History - SSL 4000A and more

[marcmozart]

SSL just updated the "history"-page on their website, including some rare photographs, some of which I had not seen ever before

http://www2.solidstatelogic.com/about/history#&panel2-1

Original SSL 4000A-Console, only one ever built. Does anybody know who owns it? Maybe SSL?


The 4000B of which I think 5 or 6 have been built. This photo has been around before:


Original Version of Total Recall


The first 6000 Console...


The 4000E as we know it

[sintech]

That very A series is on eBay at the moment:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SSL-4000A-Series-Console-32-channels-fully-loaded-SSL-console-/111366308714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item19edf3036a

[marcmozart]

Great! Except the routing matrix, most features were already there. The EQ was 3 band, fully parametric. Centre Section looks pretty much like an E, VCA Automation as well. I downloaded pics from the auction in high-res. SSL should buy this.

[ULH]

I used to be an assistent at the studio called Grapehouse here in Copenhagen where the ssl 4000a is situated. It's a very special console and unique but only a collectors item in my opinion ;-) It is however 8 years since I used it so maybe it has been restored? Maybe not?

[Resident]

I'm currently looking for a 4032 for our London studio and have spotted this a few times on eBay.

Does anyone have any comments and concerns whether I should get this and ship it to the UK from the Grapehouse Studio in Copenhagen?

I have requested full details from the current owner, but haven't met with a lot of success yet. It certainly looks like it has lost 3 channels since the top image was taken, they haven't replied to me as to what has happened to them.

Is the A series as easy to repair and get parts as the G series? Anything I should look out for?

Thanks in advance!

[Matt Sartori]

I'm currently looking for a 4032 for our London studio and have spotted this a few times on eBay.

Does anyone have any comments and concerns whether I should get this and ship it to the UK from the Grapehouse Studio in Copenhagen?

I have requested full details from the current owner, but haven't met with a lot of success yet. It certainly looks like it has lost 3 channels since the top image was taken, they haven't replied to me as to what has happened to them.

Is the A series as easy to repair and get parts as the G series? Anything I should look out for?

Thanks in advance!

I have not worked on any A or B series myself but I would have thought that they are al pretty much the same.
the only trouble I see is on the switches and some mechanical parts  that might not be ready available from your standard suppliers (such as farnell or RS), apart from that I dont think there would be anything major.
on the other hand your post made me think:
-if they are not getting back to you perhaps the console is not as described in the ad or there might be something not quite right with it
-the 3 lost channels might not be fully compatible with the newer E or G series and as such you will end up with 3 empty slots
-have they used the 3 "missing channels" to repair the existing ones (with switches or other parts difficult to maintain)

ultimately if I was going to buy a console for a commercial studio my first and foremost requirement would be always the same:
reliability....
so I would really try and get in touch with Keith at Recycle audio to see if he has anything available, post on our facebook page to see if anybody has anything to offer and try and ring the usual suspects: Funky Junk, MJQ...
good luck!

Mattia.

[marcmozart]

Is the A series as easy to repair and get parts as the G series? Anything I should look out for?

Thanks in advance!

Unless you want to get this A-Series as a geeky collectors item, I'd stay away from it. Someone like Andy "sintech" would probably be able to bring this back to specs and deal with obstacles of unobtainable parts etc., but if you need a reliable tool for work, go for an E/G/G+.

Even those need a healthy amount of attention, but at the same time keep their value and are a lot of fun to work with, providing you with many years of pleasing results.

[sintech]

I'm currently looking for a 4032 for our London studio and have spotted this a few times on eBay.

Does anyone have any comments and concerns whether I should get this and ship it to the UK from the Grapehouse Studio in Copenhagen?

I have requested full details from the current owner, but haven't met with a lot of success yet. It certainly looks like it has lost 3 channels since the top image was taken, they haven't replied to me as to what has happened to them.

Is the A series as easy to repair and get parts as the G series? Anything I should look out for?

Thanks in advance!

The A series will be perfect for your SSL Museum... but that's about it!

Considered a B series in the 90's but got a similar answer as above, and then bought a 4040E for 40 grand more!

You need to think late E-G+ as viable options in 2014.

[Resident]

Hi Sintech,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Can I ask why? Is is the difficulty with repair or spare parts, or maybe the sound of the desk?

[sintech]

Mattia is right.. going to a dealer has it's benefits:

Recycled Audio has to be the top of the pile for used consoles.. and it will look almost new, repainted panels where needed, be totally recapped and built to your required spec.. as they rebuild every console.

AES Pro Audio, is good in a different way, you might get a 4040G very similar, given a good service, at a better price., but.. you may need to improve cosmetics (knob caps and all that kind of thing)

MJQ is a broker, personally find this less appealing, and prefer to buy direct! and take my chances :-)

[sintech]

Hi Sintech,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Can I ask why? Is is the difficulty with repair or spare parts, or maybe the sound of the desk?

The A series, like the B series has very limited routing just two destinations per channel.. and those rotary routing switches will fail you.

Once working you'll need to leave this powered, as too may Logic IC's will fail on power up, the E series onwards used more reliable Logic. One of the guys here Werner has a B series, and he relayed these points.

100% no chance of getting any spare cards

E-G+ you have a wealth of spares and support, and you can switch off at night/when not in use.

[Resident]

Thank you Mattia/Sintech, I've spoken to all the above. Their prices are what you would expect! £30k+

I guess the thing that attracted me to this desk is the price  - £12,000 or lower. wouldn't be too much more to get it to London.

I was thinking of using a trusted SSL tech to go through it and commission for me, but after reading your last post it's probably best that I give it a miss.

Would prefer to buy from a dealer, but.... If only I could double our prices!

Good idea to post on the forum's Facebook page, I have already put a post on the WTB section.

Thank you again for all the friendly advice, it makes me feel better about spending so much on these old desks to know that there are others here to help keep these beauties going.

[sintech]

The current UK SSL used market is very slight., BBC, Danish Radio, decommissioned and when digital a while back, so there's not the auctions you can go pick up a console for 7k

Recycled and AES, are importing from Japan/Japanese Broadcast, so after Crating/Shipping/Duties/Refurbishment £30k will shrink pretty quick.

If you can find a studio closing and get in with cash, you might get a cheaper SSL

[marcmozart]

To be honest, I'd be quite pissed off hearing about a solid E/G for 7K £.

[ULH]

I've heard that the Grapehouse console should have been fixed up by a very talented ssl tech recently. But of course the feature set are different compared to e/g consoles.


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