Buying Vintage Synths From Japan: TOP 5 Things to Know Before You Buy!
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- Are you a synth enthusiast looking to add a vintage gem to your collection? In this video, we'll explore the top 5 things you need to know before purchasing a vintage synthesizer from Japan. Discover insider tips and essential information that will help you make an informed decision and avoid common pitfalls.
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Japanese synthesizer brands like Roland, Yamaha, and Korg have a rich heritage and are known for producing iconic instruments. We'll delve into why buying from Japan can save you money, as these vintage synths are often more affordable compared to their counterparts from other regions.
To ensure your newly acquired vintage synth works seamlessly, it's crucial to use the right step down transformer. We'll explain why using an appropriate transformer is essential for protecting your synthesizer from potential damage and ensuring optimal performance.
Importing musical instruments can involve additional costs, such as import taxes. We'll provide insights on understanding and calculating these taxes, helping you estimate the overall expense and avoid unexpected surprises.
Buying vintage synths online can come with risks, including potential scams. We'll share practical tips and precautions to help you spot red flags, identify trustworthy sellers, and protect yourself from fraudulent transactions.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or a budding synthesizer enthusiast, this video will equip you with valuable knowledge to make your vintage synth purchase from Japan a smooth and rewarding experience. Join us as we dive into the world of classic synthesizers and empower you to make informed decisions.
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for more exciting content about music gear, production techniques, and everything synth-related!
#vst #vstplugins #synth #synths #vintagesynth #synthesizer #analogsynth #musicproduction #sounddesign #sequencer #keyboardsounds #vintagesynthesizer #synthwave #electronicmusic #80ssynth #livesynthjam #musictechnology #retrosound #badgear #roland #yamaha #korg #musicgear #synthwave #vintageaudio #musictech
0:00 Tip #1 Saving Money
3:11 Tip #2 !! BIGGEST MISTAKE (COULD DAMAGE YOUR SYNTH)
5:27 Tip #3 Hidden Costs of Buying A Synth From Japan
7:21 Tip #4 Don't Get Screwed
9:50 Tip #5 Difficulties 
Хобби
Japan is 100v and US is 117/120. Europe is 240v. Hopefully your MS-10 is using a step down converter. Even though there is wiggle room it is still highly recommended to not stress the internal electronics with the increased voltage as it can damage vintage synths over time. I use a converter for ALL of my Japanese 100v vintage synths and outboard gear.
I have bought several vintage synths from Japan. Results may vary on the experience, but so far all of my purchases have been positive. But I also reduced my expectations vs. what the listing says, and I have had to deal with issues that the listing did not talk about. I am able to repair my own synths, so that factor also made the risk low for me. In fact, I have gotten some really good deals from Japan because they were non-working but easy repairs.
Watch out on the shipping. Many include shipping in the price, but when they don't, keyboards can be $300-$400 in shipping. My items always arrived within 3-5 days to the West Coast of the USA, shipped via DHL or FedEx.
On the stuff I received, the packing on the synths from Japan has been minimal, but they still arrived fine despite the minimal bubble wrap. Well boxed, though. Just minimal bubble wrap. I suggest asking them to use large cell bubble wrap and multiple layers.
Regarding import fees. For a "keyboard synthesizer", the duty to the USA it 5.1%. For a $2000 item I bought, FedEx sent me the bill for the duty a few weeks later and it was 5.1% plus their fee for handling the duty. The shipper pays the duty for you, and bills you for it later. That is the only item I paid duty on. The others, I was not charged duty. It seems somewhat a luck thing. Also, I think there is an $800 cut off below which duty is not charged. I have received an item that was > $800 and was not charged duty, but most the items I bought were less than $800. You can search for this and the rates and rules are not difficult to find on the Internet.
Don't forget exchange rate fees for your credit card or Paypal. These can be another 5% I believe. It was more than I expected.
Thanks Vulture for this video!
I bought an SH5 from Japan. It had a weird problem with the LFO, so I opened it up. I found a dead desiccated lizard inside! Took it out, and everything was well…
Jesus 😂😂😂
Correction on voltage: Japan is 100VAC, USA is 120VAC.
Yes get a 100V to 120V converter. In a few rare cases it may not matter but just don't go there. Consider a 100-120V transformer part of the cost. Thanks for this great video Vulture Culture!
Some more details
A few synths have multi-tap transformers inside that can be re-wired to make a 100V synth work at 120V, or maybe even for a 220V work for 120V. Don't assume it unless you check the service manual or have knowledge about a specific synth. For example the Japanese Yamaha CS-10 has taps for 100V and 120V internally. I converted mine to 120 by just moving a wire. But the Yamaha CS-30 does not. I had to get an external transformer. Some markets have switchable voltages (e.g. Australia and Europe might have 220V/120V switches), but the same synth from Japan may not have that switch.
Also, FYI, you don't need to worry about 50Hz vs. 60Hz. The transformers in the synth turn these into DC voltages before going to the voltage regulators and 10Hz differences won't affect anything enough to matter.
Why does 100V vs. 120V matter? Because a synth meant for 100V will output a higher voltage to the internal voltage regulators when used at 120V. This can cause the regulators to fail due to excessive voltage or excessive heat.
The internal transformer (and diode rectifier) steps down the 100V or 120V to, for example, +/-18V DC before the regulators turn it into a clean and accurate +/-15V. If you use 120V on a 100V synth, that 18V would be more like 21.6V. Now the regulator must step down more than 2x the wattage to generate +/-15V (because regardless of the input voltage, the regulators always make a constant output voltage - that is their purpose). Dissipating that wattage means heat, and heat is the main thing that destroys electronics - especially vintage power supplies!
You would not use a 100V to 120V converter in say the USA for example. That would step the voltage up instead of down. It is in fact a 120V to 100V converter that you need. The 120V needs to be stepped down. Transformers are a pain actually. Something no one mentions also is that they radiate quite a bit of hum. Any signal cables even remotely close to them will pick up mains hum. I prefer to not buy any synth that needs a transformer at all.
Thank you for this in-depth explanation! 🙏
@jeffevansmusic sorry for that mistake, but I don't notice any hum from my transformers
@@VultureCulture Look you can be lucky with hum and the transformer may not intrude at all. All I am saying is that if you do hear hum even at low volume and its present all the time just check to see if any signal cables are near the transformer. They wont shield the transformer inside I can tell you that for sure. That would add cost. They may use a transformer that does have a low hum radiation factor though. Some synths have multi tapped voltage inputs which is great. Watch out for Yamaha as they made a switchable 240V /120V version of a lot of gear for Australia (which is where I am) but they also only made 120V or 100 versions for other markets too. Kurzweil's are great for voltage selection for example as they have all the line voltages available inside for selecting.
Great video! I almost killed my Roland CR-78 by using wrong power converter. Fortunately it turned out to be just a $1 worth blown fuse. Cheers!🍸🍾
Love that it was a cheap and easy fix!
my vintage Japanese synths and a few of my Soviet synths ive had the internal power converted to US. so much easier. Awesome vid!!
This is the video I was waiting for. For example I've been looking for a Sy-77, but the best deals are in fact from Japanese sellers, who also coincidentally seem to have the ones in best condition too, and I just don't know if I should give a shot or not. Glad to see that you've actually ordered from them in the past!
Love getting synths from Japan. Part of the reason I was able to afford so many!
V.C. - Great video as always.
Nice Brawndo (Idiocracy) reference at 5:08. ;)
Glad you caught that! 👏
Your channel is so underrated. So much useful info for buying synthesizer
Thank you 🙏🙏🙏
I have a Japanese manufactured Prophet 600. Apparently Sequential outsourced some of its production there back in the '80s. A few of 600s manufactured in Japan also had a noise generator added, but, alas, I didn't luck into one of those. Got it a few years back for $1450 total (which includes taxes) with GliGli's mod preinstalled and fully serviced (incl. new old stock membrane pad) to boot. What a great deal.
That is fantastic! What do you think of that synth? It's been one I've been thinking about getting for a while
@@VultureCulture it has a really great sound, a properly lush one, love it. The filter also doesn't kill the bass when you increase the resonance, which is a big plus in my book as well.
GliGli mod is definitely mandatory unless you want slow envelopes and slow everything else.
@wrmusic8736 I definitely want to get my hands on one someday!
Im from massachutes so the synth says 220v+- AC 50w 50hz what would i need? And also if i connect a audio 1/4 prs cable from the synth to a Behringer K900FX Ultratone amp will it explode?
Japanese import taxes is a really new thing. I never had to pay them until last year. They’re still cheaper than what I paid for Canadian imports. I would add that people should avoid Unisound Japan. I’ve talked to people that worked for them and they confirmed that they don’t actually test anything and getting any kind of refund is near impossible. The ms10 I got them doesn’t scale correctly at all and after sending a video they still didn’t understand what was wrong. Also if you send them a lower offer they will raise the price and send a counter offer that’s higher than the original price. Super douchey and rude. All the other Japanese dealers have been pretty great
I didn't want to mention any names but yes, I have heard a few horror stories from them in particular. Everything I've bought from Music Sound Tokyo also had to be repaired even though they were listed as excellent.
@@VultureCulture Yeah, it's weirdly aggressive. Like I don't think my low offers are crazy when a synth has been listed for 6-12 months but if they don't accept it, no problem. But they'll actually keep trying to engage with me. Like multiple "offers" that are higher than the original price and I just have to keep declining. I mean, it's fine, it's actually really funny and I'll show my wife and laugh. But yeah, Japan is definitely where to go for anything Roland, Korg, or Yamaha. I have an SK50D and a JX3P with the new Matrix mod added coming from Japan. I've also got synths from Japan in less than a week!! Having shipped out about 10,000 packages myself, I'm pretty floored by that. Especially when the shipping is free.
I bought a JP8000 and it was a simple csse of moving the wire from one winding to another on the transformer. Works like it should. My understanding is that they did this at the factory to be able to ship to other parts of the world.
That's awesome!
Interesting video for sure. Buying from Japan has crossed my mind a few times but not sure now. By the way I loved your video on the Korg DW8000 as well. I have one of these and really love it. Your video inspired me to spend some serious time with it too and I have discovered a lot about it. There is a very nice bank for it just released as well from Particular Sound.
I'm glad to hear you find my videos helpful 🙏
240v is Europe. US is 120v and Japan is 100v
No...a common misconception from 20 years ago, please see my other comment.
When buying a synth from the 80s/90s replace the capacitors is an absolute must, especially on the power supply. Pretty easy to do. LCD which are backlit are often a problem too. Broken key are quite easy to fix if you can find the parts. Before you buy, do a search for the common faults on your synth you want to purchase. Be prepare to replace things. Anyway that my 2 cents. I'm in the midst of purchasing a Kawai K5000s
I had a K5000s, so great!
Most vintage synths can be adjusted internally to use our US voltage in just a couple of minutes by a competent tech - it usually just involves resoldering a wire to a different terminal on the transformer on the synth's internal power supply. Cheaper and easier than buying an external voltage converter.
I need to skill up to be able to do it and save a little money then!
Thanks for the explanation as why there are so many Japanese synths. I always wondered. Check the schematic, some transformers have multiple leads and you can switch them out to alleviate the voltage delta.
That's awesome!
Synths are notorious fot malfunction that i had were SC Sixtrak & Prophet 600. From the same line, they both have issues with memory & glitching electronics. Polysix battery leak is a big one, almost all of them have that and have their board repaired, cleaned or changed before they are in your hands. Jx3p & Crumar sometimes are unreliable on memory. Especially the BIT ONE has multiple issues. SC Pro One is notoriuous with detuning if staying without playing too long or after moving too much. Also worth mentioning the membraine buttions malfunction on old synths could potentially creep up on you if not serviced.
All good points to remember!
Important: If the synthesizer has a 3 prong plug (wants to be grounded) do not under any circumstance connect it to a 2 prong voltage converter. It won't be grounded and will float on 120V. That moment a mixer or a soundcard is connected to it, this voltage will go through. I've damaged one input channel on my Mackie mixer and one output channel on RS-7000 by doing this.
I didn't know that! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Am I supposed to be using a Voltage Converter for my Kawai SX-240 that I am using in the US?
That depends on if it's the US or Japanese version.
Very interesting content you have here in this video Sir. I'm so glad that I bought my Yamaha SK30 here in the UK a few years ago when they were cheap. Nowadays they are as rare as hen's teeth and if that's what they are selling for in Japan, that makes it even more comforting as I love it's sound.
I really want to get one to shoot out against my CS-70M, as they look very similar and are made from the same components but much less in price.
Good video. Yeah imports are very country specific, things like taxes, duties, taxes on duties (yeah IKR), currency exchanges and duties on those, shipping charges and taxes on those (geezus), shipping routes influencing the frequency and QoS, etc. And yet it still may be worth it. My philosophy is to expect the worse case scenario risk/reward. In fact some of the things you mentioned like leaked batteries or sticky keys often are an easy fix, and so far I prefer the synths which have not been "worked on" before. And the language/cultural barrier 😄
Try moving to the UK. Whatever you pay for anything new or second hand we pay in pounds. So way more.
Can I just add to always budget extra for a tech inspection, that does not only applies to japan but to any older gear you buy, potentiometers sliders encoders buttons batteries and displays are considered consumables, if one of those is functional but not at a 100% it’s better to address it right away instead of waiting for a component to slowly start to fail.
Very wise addition!
Very good advice VC ,i have a Yamaha DX 7 mk 1 which is an 100 v model the condition is almost showroom i did buy an expensive 240 volt to 100 Volt Transformer as i live in old England :}
Wise to protect such an awesome instrument!
@eCulture can i ask a question ,do you look on ebay japan? ,as my Japanese isn`t too good :} are the prices generally cheaper? even though i would certainly have to pay the import taxes at customs :{ thanks for the reply and new sub btw :}
I do, quite a bit!
I live in Japan and prices are even lower for locals. I was doing some selling but I basically gave it up because shipping prices are outrageous these days, often more than the budget FM synths I have to sell.
So awesome that you have access to so many legendary instruments!
Important to note: Synths for sale in America are cheaper on Reverb than Ebay nowadays.....synths for sale from Japan are cheaper in Ebay than Reverb.
Some misconceptions here & Im saying this as some who has bought & power converted a lot of Japanese synths. Japan WAS anaemic 100 ( or less) but modern times it above 100 so equipment built easily cope with 110plus. Personally I’ve never had issue using 110- 120 volts in Japanese synths. In fact nearly all Japanese gear from late 1990s on I’ve seen will be multi-power.( some manufactures are better than others). Important exception are some Very Old Japanese synths ARE actual 100v & will need convertor (think 1970s, , usually not 80s, eg I’ve seen 100v in Korg trident, monopoly & Roland SH & old Yamaha analogs etc). What people think is voltage issue far more often is problem of OLD power supply not making enough current causing problems- not incompatible voltage.. The Hz is different in japan & US but rarely this effects synths.( May effect things need precise timing clocks).
Also responding to comments...in same way US WAS 110, now it’s 120....Most of Europe WAS 220 but now 230, UK/AU/NZ WERE 240 but now more like 230 & so all euro 230 equipment will be 100% compatible. Final note There are often different versions of psu in some synths ( eg Juno 106) so same synth may have universal psu , so if you’re in euro power zone you can get lucky 😅.
Time to buy them all and flip them 😂
Had to do comparisons now for a CS30. Quite a sizeable savings for a Japanese CS30. Even more so for the CS30L.
When I've looked at synths on eBay that happened to be located in Japan, I'll see a bunch that have very very very similar pictures and I wonder if they're a scammer or not.
I would avoid anything that even feels remotely like a scam. Not worth it unless you're a wizard at repairing synths (I certainly am not lol)
@@VultureCulture exactly!
I bought my first Juno-106 at a fleamarket for $390, but had to repair it several times (voice chips). For my Jupiter-8 with MIDI kit in perfect condition $1200 back in the 90ies. Those were the days ;-)
HOLY FUCK - crazy to think you could get a Jupiter for that money
Also, make sure you can find a manual in English on the internet, because if it comes with one it'll be in Japanese!
Yes 🇯🇵
It is either $800 or $600...forget which, but if the synth costs less than that, there will not be an import tax.
#6 It will most likely arrive broken. Every vintage synth I ever ordered from Japan was broken in the mail.
The Japanese sellers don't pack it well enough to survive the American brutes that transport them in the USA.
In Japan, I am sure they are much more careful with packages....but here, they might as well be a football.
I haven't had that problem at all, about half of my synths are from Japan.
Always make sure to order from reputable sellers
I'm jealous of your 5%. Here in Québec it comes closer to 17% or so. Still, sometimes it's the only way to get that goody.
That's brutal, but it could still be cheaper than buying in Canada / US some of the time.
Even a pessimist like me had never ever expected that gettig an SH2 for 1330,- instead of "humble" 2000,- would ever be a relieving message or even more a serious topic. l've always been told being crazy for spending too much money on vintage stuff &'ve almost won any ebay auction, but compared to today's prices I hardly believe being that well off.
I almost suffer for those kids or whoever seriously gets into that vintage craze. 😥 That's nothing but a boycott-worthy rip-iff just by increasing rarity, but rarity doesn't make the devices any better. Another shocker was today hearing a syntht youtuber in Matt Wright's video saying 1988 PSS-480 table hooter goes for about 400,-
Not even by Yamaha that's definitely not seen as pro-instrument. At least connected to a system everyone can listen how incredibly thin that really sounds. Of course hyper-talented people can even perform symphonies with vegetables, but I ask myself when will that unfair price explosion ever stop? Concerning that matter personally I'm completely out, but that even budget Rolands achieve such honours to me is incomprehensive. The last time I laid my hands on the 106 was years ago because it sounds nice but is so limited and boring to me & can be so well emulated & improved with other stuff. 🥱💤
You allude to the issue but One thing to be aware with some high volume Japanese eBay sellers- they often are listing synths they don’t own! Very dishonest but they just copy a stores webpage & double/triple price- listing it on eBay. So they’re the one likely to turn up with lots of issues because they’ve never checked or owned the synth...It’s so blatant & I’ve complained to eBay many time but they don’t give a *hit😠
That is true. But I think the problem is different - the seller just lists same item on different auction sites at a time, and then can turn down purchase from you if he sees better opportunity elsewhere, or doesn’t want to sell for a low price (if it was auction), or already sold on other site.
And yes - they do often copy item images and descriptions for the similar item.
@@serhiymarchenko8361 no it isn’t...I’ve actually had items from stores I’ve directly ordered from them in my hands, and found eBay sellers who still have exact listing on eBay ( because they havnt checked it been sold) .You can also tell because they often will have identical bunch of stock of exact same as the store website or from Japanese auction. They’re trying to get people to bid for items they don’t own, if you happen to buy it on eBay ( but it’s not available from store cause been sold) they just cancel you bid & tell you it’s been “damaged” or something...
That DW-8000 you linked to on Ebay in the notes of your last head-to-head doesn't ship to Canada. I ended up having to go to reverb for one. The only one I could find for cheap was $400 Cdn shipped, listed "as is, not tested". It looks pretty beat up. It looks like it either belonged to a bored meth head, or survived the Fukushima tsunami/meltdown LOL. I don't shrink away from a challenge!
Hahahaha I do not think a meth DW is worth it when there's a bunch of good ones out there cheap! 😂
Import tax to UK much more than 5%....or so I've been led to believe. Only thing that's put me off doing it tbh.
Yeah if it was high enough that'd sure be a detractor for me too
Thx for reply. FYI and anyone else in UK, I've just investigated... If goods are worth more than £135 from Japan to UK then you have to pay import duty on value of goods plus cost of shipping and unsurance. This appears to be approx 5%, so that's the same as to the US, however in UK we'd then have to pay VAT (Value Added TAX) which is 20% of total. Madness!
@ElectronicazMusic VAT can be brutal
Thanks, neat info. BARD and ChatGPT say that for anything less than $800 there's no customs. But they are often wrong, from my experience. Later gear, like my 1999 Roland SC-8850 have switching power supplies so will run on 117-230v with no adapters, lots of people say they run them on 100v with no problems. It has no wall wart, anything with a wall wart will likely need a brick like yours.
Since when do the US run on 240V? Dude get your facts right when you speak about voltage, current and power.
Yeah I misspoke there.
110 North America 220 japan and Europe
Thank fk you didn't tell them how to get junos for $800. When this video started i thought you were gonna tell them how to do it.
My advice: don't but vintage synths.
True but I only bought one it's OK but the damn voltage.