'nuther Poly Fan

[ethersine]

Greetings! I've known about this site for about a year now, but I haven't spent much time here. Mostly checking out the Poly presets.

Like many here, my love of the Polymoog began in the late '70's with Replicas and Pleasure Principal. I saw Numan in Cleveland during the PP tour.

Even after thirty years, the Vox Humana has yet to become tiresome, and it still sends chills up my spine.

Numan, J.M. Jarre and others throughout the '70's and '80's have fed my love of the synth (any synth), and I now own a substantial collection of vintage instruments. I'm more of a collector since I just haven't cultivated my playing skills. I also love the theremin, which I do play.

A few years ago, in my ignorance I purchased a PM 203a (SN 1766) with the Poly-Pedals thinking I was going to get the coveted Vox Humana. I can't imagine what issues this unit may have as it was shipped by UPS and horribly packaged. It arrived with a damaged power connection, so I've never tried to power it up and I haven't gotten around to repairing it. It wasn't until I found this site about a year ago that I sadly found out I had missed the mark.

Last week I was fortunate enough to pick up a used 280a (SN 1114) locally for only $200! It is in very good physical condition. The guy said it worked the last time he used it 15 years ago (yeah, right). It now only puts out a loud mains hum. So, I've come here to find all of the info I can. I have the Owner's and Service manuals, and I know just enough about electronics to be dangerous.

[ethersine]

PS....Just to demonstrate what a warped man I am, I bought the 280a last week even though I've been unemployed for the last month. I just HAD to have it! Now, is that sick or what?

It looks like I'm going to have to part with a few of my less valued pieces. I've already sold two of my theremins.

BTW...Great website! There seems to be a lot of Brits here, eh?

[Dubsounds]

I guess that's because it's a British website

How ya doin? ;D

[ethersine]

That's alright. I won't hold that against you.

We have a lot of Brits on the theremin forums too. I just wish I could speak "English". Sometimes I don't know what you blokes are talking about.

[Dubsounds]

Blokes was a good start ;D

You'll do just fine mate

Shaun

[Gavin]

Hello.

[mattjessup]

Jun 24, 2009 19:12:27 GMT ethersine said:

That's alright. I won't hold that against you.

We have a lot of Brits on the theremin forums too. I just wish I could speak "English". Sometimes I don't know what you blokes are talking about.

just look out for the words.. NUMAN.......GARY.....VOX HUMANA.....POLYMOOG ( this one usually has the word knackered pretty near it) that should clue you in to the conversation pretty well......... just joking. welcome to the forum. im a brit.... based in Southampton hampshire

[electricmotel]

$200 for a 280a? Job or no job this purchase had to be made.

[ethersine]

That was my feeling exactly.

He was only asking $300 even when he thought it was fully functional. He told me there were at least five other interested parties, but they were balking since none of us knew what its actual condition was. Since I lived only about four kilometers away, I volunteered to bring a power cord and amp over to help determine its condition.

We determined the keyboard was not in fully functional condition. Since I was there, he asked me if I wanted to make an offer. I offered $200 fearing that if I low-balled him he might call the other interested parties. I did not want that to happen. Since I was there with the cash, the PMK was mine.

Last October, the same family gave me one of their organs (a Hammond M3) for free. I just had to pay to have it moved to my house.