Should I buy a CS60 tomorrow?

Any thoughts about the instrument itself, or any announcements from NAMM to consider, etc? I'm hoping to pay around $500. I'm a student and pretty broke. The pedals and legs are, unfortunately, missing. I'm not a big fan of the V/Hz thing since my Moogers are V/Oct., but I like the idea of true analog, some limited patch storage capability, and polyphony (so I'm not as hot on P08 or LP, for example).

Also, I don't own a Rhodes, but I was hoping to hold out until they ship the new ones. Eventually I'd like to build up a modular, constructing as many modules myself as possible. I've considered trying to piece together a custom polyphonic analog using a combination of a cheap 'voice modules' like the Spectral Audio Neptune 2, and some custom circuits to facilitate programming and patching. Theoretically, I could start up such a system with a single voice and expand from there (I realize this may also require a more capable MIDI interface than supplied in the Nepture 2, but the idea would need a lot of fleshing out in general anyway, and probably end up bigger, heavier, and more expensive. Perhaps more capable, though)...

My current gear;

CP70B

Hammond CV

Wurlitzer 206

Wurlitzer 207VA

Clav D6

Korg Karma

Moog Moogerfoogers 101 LPF, 104z Delay, 105 MuRF

(edit: can't forget the trusty old Ensoniq SQ2)

Kurzweil K2500X in disrepair

Mackie 1604VLZpro in mostly working condition

Digi 002

Voicemaster Pro

JBL Eon 15" (2)

Well thanks for your thoughts!

Seems like a good price if its in good working order. Don't forget it is an old synth and may be prone to failure at any stage, with costly repairs. It's certainly not as programmable as other polys though, and only one oscillator per voice.

I'm not sure why you don't like the P08 - it has all the things you want (patch storage, 8 voice polyphony, true analog), although quite a bit more costly.

Well, not trying to start any debates but I'm not a fan of DCO's. Not to mention the fairly significant price difference.

yes. that sounds like a fun keyboard.

I think you're about making a big mistake if you're NOT going to get it.

At least that what I would think for myself if I were you

A decent CS-80 is now going for upwards of $5000US, and I understand refurbished synths from the UK are approaching $10K. A CS-60 is still 8 voices, gets most of the same sounds for a fraction of the cost (you can always overdub to get the doubled sound), and is simpler to tune and maintain. You can even lift it yourself!

I wouldn't hesitate!

Yeah, those are the kinds of reassurances I thought I might get.

Any guesses how much it will cost to recap it (or at least the power supply)? I'm hoping it's about $50 based on a price quoted by CMS on their website for recapping some ARP synth...

Then save your money. Seriously.

I had to sell a couple of very nice synths when I was in cash binds. If you really can't afford it, don't buy it.

Definitely don't buy it just because it's there. Buy it because you really need a CS60.

You bet your ass get it

it wouldn't matter if you were broke and on welfare and the $500 was the rent money, you should jump on a cs-60 for $500 if it works at all.

even if you can't afford it you can sell it on ebay for a prophet (no not a typo )

As long as you don't mind learning to keep it working yourself (learning to tune the voices at a bare minimum), go for it! Its a fantastic keyboard, if a tad on the heavy side (both in weight and sound!).

As long as pics of the insides don't scare you, you'll be fine

If it sounds anything like a CS60, absolutely get it.

That said, your gear list = HOLY {censored}! You are a "student" and you have all that stuff?

My key rig in college consisted of a Yamaha PSR-410 and Roland AJuno2, and I thought I was damn lucky to have that.

HI!

I personnaly turned down an offer to buy a CS60 for 500 euros one month ago.

In the end i thought: I'm not a collector. That thing is big and heavy (even if less than a CS80) and I already own too many synths.

A friend of mine in Germany told me that after his CS60 broke down for no reason he decided he would stop buying vintage stuff.

Personnally I think that the important questions are:

-will you hear its personnality in the music you're making? (I mean, in a mix, not as a standalone instrument) Will you hear its difference compared to any of the instruments you already own, in a similar sonic situation?

-can you have similar tones for a similar price?

-are you ready to cope with all the "vintage" drawbacks? (no real preset storage, warmup, reliability...)

-do you have a modern alternative?

Same reason I'm not going for a Prophet10 now (though for muuuuch more money of course :-) But I have an Andromeda and now nothing justifies buying vintage stuff anymore, appart from emotional reasons)

Have fun!

V