Roland RS-09

This is a restoration of a Roland RS-09 done for a client. The RS-09 was very dirty both on the outside and on the inside. So far I have planed to recap the entire machine and clean it up. The keys are already cleaned as you will see on the images.

Ok, so I cheated a bit and removed the knobs and plastic parts before taking this image. The RS-09 was very dirty and dusty when I got it. The plastic parts are taking a bath in the sink while taking this image.

A closer view of the filth, and the ins and outs.

I like restoring these old things. It is very funny to see how they become as new when the work is all done.

So this ones spent sometime in a store somewhere, the price tag is still attached to the front.

The keys where very dirty and had some weird black crayon like markings on some of them.

These caps will be replaced with fresh new ones.

The keyboard assembly, lots of wires and lots of dust inside the synth.

A close up of Roland's "J-wire" system. actually much better than those used in Prophet 5´s and old Oberheims. I have cleaned each and everyone from oxide. Also removed the long wire for cleaning making the keys have contact like when new.

When removing the key springs those small plastic parts might brake, and they brake for not much force applied at all. So watch it when you're removing the key springs, otherwise you'll be forced to do some plastic surgery on the keys and add a screw to hold the spring in place.

This plastic piece holds the keys in place. This was removed and then glued back in place when the cleaning was done.

Now the cleaning is done, looks like new.

Close up of the same keys.

Shining like never before. Each key had a thorough wash.

These old things sure collect some dust inside them.

The PSU and some electrolytic caps to be replaced with new ones to ensure long life.

Thinking of replacing those dusty slider coverings. Just need to find good material to do that. Don't want something that will create more dust in the sliders.

More of the same dirt.

More of the same.

It is important to document each step of the process, trying to remember where each wire went is impossible.

More wire connections documentation.

And yet some more.

The main output board, and more of those caps, estimated there to be around 80 of them in the RS-09 alone.

General picture of the electronics.

Recapping done on the keyboard PCB.

The old Caps

The New caps soldered into place.

In the end it looks like new again

Caps where also changed on the sound generating PCBs, although there are no pictures of that installation.