You might remember my post from a while back about Philip Taysom - the guy featured in Sound on Sound with the most incredible collection of vintage gear ever. I asked the question: "Who is Philip Taysom? Why does he have four Fairlights?", and wriggled out of answering the second question. Fortunately, he got in touch, to answer it for me:
"The reason I have four Fairlights? I bought a Series IIx which was damaged in transit from the US. So I searched for another, only to purchase the very machine I used at Paradise Studios in 1984 from a chap who'd restored it in LA. Then I purchased two Synclavier PSMT's from Chick Corea - one of which I kept, the other I traded for a Series IIIMFX Rackmount which is the rarest Fairlight of all. Then, someone contacted me from the US with a Series III and large library they needed to be rid of fast - the $ rate was good so I bought it. It's taken me two years to repair the original II that was damaged in shipping and I haven't the heart to part with it - the Series III I might sell one day."
He also explains the motives behind his collection: "I try and buy gear that needs repairing and we re-build it (I hate seeing things die). I travelled to France to buy the *only* 60 module RSF Series 11 modular - it's going to take two years to repair it but we've made a start."
Thanks, Philip!
: 10:22 am