Do we have any Analog Synth Experts / Doctors in the house?

GavRichList

To cut a long and boring story short, I have just got my vintage Jen Synthetone SX1000 back after years apart. It was in dire need of attention even then, and it certainly won't have improved with age. I'm yet to fully survey the damage, but it will have some / all of the following - dead keys, crackly pots, sheered off control knob, maybe even a broken key or two....but I THINK it still powers up and makes some noise.

I'd like to get the old girl back to former glories.

Is there anyone on here who knows their way around the guts of an old synth and would fancy the restoration challenge?

thisisguitar

I love the fact that in my browser window the title stops just before '

og Synth Experts / Doctors in the house?'

:-)

blobb

maybe just needs a good service? Some things you can do yourself such as new key bushings / bending wire contacts back in place. Broken pots may need replacing (i.e. get handy with the soldering Iron). Sounds like a good service from a reputable repair guy in order but you might be lucky. I don't have this particular synth but I managed to get my Pro One into shape with some basic knowledge and a positive attitude. Anything electrical, esp dead chips or involving recalibration etc... prob a bit more in depth.

Try these resources:

https://kevinatherton.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/little-jenny-the-ressurection-of-a-simple-italian-70s-synth-other-waffle/

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=975762&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#975762


Good luck :-)
Nick...

GavRichList

I need to find said reputable repair guy!

GavRichList

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff193/guitarsforminnaars/3ee7bd57d8adc0f23a59b517fda65749.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff193/guitarsforminnaars/beda4dd48e040e48f5f82e2c25470151.jpg

GavRichList

On the plus, I do at least have the knob that's broken off

Sarge

It's a really simple synth inside, open her up, grab some isopropyl and clean the key contacts, servisol the pots, check for dry solder joints and redo them. Geet simple.
Lovely synth is the jen, good luck.

lasermonkey

I haven't seen inside one of these before, but the usual suspects are tarnished contact bars for the keys and crap inside the pots. Duraglit and a wipe down with isopropyl alcohol or Deoxit should cure the non-functioning keys and contact cleaner for the pots. Sometimes A squirt of isopropyl alcohol or Deoxit inside the pot will cure a stubborn pot. If you could post some gutshots, that would help.

Sarge

I once recorded a whole album solely using the Jen, much sampling and tweaking, it was total shit, but it had to be done

GavRichList

I'm tempted to ask whoever gives it the once over to do the much publicised IEC cable and sub oscillator mods for me too.

meltedbuzzbox

I can have a look at it mate. Not promising a lot but I might be able to do something

@impmann is this the sort of thing you are good with? You are pretty resourceful and I know you like a synth

impmann

Gav's already asked me.

I'd only do what has been suggested above. Contact cleaning etc. soldering new pots in is easy enough (assuming you can get them - some old synths use sliders that are almost impossible to source either due to size, form factor etc). Broken keys can sometimes be found on eBay and fitting them again isn't rocket science but can be fiddly.

If it were my own, I'd have a go myself but seeing as it belongs to someone else, I'd suggest finding someone who knows what they are doing or have a go yourself. In many ways, if it doesn't work, you can't really make it any worse!

GavRichList

Have emailed synthprof. Highly e-spoken of.... Will just see what the quote is. Want a couple of mods doing to, as seen in this video. Sounds bloody great.

blobb

Did you get anywhere with this? Curiosity getting the better of me.....

GavRichList

Nope, it's still sat untouched on my desk

blobb

Noooo! get it moving again right now. Only joking :bz

How useable is it "as is", have you been able to have any fun with it or is dead until you get repairs scheduled in?

GavRichList

The latter really; too many dead keys!

steamabacus

@GavHaus ; Are you ever down in London. I have a mate in Lewisham who could get that up and running. He's even got a Jen himself. His rates are not expensive, either.

GavRichList

From time to time, yeah

hobbio

My Mrs plays keys, I'll see who she uses for her tech repairs. We're not a million miles from you so whoever it is will probable be local.

GavRichList

Thanks!