With lower than 100 ever produced, the three-tiered Yamaha GX-1 is one thing of synth legend. First launched in 1973, the extraordinarily uncommon mannequin marks Yamaha’s historic entry into the synth market. And one is presently up for public sale for £99,950.
However this isn’t an atypical GX-1. The synth was as soon as owned by none aside from digital visionary Aphex Twin. Whereas in his possession, he additionally requested Colin Fraser of Sequentix to revive the synth to its former glory, in addition to requesting the addition of MIDI performance.
Whereas the synth was first owned by British producer Mickie Most, who labored with the likes of Lulu and Scorching Chocolate, Aphex Twin acquired it within the late ‘90s. Aphex Twin would go on to make use of it for his facet venture, The Tuss, notably on GX1 Solo, which showcases the synth’s hazy beats and futuristic whirring.
Based on an interview shared by Sequentix again in 2014, Aphex Twin was enamoured together with his GX-1 – and had massive desires for its restoration. “It’s the finest sequencer ever made ‘til now, when it comes to analogue enter/output, timing,” he stated “It’s acquired an extended strategy to go, however I can’t endorse it sufficient!”
“I’ve by no means been into endorsing something – I’ve been requested by lots of people however i hate the thought of it, makes my pores and skin crawl…” he continued. “[But] Colin [Fraser] is completely on it and in it for the fitting causes. I hope Colin does rather well out of it, he deserves to. The man’s a genius.”
Based on the public sale itemizing on Vemia, the custom-modded GX-1 is in “beautiful situation” following its restoration. And it does look beautiful; the brushed chrome and off white aesthetic of the three-tiered polyphonic analogue synth makes it appear like one thing out of a sci-fi movie.
“After some painstaking work on the Sequentix studio it’s in full working order as envisaged by Yamaha all these years in the past,” the itemizing reads. “It’s full, with the principle console, bench, pedals, two huge audio system, two programmers, and all cabling.”
Fraser can be open to including extra {custom} modding for whoever wins the public sale. “[While] one particular person would possibly need the GX1 as unique as potential, one other would possibly need bells and whistles,” the itemizing says. “Colin has designed and prototyped a programmer for the prolonged sound capabilities he has envisaged. If required, he may prolong the MIDI capabilities to the bass pedals.”
Fraser can be presently within the technique of “producing a preliminary brochure for his MIDI retrofit” for anybody eager to discover the “the depth of his exploration of the GX1’s structure”.
On-line boards have been making an attempt to work out simply what number of GX-1s exist for years. A Gearspace thread from 2016 pinning down a listing together with Keith Emerson, Hans Zimmer, Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Stevie Surprise, ABBA, and, in fact, Aphex Twin.
The Vemia public sale beginning bid sits at £99,950, and is scheduled to finish on April 12.
