Proud New Owner of a Proud Old Compact Duo

[Franz]

The Good News:

I picked up a Farfisa Compact Duo in somewhat decent shape, from a nice gentleman in Brooklyn. I've always wanted one of these! (I played one in a shop once, left, then decided I should've bought it, then turned around, and by the time I got there, it was gone.)

The Bad News:

No F/AR power supply. The latches on the case are busted, making carrying it a strictly two-man job. And one key is popping out.

A previous owner had built a "substitute" F/AR, but apparently that had begun to short out and then failed completely.

So of course I knew it was broke when I picked it up. I had intended to use it for parts. But looking at it now, with all those yummy tabs, that dual manual hotness, those two octaves of bass keys, those red percussion stops....hmmmm.... I wanna play it so bad!

Guess I gotta bring to the repairman, or hunt down another F/AR. Or both.

[Franz]

For any of you that care...

I was able to rent a F/AR, believe it or not, so I could evaluate the Duo. It succeeded at providing power. The previous owner had mod'd it somehow, so that the volume pedal cable is now the audio output. But this no longer works. The audio output from the F/AR also fails to produce sound.

HOWEVER, the bass output on the underside, does indeed provide bass outputs, indicating that the oscillators seem to work still. Though the contacts are clearly filthy and wacked out. Though the fact that it works at all is heartening. And it was in tune.

[blair]

Franz!

Glad you grabbed that one. I saw it on NY Craigslist and posted about it to the ComboOrgan YahooGroup. Sounds like it needs some TLC - and an F/AR, of course - but for FREE!!!

Here's some info that will help you - or someone else - build an F/AR unit.

Maybe this will also help.

[Franz]

Thanks...but, in the end, it will anything but cheap! THe poor duo just needs someone to love it.

[Franz]

I GOT A F/AR! Incredibly, just days after getting a Compact Duo without a F/AR, a F/AR appeared on the ebay. Moreover, the seller lives an hours drive away. So I won it, and drove down and got it today. Woo hoo!

On the downside, the Duo still needs to go to the shop. Stil... F/AR!

[Franz]

Although this thread is not going crazy with fascinated readers, I felt I should update it for the sake of...of...discipline? Consistancy? Whatever.

I finally saved enough money up to drop off my Compact Duo at the repair shop. I typed up a full, thorough history of the instrument and all my troubleshooting attempts.

The repairman seemed somewhat optimistic, saying he'd resurrected a number of these before. However, he requested a higher deposit than normal. I agreed to it...I'm aware it will be a pain in the ass for him to figure it all out and fix.

It will take a long time, however. He said he would provide an estimate "within a month." That's ok with, i s'pose. considering it has been sitting around the house for six months.

Considering that cosmetically it is quite dirty, and the legs are a bit rested, I was thinking of customizing it (or paying some one to do so). Maybe remove the legs to make it lighter. Possibly have it re-tolexed in blue or orange or something weird. Sinful? Naw... especially since the previous owner was ready to toss it in the trash.

Anyways, I'll keep all interested parties (myself) updated and appraised of the situation right here.

[Franz]

My Compact Duo is finally fixed. And let me say, it sounds freaking amazing. So far, my favorite sound combo I've ever heard. Sounds so fat and mean. REAL MEAN. I LOVE having two manuals. I've never played a two manual keyboard before, and it really is sweet.

Apparently, one of the previous owners had done a real hack job to the insides. You wouldn't believe the list of things wrong with it. Among which, were a broken reverb, multiple broken tabs, rusted key contacts, and so on.

Plus, the repair guy proceeded to show me all the parts he replaced or removed. There were various things inside that shouldn't have been there... a transistor, a light bulb, a screw or two.

However, all the oscillators were good. I also had the Repair tech mod the F/AR to have a 1/4 inch jack, rather than the hard wired cable. Which was shredded anyway.

So in the end, the brilliant beast was saved from the grave.

[Rod MPS]

Great story wth a happy ending. Now we just need some video of you rockin' it out on YouTube.

[Franz]

Heh heh. I s'pose Youtube does need a decent demonstration of the Duo. I guess I'll have to put on my yellow jumpsuit, gas mask, and Pith helmet....