Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

So I'm drawn to the CZ series because of the low entry-point economically speaking, and because I have a thing for Casio gear (I have an sk-1 and sk-8).

Of course, now I'm doing my research as I search for a suitable example to purchase (may have a lead on a CZ-5000) and I'm seeing all the issues people are reporting in the forum. I realize most of this is going to be because people who have working synths don't seek out internet synth guys to say "Hey my keyboard works great, thought I'd let you know," but it's still worrying to an extent

Just trying to get a gauge on whether these synths are nearing the end of their working life or if most of them are still fine? Are there any models in the line that have problems in particular? If I buy one sight-unseen, what are the chances that it works 100% vs having to tinker with it?

Just asking because I'd like t ocut my soldering teeth on something a little less complex than a full-fledged synthesizer.

I'm relatively new to vintage synths myself, and so far any work I've needed done (replacing old batteries, installing MIDI upgrades to pre-MIDI boards, replacing potentiometers, etc.), I've had done by a qualified tech. However, I picked up a CZ-1 a few weeks ago and am really starting to get into its programming capabilities with all the resources available on the web.

However, one issue with my CZ is that the backlight on the LCD is burnt out - so this is going to be my first experience soldering! I've ordered the replacement EL foil, and with the help of directions from this forum, I'll be swapping it as soon as it arrives.

That said, as much as I love this CZ-1, I might recommend that a first time synth buyer, (especially if your interest is to program your own sounds),  to seek out a synth with sliders and dials rather than buttons and an LCD that shows your changes in numerical values. I think that it's a far more intuitive way to learn... 

As far as the CZ series goes, I've played a few, and now that I have the CZ-1, I wouldn't want to go back to any of the others! And I got mine, mostly mint except for the LCD issue,  on eBay for under $200. 

I've bought 4 vintage synths now, and even though I seek out the ones in the best condition I can find, there's always something that needs addressing . . . it's what you have to accept when buying 30 year old electronics. If that's not what you're into there are a lot of modern synth options that will play for years without issue (and a few are actually true analogue!).

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone

On 2011-05-27, at 6:01 PM, "jaytee.foster" <jaytee.foster@...> wrote:

> So I'm drawn to the CZ series because of the low entry-point economically speaking, and because I have a thing for Casio gear (I have an sk-1 and sk-8).
> 
> Of course, now I'm doing my research as I search for a suitable example to purchase (may have a lead on a CZ-5000) and I'm seeing all the issues people are reporting in the forum. I realize most of this is going to be because people who have working synths don't seek out internet synth guys to say "Hey my keyboard works great, thought I'd let you know," but it's still worrying to an extent
> 
> Just trying to get a gauge on whether these synths are nearing the end of their working life or if most of them are still fine? Are there any models in the line that have problems in particular? If I buy one sight-unseen, what are the chances that it works 100% vs having to tinker with it?
> 
> Just asking because I'd like t ocut my soldering teeth on something a little less complex than a full-fledged synthesizer.
> 
> 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

be vary careful when soldering the pins on the lcd backlight foil as they are only glued on 

use the molten solder drop method where by adding solder to solder gun so that it produces a small blob and let this drop onto the solder pad with the lcd pins inplace use tape to hold the pins in place 

this way when the solder drops it hits the pad and pins of lcd backlight foil and solidifies straight away preventing heat dammage to the lcd backlight pins which can melt the conductive glue and come away from the anode and cathode pads on the el foil

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: w.james.meagher@... 
  To: CZsynth@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 4:22 PM
  Subject: Re: [CZsynth] buying first real synth, considering a CZ series


    
  I'm relatively new to vintage synths myself, and so far any work I've needed done (replacing old batteries, installing MIDI upgrades to pre-MIDI boards, replacing potentiometers, etc.), I've had done by a qualified tech. However, I picked up a CZ-1 a few weeks ago and am really starting to get into its programming capabilities with all the resources available on the web.

  However, one issue with my CZ is that the backlight on the LCD is burnt out - so this is going to be my first experience soldering! I've ordered the replacement EL foil, and with the help of directions from this forum, I'll be swapping it as soon as it arrives.

  That said, as much as I love this CZ-1, I might recommend that a first time synth buyer, (especially if your interest is to program your own sounds), to seek out a synth with sliders and dials rather than buttons and an LCD that shows your changes in numerical values. I think that it's a far more intuitive way to learn... 

  As far as the CZ series goes, I've played a few, and now that I have the CZ-1, I wouldn't want to go back to any of the others! And I got mine, mostly mint except for the LCD issue, on eBay for under $200. 

  I've bought 4 vintage synths now, and even though I seek out the ones in the best condition I can find, there's always something that needs addressing . . . it's what you have to accept when buying 30 year old electronics. If that's not what you're into there are a lot of modern synth options that will play for years without issue (and a few are actually true analogue!).

  Good luck!

  Sent from my iPhone

  On 2011-05-27, at 6:01 PM, "jaytee.foster" <jaytee.foster@...> wrote:

  > So I'm drawn to the CZ series because of the low entry-point economically speaking, and because I have a thing for Casio gear (I have an sk-1 and sk-8).
  > 
  > Of course, now I'm doing my research as I search for a suitable example to purchase (may have a lead on a CZ-5000) and I'm seeing all the issues people are reporting in the forum. I realize most of this is going to be because people who have working synths don't seek out internet synth guys to say "Hey my keyboard works great, thought I'd let you know," but it's still worrying to an extent
  > 
  > Just trying to get a gauge on whether these synths are nearing the end of their working life or if most of them are still fine? Are there any models in the line that have problems in particular? If I buy one sight-unseen, what are the chances that it works 100% vs having to tinker with it?
  > 
  > Just asking because I'd like t ocut my soldering teeth on something a little less complex than a full-fledged synthesizer.
  > 
  > 

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



  


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 9.0.901 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3665 - Release Date: 05/28/11 07:34:00


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Bah ha ha ha ha ha!

Thank you for that! My first vintage synth soldering could have easily
become my first vintage synth repair blunder!

Cheers,
James

On Sat, May 28, 2011 at 12:52 PM, <jammie.emma@...> wrote:

>
>
> be vary careful when soldering the pins on the lcd backlight foil as they
> are only glued on
>
> use the molten solder drop method where by adding solder to solder gun so
> that it produces a small blob and let this drop onto the solder pad with the
> lcd pins inplace use tape to hold the pins in place
>
> this way when the solder drops it hits the pad and pins of lcd backlight
> foil and solidifies straight away preventing heat dammage to the lcd
> backlight pins which can melt the conductive glue and come away from the
> anode and cathode pads on the el foil
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: w.james.meagher@...
> To: CZsynth@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 4:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [CZsynth] buying first real synth, considering a CZ series
>
> I'm relatively new to vintage synths myself, and so far any work I've
> needed done (replacing old batteries, installing MIDI upgrades to pre-MIDI
> boards, replacing potentiometers, etc.), I've had done by a qualified tech.
> However, I picked up a CZ-1 a few weeks ago and am really starting to get
> into its programming capabilities with all the resources available on the
> web.
>
> However, one issue with my CZ is that the backlight on the LCD is burnt out
> - so this is going to be my first experience soldering! I've ordered the
> replacement EL foil, and with the help of directions from this forum, I'll
> be swapping it as soon as it arrives.
>
> That said, as much as I love this CZ-1, I might recommend that a first time
> synth buyer, (especially if your interest is to program your own sounds), to
> seek out a synth with sliders and dials rather than buttons and an LCD that
> shows your changes in numerical values. I think that it's a far more
> intuitive way to learn...
>
> As far as the CZ series goes, I've played a few, and now that I have the
> CZ-1, I wouldn't want to go back to any of the others! And I got mine,
> mostly mint except for the LCD issue, on eBay for under $200.
>
> I've bought 4 vintage synths now, and even though I seek out the ones in
> the best condition I can find, there's always something that needs
> addressing . . . it's what you have to accept when buying 30 year old
> electronics. If that's not what you're into there are a lot of modern synth
> options that will play for years without issue (and a few are actually true
> analogue!).
>
> Good luck!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 2011-05-27, at 6:01 PM, "jaytee.foster" <jaytee.foster@...>
> wrote:
>
> > So I'm drawn to the CZ series because of the low entry-point economically
> speaking, and because I have a thing for Casio gear (I have an sk-1 and
> sk-8).
> >
> > Of course, now I'm doing my research as I search for a suitable example
> to purchase (may have a lead on a CZ-5000) and I'm seeing all the issues
> people are reporting in the forum. I realize most of this is going to be
> because people who have working synths don't seek out internet synth guys to
> say "Hey my keyboard works great, thought I'd let you know," but it's still
> worrying to an extent
> >
> > Just trying to get a gauge on whether these synths are nearing the end of
> their working life or if most of them are still fine? Are there any models
> in the line that have problems in particular? If I buy one sight-unseen,
> what are the chances that it works 100% vs having to tinker with it?
> >
> > Just asking because I'd like t ocut my soldering teeth on something a
> little less complex than a full-fledged synthesizer.
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.901 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3665 - Release Date: 05/28/11
> 07:34:00
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>  
>



-- 
C'est La Guerre Moving Pictures Inc.
364 Home Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3G 1X4
(204) 918 9317


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for the words of advice James.

I'm not completely adverse to the idea of a vintage piece of equipment that might have a few quirks... I also dabble in vintage road bikes and it's the same with those. You know going in that you may need to put some work into your new purchase, but you can also buy what used to be top-of-the-line gear for less than it costs to buy an entry-level item new, if you know where the deals are.

Mostly I just don't want be replacing bad capacitors once every three months as they go bad.

JT

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:

>
> I'm relatively new to vintage synths myself, and so far any work I've needed done (replacing old batteries, installing MIDI upgrades to pre-MIDI boards, replacing potentiometers, etc.), I've had done by a qualified tech. However, I picked up a CZ-1 a few weeks ago and am really starting to get into its programming capabilities with all the resources available on the web.
> 
> However, one issue with my CZ is that the backlight on the LCD is burnt out - so this is going to be my first experience soldering! I've ordered the replacement EL foil, and with the help of directions from this forum, I'll be swapping it as soon as it arrives.
> 
> That said, as much as I love this CZ-1, I might recommend that a first time synth buyer, (especially if your interest is to program your own sounds),  to seek out a synth with sliders and dials rather than buttons and an LCD that shows your changes in numerical values. I think that it's a far more intuitive way to learn... 
> 
> As far as the CZ series goes, I've played a few, and now that I have the CZ-1, I wouldn't want to go back to any of the others! And I got mine, mostly mint except for the LCD issue,  on eBay for under $200. 
> 
> I've bought 4 vintage synths now, and even though I seek out the ones in the best condition I can find, there's always something that needs addressing . . . it's what you have to accept when buying 30 year old electronics. If that's not what you're into there are a lot of modern synth options that will play for years without issue (and a few are actually true analogue!).
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On 2011-05-27, at 6:01 PM, "jaytee.foster" <jaytee.foster@...> wrote:
> 
> > So I'm drawn to the CZ series because of the low entry-point economically speaking, and because I have a thing for Casio gear (I have an sk-1 and sk-8).
> > 
> > Of course, now I'm doing my research as I search for a suitable example to purchase (may have a lead on a CZ-5000) and I'm seeing all the issues people are reporting in the forum. I realize most of this is going to be because people who have working synths don't seek out internet synth guys to say "Hey my keyboard works great, thought I'd let you know," but it's still worrying to an extent
> > 
> > Just trying to get a gauge on whether these synths are nearing the end of their working life or if most of them are still fine? Are there any models in the line that have problems in particular? If I buy one sight-unseen, what are the chances that it works 100% vs having to tinker with it?
> > 
> > Just asking because I'd like t ocut my soldering teeth on something a little less complex than a full-fledged synthesizer.
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>