All about the Roland Jupiter-series

> I'm considering buying an early serialnumber JP-8 ( around 
140000 ). It's a 12-bit version with no DCB. I'm not sure of the O/S 
version.
> 
Sounds very close to the one I own, the OS version is probably 1.2
You could update this to the the latest version if you want moveable 
split point, and consider adding the encore midi retrofit.


> As I understand it, the main reason for the switch to the 14-bit 
processor was increased tuning stability.
 
This is good and bad. Sure the tuning drifts and I need to remember 
to hit autotune every now and again. The amount of heat the JP8 
generates doesn't help. 

14bit machines had a revised processor board fitted. The increase in 
stability = decrease in fatness. 'Fatness' wasn't a good selling 
point in 1983, so 14bit tuning makes the voices less likely to drift 
and its this slight drift that creates the fatness.

> Does anyone have experience with both versions and can give some 
insight to if there's any noticable difference in "fatness" ?

It depends on your point of reference. If you are used to working 
with modern synths I doubt you will tell the difference. To be honest 
I don't think 2 JP8s actually sound identical anyway. I've played 
later ones and they definately sound differnt to my ears, but put me 
in a blind test and I'm not sure I could tell once its in a mix. 


> The seller wants premium bucks for this one, around 2200Euro, but 

I'd say a fair price is probably around 1600-1800 Euro, they 
certainly sell in the UK for between 800-1250 UK pounds

> Maybe I should look to other vintage synths as I have a number of 
Rolands  already, but damn it's one sexy machine !

JP8 would be the last possesion I would part with, I've got plenty of 
analogs in my collection and a good number are Roland - it has a very 
distinctive sound, and if anything it can be too big sometimes.

Hope this helps

Stuart