Korg Forums

I have a Korg Poly 800 (reverse keys) that I've owned since buying it new in about 1985 and the last time I played with it, apparently, was when I was still trying to play along to Yazoo songs in my 20s, if the still stored(!) memory of the sequencer is to be believed.

I think it's finally time for me to sell it rather than looking at it lovingly and occasionally dusting it. However there are, what appear to be, minor things wrong with it. It still plays (to pitch) and still has some of my juvenile custom sounds held in memory, but when I adjust the volume there's crackling until I stop turning. Occasionally if I move it, the sound coming out from the L-R outputs shrinks to a pathetic wheeze, until I move it/tip it a couple of times and then it comes back to full sound. The pitch bend joystick is temperamental. Sometimes bending up and down fine initially then becoming erratic. Other times not bending at all. But always return to pitch when centred.

These feel like things that could be sorted out with a screwdriver, a soldering iron and a bit of time/determination - but are beyond my abilities.

My question is, if I took it to someone to fix would the amount it cost of fixing it mean I would lose a good deal of the selling price? Would I be better off selling to an enthusiast with a soldering iron (obviously making them aware of the problems before sale.

Also, who on earth fixes Poly 800s (in the UK) ?

[Oh, and additionally, despite still having the original manual (and possibly the back-up cassette tape somewhere) , I've managed to lose the original Korg power supply so I'm running it on batteries. ]

I know a nice little keyboard shop (!) around here (Bristol) where they'll repair vintage synths and also newer stuff. But aside from that it does seem rare.

The poly800 is a great keyboard, although a little bit of a blunt instrument at times. Without seeing the state of the electronics then it would be difficult to tell how much or how long it would take to fix. The joystick problem for example could just be a scratchy pot - like your volume control - or it could be something worse.

I'd offer to take it off your hands myself without any further repair, if I had the money. I have fond memories of my (sold) 800.

The knob can probably be worked at a bit (turn it full on-full off about 20 times or so) to get that crunchy sound out -- it's indicative of small amounts of dust in the potentiometer (guts) of the knob and not a too serious problem. Many guitar volume knobs have the same problem, particularly after sitting a long time.

Replacement with a new pot is the final/best solution, but try this and see if that gritty crackle improves before sending it to Bristol for YOUR vacation.

BB

Thanks guys

I'll try working the volume control and see if it makes things any clearer.

I'm actually in Bristol (UK) myself but can't think where the keyboard repair shop would be

Any idea what I should be looking at in terms of price if I were to sell as is? I've seen working models on eBay in the past asking around £200 and a reasonable dead sounding one at the moment priced at £100

And is eBay my best option or is there a better market place for vintage synths?

The place in Bristol is EMIS in Mangotsfield. They run a studio and kind of synthesiser museum there too. And I've part-exchanged or sold gear there too in the past

But as with selling, you'll always get the best results if you sell it yourself - otherwise the person buying it off you won't make a profit. Typically you get about half of what you'd get if you sold it yourself on eBay for example.

keep it.

Actually, if you go to Radio Shack and get an aerosol can of their Color TV Tuner Cleaner (if they still make it--does anyone make TVs with knobs any more?) and just spritz a little into the volume rheostat, that crackling noise should disappear within seconds. It doesn't take a lot of cleaner; you don't have to drown it. But that cleaner is good stuff, and anyone dealing with legacy electronics should have a can of it next to their tool box.

I just checked, and Radio Shack now calls it TV-Tuner/Control Cleaner & Lubricant. Catalog #: 64-4315.

Also I didn't stop to think if there are Radio Shacks in the UK. Apparently there is one in Ediburgh. Sadly, the Tuner Cleaner does not appear to be available on the web. In store sales only. Sorry.

I also recommend Permatex Super Lube, which is a clear colorless tasteless completely non-toxic dielectric lubricant that comes in pocket dispenser tube and aerosol can. It's the only lubricant government approved for the food industry (non-toxic, see? Unlike some lubricants you can buy in hardware and auto parts stores.)

my poly is turning on, and making no noise, i got it to make a little noise on 11 p when i held the stick down and to the right, not bad cables or speakers, what should i do? i have taken it apart before and have soldering gear, any help?

Check my post in your other thread for info...it'll require a little soldering and a CR2032 backup battery.