Rare instruments for sale: Moog System 55 and GRP A8

A rare opportunity for fans of large synthesizers: there’s a Moog System 55 and a GRP A8 for sale in Switzerland. We caught up with some pictures and information from the seller.

Moog System 55

Moog System 55

The Moog 55 is in average/good condition. Of course it is 40 years old and now requires a basic service (cleaning, calibration, …). One key of the Moog controller keyboard is not working properly (it looks like a mechanical problem).

Two auxiliary modules of the lower panel have been replaced by modules from Sound Arts (trigger, S-trigger module as well as multiples, trunk lines). And the small blank panel of the original 55 has been replaced by another Sound Arts module. So there’s an extra envelope now – the one with illuminated switches.

Moog System 55

Moog System 55

Moog System 55

Moog System 55

The GRP A8 is one of only 22 in existence worldwide. It features red/blue LEDs and is in immaculate condition.

Find out more about the 6-VCO studio synthesizer in our GRP A8 review.

GRP A8 Studio Synthesizer

GRP A8 Studio Synthesizer

GRP A8 Studio Synthesizer

GRP A8 Studio Synthesizer

Update August 17th and 27nd 2012: both instruments are sold now.

Filed under 2012, General

“Es genügt, einen Ton schön zu spielen” sagte der Komponist Arvo Pärt im Jahre 2005. Diese Aussage ist ebenso einfach wie ich auch exzellent: Es braucht kein Meer an Tönen, denn entscheidend ist der Klang. Dass so mancher Vintage-Synthesizer der 70er und 80er Jahre teils unerreicht hochwertige Klänge liefert, steht außer Frage. Doch tatsächlich leben wir “heute” in einer nahezu perfekten Zeit. Einerseits hat man – mehr oder weniger – noch Zugriff auf die Vintage Analogen, andererseits wird auch bei Neugeräten die wichtige Komponente des hochwertigen Klanges wieder zunehmend berücksichtigt. Doepfer, Cwejman, Synthesizers.com, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Studio Electronics, COTK, John Bowen und andere Hersteller bauen hervorragende Synthesizer, die den “Klassikern” in nichts nachstehen. All diesen (alten wie neuen) “großartigen” Instrumenten ist Great Synthesizers gewidmet. _________________________________________________________ In 2005 composer Arvo Pärt said: “Playing one tone really well is enough”. In other words, it is sufficient to play one tone 'beautifully'. I agree with that. All musical efforts are focused on the sound itself. Although I studied classical music (piano and drums), it’s the electronic sound that inspires me. Synthesizers are the epitome of new sounds and exciting tonal spheres. Today, many companies produce high-quality - excellent! - synthesizers: Doepfer, Cwejman, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Synthesizers.com, COTK, Studio Electronics, John Bowen and others. It's their products I'm really interested in ... apart from Vintage Synthesizers, which I have been collecting for 20 years. Subsequent to our former websites Bluesynths and Blogasys, Peter Mahr and I have now created GreatSynthesizers. We hope you like it.