how much is an OBX 8 voice worth?

[mavertron]

Hi there,

im trying to buy an oberheim obx of a synth dealer here in the UK, how much do you
think i should offer / what is it worth?

its 7/10 cosmetically
no mods / no midi.

thanks,

matt.

[sam]

It depends on it's working condition......1500 to 2000 euros.

[memedesigner]

It's worth quite a lot, as there's nothing else like it. (ok, some hyperbole there. But really, it's both very playable and sounds like WOW.)

Way over 2k I think assuming full working condition ie recently serviced. I traded my Xpander + something smaller for 8 voice OBX.

[OBX]

Expect to pay GBP 2000, or USD 3000 and up for one in good, working condition (I guess that is equivalent to EUR 2000 with today's exchange rate, as sam suggested). That is what 8 voice OB-Xes have been selling for recently (not just a guess). If you get a restored, serviced unit, you should expect to pay more. As you probably know it's a fantastic sounding synth and they are not so common; not often up for sale. Encore Electronics have a very nice MIDI retrofit for it (I have it in mine), if you want MIDI that is.

[WhinyLittleRunt]

With the prices of OB8's shooting up past the $2000 mark (some I've seen even 2500+) it would not surprise me to see and even more boutique OB-X sell for $3500+ especially since you don't see them come around much.

[clusterchord]

UK is always with little bit higher prices so 1.8 - 2k UKP might be right. however, in US id probably not offer more than $2.5k. it is a great synth, but needs a lot of things changed (even when serviced) to make it more stable. lot of extra cash, that aint visibel at first sight (like new trimmers, encore, molex conectors, capacitors etc)

also, due to impeding economic crises, and this is not a speculation anymore, vintage prices have indeed gone down a bit. i know several individuals who got fired, and quickly sold their vintage behemoths for under the market price. its happening.

so its all relative. how badly do you want it, and how badly does the seller need cash. and if theres someone else biddin for it as well.. guess u can always start out w lower offer, and take it from there..



apart form all that, its nothing short of phehomenal sounding analog synth. huge. warm. one of few favorite polyanalogs of all time.

[Rangoon]

There was almost a year-long period across 2005-2006 in which there was not one single OBX on ebay worldwide, in any shape or form. Then an average condition four-voice OBX came along and went for over $3000. In more recent times I would guess that legitimate auctions of the OBX (discounting relistings and suspicious listings) show up at a rate of no more than three or four per year or less. I would generally agree with others on prices. The argument that the current economic crisis weighs down on the value of vintage synths certainly has merit with regard to more commonly found items such as later Oberheims, Prophet 5 Rev 3, Junos, budget synths, etc.. However, it's a bit harder to support that claim with some of the less common "cult status" synths...

[spookyman]

And i bought mine, there is 2 years ago for 600$...

[WhinyLittleRunt]

Wow...$600? However you pulled that off, good score

[clusterchord]

There was almost a year-long period across 2005-2006 in which there was not one single OBX on ebay worldwide, in any shape or form. Then an average condition four-voice OBX came along and went for over $3000.

hehe i remember this period, i was goin crazy tryin to get one.. but the shortage lasted 5mo. not a year. followin every dmn OBX ebay auction/classified worldwide, i found aprox 3 - 4 units per yr in 05/06. but bk then i didnt want to part with more a thousand, so i stupidly missed several auctions btwn 1000 - 1400. i even missed a VSE offer for a semi working 4v for $500. finally, i got a 6voice for $1.2k in late 2006, on AH list . and later expanded it to full 8v.

The argument that the current economic crisis weighs down on the value of vintage synths certainly has merit with regard to more commonly found items such as later Oberheims, Prophet 5 Rev 3, Junos, budget synths, etc.. However, it's a bit harder to support that claim with some of the less common "cult status" synths...

well, some collectors i know of, that i mentioned earlier, didnt exactly sell Junos.. but likes of minimoogs, matrix12, xpanders, arp2600 etc.. sometimes, when "water reaches your ears".. you gotta act quick. no time to wait for the absolute max price.

or few recent examples, i sold my CS-80 for $12.5K 2mo. ago... well, try to get that kinda cash now.. here's one sold on ebay for 8.7k.. CS-80-vintage-analog-.. Chroma sold in DE, for 1500eur - usually they went for 2.5k eur. a red Q+ for 1236 eur. unheard of. i was looking for a minimoog in november - they were pushing $4.5k, suddenly two sold for round $2k, on eBay.. a coincidence? maybe.. and the list goes on..

[mavertron]

thanks for the info guys,

yes ive offered £2000 which i reckon is a good price, but he wants more, but as its not mint and it doesnt have midi (some sellers think this is a good thing, to me, its a pain as i have to get it midi'd!) im not sure i would go much over this, buying vintage synths is a waiting game, however he is a nice guy, so hopefully we can come to some sort of arrangement.

thanks for the thoughts

matt.