Aphex Twin’s Rare Yamaha GX 1 Synth Starts at $125,000 USD

by

Quietly debuting an auction for a scarce Yamaha GX1 previously owned by electronic music icon Aphex Twin, VEMIA, the musical auction platform, has entered the scene. Not only has this instrument been handled by one of the most productive experimental electronic artists, but it’s also uncommon and costly to start with. In perfect condition, the auction on their site is initiating at a substantial starting bid of $127,784 USD (approximately £99,950), with the bidding concluding on April 12.

Originating from a Japanese corporation back in 1975, approximately 100 units of this three-manual polyphonic synth were produced, serving as a precursor to subsequent influential synthesizers. As per VEMIA’s auction listing, Aphex Twin is said to have acquired the synth from Mickie Most’s studio at an unspecified point in time. While he owned it, the artist enlisted Colin Fraser, or Sequentix, for modifications that enhanced its capabilities significantly.

For several years, it resided in his original studio, but later moved to Colin’s studio, then on to Berlin. The primary goal was to restore it fully and equip it with MIDI. Now, it stands complete, featuring the main console, bench, pedals, two large speakers, two programmers, and all necessary cables.”

Here, I have tried to simplify the sentence structure while maintaining its original meaning and essence.

Despite its high cost, the initial price tag of the product provides a clear picture of its value. As reported by Gear News, the Yamaha GX-1 was originally priced at approximately $60,000 ($430,000 in today’s terms), reflecting its cutting-edge technology and inclusion of extra speakers, bench, pedals, and a programmer.

Read More

2025-04-13 00:55