eBay of the Day (2): Ministry's old Fairlights

Jim writes: "I know you're Fairlight fetishist like me. Al Jourgensen of Ministry is selling off his CMI 2 and 3. Check out how completely defaced all of the gear is! It sort of makes me sad to see those mighty Fairlights so beat up. The IIx description says 'Some original Ministry sample discs are included.'" Item #7339556355 is the Series III ($405, five days to go) and item #7339553386 is the Series IIx, which is already up to $1,500. He's also selling a Publison Infernal Machine (#7338631249), which was the first ever DSP multi-effects box, used by Prince and Michael Jackson.

Posted by Tom Whitwell.

Comments:

I'm not sure I understand the peace symbols. I wonder what Al's Range Rover looks like.

# posted by

Anonymous : 3:11 pm

looks like someone left these at an inner city daycare for 20 years.

# posted by

Anonymous : 5:09 pm

...just like seeing a Stradivarius dipped in excrement.

# posted by

Anonymous : 5:54 pm

looks like these peices need more than just one fix... they better not want much money for them or they are theives and liars

thanks i'll be here all week

# posted by

Awakened Yeti : 7:35 pm

" ...just like seeing a Stradivarius dipped in excrement"

I see your point, but I don't think it's that bad. Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with modifying something to where it's useful/beautiful to you, even if it decreases the potential value to others.

It would appear that this stuff was actually used to make music... I think that's much more important than keeping it pristine; also, most of the damage, if you want to call it that, is just markers and stickers. It's not like it's got tons of broken/missing keys, etc.

# posted by

Anonymous : 8:11 pm

Yep, they made some of the best music of the late 80's and early 90's on those keyboards. I think we can bedgrudge them the felt-tip marker and duct tape...

# posted by

solipsistnation : 11:11 pm

For some reason the "LARD" sticker on the IIx made me titter.

# posted by

Dave : 3:10 am

I remember reading in an old trade mag about Revco's Linger Ficken Good album, and Al + Paul talked about their studio techniques.

Needless to say, it was brutal. They talked about slaving five compressors together and pushing signal so hard through them they'd overload, among other things.

I specifically remember them talking about their Series III - how they'd work on it in Al's living room, and when they threw huge parties they'd never pack it up. Someone even puked in the frame once, and they sent it back to Fairlight for repair. :-)

# posted by

Anonymous : 10:14 am

That must be what the rusty looking specks on top of the frame are.

# posted by

Anonymous : 2:50 pm

Ortho: You want to know what Al's Range Rover looks like?
Check out ebay item 4565021233

# posted by

Tom Whitwell : 4:16 pm

"Check out how completely defaced all of the gear is! It sort of makes me sad to see those mighty Fairlights so beat up."

Ministry were "musicians". That means that they use musical instruments as tools in public performance.

You must have Ministry confused with "collectors". Collectors use musical instruments as ego-toys in public or private displays.

If the marks and tape bother you, just get some rags, alcohol and Goo-Gone and clean them up. Sheesh.

# posted by

Anonymous : 1:47 am

Wow, Pimp my truck! Still, i'm convinced he's gonna star on the next "Surreal Life" on VH1.

Reminds me of a story my friend told me about having Jello Biafra stay at his house for the night on a tour, and he was worried he'd have to feed him, like, "what the hell does Jello Biafra eat?"

# posted by

Anonymous : 1:48 am

"Ministry were "musicians". That means that they use musical instruments as tools in public performance."

"You must have Ministry confused with "collectors". Collectors use musical instruments as ego-toys in public or private displays."

Hmmm. When I saw Thomas Dolby's Fairlight a couple of years back, it was road worn, not pristine, but it wasn't scribbled all over. Nor were Peter Gabriels fairlights that sold last year. There's a line between use and abuse.

That said, it sounds like they were kept clean mechanically if not cosmetically.

# posted by

Anonymous : 2:16 am

"I'm not sure I understand the peace symbols."

Have you ever listened to Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs, and The Houses of the Molé? The guy's anti-war and anti-Bush(es).

# posted by

Anonymous : 2:12 pm

"Why do you keep rejecting me?"

"Oh you don't have what it takes"

"But I'm willing to wuuuuuurk!"

# posted by

Anonymous : 6:28 pm

Lemme snort residue off the keys for $100!!!! cheaper than going to the west side!!! arghh arghhh!

# posted by

Anonymous : 8:53 am

Well, I bought this unit and I can tell you that it has been handled quite well, few scratches if any. This is a well taken care of machine capable of running 9.34 software (it came with version 8) and in technical good standing, regardless of what the felt-pen markings might suggest. In fact, the texts and Al's signature make it a genuine unit and absolutely unique. It does need a bit of general cleaning, but I found no remains of vomit so far ;-). The unit came without proper cables but that has been solved. It is quite something to own this piece of music history I tell you.

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:06 am

I wonder how much smack they can buy by selling these. A weeks worth, maybe?

# posted by

Anonymous : 6:01 pm

I don't know what smack is, nor what it costs, but lets say the price was right :-)

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:26 am

I love seeing this stuff all marked up! Ministry were no wussies, the man USED this thing, I'd expect nothing less. Esp. when you see keys that name samples we know and love from REVCO! like 'Yee-haw' !

# posted by

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# posted by

Anonymous : 6:44 am