14th March 2013
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#1 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 313
Thread Starter | Best synth repair in VA/DC/MD/NC? (or value of dead OB-Xa?)
I've given up on repairing my OB-Xa. I took it to a local place (in Richmond, VA) a while back and they couldn't do it.
Would be okay doing a weekend road trip. Would greatly prefer such a road trip to shipping the OB out both ways.
I searched this site and found out about Time Voyage Music in MD, who managed to fix some guy's Memorymoog (so an OB-Xa should be no problem), but haven't heard back after contacting them. Are they still active?
...Alternatively, I could sell the dead OB-Xa for parts. At the very least, the eight voice cards should fetch a decent sum. I assume I could get a Juno-60 with the cash (that arpeggiator!), or I could pay out of pocket and get another OB (Xa or 8).
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14th March 2013
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#2 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 176
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Not super far, but worth it.
Three Wave music in North Jersey.
I can't say I know how well the guy repairs gear but he's a friendly guy and has a wonderful warehouse of synths.
Hope you can resurrect it.
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14th March 2013
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#3 | | 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 807
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I would NOT go to Three Wave Music, due to a recent thread on here, he seems like a scam artist! Professional Prophet 600 owners!
What is the problem with the OBXA specifically?
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14th March 2013
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#4 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 313
Thread Starter |
List of problems with the OB:
- Completely unresponsive - ripple in the AC current
- Keyboard connector cable damaged (clumsy me) - trying replacement connector
- Possible keyboard scaling problems?
Not as much of a problem:
- 32-program version (no upgrade available without going MIDI?)
My idea was to ship out just the power supply board, but mine is an early model and won't be compatible with the PSBs from most OB-Xas.
I contacted Three Wave Music about such a possibility, but they said they would need the entire unit. I am exploring all possible options before shipping out the entire keyboard.
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14th March 2013
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#5 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2008 Location: secluded tranquil country
Posts: 2,489
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I know this is NY, but if you were willing to ship as far as NJ then this guy in NY is a safe bet. I know him and we talk analog synth shop all the time. Competent and honest.
TSR (Twining Speaker Repair & Pro Audio)
Bob Twining
Whitney Point, NY
1-800-841-1815 TSR Pro Audio
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15th March 2013
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#6 | | Gear interested
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8
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"Prototypes, Inc" is a specialty vintage synth repair shop in Kensington, Maryland
It is run by a couple of older guys and I don't believe they have a proper website or anything. Their number is 240.223.0020 and they are open M-F 10-4.
Both times I've stopped by they had rare vintage gear on their workbench (Arp 2600, Prophet 5), so people are trusting them with synths of similar caliber to the OBXa. I dropped off a Poly61 on Monday so I can't yet personally vouch for their turnaround or pricing though.
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15th March 2013
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#7 | | Gear Head
Joined: Feb 2013 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 70
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TSI Industries, Midland Park, NJ
THey are authorized for several brands Pro Audio Maintenance Repair for Music & Voice Sound Systems
They will give you an estimate first, and have expedited service.
(Not the same as above either)
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Roland Super JX10 SE w/ Kiwitechnics Patch Editor; Casio Privia PX-5S; Roland XV-5080; Yamaha EX5R; Akai Miniak; Ashly LX308B; Peavey KB300 and KB300/A. That's all folks. | |
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15th March 2013
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#8 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: USA
Posts: 2,647
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ecologie  Not super far, but worth it.
Three Wave music in North Jersey.
I can't say I know how well the guy repairs gear but he's a friendly guy and has a wonderful warehouse of synths.
Hope you can resurrect it. | I was going to suggest them as they are an hour away from me. They can pretty much fix anything and if they can't they will find someone who can.
They're synths are very overpriced IMO, but maybe their service is more reasonable.
Then there is shipping issues.
I would fix the beast. Get ti up and running.
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Synths:
DSI MEK, DSI Prophet '08, Yamaha DX-7, Roland Gaia, Roland Alpha Juno 1, Arturia MiniBrute, Korg Monotribe, Yamaha AN1x, Korg X-50
Guitars:
Ibanez Artcore A85 JazzBox, Ibanez SZR720BB, 1989 Gibson Les Paul Standard, 1981 Gibson ES-335, 1986 Fender JapStrat.
Effects:
Roland RE-201 Space Echo, MXR Carbon Copy Delay, MXR Analog Stereo Chorus, Digitech RP-1000 MFX
Amps: Fender HR Deluxe 112, Peavey KB100
Recording:
Zoom HD16 Hardware Recorder, Cubase 5, Yamaha HS50m Monitors
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15th March 2013
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#9 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 313
Thread Starter |
Someone who might be able to rebuild my power supply board has contacted me. I'm going to revisit this thread after I see if this works out. Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlson "Prototypes, Inc" is a specialty vintage synth repair shop in Kensington, Maryland
It is run by a couple of older guys and I don't believe they have a proper website or anything. Their number is 240.223.0020 and they are open M-F 10-4. | Might give them a shot, but would have to take a day off from work to do the drop-off.
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15th March 2013
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#10 | | Gear interested
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
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I live in the DC area, and know of no reputable synth repair services locally (not that they're not around, but I have no information either way)...
That said, if you don't mind a bit of a drive or shipping, in the NYC area there are two that I can recommend:
EARS NYC Ears Expert Audio and Repair Service: (212) 868-HELP (4357) Fax: (212) 868-2492
The Analog Lab The Analog Lab
Also, as long as the thing is in good physical shape, I might be interested in picking it up as I can do repair on them (but have no formal business to advertise)...
Last edited by silikon; 15th March 2013 at 03:14 PM..
Reason: whoops...
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15th March 2013
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#11 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: VA
Posts: 691
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Try Music Technology Inc. They're located in Springfield,VA. Tube Amplifier Repair | Audio Equipment Repair | Amplifier Repair
Not a vintage synth, but they serviced my Studiologic SL-1100
a few years back. I do plan on taking my Roland SH-1000 to them soon. 
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16th March 2013
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#12 | | Gear interested
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18
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if it's just the power supply board those are all standard components ie no hard to find CPU, Curtis chips etc. I wouldn't give up, but the point is you don't know, you only know the symptoms. I would definitely drive or ship it, let the tech figure out exactly what is wrong, give them the entire unit to test.
Shipping does costs a little, but I wouldn't be too scared, the Xa is built quite well and as you've seen, is very clean inside. Good luck, it seems that you have a good chance. Quote:
Originally Posted by DesolationBlvd ...Alternatively, I could sell the dead OB-Xa for parts. At the very least, the eight voice cards should fetch a decent sum. I assume I could get a Juno-60 with the cash (that arpeggiator!), or I could pay out of pocket and get another OB (Xa or 8). | | |
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16th March 2013
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#13 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 313
Thread Starter |
One possible problem solved - I forgot I got an IDC connector for the keyboard ribbon cable.
Questions:
- How do I attach the IDC connector? I read that a vise is used to secure the connector, but the pins are outside and would get crushed.
- What lube is best for giving the Pratt-Read keybed a smoother action?
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17th March 2013
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#14 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2008 Location: secluded tranquil country
Posts: 2,489
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No lube will fix the dried rubber keyguides in PR keyboards. They ALL dry out.
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17th March 2013
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#15 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 313
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by The Real MC No lube will fix the dried rubber keyguides in PR keyboards. They ALL dry out. | I meant after replacing the bushings. I bought the new bushings pre-lubed but apparently there wasn't enough lube.
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17th March 2013
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#16 | | Gear nut
Joined: Mar 2012 Location: USA
Posts: 117
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There's a place called Retrolinear in North Wales, PA just north of Philly that does Synth restorations: Analog Synth Restoration | Retro Linear
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Prophet 5 rev. 2, Matrix 12, OB8, Jupiter 6, Juno 60, CS70M, MS20, Pro-One, Hammond C3, M102, Vox Continental, Super Continental, Gibson G101, RMI 300A, Hohner Pianet N, Combo Pianet, CP35, DX-7, S770, S760, S50, Rickenbacker 360-12, 320, Fender Stratocaster, The Strat, Jazz Bass, Messenger Guitar
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17th March 2013
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#17 | | Gear addict
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 313
Thread Starter |
I think I need a new 16-pin ribbon cable for the keyboard at this point.
All of the 16-pin cables I see have the wrong connector, which would involve replacing the board's connectors too.
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18th March 2013
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#18 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 45
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If you want to do a big roadtrip I would say come here to montreal and let nicolas ramcur fix it up. He's awesome and works super fast. He brought back many dead synths, only guy I know who repairs trashed cs-80s within a month max. He brought my broken ob-x 8 voice back in 3 days, which included fixing it (had insane problems) and he also restored it because it was pretty trashed. If you're serious about coming you could email him and figure something out. Also montreal we have great smoke meat and bagels which will be a bonus!
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26th March 2013
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#19 | | Gear Head
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 37
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Hey I just want to mention ProTech in Silver Spring. They've worked on a keyboard, drum machine and guitar amp for me and I've been very happy. I don't know if they'd be considered synth specialists but they definitely repair a lot of gear. I know they're an official Roland repair shop. ProTech: Professional Technical Services DEV | |
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