Polymoog 280A for sale - [SOLD]

[Deleted]

I'm selling my restored Polymoog 280A. There's a long thread or two on this forum about my restoration. It's currently fully working and has been for a couple of years.

It was in a poor state when I got it. I spent a lot of time and too much money restoring it with the kind help of members of this forum. I replaced most components on the top boards and rebuilt the power supply. I replaced all the key bushings with new ones. I essentially stripped it and rebuilt it.

Electronically, all working. A couple of niggles:

• Comparative volume of sounds vary when using direct out, better with main out.
• Mains transformer hums/buzzes. Not excessively, but noticeable.
• Needs to warm up for relative pitch of both oscillators to be the same with beat knob centred. Nothing much, just the beat knob would need to be turned to the right a bit to get them in perfect sync when in free mode. Only effects sounds like Vox Humana in "mod var" mode with both sliders down.

Cosmetically:

• There are scratches on the lid and base.
• There's a chip out of the lower left-hand corner of the base - less than an inch.
• A couple of keys near the middle have ingrained marks, the rest of the keys are good.
• There's no Moog sticker on the back of the lid.
• The rear pots have no knobs.

I've made it sound terrible, it's actually in good shape. I'm going to say very good shape for it's age. See the pictures.

We know how temperamental Polymoogs can be, especially when transported, so I'm selling "as seen" with no guarantee. You'll be able to inspect it and test it. I only have a mixer and cheap tiny headphone here so either bring better headphones or a small amp if you wish. It will be in the garage so I can't have it too loud.

I had it on ebay for a few days but ended the listing early and decided to offer it here first. I'm asking £1200 GBP cash on collection (or bank transfer beforehand if you prefer). I will relist on ebay if no-one here is interested at that price or if it hasn't been collected by 7th March.

It doesn't come with anything other than itself and the power cable.
It is located in Corringham, Essex, SS17 7QB. It's big and heavy, I can help you lift it this end. I prefer to communicate via forum PM than telephone. I don't use a mobile so don't do texts or voicemail and such.
Thanks.

[Dubsounds]

Sorry to see this post Barry. It would break my heart to let mine go. I hope you find someone sensible, (plenty of tire kickers and chin-strokers out there). I'd offer it higher on ebay though. £850 is a good price for a fellow enthusiast but if you're going to sell it to any old numpty, you might as well get its true worth.

[Deleted]

Thank you, much appreciated. I'm not sure what to do to be honest. I'm wary of selling on ebay for the reasons you mentioned, I really want to avoid having problems where someone who doesn't know much about them gets it home and claims it doesn't work. Could end up with a paypal chargeback or something, and you can't list without paypal on ebay. I know from two recent experiences that people don't take any notice of what the listing says about cash on collection, they will pay with paypal anyway. Big bold caps makes no difference.

I'll see how it goes here but if nothing happens, what would you say is its true worth now?
Barry.

[martymoog]

Sorry to see you part with her Barry after all your hard work.

As already stated £850 for a fully working 280a seem low.

Hope she finds a good home

Marty

[Dubsounds]

It's hard to say Barry without looking at it but even from the pictures it looks bloody good. No cracks around the LED's, new pitch ribbon etc. all tell tale clues of a great example. If the sound is as good as well I wouldn't look at less than £1400.

Your best bet is a Gary Numan fan. Someone who wants to play the Replicas intro from 1979 on the real thing when no samples or sound-alike patches will do.

I don't thing ebay is a good place to sell it with that in mind.

What do you think about maybe advertising it one some of those Numan facebook groups. If you post those pictures as well you'll have a lot of old blokes drooling

It's a thought anyway.

I'll have a think further and see if I can think of anything else.

In the meantime I hope some of the Poly nuts on here can advise you further.

Best advice for you right now Barry is don't be in a hurry to sell if you can help it. Wait it out and find the right buyer.

[Deleted]

Thanks chaps, I hadn't realised there were more replies.

You've got me in two minds whether to part with it now! It is in good shape really and it does sound as it should. £850 does seem too cheap, so I hope it's okay but I've edited the first post to £1200 and if no-one's interested by the deadline I'll try and get £1400 or keep it a while longer. Maybe try again on its 40th anniversary in a few years! Thanks again all.

[Minimoog]

If you do decide to sell I agree with avoiding ebay. They'll have a huge chunk of the sale price off you for a start, plus the pitfalls of an unwitting or chancer buyer.

There's the classifieds at Sound On Sound plus facebook sale forums as mentioned - International Analog Synthesizer Market being one. Though you might do better on a London/SE-centric gear sales page.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

Thanks Minimoog. I did put it on ebay again at a higher pricer, they had a 30% off final value fees pronotopn for a couple of days -- which is still horrendous, I know. Somehow, I have a feeling that it's not going to go smoothly if it sells, well see. I never have or will join facebook so that's out. I forgot about sound-on-sound, I used to subscribe many years ago. Will look into that if it doesn't sell. Thanks again.

[martymoog]

I notice its withdrawn, did you manage to sell her?

[Deleted]

Sorry martymoog, I don't get notifications to replies on this thread for some reason. Had one initially.

I removed the listing because I was just getting this feeling that it wasn't going to turn out well and decided to go with my intuition as I often regret it if I don't. I think you were right when you said ebay is not a good place to sell it.

It's still for sale anyway if any enthusiasts want it.