When I began my search for a DX-1, I really took on a big task to find one because somehow I became desperate to see it and hear it. I am really a new synthesizer player so I haven't put much time into owning synths before but have been building my synth collection. I own a Roland JD-800 and a Oberheim OB-12 and a Seil DK-600. All of these synths are wonderful to play and are all programming synths. When I discovered the DX-1, I discovered it's face contruction and it being user friendly and the only DX of it's series to offer programming. My JD-800 sounds wonderful but kinda of thin sometimes, my Oberheim OB-12 sounds very fat but not as genuine (which I believe the Oberheim Matrix 12 is the true Oberheim sounds but the OB-12 has an awesume programming display) but my DX-1 sounds just wonderful. It's is very true sounding as crystal clear. The wooded weighted keys, the key velocity, portamento, modulation wheel is just so awesume!! The patches with this synth is so cool (glass crystal, Time Warp, portobass, small boom poly, Take off, Lazersweep, Bell ting poly and more..)

This is truly one of the greatest synthesizers ever ever made. There is nothing like it and even today, it is STILL the coolest thing out there. There's nothing old fashion about this synth, it's turns heads like a Lamborghini Diablo and handles like a Ducati and built like a Rolls-Royce and Austin Martin. The DX-1 was a hand built instrument and Yamaha used the best materials Yamaha could find and they put it all together so beautifully. The wood alone is art work and at night, the light display, is really cool!

When this synth was made is was indeed, made before its time(1985). Regardless of it's weight and size, Yamaha really made and produced it best work on the DX-1 and if you ever want to own and see what the best of what Yamaha has to offer, the DX-1 is still the hottest thing they've made and on the market (but rare to find).

Owning a DX-1 and my quest to get one was my inspiration of Depeche Mode. They used this sythnesizer and the sound of their best sounds and even today, Martin Gore still uses this synth. If your ever heard of their new ablum Exciter from 2001, there are two songs called Freelove: "mini chorus mix" and "maxmal chorus mix", that has the true DX-1 sound.

If anybody says the DX-1 is too big and old, don't listen. Yes it is big but never never old. It is a true instrument and nothing about it is a disappointment. It is VERY reliable and built like a tank!! This is the best and if you have a synthesizer keyboard request list, the DX-1 is a must own. When I wanted a DX-1, I was determined to get one. It took me about 150 hours of Internet searching and e-mailed over 500 people to find one but after I did all the shopping I could, I love it when I bought it. At first finding a DX-1 last July of 2001 was dry and none were available but as a couple of months went by one came for sale, then two and then three and 4, 5 and then probably about 9 were for sale when I bought mine. The search came as the first one asking price was $4000., case and all and the owner said only 140 of them were made and felt if he didn't sell it he would keep it, and I continued on and came accross another for $3000. which I still felt desperate to pay the price but said I could wait a little longer, even though it happened to be Herbie Hancock's old DX-1, and then another from one London for $1720. but had no case and couple of others I knew that were for sale at about $2500. and $3000.00. However when I came to make a decision to by my DX-1, I somehow got a call from an owner and he said he was looking to sale his but kinda was tempted of still keeping it because it was the rarest thing out there and he loved it but through a good conversation we had, he decided to sell it for $2050.00 with all manuals, brochures, cords, voice roms and memory cartridges and a Anvil flight case and I was sold.

If you have an interest to try and find a DX-1, I can be of a help to find you one if you are interested but to tell you the truth, these are extremely rare and owners usually don't want to part with them and if you see one, you'll know why. If you an idea price range what to pay for a DX-1 expect to pay at least $2000.00 through $4000. and if you want a perfect one then expect to pay over $5000.00 but my guess is all DX-1's were all well taken care of, so consider any DX-1 a purchase instrument. Some people have gotten lucky and paid $1000.00 or $900.00 or so but a DX-1 is worth $2000.00 and up, so even so, I would pay $3000.00 if I had to because of their value. Also if you have a keyboard stand by Ultimate, the Apex single column stand model, it won't fit if you ever wanted to know.

The price of these things new were between $10,900.00 and $12,900.00 back in 1985 and seeing one you'll know why they were so expensive. They story on how many of them were made remains a mystery and even to Yamaha but the numbers are small from 140 of them to maybe a little over 200 were actually made. So they are very rare but are still well kept to there original condition. During my search to find one, I find many of them listed in major universities, through donations and synthesizer labs, which they would never part with if you ask.

But if you choose to find one, I know of a few for sale but remember these are rare and beautiful machines.

And as an owner, I share with you that a DX-1 is truly the best of what's out there in the synthesizer world. If you seek some sites and pictures of the Yamaha DX-1 here are some sites of interests at:

http://www.kratzer.at/DXindex.htm http://www.oldcrows.net/~oldcrow/synth/yamaha/dx1/ http://www.harmony-central.com/Synth/Data/Yamaha/DX-1-01.html

Well, I would like to say I am a DX-1 family member as well. So rare and so so so beautiful to own. I've have never seen anything as cool looking as the DX-1 synthesizer keyboard. So if you decide to try one, I say make it the top of your list because it is the best of the best.

Scott Marcotte