So what are the chances of finding a functional Yamaha SS30 for sale anywhere on this planet? Anyone have any idea on how much one of these puppies will sell for?

JD

Joe,

We have two Yamaha SS30's....(swoooon!!!)
I bought one for £100 & got the other with a full flightcase for nothing!

In my opinion they're miles better than the ARP Solina's & having played both, the ARP is pretty poor in comparison.

To be honest, you'll just have to keep a watchful eye out mate, i wouldnt pay anymore than £250 for one & that would have to be in showroom condition

Best try www.ebay.com or www.sospubs.co.uk

Hell, I am willing to pay upwards of £700 for one of these!

Any takers?

JD

You can have both of ours for that!

Now, did Ultravox use the SS30 as is, or use it in combination with other gear in order to produce that rich, lush string sound that defines the band? If I got a hold of one of these, it would produce that oh so special sound right out of the box (per se)?

Thanks

JD

Sleepwalker, are you really willing to part with one of the SS30's?

JD

What?!? Sleepy part with any of his gear...hahahaha...I could be so lucky Just teasing hun

Yeah, i would if the price was right!
The main two synths the band used in the vox era for strings were the SS30 & CS80 & a bit of GS-1 then came the lush vocoder-type pads from the PPG 2.2 around Quartet/Lament & the guys were still using the SS30 on the Set Movements Tour'84, although the re-painted them black instead of grey!

Midge Ure's The Gift album is saturated in SS30 strings IE 'If I was', 'Certain Smile' & 'When The Wind Blows' etc.


Regards...

Well, before I embark on an offer, I first need to run this by the Treasurer of Domestic Affairs (i.e., the wife). It's so sad, really . . . I make all the good money, but she completely controls it

Cheers

JD

If you manage to get one, you won't regret even if (like me) it sits in a corner gathering dust more than you playing it. As Midge concedes in the interview on his DVD, his was sat in a garage for donkeys years and worked fine once he dusted it off...

That SS30 sound is quite spectacular, even if you can't play all of Reap The Wild Wind...

Oh, and Sleepy will see you right. He got me mine at a decent price (two and a bit years ago)...

What about the AC power supply to the SS30? What power connector and AC voltage and frequency requirements does it have?

Given the power delivery differences between the UK and Canada, will I have a problem if I manage to get one of these?

Thanks

JD

I think it's 240v here...110v there?
I think there is a select switch somewhere on the back panel, i'll get it out it's flightcase tonight & check ok!

If that's not the case you will need a step down transformer to convert it.

Joe..keep an eye out over there in Canada / US matey, one will surely turn up sometime or other!

Remember, if you bought one here, it's not just the price!

Shipping & Tax!!!!

Yup, they've a distinctive string sound alright! Billy used to swear by his GS1 as well. In fact they went through this time between 81-84 when they seemed to be sponsored by Yamaha almost, the amount of their gear they had!

They were also keen early on on the German PPG synths, the 2.2 and later the Waveterm. Billy used his 2.2 a fair bit on the Visage stuff - it's all over The Anvil, especially on the title track. I'm old enough to remember their Rage In Eden tour - twenty four years ago this month folks! - and they had about a dozen synths on-stage. Ure's were so piled up you could hardly see him behind them!

(Takes off Anorak, and sits down)
Was the PPG 2.2 around when Visage recorded their stuff??
http://www.synthmuseum.com/ppg/ppgwave01.html
Seems a bit early for the 2.2??
Kind regards All!

As far as I remember Billy used both the 2.2 and the 2.3 whilst recording with Ultravox. The Anvil was recorded in 1980 its not possible for Billy to have used one on this album. Maybe Roger could shed some more light on the subject?

ps. If anyone has a good quality PPG they dont want anymore email me 'cause it's the one of the last vintage synths I want (or have room for!!!).

He did use both but I can't remember when The Anvil was being recorded. Pre Midi I remember, so I would have thought pre PPG too?

Well...I seem to remember that I´ve once read, that Billy and co. used their PPG`s for the very first time on The Anvil (1982!). The first PPG Wave 2 was released around 1981, The PPG 2.2 in 1982 and the PPG 2.3 in 1984.

All The Best
JesperDK

For those who are interested:
http://www.antarcticamedia.com/ppg/

Looks like that may explain things then!

Yup, had both of those blue darlins!!!!...sniff sniff!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Sleepwalker:
<strong>Yup, had both of those blue darlins!!!!...sniff sniff!

Gilles

That reminds me of the story someone told me about a guy selling his Minimoog for about £50 many years ago (when FM synths came in and analogue was "dead").

PPG or DW8000? Well I liked the sound of the 8000 but...really, there IS only 1 choice!!

Who you been talking to?

Ahaa...

I know Phil, what a complete Jack ' n Danny eh! A bit like, swapping a Korg Wavestation EX for a Yamaha DX7!!!

surely you didn't...

Bloody did, that nearly beats selling a Minimoog for fifty quid!

I think I've managed to sell the DX7 & the cash will go towards another rack synth

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Sleepwalker:
<strong>A bit like, swapping a Korg Wavestation EX for a Yamaha DX7!!! and thump the Bb key to get the beggar down...