg PS3300, and the Oberheim 8-voice were all more expensive than a Jupiter-8 and still command high prices. And while we are at it, there are things like the Roland-S770, Fairlight, Synclavier, Schmidt, WafeFrame, PPG systems, Prophet-10, ARP 2600 "Blue Meany", other produced vintage modular systems like the ARP 2500, EMU, and Buchla.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Thanks for replying - The Jupiter 8 sounds amazing - much better than the Jupiter 6 - r u serious! The Jupiter 6 has curtis chips in - they are good - but not as good as the discrete Jupiter 8 VCOs - The price comparison is only todays prices - otherwise the synthi AKS at £450 new would not stand a chance at the original price comparison- i hope this clarifies & apologise if I ruffled any feathers!

[@kazoku_rec]

No ARP2500? No Roland System-700? No Yamaha VP-1? No RSF Polykobol? No E-mu modular? Those synths are way more expensive than some of the ones on your list...

[@AndyWhitmore]

you should be helping me with these video!!

[@rlbf1967]

No ARP2500? Wow!

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - this was missed and covered in an earlier comment several times - apologies

[@rlbf1967]

@ no worries Andy! It was a grand tour including some instruments I’d never heard of😃

[@laynehoward2870]

Did the Synclavier V and Fairlight CMI not make the list?

[@AndyWhitmore]

I have a video covering these samplers ( with limited synth capabilities) coming soon - this video is focusing on synths only - thanks for info though

[@laynehoward2870]

@@AndyWhitmore My bad.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@laynehoward2870 thanks for that - you made a valid comment!

[@maro_from_germany]

@@AndyWhitmore The Synclavier started as a pure FM synthesizer. Sampling was added later as an option. Starting price for the smallest FM system was around $13k, I think (I'd have to look this up; I think I have some of the original price lists somewhere). Later again the Synclavier became pretty much a sampler and FM in turn became an option.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@maro_from_germany thats interesting as I heard the FM part as primitive compared with the DX7 - however - if it came out b4 the DX7 - they kind of missed a trick! Just observing - not trying to make a statement!

[@DaveyL1954]

I'm thinking of buying the GX1. I told my wife that there's loads of them on the market at £300. Can anybody advise me on the cost of a marble grave headstone??

[@AndyWhitmore]

not sure but cheaper than the GX1!!

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Buchla 100 or 200 systems should probably be in there.

[@AndyWhitmore]

I agree - I have addressed this in earlier comments

[@littlebritain64]

I am wondering how much Is the value of my Elka Synthex (barely 1.500 produced in half '80s but nowadays probably less....

[@AndyWhitmore]

I think 10k to 15k is a ballpark figure - its a massive synth!

[@littlebritain64]

@AndyWhitmore thanks! And, oh, that 4 track sequencer....❤️

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@littlebritain64 absolutely!

[@bengsynthmusic]

Justice for Oberheim OB-X. They're harder to get than Jupiter 8s.

[@blueeyedsoulman]

I had one. Sold it for $1000 in 1987. 🤪

[@bengsynthmusic]

@blueeyedsoulman Okay I'm a little jealous. Lol They're now selling for the price of a new Honda. I so want one even more than the X8.

[@AndyWhitmore]

Actually - with those SEM chips in - they are very desirable!

[@AndyWhitmore]

I wish I'd bought it - I'm only just beginning to understand the mystic of the OB-X

[@desmoriderssthlm552]

Where is the Fairlight CMI?

[@AndyWhitmore]

this video is about synths - digital & analog only

[@kierenmoore3236]

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!! 🦘🐨

[@Michael_Geyre]

Fairlight is a digital synth featuring analog filters (for older models)​@AndyWhitmore

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@Michael_Geyre i get that - TBH - I have enough material from these comments for another video - watch this space

[@Michael_Geyre]

@@AndyWhitmore I was curious about your video when seeing its title, but honestly, i have no need watching another one talking about these instruments prices

[@Techtonic77]

What About the Walforf Wave? NED Synclavier? EMS Polysynth...I could go on. Seems like a rushed video as many were missed.

[@AndyWhitmore]

OK - well I was concentrating on Synths - which is why I left out the synclavier/fairlight - however - you are right - there were some I missed - apologies. However - this video was not a quick job by any means - I have been picked up on every missing synth.

[@SpaceEchoesRecords]

Behringer; Hold my beer

[@AndyWhitmore]

Haha, Behringer always knows how to make a statement! They really push the envelope when it comes to affordability and quality.

[@danwentz]

Really? The Jupiter 8? Come on, man... Assuming you were alive then, have you ever heard of the Synclavier or CMI Fairlight?

[@ronricherson6685]

I thought of that too. I'm a pro player who worked in a music stores and we never sold our $7995 Jupiter 8. But I played one of the first Synclaviers which was sold through a high end sound production company, not a standard music store. Two of the guys who worked there were in a band that was trying to get me to join and they let me mess around with it. It was absolutely astounding. Fully loaded I believe it was close to $100,000. I think uou had to buy "blocks" of sound modules to get everytihng. The Fairlight was I believe a sampler. What's crazy is I now have the Arturia V Collection which has digital versions of many of the synths he reviewed. Arturia hired the original engineers to help recreate these synths. And they're great, actually. So I have a Synclavier, DX7, Jupiter 8 Fairlight, Moog's, Oberheims, Buchla, CS-80, Prophets and more... all for about $500...and all stored on an SSD. Considering I used to haul around a Rhodes, Clavinet, ARP string ensemble, ARP Odyssey and an organ with a Leslie speaker...all of which made ONE sound (!) in Anvil ATA cases, I'm ecstatic.

[@AndyWhitmore]

synclavier & Fairlight will be covered in a video I have coming - this video is about Synths - not keyboards - thanks

[@ronricherson6685]

I enjoyed your video, so I hate to break it to you, but: The Fairlight CMI (short for Computer Musical Instrument) is a digital synthesizer, music sampler and digital audio workstation introduced in 1979 by Fairlight. The Synclavier was a digital synthesizer, music workstation, and polyphonic digital sampling system. It used additive synthesis and FM. Perhaps the additional sampling features (for you) what distinguishes them from being "pure" synthesizers? The Synclavier "parameters controls" like ADSR, just like any other synth.

[@AndyWhitmore]

@@ronricherson6685 all noted & as I have said a few times in the comments - I have the fairlight & Synclavier covered in an up coming video - thanks for info!

[@nrsynth8945]

Moondawn from Schulze is not from Polyfusion but from a moog IIIP modular

[@AndyWhitmore]

I’ll take your word for it- I try to go to reliable sources for my info

[@gijsbouman5193]

Just look on the backcover of Moondawn, their you can see that Klaus didn't use a Polyfusion, so you are right in this. I know for sure he even doesn't had such a synth for ever.

[@mksavela]

Hi! Where does equivalent value come from?

[@AndyWhitmore]

the values are the cost when new in UK - in the 70s, 80s etc - then using the Bank of England inflation calculator - converted from the price in the year bought to today's value - i hope that helps?

[@mksavela]

@@AndyWhitmore thank you 🙂

[@ИгорьПопов-у5й]

EMS - it's 2 first SPK albums. It's shame that you mentioned only pop rock bands. And... No Buchla???

[@AndyWhitmore]

Sorry about that! Buchla was not on my radar but fair point

[@RayyMusik]

Schmidt Synthesizer (last known price for a new unit in 2016): €19,000.

[@AndyWhitmore]

yes - its been noted in earlier comments!!

[@indirektdjs]

Wait... where is the Fairlight CMI?

[@AndyWhitmore]

covered in the comments earlier - although it would struggle to hit 20k (or even 10K) on the 2nd hand market which means it would not make the top 11