Yamaha DX7 Synthesiser with Factory Cartridges and Owners Manual

Description

So I’m cutting back on my keyboard collection, and this DX7 is going. I’ve had it for a few years now, and honestly, I didn’t use it much at first — it’s not exactly the kind of thing you plug into your DAW these days. But it’s a real piece of music history, and I’ve kept it in good shape the whole time.

Back in the mid-80s, the DX7 was everywhere. You can name any big pop or rock act from that era — Prince, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Sade, A-ha — and there’s a decent chance they used it on at least one track. That bell-like sound at the start of *Top Gun*? That was definitely DX7, even if it was technically a TX816 (which is just a rack version with multiple modules).

I’ve done a bit of maintenance on it recently: replaced the failing RIFA capacitor in the power supply before it blew (a common issue with age), swapped out the factory battery with a modern 2032 cell holder and battery — easy to replace, which is a big plus. I also cleaned the keys, greased the key guides with silicone, and now they glide smoothly. There’s supposed to be grease in there — I didn’t mess with it, just kept it running.

The bottom has a bit of duct tape on it — it’s there to protect the paint from the stand, which the last owner kept. I’m pretty sure it’s not damaged underneath, but I don’t want to take it off and deal with the sticky mess. If you go ahead and buy it, you can just check it in person — no marks, no big issues.

It’s between 38 and 42 years old, so it’s not perfect — a little wear, a little age — but Yamaha built these with solid components. This was professional gear, not something you’d buy for your bedroom. The case is metal, heavy as a brick, and it’s been treated well over the years.

And here’s a fun fact: the two factory cartridges alone are worth about £120 on eBay — not all DX7s come with both, so that’s a real value. I’m not saying it’s going to sell for a lot, but if you ever want to say “I once owned one of those” — this one’s going to give you that.

I’m not selling it because I need money — I’m just downsizing. If you’re into retro gear or just curious about what made 80s pop sound so sharp, this might be worth a look.