Hey, if folks have been curious like me, and want to venture into the Laser Harp world, there's an Omnichord up for grabs on eBay right now. If I wasn't days away from the arrival of my 3rd, an OM-300, I'd go for it. Its kinda rare, an OM-200m, very close to what Jim James is using right now. Its not cheap, but the price is where the market is. Anyway, I hope someone here gets it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Excellent-Suzuki-Omnichord-Synthesizer-200M-200-M-/290436400763?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item439f5bc67b
(http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!BtiURM!!Wk~$(KGrHqQOKjwEvqEtNICrBL8YzF,oGg~~_12.JPG)
BTW, the posting doesn't indicate if the manual is included. I have an extra OM-200m manual you can have. Why do I have a manual for an Omnchord model I do not own? Apparently for situations just like this. I just won the manual on eBay for 99cents tonight. It must be FATE! ;)
I thought some of you might like a little Omnichord tour, in photos.
The first model of the first generation, the OM-27 in white and brown
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/521x291_260_145_1.2266_1_425_238-826735.jpg)
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/522x258_253_126_0.4714_3.8_300_148-834296.jpg)
The OM-36, with more chords (36!)
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/300x181-847835.jpg)
A modified (circuit bent) OM-36
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/524x312_262_156_1.7486_1_300_179-834290.jpg)
The second generation OM-84 (I have one, nice basic unit and very available on eBay)
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/523x349_253_170_0.4151_3.05_425_284-826736.jpg)
A Folktec modified OM-84, often fetches $600-$900!
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/524x314_262_157_1.7467_1_300_180-834295.jpg)
Now, a redesign, more ergonomic. First, the OM-100
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/523x324_261_162_1.6606_1.05_300_186-834304.jpg)
The OM-150
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/526x314_263_156_1.7542_1_300_179-834305.jpg)
The OM-200 (this is the OM-200m mentioned above)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!BtiURM!!Wk~$(KGrHqQOKjwEvqEtNICrBL8YzF,oGg~~_12.JPG)
The OM-300 (my newest addition!)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/20/!BsQuNLQEWk~$(KGrHqMH-EMEvDZBlHeTBL3OUm6jqg~~_3.JPG)
And finally, a departure and 5th generation, the QChord (my first model)
(http://media.tripod.lycos.com/2080768/300x161-834308.jpg)
Wow. I feel like I just walked throgh an Omnichord museum.
QuoteWow. I feel like I just walked throgh an Omnichord museum.
;D
I was disappointed to find out that Jim is no longer referenced on the Omnichord Wikipedia page. But if there is ever another update, I think they should add Jim's name again...as well as our very own Laser Harp Cowboy, johnnYYac!
QuoteHey, if folks have been curious like me, and want to venture into the Laser Harp world, there's an Omnichord up for grabs on eBay right now. If I wasn't days away from the arrival of my 3rd, an OM-300, I'd go for it. Its kinda rare, an OM-200m, very close to what Jim James is using right now. Its not cheap, but the price is where the market is. Anyway, I hope someone here gets it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Excellent-Suzuki-Omnichord-Synthesizer-200M-200-M-/290436400763?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item439f5bc67b
(http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!BtiURM!!Wk~$(KGrHqQOKjwEvqEtNICrBL8YzF,oGg~~_12.JPG)
BTW, the posting doesn't indicate if the manual is included. I have an extra OM-200m manual you can have. Why do I have a manual for an Omnchord model I do not own? Apparently for situations just like this. I just won the manual on eBay for 99cents tonight. It must be FATE! ;)
So, I see it sold. Quick, but I'm not surprised. Was it anyone from the forum? Just curious.
QuoteQuoteWow. I feel like I just walked throgh an Omnichord museum.
;D
I was disappointed to find out that Jim is no longer referenced on the Omnichord Wikipedia page. But if there is ever another update, I think they should add Jim's name again...as well as our very own Laser Harp Cowboy, johnnYYac!
He is! Right above the love of my life, Karen O 8-)
# Jim James of My Morning Jacket uses the Omnichord on the track "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream (Part 2)" from the MMJ's 2008 album "Evil Urges".
# Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs plays an omnichord on their album Show Your Bones.
Ahh, a 1-2 punch of awesome.
I forgot to start off my Omnichord tour with the great-grandpa of the Omnichord, the Tronichord, circa 1980.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DMQHnlYtzW0/S07jIpPKFkI/AAAAAAAAFAc/yC4fOSw-gF4/s320/Tronichord-m.jpg)
Also, I need everyone to send postive vibes out to Powder Springs, GA in hopes that my OM-300 makes it to me in New Hamphsire. It looks like it may have been "lost" in the mail.
:'(
Help me help the OM-300 find its way home to Daddy.
BTW- the only Tronichord I've "seen" was on eBay and went for $2000!
QuoteI forgot to start off my Omnichord tour with the great-grandpa of the Omnichord, the Tronichord, circa 1980.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DMQHnlYtzW0/S07jIpPKFkI/AAAAAAAAFAc/yC4fOSw-gF4/s320/Tronichord-m.jpg)
Also,[highlight] I need everyone to send postive vibes out to Powder Springs, GA in hopes that my OM-300 makes it to me in New Hamphsire. It looks like it may have been "lost" in the mail.
:'(
Help me help the OM-300 find its way home to Daddy.[/highlight]
Don't know how many heeded the call, but it looks like the post office woke up and got my Omnichord to the high school where I work. I hope to have it in hand tomorrow. Phew! :)
Looks like Omnichord number 4 will be mine in about 5 minutes. I may be looking for a place to stay, however. I do believe the wife is getting a bit frustrated with me buying another laser harp. I will not click "post" until I'm certain I've got it.
2 minutes left...
50 seconds...
MINE!
Current inventory: OM-84, OM-150, OM-300 and QChord.
Ain't she purty?
(http://i.ebayimg.com/15/!BubeccgCWk~$(KGrHqZ,!jQEv1+0DO3sBM!UZl8Rug~~_12.JPG)
QuoteLooks like Omnichord number 4 will be mine in about 5 minutes. I may be looking for a place to stay, however. [highlight] I do believe the wife is getting a bit frustrated with me buying another laser harp[/highlight].
LOL! Next time I'm persuading my better half into letting me buy something I can probably live without, I'll refer her to JohnYYac's omnichord obsession! ;)
QuoteQuoteLooks like Omnichord number 4 will be mine in about 5 minutes. I may be looking for a place to stay, however. [highlight] I do believe the wife is getting a bit frustrated with me buying another laser harp[/highlight].
LOL! Next time I'm persuading my better half into letting me buy something I can probably live without, I'll refer her to JohnYYac's omnichord obsession! ;)
Who said I could live without the OM-150? :D
Thought I'd share a YouTube video of one of the Folktek modified OM-84s. They run around $700, which is what my 4 'chords cost me. For anyone into electronic music, lots of possibilities. There's one on eBay now if anyone's interested.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6mnjYGnRdE[/media]
The granddaddy of Omnichords, the Portachord (aka Tronichord) predated all Omnichords by 2-3 years. More a toy, yet with the signature strumplate and unique 'chord sound we've all come to love (its not just me, right?).
(http://i.ebayimg.com/17/!ByVD08wBmk~$(KGrHqJ,!joEw5JYckHjBMRO9mM4jw~~_12.JPG)
I let one slip through my fingers, so to speak. Not really sure what the market is for these, as this was only the second one I've "seen." The last one, about a year ago, sold on eBay for $1995. Tonight, I was getting ready to jump in. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the auction, the price remained at $152.50! But, soon the bids and counterbids poured in. It was still low, $317. But I've got a lot of shows this year and two more Omnichords, so I couldn't do it.
:'(
You can hear a Tronichord by going here and clicking on the green PLAY arrow on the right.
http://www.miniorgan.com/lib/view.php?miniorgan=115&srch=&srch_type=&sortby=&output=56
Lots of tasty 'chords up on eBay, though prices are high. This bodes well for my 7 'chord collection (kind of like the stock market for Omnichords). If anyone is considering their first one, try for the OM-84 (Jim used this on Acoustic Chorale for "Sooner") or splurge of the OM-200m, which Jim favors these days. That's the model used in "Tonight (IWTCWY)" and "Touch Me Part 2".
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=omnichord&_sacat=See-All-Categories (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=omnichord&_sacat=See-All-Categories)
Johnny I must say: you've got me interested in these things. I was really going to buy a pedal steel...and I still will someday...but these cost quite a bit less. Thanks for the recommendations!
here lately i've been playing my two babies (OM-100 and OM-300) with a Boss RT-20 Rotary Sound Processor
(http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/products/com/RT-20/images/top_M.jpg)
and using distortion occasionally on top of that for some heavy/dark shit. I've been thinking lately of recording some of my little experimental jam sessions and putting it into a lil 3-song EP.
Some days I can come home after a long day and sit in here in my office/media room and space out for at least an hour playing my omnichord. It's great to lose all sense of time and place for an hour
suzuki omnichord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KitZE91hzZ8#)
Another rare Portachord on eBay, only the 3rd I've seen. Asking $1000, which is steep, considering some modifications to the battery compartment. Here's a video demo of the unit for sale.
This is the precursor to the Omnichords Jim uses on Touch Me Part 2, Tonight (IWTCWY), etc.
portachord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD5hR4VzXMc#ws)
Here's Bowie doing S&G's America at a 9/11 tribute concert, using an Omnichord.
http://youtu.be/IS4ZW6f89QI (http://youtu.be/IS4ZW6f89QI)
Now you've confused me, YYacc. Here we are back in July last year:
Quote from: johnnYYac on Jul 11, 2010, 04:47 PMThey run around $700, which is what my 4 'chords cost me.
Fast forward to January 2011, and:
Quote from: johnnYYac on Jan 10, 2011, 10:07 PM
Lots of tasty 'chords up on eBay, though prices are high. This bodes well for my 7 'chord collection (kind of like the stock market for Omnichords).
From four to seven in six months? You've been scratching your 'chord itch on the quiet!
I hope that Mrs Y doesn't frequent these parts... ;D
SEVEN Omnichords??!!! It only takes one of his damn lazer harps to drive me up a wall, and now he's got seven of the things? Excuse me, I'm off to find a hammer...
Quote from: MrsYYac on Apr 27, 2011, 11:16 AM
SEVEN Omnichords??!!! It only takes one of his damn lazer harps to drive me up a wall, and now he's got seven of the things? Excuse me, I'm off to find a hammer...
epic first post
Quote from: MrsYYac on Apr 27, 2011, 11:16 AM
SEVEN Omnichords??!!! It only takes one of his damn lazer harps to drive me up a wall, and now he's got seven of the things? Excuse me, I'm off to find a hammer...
;D
How many more accounts can you create Flyguy? ;D
Quote from: MrsYYac on Apr 27, 2011, 11:16 AM
SEVEN Omnichords??!!! It only takes one of his damn lazer harps to drive me up a wall, and now he's got seven of the things? Excuse me, I'm off to find a hammer...
pwnd
Quote from: MrsYYac on Apr 27, 2011, 11:16 AM
SEVEN Omnichords??!!! It only takes one of his damn lazer harps to drive me up a wall, and now he's got seven of the things? Excuse me, I'm off to find a hammer...
Aw, gee, hon. I thought I told you I'd cashed in the girls 529s. And now I can almost pull off Black Metal.
Mrs. Y is fully aware of my habits and prefers an Omnichord collection and MMJ obsession to having an affair, an expensive sports car, a drug/alcohol problem, or whatever other stereotypical mid-life crisis example you can imagine.
And I stand corrected. I currently have 6, so its not so bad:
1- OM-84 (signed by YY)
1- OM-150
2- OM-200m (one doesn't work 100%)
1- OM-300
1- QChord
Quote from: johnnYYac on Apr 24, 2011, 09:42 AM
Here's Bowie doing S&G's America at a 9/11 tribute concert, using an Omnichord.
http://youtu.be/IS4ZW6f89QI (http://youtu.be/IS4ZW6f89QI)
I remember watching this and wondering what he was playing. Wow! Thanks for posting this. @JonnyYac, could you help me pick out my first Omnichord? At 29 guitars I gotta move along to something that takes up less space. Lol. Plus I've wanted one for almost a year now but. Knew no one with any education on them at all. I'm not as interested in "vintage" ones as I am in one with more of the bells and whistles to play with. The newer model looks cool as hell. Is it a good one to get as a first?
So, there's several Suzuki Q Chords up on eBay now. One for under 200.00! I'm ready to hit BUY IT NOW but wont without word from my omnichord master.
From my experience, while hardly an expert, I would recommend an Omnichord based on your needs, interests, and $$$.
I spent a lot of time and money finding a unit that allowed me to cover MMJ and YY tunes. The one he used the past 3 years or so is the OM-200m. A good unit will go for $200 to $500.
For a simpler, analog 80s sound, I'd recommend the OM-84. There are plenty around and you can sometimes score one for cheap (under $200).
The newest model, the QChord, was my first and sometimes I regret owning it (though I spent an hour playing it last night and thoroughly enjoyed it). Its a departure from all models before it, more digital in sound with almost 100 instrument voices.
You can hear the QChord, OM-84, and OM-200m on my site's Recordings page (http://site.johnnyyac.com/Portfolio.php).
Check out this circuit bent OM-27. Haven't seen one quite this decked out, but its approaching $1000 on eBay.
Squidfanny - Circuit Bent OMNICHORD OM-27 (july 2011) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt6i-YE4Yjw#)
from the eBay posting (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-OMNICHORD-Touch-Synthesizer-Circuit-Bent-/140584071240?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Pro_Audio_Synthesisers_CV&hash=item20bb76b048):
This is a long video, as there are a lot of new features to demonstrate.
If you prefer to skip ahead then these are the exact times you'll want -
First 7 minutes are a general jam to show all of the various features in action.
Drum / Rhythm Mods are Demonstrated at - 9:17
LFO is demonstrated at - 10:35
Touch Points are Demonstrated at - 12:50
Sonic Glitch is Demonstrated at - 15:42
:D :D :D JonnYac, we're having a blast with this thing!! Thanks for helping me pick it out! We really should do a collaborative cover of a MMJ song. Even if you film yourself playing something I can lift the audio track and add other tracks to it.
I think it would be mighty awesome if a bunch of us forum musicians got together and recut a MMJ song. It seems like the thing to do these days, but it would be a first being an all forum/internet collaboration.
This looks good, for anyone wanting to own the model Jim uses on stage the last few tours. Good price, looks clean, good condition.
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-SUZUKI-OMNICHORD-MODEL-OM-200m-CHORD-MEM-Case-MIDI-/110731014220?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item19c815304c (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-SUZUKI-OMNICHORD-MODEL-OM-200m-CHORD-MEM-Case-MIDI-/110731014220?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item19c815304c)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/RARE-SUZUKI-OMNICHORD-MODEL-OM-200m-CHORD-MEM-Case-MIDI-/00/$(KGrHqIOKi4E4jPrpJ80BOSq9kbjE!~~_3.JPG)
Score! I Yac'd 'er right up. Thanks Yac! As long as everything works, I'm a happy camper! Are these things fairly durable? Is it heard of for buttons to break, and if so, are these usually scrapped or repaired?
Quote from: Hawkeye on Aug 17, 2011, 07:43 PM
Score! I Yac'd 'er right up. Thanks Yac! As long as everything works, I'm a happy camper! Are these things fairly durable? Is it heard of for buttons to break, and if so, are these usually scrapped or repaired?
Congrats! I take full credit if your happy with it and no responsibility if you're not. :thumbsup:
I beat on mine quite heavily, mostly the strumplate. Its holdin' up well; just jammed out on it today. The thing to avoid is maxing the volume knobs, mashing buttons too hard, and playing it in the bathtub.
:bath:
I met a fella through eBay who can repair and refurbish Omnichords. If anyone needs his number, give me a shout. I've got another OM-200m that hasn't worked right since I got it. I keep meaning to get it fixed.
Let me know how it turns out. I think the only thing you might want is an AC adapter. Look at the specs, as the polarity on the AC plug is different. If you play a lot, you go through batteries pretty severe.
Have fun!
Well, I think I really F'ed up. Itching to play the new 'Chord, I plugged it into the 12VDC power supply that runs my external hard drive...it wouldn't stay powered on...looked in the manual and it says you can only use THEIR power supply or you can seriously damage the electronics...went to Wal-Mart and picked up some C batteries, but it still won't stay powered on. Not sure what to do...thinking about filing some sort of concealed damage claim? That may be kinda shitty of me, but the guy still gets his money and I just get my money back...worth a shot? I got an overhead projector one time that was smashed up and I filed a claim. It still worked and I kept it and still have it, but the glass top was smashed. Carrier was UPS that time, though. This shipped USPS.
Yac, any chance you can hook me up with your repairman to see if this thing is salvageable?
Johnny! You've got us all buying Omnichords now!
Have just seen this thread.
I have an Omnichord for sale.
Message me if interested..thanks.
I may be interested EvilGirl...what model is it?
Mine's still collecting dust (not working).
Sorry for the delay in replying..have been away.
It just says on the front Omnichord Suzuki..on the back its says OM-27..hope that helps.