Classic synth found at dump

audiodef

Went to the dump today. While unloading recyclables, I noticed a keyboard in one of the electronics recycling bays. Curious - and thinking it was surely a Yamaha PSR or a Casio someone tossed - I walked over.

Nope.

It was a Korg Poly 800.

You're not supposed to take things out of the dump, but nobody was around, so screw it, I took it.

No idea if it works yet. I need to find a power adapter, or put in some batteries. There's a bit of rust around the battery cover, so I'll have to inspect that more closely.

I assume it was tossed because it doesn't work, but you never know. If it doesn't, maybe someone here would like to take it and fix it - and keep it.

More to come as I find out!

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Korg Poly 800, rescued from dump

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AlanP · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 2:17 pm Post subject:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUfq93PSuzk

Teardown, cleaning, and some repair of a Poly800. Might help you.

audiodef · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 2:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Alan. Cool

audiodef · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:41 am Post subject:

So I opened it up today. It looks like someone left a couple of batteries in there, which leaked. This is the apparent reason for its trip to the dump. I'm hoping that's all it is, because this can be easily fixed.

I just need to unscrew whichever board the RAM battery is hidden under so I can replace that - maybe a la the video Alan linked above.

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Not a good sign.

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Yep, not good.

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Ouch.

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But at least it's pretty much intact - hopefully.

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audiodef · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 12:21 pm Post subject:

I removed the corroded spring coil for the C cell batteries on one end. Now I'm trying to remove the plate on the other end. Using the flash on my camera shows just how bad it is. It appears to be inserted into a plastic slot. It's possible glue was involved, but I'm hoping it's just rust that's making it stick.

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Pretty! Not!

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audiodef · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 1:49 pm Post subject:

Gave up on trying to repair the battery terminals and ordered a PSU. Should arrive within a week, and then I'll know if I have a working instrument.

Blue Hell · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:18 pm Post subject:

That last picture is beautiful BTW (zoomed in on it a bit) :-)

PHOBoS · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:41 pm Post subject:

audiodef · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:18 pm Post subject:

Yes, I was thinking exactly the same thing. Nice colors, could make a nice cover photo for something with a well-placed filter.

EDIT:

Audio tech pun not intended. Razz

EDITEDIT:

It occurs to me from looking at the zoomed-in photo that I could clip the wing off the current terminal plate and find one that I can bend over the old one, then solder the wire onto the new one.

Grumble · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 12:05 pm Post subject:

nah, just dremel the hell out of it Laughing

audiodef · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 1:48 pm Post subject:

Well, you know, recently, I dremelled my Nord in half...

PHOBoS · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 4:02 pm Post subject:

it'll never get old (neither did the synth)

Grumble · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 5:24 am Post subject:

audiodef · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:39 am Post subject:

audiodef · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2018 2:03 pm Post subject:

Got the AC power adapter. It powers up just fine. Have not heard it yet. Need to find a spot for it in my patch bay, which I will do later.

1roomstudio · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:26 am Post subject:

So awesome that you are rescuing this bit of gear.

Thank you for sharing

audiodef · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:51 am Post subject:

Thanks, 1roomstudio.

Update: It does work. So the next step is to take it apart, clean it up, replace the RAM battery, and put it back together.