Polaris Registry: Model 2123B (Polaris II)

It seems that this model may have been manufactured for the Japanese market. Doug Terrebonne [21030401] writes, "The SN plate says the [Polaris] II is Model 2123B and is a Japanese 100V unit so perhaps they were only sold in Japan." (see Polaris Rev's, ChromaTalk May 2003).

500322

Steve White

"I have a Chroma Polaris II. It is a model 2123B." [January 2008]

500351

Ben Kuris

Purchased on 9/12/05 in Cambridge, MA for $130 as-is w/out auditioning. Repaired right panel ribbon, had to install panel mount pushbutton switches on the left panel due to failed switch contacts. Says 100VAC 50/60Hz 100W on back panel as reported. Repaired mod-wheel spring (someone replaced w/cut hacksaw blade-- pretty smart but it was moving around so I added a bit of foam). Firmware Rev 5. Has updated power supply compared to my original polaris and Headphone ground returns all the way to the power supply board. [September 2005]

500378

Allen M. Abrahams

"I will register my 'Fender Model 2123B Synthasizer Chroma Polaris II S/N 500378 100v~50/60Hz 100w Fender Musical Instrument Made in Japan.' I have followed an old thread in my research of this keyboard. Seems to be a debate over the existence of a Chroma [Polaris] II, but I got one." [October 2004]

500398

Ronnie Hart

"I bought mine used in the mid nineties from a friend thinking I would get around to figuring out synth/piano. I was primarily into guitars. Fast forward twenty years and four kids later I dig this beauty out of the basement. It was used in a Genesis cover band! I started some research and found your site and I am ecstatic! I can get the factory patches (I assume these work in Polaris II as well) and get it back to it's original form." [May 2010]

500435

Sold on eBay, September 2009.

500447

David Bettridge

"I just got (on loan) my hands on a Polaris II. There is a partial price-gun sticker on it that says 'Spectrum Music,' I assume a used music store, probably in New Jersey where my friend is from. He says he's had it for almost 20 years and never played it. Amazingly it all works except the NOISE membrane switch, or maybe it's just the LED. I have no pedals for it yet but most everything else is up and running." [September 2009]

500490

"Seen on eBay and asked seller for SN. Sold on 1/26/05." Thanks to Doug Terrebonne [21030401] for this information. [January 2005]

500519

Spotted on Flickr. [November 2009]

500530

Jonathan Fletcher

For sale on eBay, January 2006 (item 7381060435, sold for US$232.50). From the description: "This is a Fender Rhodes Chroma Polaris II Model 2123B Serial 500530. There is a nut missing on output jack, there are two dead keys on right side of keyboard. Not sure if this works completely, but that is why I'm selling as is. It does work and sound does come out of it. the Rhodes website has a lot of information about this model." [January 2006]

Ross Thomas

Ross purchased the Polaris from Jonathan. [January 2006]

Mike Jaynes [21030638+]

"Purchased from Ross Thomas in June 2006 non-working, broken keyboard and front panel problems. Used keyboard from ser # 301337 to repair. Repaired membrane switches. Works very well.

"Note: I saw some differences between Polaris I and II not documented elsewhere. Polaris I has very wimpy board mount sliders, Polaris II sliders are much more robust. There where changes to circuitry that appear to be related to the VCA (cuts and jumps on main PCB for each channel), Polaris II is marked as 100V input, but transformer is identical to Polaris I as well as transformer secondary AC input to power supply." [October 2006]

500439

Bob Weigel

"#500439 came in with a load of stuff Paul Haugen bought from the Chicago Music store in Tucson, AZ. We got a ton of stuff including it appears a front panel that might be restoreable! But this machine had all the chips and a good amount of rust under the paint on the panel that I went over today and got looking pretty decent after a paint job. Some lettering damaged but not horrible. Anyway Paul heard mine and will probably want to keep it. No original slider caps. There was also bottom/sides/power supply and a keyboard fortunately because they had reversed the connectors and burned a hole in one of the key contact points in the keyboard! I did a youtube vid on the machine that has everyone trying to get one now. I've had several people tell me that they snagged a polaris after watching that video" [May 2008]

Here is the video:

See also 301551.

500563

Scott Coiley

"Previous owner: none. Place of purchase: Northern Kingdom Music, Rockport, Maine, USA. Price paid: estimated $600-800 Uses: never gigged. Maintenance: no repairs; no customization. Current condition: near mint; minor cosmetic defects. Other notes: I have the original cardboard box. I have the original manual... somewhere around here. Numerous comments regarding the 100V power supply suggest that the item might have been intended for the Japanese market. However, the back panel of my Chroma has a warning in French. My Chroma MIDI keyboard is used almost exclusively as a velocity-sensitive MIDI controller keyboard for a Roland MIDI sound-module." [August 2007]

500580

Doug Terrebonne [Chroma 21030401]

"Purchased on ebay in 2000." [January 2005] See Polaris Rev's, a discussion with pictures from Doug in ChromaTalk in May 2003. Sold in 2006.