For over 60 years, YAMAHA’s Electones have always been been at the forefront of musical technology and technical innovation. Culminating in Alex’s current instrument - the state of the art STAGEA ELS-02C - the Electone has evolved to put the needs of the player first, coupled with the very best sounds and features, resulting in probably the most expressive and creative instruments ever conceived.

Along the way, there have been many epoch models which really propelled the Electone concept into a new era. One such model was the legendary GX-1 which premiered in the US in 1973 at the NAMM convention. With a price ticket of $60,000 (approx. $352,000 today!) and weighing in at nearly 1 tonne, the futuristic GX-1 was basically an three manual analog polyphonic synthesizer with pedalboard, which was developed essentially as a test bed for later consumer synths and Electone series organs for both stage and home use. Despite its price tag, a number of high profile musicians purchased and subsequently used the GX-1 on stage as well as on their albums including Stevie Wonder (who bought 2!), Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) as well as Benny Anderson from ABBA (who still has one) and famous film score composer Hans Zimmer.

Another such model was the HX-1 ‘modular’ Electone released in 1986. A purely digital instrument, the HX featured 16 operator FM sound synthesis (making it the most powerful FM instrument ever made!) as well the introduction of AWM sampled sounds, drums and percussion. The HX also included an extensive selection of different effects along with such expressive abilities as fully touch sensitive (initial and after-touch) keyboards AND pedalboard. Thanks to a new interface, virtually everything was fully programmable via the clever “multi menu” operating system. Also purchased and used by Keith Emerson, not only did the HX sound AMAZING but it heralded in a hi-tech new look with unique slanting legs and matching bench as well as a rise and fall central control panel helping it to have a starring role in the futuristic Arnold Schwarzenegger movie ‘The Running Man’...

In his early teens, Alex actually owned and toured with the HX-1 and developed a deep love for the instrument. So, after scouring the country for some time, he took delivery of a very neat example again recently! However, being over 30 years old, it’s still in need of some T.L.C. So, along with some expert assistance, Alex is setting about to restore the mighty HX to its former glory - beginning with a total refurb of the keyboards/pedalboard and a technical service, before moving onto the replacement of any external parts as necessary. The aim, to create one of best fully working examples of this incredible instrument in existence today...

Do you own an HX Electone?  Or do you have any HX memorabilia - leaflets, brochures, software, parts...?  Well if so, Alex would love to hear from you!  CONTACT US HERE

<<MORE NEWS