ssl 8000 gb buy

[lukeaudio]

Hi guys,
 
This is my first post, during two years I have wanted to buy an SSL console, in this moment I have a chance and I desire to know your opinion about it,  is an SSL 8000 GB without TR ,VCA auto,without recap  etc... this mix comes with 24 mono channels and 4 stereo  channels ….
 the price that they offer to me is 15000 USD, I want to know if it is a good price for this equipment?

In the other hand, may you tell me if I can install TR to this console? and could you tell me which aspects I have to taking into account when I check it?

Thank you very much to all

[sintech]

Think that's a pretty good price! That would be 9K in the UK :-)))

Does it have a computer???

[sintech]

If it has a Computer, then you can add the 5 card sandwich into the computer, just slot it in, and activate it in the Computer setup.

Other considerations you'll need multiplexers on each channel..

Do you have any pics?

[lukeaudio]

    thanks for the replies …

tomorrow they send me some pictures, Also tomorrow I'll know if this console come a few extra

thank

[sintech]

Is this the one from France?

[lukeaudio]

no...This is in South America

[marcmozart]

Might have to add 5000 $ shipping then, but 15K US$ is a great price, and recapping can be done.

[kilmister]

Hi lukeaudio, welcome to the board!

Do you have change to test console? I hope you do.

Find out picture of the channel strip and use some image manipulation program to make a sheet where you have 8 channels (one bay)
Then print enought of sheets (3 in your case for 24 channel desk) and go to test the console. Better to reserve some time for it ;-)

Now you have to test ALL switches and pots. Use 4 different color markers to point condition of every single switch/pot. Here's my suggestion for colors.

Green - works perfectly
Yellow - some scratchy sound when switching/adjusting
Orange - lot's of noise when switching/adjusting, distorted sound when enabled etc
Red - Does not work at all

After you've finalized your test session you have quite nice map telling condition of the console. Caps are very much easier and cheaper to replace than switches or pots. So if you have plenty of orange/red find an another console, lots of green/yellow and you found a diamond.

Hope this helps.
Paavo

[sintech]

For comparison..

The French 8000GB on GS this month was also 24 channels and 4 stereo, defiantly a larger price point:


http://s754.photobucket.com/user/badam7/media/studio%20sales/ssl%208000/167929_177812685586299_3516322_n.jpg.html

[StefanNowak]

Go for it!

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Hi,

The SSL 8000 GB, probably is one of the best SSL consoles every made in my opinion. Specially if you consider modern workflows.

 I think TR is something you can retrofit on a later stage, although in my opinion is something you definitely want to have on these consoles nowadays. Just make sure you have a fully working computer with it, since this is the most problematic and Achilles knee of the entire console, with parts getting very expensive and hard/impossible to fix.

For the total recap of the console, if you're going to do it yourself, save a couple thousand of bucks for the materials. The 8000 GB is not that old, when comparing with an E or earlier G is. Try to know if it was ever recapped, and if it was when it was. Capacitor life on an SSL 4/5/6/8K is much bigger than on a NEVE or an SSL 9000, because it works under much less stress and much much less heat. So even if it wasn't recapped on the last 10 years, you should probably be fine, only fixing some problems here and there. I would advise to fully recap the center section no matter what. Then you can do it like our friend Marc Mozart did, and slowly recap each channel, while you use the console.

What's is the metering? Is it plasma or VU? If it is plasma have special attention if they are working correctly, these are not easy to find these days and sure not cheap!

Then I would suggest what Paavo recommended. Just make a full inspection/listening of the channels and annotate everything:

- sections not working (EQ, routing, compressor, sends)
- blown lamps/leds
- scratchy/faulty buttons (specially the routing matrix ones)
- scratchy/faulty pots

This will add to the final bill, since they are not cheap to replace.

EDIT: I don't know if this is you case, but just be careful with "buy as it is" deals, without having an opportunity to fully test it. These deals can quickly turn into nightmares.

Good luck!! If you decide do go for it I'm sure you'll have lots of fun and enjoy it a lot! These are consoles that with tender and care were made to last a life time.

Welcome to the forum!

Cheers,

Artur

[lukeaudio]

hi guys..... thanks for the replies ..Today I got some picture . I want to know why This console comes with three power supply ?

[marcmozart]

There are two Power Supplies and one Changeover-Unit that combines the two. The size of the console should work with one Supply, but I'm guessing they had the other one for backup. Always good to have a spare.

Other than that, what I recognise is:
- no meters for the channels
- no computer keyboard
- no computer

If there are no massive problems with defective switches, it's still a steal for 15K US$. Of course shipping, costums etc. must be added depending on where you are based.
Funky Junk France had a similar console in 2009, but with complete G+ computer. They wanted 34K Euros (= 46.000 US $) and they sold it.

[sintech]

Agree with Marc, it's an amazing price, and the console, is an amazing starting point.

For example VU meter Banks come up all the time on Ebay.

I'd buy this if it was offered to me, without thought.

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Hi,

The price is very good indeed! If you account only for the mono channels you have your 15K in there. 

Although,  I personally would think twice before commiting to it unless you're a power user / tech and know how to handle electronics and where to find parts.

Someone like Sintech this could be a great catch, but for the common user this console could be a challenge, since there are lots of stuff missing. Also if the console is like that, and you can't really test it, one could only imagine how's the inside and electronics. Like some say, if the price is to cheap to be true, then maybe there's a catch with it. Be very cautions with this, while fixing some caps, resistors and ampops is relatively cheap, replacing those pots and buttons are expensive! I see from the photo that the routing matrix has lots of buttons cracked/missing? This could be a problem if it reflects that the matrixes are broken somehow.

From what I see, at least for my workflow, I'd consider VU meters, computer, TR, and that can add up quickly on your budget. Even buying as it is, you might find a more "complete" console at little more price.

This is only my thinking process if it was me buying it.

Cheers,

Artur

EDIT: just to add up. Recently funky junk sold a 40 channel (4 stereo channel strips - 48 inputs) G+, with everything (VU meters, Ultimation, Computer, TR, phase scope), for around 34k Euros. That was the price they were asking, I know the value was negotiable and could include ports+comission. This console was all reviewed and recapped.

http://www.funkyjunkfrance.com/SSL_4040Gplus.html