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Optigan!!

Former Member
Former Member over 9 years ago

Your show about the Atari Video Music , yes I own one!, literally gave me hope about resurrecting the dead (electronics).  Have you considered restoring an Optigan?  These are cool beyond belief.  The Optigan was an ambitious attempt by Mattel, (yes, the toy maker) to provide an affordable mellotron type instrument to the masses.  By no means a toy, (500 1971 U.S. Dollars) Optigans were plagued by the limitations of 70's electronics and their own engineering.  A horrible commercial failure that nearly sent Mattel to the brink of extinction. Imagine a world without Barbie or Hot Wheels!

Just look on Youtube and you'll find many fine videos of the distinct 70's cheesy goodness of the Optigan.  There are many Optigan enthusiasts who own dead or semi working machines who would be forever in your debt for demystifying this instrument. 

 

Could you recommend any good books on electronics for absolute beginners like myself?  I learned a great deal from your Atari show, and its given me the confidence to attempt to fix mine in the near future.  Your show is something I'd always been searcing for.  A friendly, cogent approach to understanding electronics.  Keep up the good work!

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