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ChromaTalk Archives: December 2008

Replacement Parts

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Mon, 1 Dec 2008 23:46:11 -0800

New on the site this month is Fender's replacement parts list for the Chroma. The list includes original net and list prices, which are interesting. Thanks to Steve Grom [21030502] of Fender for supplying a copy of the list.

Keith Hendricks · Tue, 2 Dec 2008 04:43:29 -0800

I recently acquired an Extender to compliment my Chroma. How (where) do I get the appropriate type of cross-over cable to connect the two units?

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:08:38 +0100

Not by my chroma, but isn't the interface just a simple D-sub 25 or something like that? If so, more or less any computer store should be able to help with a scsi-cable meant for a printer or similar... I also suspect the Chroma want it pin to pin-connected.

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 2 Dec 2008 07:15:16 -0800

See Chroma to Chroma Interface Lead and the Balanced Output Schematic and Interface Cable Schematic.

Dave Bradley [16330135] · Tue, 2 Dec 2008 10:50:03 -0600

No, they are cross-wired. I have two that I used for Chroma and Expander to Apple, but I also made a very short one myself that I used to connect Chroma to Expander for live use.

Ken Ypparila [21030229] · Tue, 2 Dec 2008 10:10:46 -0800

I have two of the old expander cables in my box of extra chroma stuff. Since I no longer have any expanders I would be willing to sell them for a minimal cost plus shipping.

Keith Hendricks · Tue, 2 Dec 2008 12:05:50 -0800

Great. Let me know how much and I'll Paypal you the money.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:04:44 +0100

See Chroma to Chroma Interface Lead and the Balanced Output Schematic and Interface Cable Schematic.

OK, I was right about the plug size at least! ;)

New Old Stock JLCooper ChromaFace on eBay

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 7 Dec 2008 15:10:05 -0800

Item #330292703485. No bids yet, starting bid US99¢, ends December 12. From the description: "This unit is new old stock from a music store in Upstate New York. It is new in box. Manual, power supply, warranty card, ribbon cable and MIDI unit."

See JLCooper ChromaFace. Pictures from the auction:

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:53:16 -0800

Sold for US$46.56.

chroma on german ebay

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:22:32 +0100

faulty, no serial mentioned. 292 euros now... 5½ day left.

Item #260326423210.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:25:28 +0100

chroma 21010276 found

Apparently not in the registry - here's the info from the seller!

Hello Jesper
The Nr is 21010276 Rev 14

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:26:53 -0800

This is Chroma 21010276, new to the registry.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Sat, 13 Dec 2008 23:59:41 +0100

german chroma sold

1420 euros for a broken Chroma - isn't that a bit on the steep side? Or has times changed that fast recently?

Greg Montalbano, Analog Synthesizer Service · Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:16:25 -0800

Re: german chroma sold

I guess it depends on how broken, and how much they're capable of repairing on their own.

A few years ago, I picked up a broken chroma (battery leak from hell, damaging the CPU, stack switch, channel mother, and three voice boards; also came with the original case with a foam decay problem) for $900 -- after a few month's work, it was fully functional (and an interesting enough experience that I didn't mind the work).

another chroma on Ebay

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:09:44 +0100

Ireland this time; [item # 280291064672].

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 9 Dec 2008 23:13:23 -0800

This is Chroma 21030075. Mal also has the following items "going up on ebay shortly" if anyone is interested in making offers:

  • 1x dual sustain pedal (could do with a cleanup)
  • 1x Syntech MIDI box (good condition)
  • 2x Spare voicecards (all working)
  • 1x spare original CPU board (all working, latest 14 rev)
  • 1x brand new SPSU replacement PSU (in box new)
  • 60x 4XXX CMOS voicecard chips

See Mal's eBay Items below.

Joe Porter [21030058] · Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:55:19 +0000

Yeah.

I'd like to put an offer for two things to Mal. What is his contact email address?

Enrico Dibennardo [21030494] · Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:25:52 +0100

I've bookmarked the two chroma auctions (Ireland and Germany) kindly pointed out in this group in the last few days but I can not find them in a normal or even advanced ebay search. Selecting auctions located in "any country region" I generally find whatever is on Ebay, well I couldn't find any of the chroma auctions today and i know they are still there, what am i missing?

Mal Meehan [21010182++] · Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:44:07 +0000

Hi Enrico

My Irish Chroma was sold yesterday to a chap in France... it had been up on the ebay.co.uk website for 7 days but was only picked up on the chroma website a few days ago... so the auction was finished.

For those that would like to make an offer on the parts I have, please contact me here - [email address removed]

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:01:04 +0100

I've bookmarked the two chroma auctions (Ireland and Germany) kindly pointed out in this group in the last few days but I can not find them in a normal or even advanced ebay search. Selecting auctions located in "any country region" I generally find whatever is on Ebay, well I couldn't find any of the chroma auctions today and i know they are still there, what am i missing?

If they don't ship to italy according to the auction, you won't find it. Stupid but true...

Chroma stuff for sale

Greg Montalbano, Analog Synthesizer Service · Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:21:13 -0800

Hello- Cleaning up my shop; found some things I'm not going to be using.

2 each Chroma Voice PCBs.

These are the boards David redesigned -- details here: Building New Voice Boards. I ordered a bunch to repair some battery-damaged voice boards (worst leak ever -- took out the CPU board, stack-switch board, channel mother board & several voice boards). Have two left over; $40 each (less than I paid for them). (please note these are bare boards; no components included)

2 each Syntech/KMX MIDI boards (photos). The green one is original; the yellow one is a clone, with panel mount MIDI jacks (intended to be mounted inside the Chroma, with the jacks mounted on the back panel). Both are fully functional, plug and play (powered by the Chroma). Details here: Syntech Manual.

Any interest, contact me offlist.

Greg Montalbano, Analog Synthesizer Service · Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:23:14 -0800

Forgot to add -- price on the MIDI boards is $75 each, including shipping to the US (otherwise, shipping is extra).

Greg Montalbano, Analog Synthesizer Service · Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:04:10 -0800

Everything has sold -- thanks to all who responded.

There may be more next month, as the shop cleanup continues.

korg nano control

Claes von Heijne[16330008] · Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:58:24 +0000

Has anybody tried the Korg Nano Control with the cc+ midiinterface. It's inexpensive...

Malte Rogacki [21010091] · Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:18:32 +0100

Me thinks it's USB only so a direct connection to the Chroma is probably not possible.

Service Manual on CD-R on eBay

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:46:25 -0800

Item #170217809464. "Buy it now" price of £3.99. Why anyone would buy this on CD, while it is freely available in hypertext and as a scan at the site, is an interesting question. I hope the seller didn't just lift the files from the site. It looks like it could be the PDF.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:56:47 +0100

He probably has - and there are so many people bad at googling so he might get it sold too even though the Chroma site is the best single instrument dedicated site there is on the net.

All the scans on the Simmons site have a last page that says "if you've paid for this, you've been had" or something similar + the web address. It hasn't stopped some, but the buyer probably gets a lot more irritated with the seller. :)

Mal's eBay Items

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:29:41 -0800

Mal Meehan [21010182++] has put several items up for auction on eBay.

Dual Sustain Pedal: Item #280295227508, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 23. "This pedal was a spare and it was my intention to restore it but since I have sold my Chroma, it's now up for sale. Fully functional but a little gig worn... however, with a little time spent on it, it could be brought back to new condition with a rub down of the box case, a little re-spray, some brasso metal polish and a good scrub of the rubber in soapy water."

Original Computer Board: Item #280295240749, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 26. "This came out of my Chroma when I updated to the new CC+ board. Complete with Rev. 14 eproms I believe this to be fully functioning (it was when I replaced it) but when I came to photograph the board for this auction I notice some corosion to the battery holder... which is strange as I did not leave batteries in there when i removed the board and there was no sign of any corosion when I removed the board a year ago. Perhaps it's down to the damp Irish weather! Anyway... I have had a good look at the problem and can firmly say that there is no damage to the board, either on the top component side or the under trace side... in fact 3 of the 4 battery connections are perfect... you can see below that the left side is coroded but the contact surface of the right side is fine. So, I'm selling this 'as-is'... I believe it to be fully function and I know I could fix-up the battery holder (easy to replace with a unit from Maplins or Radioshack etc) so I'm sure this will be useful to someone out there with a dead Chroma... and I would rather not bin it."

Brand New Switch-Mode Power Supply: Item #280295236684, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 26. "Brand new, still in the wrapper, modern replacement for the aging and often faulty Rhodes Chroma power supply. This was baught as a 'safety' back-up power supply should the PSU go in my own Chroma but since then I have had to let go of the Chroma so this is now spare. Relatively easy to fit if you have the confidence with electronics... basically a straight swap-out and then a tweak of the output voltages with a volt meter - full instructions are on the website (non were supplied with the kit!). Please note, this is from the first batch of SPSU power supplies so it has a couple of extra steps to get it functioning but again, clear instructions are given on the website. Sold 'as-is'... given that I have never installed this!"

Syntech MIDI Interface: Item #280295242791, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 26. "Regarded by many as the best MIDI Interface for the fantastic Rhodes Chroma. Fully functional and in very nice condition. All you need to know about it can be found on the excellent Rhodes Chroma website, including the all important instruction manual!"

Voice Card 4XXX Repair Kit: Item #280295246758, "buy it now" price of £10, two available, ends December 26. "Here are x20 4XXX MULTIPLEXER chips for repairing Rhodes Chroma voicecards. You will receive approx. 7x 4051, 7x4052 and 6x 4053 which should go some way to repairing a few cards. These chips take a few years to eventually fail, mainly due to switching on the Chroma when it's cold (optimal room temperature should be 18 degrees) so it's wise to have a few in the drawer!"

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:12:59 -0800

Dual Sustain Pedal: Item #280295227508, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 23.

Sold for £41.

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:25:31 -0800

Original Computer Board: Item #280295240749, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 26.

Sold for £30.

Brand New Switch-Mode Power Supply: Item #280295236684, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 26.

Sold for £30.

Syntech MIDI Interface: Item #280295242791, starting bid £30, no bids yet, ends December 26.

Sold for £30.

David Gowin [21030611] · Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:07:20 -0500

Yup, that was me who bought the Syntech. Can't afford the CC board for a while.

Go to next message in thread, January 2009

Mal Meehan [21010182++] · Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:57:42 +0000

Looks like a few people got a bargain... especially the SPSU which was bought by a U.S. music store... so expect to see that back on ebay at 3 times the price!

Still, better then me junking it all now that I'm without a Chroma (first time in many years).

I might be on the look out for another Chroma in the NY area in the near future... should anyone on the list know of one going.

Thanks to all who purchased, these items will be shipped out in the New Year, as I'm currently in Venice, Italy for the holidays.

Chroma front panels

Ron Joseph [21030042+] · Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:13:44 +0000

I've been meaning to send Chris this photo for a while to include on the site. It shows 3 out of 4 membrane panels for the Chroma. The only one missing is the main production panel produced after the first 50 went out. AFAIK the only difference between the first 50 and the main run was parameter #2. Poly/Mono on the first 50, FSW(?) on the main run.

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:06:40 -0800

I don't think we've seen the monotone panel before. As it has "FSW MODE" for parameter 2, it appears to have been produced during production. It's interesting that, at least judging by current aesthetics, the blue and green panel is arguably the least visually appealing of the three, and it is the design that was used on most of the instruments.

The photo comparing all three is very blurry; any chance of getting one that is more in focus?

Dave Bradley [16330135] · Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:10:01 -0600

The gold panel is kind of a mystery to me. It has the FSW MODE graphic, but the equally spaced buttons of the Halloween panels.

Strange!

David Clarke [21030085++] · Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:05:54 -0500

... I don't think we've seen the monotone panel before...

I'm assuming that these are the ones mentioned here: [Graphics panels for sale; Membrane switch panels, both from July 2008].

Chris Ryan [21030691] · Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:57:39 -0800

It's possible that, after almost ten years of doing this, the part of my brain dedicated to the Chroma is now full.

Matrix [21030220] · Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:36:05 -0800

Welcome to the club. ;)

Ron Joseph [21030042+] · Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:19:57 +0000

Sorry,

I thought everyone was aware of the various panels and their history. According to Mark [2103-PT-002], a tech at Arp and the person from whom I bought the panels (feel free to correct me Mark if you're lurking). The Halloween panels were made at the end of the Chroma's run. Fender was looking to launch the Polaris and people felt the Earth tone color scheme would better suit the new product. At the same time several panels were made for the Chroma as prototypes. The idea was that Chroma owners might wish to "match" their Chroma to the Polaris. One set was given to Herbie Hancock for his Chroma and expander; One is notated on the list (Andi's [21030620]) the others were unaccounted for until Mark joined the list. His Chroma has the Earth tone colors; he also had some spares which I purchased for my Chromas. He also had a solid gold panel overlay that was done because one of the techs asked for it (Mark himself?). It didn't come with the membrane panel.

The membrane panels are different from the stock Chromas and the Earthtone, so the gold overlay needs the earthtone membrane.

Chris, I'll try to get you some better pictures... :( I just was going through the photo scrapbook and remembered promising to send those in a while back.

Mark Smith [2103-PT-002] · Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:39:28 -0800

Ron, your history is correct. Rob made the gold panels after we discussed it. All production Chromas would have had earth tones but Fender closed the Woburn, MA facility before that could happen.

Jesper Ödemark [21010135] · Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:46:24 +0100

Dave Bradley skrev:

The gold panel is kind of a mystery to me. It has the FSW MODE graphic, but the equally spaced buttons of the Halloween panels.

Strange!

First "bath" in the silkscreen process maybe?

I still consider the halloween Chroma panel the best looking. Sad they never used that for the production model.

Seasonal greetings to everyone!