2026-07-29 18:09 UTC
I think of all the classic but rare synthesiser excesses the Yamaha GX-1 must top the list.
When introduced in 1975 it cost $60,000 (circa $420,000 in today’s money), weighed 272 kg and really was just made as a luxury, very limited availability test concept and sold to seriously well off musicians (i mean polyphonic in 1975 was a rarity and with both horizontal and vertical after-touch).
Keith Emerson is playing one in the promo for ELP's Fanfare for the Common Man. He broke his, bought John Bonham's one which then was trashed when a runaway tractor ploughed into the barn(!) Keith was keeping it in so he then bought Hans Zimmer's GX-1. #synth #ClassicRock #ClassicSynths
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_GX-1
Replies (3)
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@BackFromTheDud@mas.to 2026-07-29 18:12
@emsquared@social.coop They look like something from the set of "Space: 1999".
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@7sleepersmusic@mastodon.social 2026-07-29 18:25
@emsquared@social.coop Benny Andersson got one and used it through ABBA's final album in 1982. It was plenty outdated by then, but that didn't seem to hurt their sales figures!
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@RobertaFidora@mastodon.social 2026-07-29 19:47
@emsquared@social.coop @7sleepersmusic@mastodon.social Time to dig this out again. 🙃 https://mastodon.social/@RobertaFidora/114333537638449590