“For sale: a fully functional, Korg Poly-61. All the keys work, as do the buttons on the front panel, LEDs, Joystick (pitch-bend, DCO & VCF modulation levers), dials and switches.
All the rear inputs have been tested: Line-out, Headphones, Sustain, Arpeggiator trigger, Prog-up trigger. Tape input and output works correctly (see later photos).
Oscillator board is fully functional for all 6 oscillators. Patch storage works, all the original sounds have been re-entered and can be fully edited, as they were copied from the supplied manual. A link to the .wav file containing the patches will be published on my Blog on completion of the sale and you’ll get a link to them.
Like most (if not all units), this Korg Poly-61’s digital board had suffered from battery corrosion after around 2 decades of non-use, before being restored. The faulty, corroded components were removed and replaced with their equivalents (in the case of the ICs, capacitors and resistors) or compatible components (in the case of the transistors). The new ICs were socketed. Both corroded signals were replaced with patch wires. To avoid replacement battery corrosion a battery pack with easily removable NiMH rechargeable AA batteries was added and securely fitted, flush with the underside of the synthesiser. I’ve been able to test that the internal RAM is retained for at least a month of non-use. The cables to the digital control PCB can be easily be disconnected via the cable for future servicing.
The keyboard itself is in good condition, given its age. There are minor scuffs to the veneer at both ends (marked in yellow on the photos). The power cable is clean and undamaged as is the plug – even the original cable tie still holds the cable in place!
If you don’t know what a Korg Poly-61 is, it’s a dual, digitally controlled oscillator synthesiser from Korg, the first synth on their transition to digital technology. It stores 64 battery-backed patches; has a resonant filter and a classic ADSR envelope. It was renown for its gutsy sounds thanks to the sub-oscillator, which can also create chorus-style effects and is now highly collectable. However, I have to sell it as I need the space!” Click here to visit listing on eBay
