Synth Wizards, Episode 12: Dust to Dust: The King Gizmo Polysix



Some three years in the making – thanks to COVID – the Synth Wizards custom-build a special Korg Polysix for a high-profile client, and get it delivered to Los Angeles. It’s an opportunity to take a look at the leaking-battery problems that plagued some older synthesizers, and explore how to repair that damage.

Thanks to KORG USA and to KIWITECHNICS – and to our generous Patreon supporters – for helping make this episode possible! And don’t forget to Like and Subscribe…

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47 thoughts on “Synth Wizards, Episode 12: Dust to Dust: The King Gizmo Polysix”

  1. I'm in the process of restoring a PolySix right now for this exact reason. I too am putting a KiwiSix board in, as well as their power supply. The horrible particle board cheeks on mine are destroyed, so I bought a handmade solid walnut replacement case from a craftsman who sells them on Reverb. It's beautiful!

    The PolySix was the very first synthesizer I bought way back in 1986, I can't wait to have this one working again!

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  2. What a great episode! So much to love.Hope Kiwitechnics sells a lot of those KiwiSix board all all those damaged Polysix can get back up and running! Good on those guys. The King Gizmo restoration was superb!

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  3. I've only heard the PolySix via emulation from Korg on the Kronos and their VST.

    I've never been too impressed with what I have heard of the PolySix so far. I wish Korg had focused on their great classic digital synths in the Kronos/Nautilus. When it comes to classic analog synths, I'll take a Moog, Oberheim, ARP, Prophet, etc.

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  4. Loved the video! The Kiwisix mod, not as much… The sub menu system will kill the workflow for many users. The options from Tubbutec are a great alternative for feature set upgrades.

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  5. once again folks you have exceeded all expectations with your great content…just want you to know how much we all appreciate the effort you put into these great vids and all you do for the synth/music world…..Ty from s.oz

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  6. Damn it, I want a modded Polysix now, as long I can keep the original knobs and mod/pitchwheel plate. The silverlook absolutelute destroys the design and make it look kinda cheap. But great idea with the real wood ends. Always liked the Black/Blue panel design of these synths. Those knobs just doesn't do any good for the looks imho. The original knobs reminds of the Yamaha CS20/40m

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  7. Seeing this really added something special to my week. I love the quality and effort put into your videos. What a great video and restoration. The beginning brought back memories of the old series Night Gallery. Thank you Syntaur!

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  8. It is interesting to think that the last decade or so has eclipsed the first wave of analog synths in terms of units produced as well as sophistication. Will we see the same nostalgia for the minilogue that we see for the Polysix?

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  9. Huge fan of the poly6😅,great result on this project! Worth mentioning, especially if you want a more original restoration, Syntronics in Germany remake pretty much everything you need for poly 6 including entire circuit boards and even brand new panels & hardware.

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  10. Possibly your very best episode yet! And I'm a fan of all of them. Bravo! Wish you'd stopped by my place in San Diego for some fresh lemonade on your way to LA. Next time! Cheers.

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  11. So you put distortion and cut switch into the poly six, and that’s why it needed to have that stupid looking huge and crappy sticker on the front panel? Great job for sure… by the way, as I hear on this video, that cut switch works awful, makes lots of crackling. Everything significant was added from Kiwi. And wooden cabinet is good, but there are several companies on the market who can provide it. And those pot caps look completely out of style, some chinese crap. And you made a 43 min video about that? And also integrated some ads from korg with that sour reissues? The wizards, for sure. Ban to this channel, wasting time.

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  12. I had to stop the video and calm down when you showed that battery at the beginning. I hate those horrible things. They mess up a lot of old PC XT/AT era stuff too. (And the XBox supercap too. I caught mine just as it was starting to get bad. I worked at a place that had some of that brand fail in their old products! My XBox now uses a spare cap from there… off to the side, on a wire.) It was the lure of "you can save assembly costs by putting it on the circuit board!" that has caused so much anguish.

    The new trend to make replacement circuit boards is a great thing. It's a lot of work to reverse-engineer the old boards, but I can't say it isn't fun. In this case they went beyond mere reverse-engineering and came up with a modern replacement.

    I like the new knobs, but those buttons just look so… Radio Shack. I mean those pushbuttons are kinda nostalgic to me, but they scream "I'm a mod!" Which as it turns out was the right decision.

    Hey, do you sell T-shirts at the store? I'd drive the 30 or so miles to check your place out if so.

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