Vintage Synth Explorer

Tommy Mars used this synth for his characteristic horn/brass sound in Frank Zappa's band in the late 70s and early 80s. It can be heard on Zappa albums like Sheik Yerbouti, Tinseltown Rebellion, among others.

A versatile synth. An affordable 2600. Able to do Eno-stuff. A great synth for the day. Two note capability!!! I had mine retrofitted by EML with on/off switches just after the volume pots for the oscillators. It was a workhorse, surviving many, many gigs. !Long live the EML 101!

I purchased then first EML 100 that arrived in Phila in 1972 . Paid $1000, and they hadn't even printed up the manual yet. The sales rep couldn't even get a usuable sound out of it, but I just had to have it. By the time the manual was available ,about four months later, I already had it down.The serial # was 0162. I used it in a top 40 bar band I was gigging with and also did some local FM radio promo spots. I played it through an old 1963 Fender reverb unit and got a Mellotron -like effect..remember this was pre rack-mount effects days. I travelled up to the factory in Vernon ,Conn twice , once for repairs and the second time for them to add the sample and hold feature and get an extension cord for the keyboard so I could use it as a hand -held controller. Sadly, the unit was destroyed in a fire after I had moved out to LA. I did have a chance to use the 101 , and I thought that it had a brighter/harsher sound , not as warm as the 100. Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

i always thought they only made 1000 of these beasts ???
so maybe your seriel number is incorrect??

and where exactly do you locate the seriel number??

i've had my EML 101 for about 12 years.. i think it's one of the greatest synths i've ever tried.. i've had alot over the years. and the EML i would never ever sell.

#1240...that is....Bleeps, beeps, & resonant filter sweeps!