1982 Music Catalog Scans - Vintage Synths

REwire · Post by **REwire** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:20 pm

I scanned a few pages of a 1982 Music Emporium Catalog showing what was available and what it went for in 1982.

Scans are 150dpi 8-1/2 X 11 inches. 2.8-3 Mb each

Cover:
http://REwire.12inch.com/Music_Emporium ... _Cover.jpg

Drum Machines and TB-303:
http://REwire.12inch.com/Music_Emporium ... Rhythm.jpg

Synths Page 1
http://REwire.12inch.com/Music_Emporium ... ynths1.jpg

Synths Page 2
http://REwire.12inch.com//Music_Emporiu ... ynths2.jpg

Post by **wiss** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:38 pm

I was unaware of the orginal price of the dmx and the 808....thanks for posting

Post by **WDW** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:43 pm

I had no idea the original price of a MemoryMoog. Wow!

Thanks for posting this.

WD

modulator_esp · Post by **modulator_esp** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:44 pm

lovely stuff

Micke · Post by **Micke** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:21 am

Thanks for posting this, Rewire

I'm a bit surprised that the Memorymoog is featured in the spring/summer catalog seeing as it wasn't available on the market until Nov 1982.

Analog Freak · Post by **Analog Freak** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:05 am

What amazes me is that back then, a Casio Casiotone 202 cost more than a Roland SH-09. These days you'd be lucky to get fifty dollars for the 202 and the SH-09 would probably be worth north of 500 dollars. It's funny how these things work. Also, I wish I'd been alive then to buy a boatload of TB-303s back when they went for peanuts.

Post by **Blue Monster 65** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:10 am

Ha! I think I may even still have a copy of that very catalog laying around somewhere! Saw the cover and went, "Oh yeah ... I remember that!" Hahahahahahahaha!

Woof! - Scott

devious · Post by **devious** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:19 am

Analog Freak wrote:What amazes me is that back then, a Casio Casiotone 202 cost more than a Roland SH-09. These days you'd be lucky to get fifty dollars for the 202 and the SH-09 would probably be worth north of 500 dollars. It's funny how these things work. Also, I wish I'd been alive then to buy a boatload of TB-303s back when they went for peanuts.

What's even worse is when the tb-303's were 39GBP on sale in a UK store around 87-88. Imagine buying a buttload of them at that price and keeping them in boxes up until now! Only if we were capable of predicting such things. If I had a TB-303 then, I would had probably traded it later on for a nintendo running pad like I did all full complete series of garbage pail kids cards/stickers

damn me.. damn me...

Thanks for those scans, they're fun to look at and melt over the prices. I always thought the TR-808 was about 1200 when it first came out. I was so wrong.

-d

Post by **Blue Monster 65** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:26 am

But you know, I can remember looking at those prices and thinking, "s**t! I'll never be able to afford that!" And now look at all the extra expenses we have in our daily lives (cable, internet, cell phone, etc.) and I wonder how the h**l we afford the gear we do have!

Woof! - Scott

Alex E · Post by **Alex E** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:25 am

Wow! Thanks REwire!

Some of this gear has definitely held it's value.

The Roland SH-09 was pretty affordable back then, as was the TR-808. I too, thought the 808 cost $1200 new back then.

MrFrodo · Post by **MrFrodo** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:46 am

I enjoyed that, too, ReWire. I think that the current price of a MemoryMoog in excellent working condition is quite similar to its original market value. And, the price of the 808 might currently excede what it originally went for.

Oh, to be a musician when those pieces were new. That's yet another reason why I wish I was born in, or around 1960.

severen · Post by **severen** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:50 am

interesting.
thank you.

hfinn · Post by **hfinn** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:00 pm

Alex E wrote:The Roland SH-09 was pretty affordable back then, as was the TR-808. I too, thought the 808 cost $1200 new back then.

Keep in mind that this is 1982. The 808 cost $779 What cost $779.00 in 1982 would cost $1666.16 in 2006. Also the SH-9 adjusted for inflation is $1058.73 in 2006.

otto · Post by **otto** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:34 pm

Average price paid for a new car in '82 was $7,983. Average price today is $28,400. However, disposable income has increased 469% since 1972. I would guess that manufacturing and sales costs have decreased as well. So there are a lot of factors going on besides just inflation but they all seem to point to the idea that synths, even the pricey ones, are bargains today compared to 1982.

I like how the string and organ "preset" synths were more expensive than the monos.

Alex E · Post by **Alex E** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:34 pm

otto wrote:Average price paid for a new car in '82 was $7,983. Average price today is $28,400. However, disposable income has increased 469% since 1972. I would guess that manufacturing and sales costs have decreased as well. So there are a lot of factors going on besides just inflation but they all seem to point to the idea that synths, even the pricey ones, are bargains today compared to 1982.

I like how the string and organ "preset" synths were more expensive than the monos.

hfinn wrote:
Alex E wrote:The Roland SH-09 was pretty affordable back then, as was the TR-808. I too, thought the 808 cost $1200 new back then.
Keep in mind that this is 1982. The 808 cost $779 What cost $779.00 in 1982 would cost $1666.16 in 2006. Also the SH-9 adjusted for inflation is $1058.73 in 2006.

I didn't know all that. Thanks for the info.