ARP Axxe Analog Synthesizer Keyboard Fully Serviced w/ LED Sliders & new Walnut Panels

Description

This vintage ARP Axxe Mk I has just been fully serviced & overhauled by Synthchaser – recapped, new key bushings, new LED sliders, clean, fully functional, calibrated, in tune and sounding great.  Beautiful new walnut side panels were custom crafted for this Axxe.  This powerful 37 key monosynth is great for leads and effects.

The one oscillator’s saw and pulse outputs can be mixed with the white noise source.  The oscillator may be modulated by LFO (square and/or sine), random sample & hold, and ADSR.  Pulse width adjustable from 5% to 50% and may be modulated by LFO and ADSR.  4 pole voltage controlled filter with self-oscillating capabilities.  Filter may be modulated by keyboard control voltage, random sample & hold, LFO and ADSR.  Normal keyboard triggering mode, as well as keyboard repeat and auto repeat.  Pitch bend control, portamento/glide, and transposable up and down 2 octaves.

Here is a video run through of the actual keyboard being sold:

The panel has some small scratches and the ARP Axxe logo sticker is missing, but the silkscreening is strong and clear.  Please see photos for condition.  From an electronic standpoint, this has been totally overhauled:

• Synthchaser Precision LED slider upgrade.  All 23 of the old original sliders have been replaced with new, smooth, high precision LED illuminated sliders.  The difference in the way these sliders feel and perform compared to the originals is a huge improvement.
• Power supply rebuilt – All tantalum and electrolytic capacitors in the power supply have been replaced, and high quality, high temperature 105 deg C capacitors have been used for the power supply filter capacitors.
• All tantalum capacitors replaced – The tantalum capacitors in ARP synths are ticking time bombs.  All tantalum capacitors in this synth have been replaced with electrolytics to help provide stable operation for years to come.
• All CMOS and Op Amp ICs replaced – The original CMOS chips and op amps used in these synthesizers are prone to failure.  We find it a best practice to replace all these chips in this keyboard to fix issues it may be having and to prevent future issues from popping up as chips fail.  New IC chips have been socketed where space allowed for ease of future servicing.
• 4075 Filter Enhancement  – The ARP Axxe  uses the same 4075 filter submodules found in the Quadra, Odyssey, Omni, Avatar, and Pro/DGX which was designed with a calculation error that limited the cutoff frequency.  The 4075 filter submodule has been recapped, and corrected to provide superior frequency response, and tested for proper operation in the Synthchaser custom test fixture.
• Keyboard rebuild – New key bushings installed, keys removed and ultrasonically cleaned, bus bars removed and polished, key contacts cleaned and adjusted, keybed leveled.
• Beautiful walnut side panels – the original side panels were replaced with custom crafted hardwood Walnut panels.
• Pots and switches cleaned
• New pitch bend knob
• New power cord
• Main circuit board washed to clean off 40+ years of dirt and grime that entered through the slider openings
• Oscilloscope calibration – Calibrated & tuned using oscilloscope and frequency counter.
• 1/4″ output made High – ARPs of this era had an RCA jack as the high output and the 1/4″ jack as the low output.  As today RCA jacks are an inconvenience for most, the 1/4″ jack has been made to a second high output.  This modification is easily reversible by cutting 1 wire.

Prospective buyers are welcome to come try it out before purchasing. Local pickup is welcome and encouraged.  This is a vintage electronic item, so all sales will be as-is and final.  But visit the Synthchaser YouTube channel and rest assured that a high quality detailed restoration was done to this synthesizer by the expert on ARP Synthesizers.