It has been in undercover storage for past 20 years so very little use. Some of the knobs are broken off but can easily be replaced.” Link

This is an ARP Odyssey 2800 (white face) synthesizer. Serial number 28038. I’m sure, if you’re reading this, you probably already know what it is. So I’ll give some specifics.

First of all, if you can make it out in the pictures, this unit has been modified. It has had CV/Gate inputs fitted so that you can control it via an analog sequencer, another analog synth, or a CV/Gate-to-MIDI converter. There’s a switch that allows the Odyssey to take a gate signal from an external source or its own keyboard.

Also, the “Low” output has been replaced with a much more useful, in my opinion, audio input to the filter. So you can run audio signals into the machine and process them with the filter and such.

I’m also selling some nifty patch templates/overlays that ARP made for this unit here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290665789795

Now a word about condition:

It’s in pretty good cosmetic condition. However, the slider for the highpass filter has broken off (see picture). You can, of course, buy new sliders on ebay among other places.

When I last used this machine, it functioned beautifully. But it has been in storage for about 4 years and during that time, it seems to have developed some malfunctions. When I got it out and turned it on, the power switch lit up but I got no sound from the keyboard. After moving some of the sliders around, I began to get some “scratchy” sounds and noises but nothing like full functionality. So the bottom line is, I don’t know whether a good internal cleaning would restore it to working order or not. And I’m not technically inclined enough to do it myself.” Link

The unit was professionally serviced (costed well over $1000): entirely recapped, cleaned, some components including sliders were replaced, keyboard entirely redone. Fully tuned. It was modified for CV, trig and gate so that you can control the pitch and the filter. the service receipt will be included in the sale. Not one scratchy slider. This synth is ready to be played.

The unit sounds amazing and I am sad to see it go.

It is not in perfect cosmetic condition but this does not affect functionality in any way. there are some scratches there and there.” Link

This classic synth is in working order though it could do with a little TLC which I’ll list below and have included in the photos.

two keys are slightly raised
a couple of sliders crackle when moved
some slider knobs are missing” Link

Au coté d’un Mini-Moog c’est l’idéal sonore. ” Link

Zum Verkauf kommt hier ein ARP Odyssey MK III

Das Gerät ist in hervorragendem Zustand, alle Fader wurden behandelt und gereinigt.
Der Odyssey wurde sauber adjustiert und klingt hervorragend.

Das Gerät ist auf Betrieb mit 220V ausgelegt.

Der Odyssey wird gut verpackt und wird inklusive einem Kaltgerätekabel geliefert.

Folgende Arbeiten wurden erledigt :

★ Innen und Aussen sauber gerinigt
★ Fader behandelt und gereinigt
★ adjustiert” Link

POWERS UP!!! ALL SLIDERS HAVE CAPS EXCEPT 2,ALL SLIDERS MOVE FREELY FOR THE MOST PART!!!

NO DAMAGE!! NEEDS A GOOD CLEANING INSIDE AND OUT!!!!!” Link

Never gigged with it. ” Link

I bought the synth as a project. When I got it, it wouldn’t play because one of the op-amps in the 4075 filter was blown. The power supply had been gutted and replaced with a pair of 15V regulators (which is probably actually more stable than the original). It came with the proportional pitch control, but it was not installed, and I still haven’t installed it. Two of the slide pot levers were broken, the original colored caps were present but not installed, and some of the original case screws were missing.

What have I done to the synth? I replaced the op-amp and replaced all the old tantalum capacitors with low-ESR electrolytic to ensure reliable service. In addition, I rinsed the circuit boards in distilled water to remove the years of dirt on them, cleaned and re-lubed the sliding pots, replaced the crumbling rubber pieces on the keys with new replacements (see the photo album above), and calibrated everything according to the factory service manual.

In addition, I’ve done a few modifications to this synth:

- It was originally set up to be duophonic, where two voices would play if you pressed two keys at once, but I have it set up to be monophonic, with both oscillators on the same pitch.
- The filter originally cut off at too low of a frequency because the designers miscalculated the value of a resistor (see here), and I fixed it.
- I added a switch to let the LFO free-run instead of being re-triggered with each key press.
- It came from the factory with triggering on every keypress and an exponential glide (e.g. the same time to glide between any two notes). I modified it to be able to trigger like a Moog, where notes played legato do not trigger the envelope. This is switchable with a switch on the back (see the photo album). In addition, I modified the glide to be linear like a Moog. You can hear how this sounds in the clip above. Note that you would probably want to reverse these modifications if you wanted to trigger the synth with an external MIDI-CV converter.

All these modifications would be fairly straightforward to reverse if you so desired, and I kept the original parts, which I will provide with the synth.

What does it sound like? Vintage, warm, and big. It’s a pleasure to play, and it encourages you to experiment with new sounds and new ideas.

Why am I selling it? I haven’t played it as much as I thought it would, and it’s sitting around taking up space. I’d rather that it go to a good home where it can be played more often.

If you want a factory-perfect synth, this isn’t the one, but if you want one that plays well and sounds great, this is a good bet.” Link

Here is my beloved Arp Odyssey MKII 2811 pretty much in collectors condition and almost like new.
I would genuinely describe the condition as ex-demo.

It has very recently been serviced by the excellent Synth Prof – a big, big thanks to you if you are reading this for your good work!

I would sell the shirt off my back first but it’s only worth a fiver so I sadly have to part with my dream synth due to financial issues
that I am sure you won’t want to hear about, so I will tell you all about the synth instead

So, the pictures speak for themselves to describe the condition. Personally I have never seen a finer example in my life (and I have played a few).
The only cosmetic areas of note are two areas with very light blemishes, shown in full, in the last two close-up pics.
Please note that the picture of the back panel would suggest some blemishes – they are NOT blemishes, merely dust that has now been wiped away.

The sound that this beast delivers is absolutely superb and as I say, it has just been fully serviced by Synth Prof, so all controls work perfectly.
Sonically I am blown away with Odysseys in general, and thanks to the FM possibilities the sounds that can be created are unlike most vintage synths
I have come across. Fact….

On collection, I will also leave the controls set to an accurate remake that I have discovered of Underworld’s classic Cowgirl/Rez (the speculation
in geeky sound design forums over this particular sound is laughable!) so you can marvel at the awesomeness of this synth in the comfort of your own studio.” Link

The frequency modulation on this synth is amazing but often overlooked, i.e. you can route the output of the sample and hold MIXER (prior to the s/h)
to both VCO 2 and to the Filter cutoff!

Speaking of the filter, this Synth has the smooth 4075, a 24db Low pass VCF, the second filter is a HP filter great for cutting the lows on more cutting sounds.

I own MANY ARP products, from 2600s to axxes, omnis to odysseys to sequencers. and am very familiar with them, so if you have questions about this keyboard please ask!” Link

The synth is in excellent condition and has been well taken care of. There is one slight problem. Oscillator 2 starts to drift out of tune after a handful of notes. Note – It will stay in tune for approximately 2 octaves. After 2 octaves (up or down) it starts to drift, and creates a unison sound. Sometimes this effect is desirable. I was told this can be easily fixed by simply calibrating the machine in the way that is presented in the owner’s manual, but I never tried because I don’t really know what I’m doing. Note – Bob Weigel the Sound Doctor can fix the tuning issue for approximately $40. He said it could be an issue with transistors and could probably be fixed in an hour or less of work. That’s if you would even bother to get it fixed. The synth is still very much able to be used and produce great results. It is capable of producing mind blowing sounds very easily. Everything else on the synth works 100%, there’s not even any scratchy sliders or anything, and all the sliders are smooth and responsive, albeit a few of them (maybe 2 or 3) are a bit stiffer than the rest, but nothing major or really even worth pointing out. You can also see the keys are all even. It really is in fantastic condition for it’s age.” Link

MODEL- Odyssey Mk I

DESCRIPTION/LINK- Up for auction here is an ARP Odyssey Mk I synthesizer keyboard. Info and specs for the Odyssey Mk I can be found here.

CONDITION RATING *-

PHYSICAL CONDITION: Fair. The keyboard has a broken key and some of the knobs are missing their rubber caps. Additionally the knobs and some of the keys are sticking (though still moving as intended.) The casing is all intact and still very sturdy.

WORKING CONDITION: Fair. It powers up fine but the keys appear to be unresponsive. By default, the synthesizer is generating a note, which cuts in and out while toggling the control knobs. Needs some sort of repair to be brought back to normal working condition. The usual sticky sliders and clacky keys are present on this unit. A great project for anyone looking to refurbish a classic. ” Link

Item overall is in moderate condition. This item has some scrapes and scuffs but no major damage is present. The keys have yellowed slightly but are all still intact. 4 of the slide switches are missing their heads and will need to be replaced. The exact age of this item is unknown. All of the switches do move freely. The serial number on this item is 28231018. There are some facsimile pages with this item that are ARP. This will make a great addition to any collection. ” Link

I have owned this for 19 years and have kept it in a smoke free home studio all that time. I recently had it serviced and made sure it’s fully fuctional. It’s really hard to part with, but I’m selling because I don’t have time to use it much any more.

If you’re looking at this you probably know what a great sound the Odyssey makes. A lot of major artists have used it on classic recordings, including: Herbie Hancock, Pete Townshend and Roger Powell. It is one of the first classic original performance analog synthesizers that everyone emulates.” Link

Odyssey hat cv-gate-trig in/out,220V,ohne anleitung.

ARP Sequencer.Schwarz/gold.

220v,ohne anleitung.” Link

One of the best sounding synths ever made. Equal to the Minimoog and in many ways far better

Duophonic which lets you play 2 notes at the same time or Monophonic 1 note at a time

Condition is superb with just a few marks as expected as it’s 35 years old!
Tested and in full working order

Just been tuned and had a bit of a service too. All switches and pots cleaned, key contacts cleaned, solder joints checked and reworked as required, power supply voltages checked and set

Original un modified condition with all slider caps fitted

This synth goes from crazy effects to warm pads, strings, punch bass, funky bass and screaming leads” Link

Plenty of sellers will mention that the instrument they are selling has been “serviced”. But will they tell what has been done and, more importantly, offer warranty? We do.

Each of the sliders has been restored (i.e. desoldered, opened, cleaned, lubed and resoldered), the keyboard has been cleaned and rebused (i.e. it feels and works like new) and then the Odyssey was calibrated (i.e. tuned and brought back to factory settings). ” Link