Suzuki Omnichord

InactiveX

Here is my new (secondhand) Suzuki Omnichord:

I've been wanting one for a few years now. Good ones cost an awful lot, but I bought mine broken for less than £300. I've fixed it up now so it plays like new. I managed to get some NOS switches, just enough to get all 27 chord buttons working.

It works around the cycle of fifths, rather than being diatonically or chromatically based. You get a choice of major, minor, or dominant seventh chords.

The strum plate is played like strumming a guitar, using a conductive rubber-based plectrum, or just your sweaty conductive fingertips. Block chords can be played at the same time as the strum arpeggiations. It also has a rhythm and bass sequencer, that sounds just like Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz, except that Damon used the later model of Omnichord (mine is the original OM-27 from 1981).

Cyndi Lauper uses one to write songs on!

brucegill

Always fancied one of these! So cool!

InactiveX

I suggest you hunt one out! I should imagine it's great for finding new inspiration, or for that moment when something tingly and a bit lo-fi analoguey is needed.

The visual kitsch-factor is off the scale. Mmmm.... brown.

Funkfingers

Instant Daniel Lanois. 

InactiveX

Yes, Lanois is a great fan. There's quite a bit of old U2 stuff where the Omnichord shows up.