Tips for buying used ?(eBay)
Tips for buying used ?(eBay)
I'm wanting to buy my first moog voyager, I've never owned a mono synth before but I've had lots of preset keyboards over the years. I'm looking for tips on buying a used one, which ones should I look for ? I don't own a computer so updating or changing operation systems could be an issue and I don't want to have to upgrade it by sending it in to the factory so please let me know which ones to look for. Budget is under $2000.
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Re: Tips for buying used ?(eBay)
How are you typing this?DD829 wrote:I don't own a computer
The Voyager is over 10 years old now, I highly doubt there will be significant changes to the OS. They look about $2500 from ebay. Performer has no backlight, probably the cheapest. Selects are in different colours/woods but more expensive. There's a gold plated one which is probably out of your budget
. Also check out this thread for Voyagers with construction problems.Re: Tips for buying used ?(eBay)
If it's important to you, the newer revisions (not sure of the date range per series) have an upgraded digital board. Newer boards is slightly smaller, have surface mount components (vs. through hole; not important) but importantly have capacity for much higher number of patches. There may have been other changes and I don't know if the newest version of code will only fit on the newer board? I'm not a Voyager expert.
After a certain point, the 3.x field upgrade may be good to have, it also alters the aftertouch/pressure in some way (maybe the slope is more playable?) and includes some sort of quieting technology for the backlighting.
Then there are pitch mod wheel (flashing) upgrades which came stock with some special versions.
If it comes with a VX-351 be 100% sure that the output adapter is included. I've heard cases where folks have purchased VX-351s 2nd had without the output adapter (the owner left it installed in their keyboard) and other cases where it's never been installed or used and lost, alas some of the functions did not work properly.
If it's very old, may ask if it's been recalibrated. I owned a Voyager Old School for about 5 years and never saw the need for a re-tune/calibrate; the worst thing that happened was that one of the tuning pots was not dead on with oscillator #1 when set at a precise 12 o'clock position. It did not affect the range so once locked in it played perfectly up the range.
May as well ask the seller if the analog board or if the Voyager has ever been in for service. If they will disclose the serial number (which will be important in knowing what factory upgrades are included) you may be able to call tech support and confirm the service history.
It's not an automobile but as somebody else said they are 11+ years old now if you manage to get a very early Voyager. it would be good to know what type of life it's had to date; gigged on a pier by the ocean
cats walking all over it meanwhile you child might have asthma, etc.
As always, ask to see if all of the original packaging and documentation is included and if it will be double boxed for shipping. Moog has very lightweight primary boxes (depending on the version) for these but very very heavy outer boxes. Even if a particular unit was purchased at Guitar center and picked up in person, it should have the outer box as shipped from Moog. They are heavy... as much a piece of furniture than a keyboard instrument.
After a certain point, the 3.x field upgrade may be good to have, it also alters the aftertouch/pressure in some way (maybe the slope is more playable?) and includes some sort of quieting technology for the backlighting.
Then there are pitch mod wheel (flashing) upgrades which came stock with some special versions.
If it comes with a VX-351 be 100% sure that the output adapter is included. I've heard cases where folks have purchased VX-351s 2nd had without the output adapter (the owner left it installed in their keyboard) and other cases where it's never been installed or used and lost, alas some of the functions did not work properly.
If it's very old, may ask if it's been recalibrated. I owned a Voyager Old School for about 5 years and never saw the need for a re-tune/calibrate; the worst thing that happened was that one of the tuning pots was not dead on with oscillator #1 when set at a precise 12 o'clock position. It did not affect the range so once locked in it played perfectly up the range.
May as well ask the seller if the analog board or if the Voyager has ever been in for service. If they will disclose the serial number (which will be important in knowing what factory upgrades are included) you may be able to call tech support and confirm the service history.
It's not an automobile but as somebody else said they are 11+ years old now if you manage to get a very early Voyager. it would be good to know what type of life it's had to date; gigged on a pier by the ocean
cats walking all over it meanwhile you child might have asthma, etc.As always, ask to see if all of the original packaging and documentation is included and if it will be double boxed for shipping. Moog has very lightweight primary boxes (depending on the version) for these but very very heavy outer boxes. Even if a particular unit was purchased at Guitar center and picked up in person, it should have the outer box as shipped from Moog. They are heavy... as much a piece of furniture than a keyboard instrument.
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