Technics SX-FA1 Price and parts

[sweet melody 79]

Hi guys, I have a chance to get a very good Technics SX - FA1 for $400 do you think that is a good deal (It sounds like it is to me!) also would I be able to find parts for it in case I sound ever need them?

Many thanks!

[auronoxe]

Hi, FA1 is a GA3 in a nicer cabinet. I think $400 is a good price. I would even pay a little more if needed.
There are 2 possible parts that frequently fail: The tempo wheel - it seems it is still possible to get spare parts for this (just search in the organforum). And the Floppy drive ... which can be replaced by a USB „Floppy drive“ nowerdays.
I have a GA3 and it is still in perfect condition. No glitches at all. If you want to do backups of registration disks and your computer does not feature a floppy disk drive anymore: Floppy disk drive to be connected to a computer by USB cost just 20$ or so.

[sweet melody 79]

Hi auronoxe, Thank you very much for your message. It looks like changing the floppy disk to USB is a very easy job too. Seems like a lot of organ for $400! they are also open to offers! thank you once again!

[musicmaker84]

sweet melody 79 are you back playing organ? I recall you wanted to sell your Roland Atelier because of health issues. Glad that you can enjoy the hobby again!

[sweet melody 79]

Hey! thank you for asking!.. Yes, I had many months with a chiropractor and have got back into playing. Over the last 6 months to a year I have noticed the organ market drop even further (if that was possible) so I was lucky to sell my Roland Platinum a few days ago for a small loss but I had fears of losing a lot on it. It was too much of an investment to keep especially when you can pick up a Roland 90SL for next to no money now.

I was thinking of either buying a Roland 90SL or 80SL as I don't need a full pedalboard. My other options were a Technics GA3/FA1 of a Yamaha AR100 the Yamaha seems hard to find in the US though!

Thank you for your kind post!

Chris

[andyg]

The FA1 is the console version of the GA3. It's the G100 that's the 'pretty' version of the GA3 in the cherry wood cabinet. $400 gets you a lot of organ. It won't have the quality of orchestral voicing of the Roland, but where it will shine is in its ability to emulate other makes of organ - IIRC they were: Lowrey (an old school one), Gulbransen (Paragon), Conn (552, I think), Eminent (1500 or 2000, same sound), Technics (GN series), Hammond - LSI and tonewheel. And several different leslie emulations, all very tweakable. Plus classical and theatre pipes (UK organ installations).

[sweet melody 79]

Thank you, Andy, very helpful as always. One of my other reasons for selling the Platinum was the fact that there is just so much on it that I will never use. I never use any backing when I'm playing and mostly just use the theatre organ settings. I would be happy with the 90SL or whatever comes first. I have just bought the Yamaha p515 digital piano as I want to get into playing classical piano also as a safe measure - I need to have one instrument in the house at all times lol

[sweet melody 79]

I would like to know the difference between the Roland 500 - 800 - 900 Vs the 80 & 90SL. What's the difference in years?

[gregp]

AT90s and AT80s 2001
AT90SL and AT80 SL 2004 American Classic upgrade for 90SL and 80SL 2005
AT900/c and AT800 2007
AT500 2008
AT900P 2012
All the manuals are available on the Roland website for full specification of each model.

[sweet melody 79]

AT90s and AT80s 2001
AT90SL and AT80 SL 2004 American Classic upgrade for 90SL and 80SL 2005
AT900/c and AT800 2007
AT500 2008
AT900P 2012
All the manuals are available on the Roland website for full specification of each model.

Thank you!

[auronoxe]

You mentioned that you mainly want to play Theatre Organ style? Due to the fact that a own an GA3 and an AT500 I can judge the sound by comparison: The GA3 offers more Theatre organ stops and it is possible to combine them freely, but overall I find the Theatre organ sound of the AT500 superior.

[sweet melody 79]

Thank you auronoxe, I thought as much! I have been watching some videos on youtube of the GA3 to reacquaint myself (I think a few where yours!) The GA3 just sounds so "dated" to me now and I am going to search for a Roland 90SL or ideally an 800.

[abang]

I've noticed that used Roland AT80SL/90SL and AT800/900 are rare these days on the used organ market. Not even seen on Ebay in ages.

[auronoxe]

Yes, it's the same Auronoxe ;-)

[sweet melody 79]

So, I have a chance to bag the FA1 for $250!.... Seeing I like theatre organ sounds more than anything else I am thinking about buying it even though I will still be searching for another organ too. Seems like a deal that's too good to miss. The actual organ is in wonderful condition too!

[auronoxe]

That price is great. If you like to get some modern synthesizer sounds the FA1 is better than the Rolands, because it offers lots of digital effects ;-) You will need some time to find out all the features it offers.

[sweet melody 79]

How easy is it to change over to USB on the Roland AT90 SL, what would be the converter to get?