Unexpected and exciting news from Edinburgh! The word “unique” is often used to highlight a product, but it rarely applies, as it usually refers to the series production version of identical machines. Today we have an exception. SchneidersLaden is able to offer three prototypes of the legendary Elements 1 by Ken Macbeth – these are absolutely unique and will remain so.

Years after we sold the last Macbeth Elements, Ken Macbeth now offers the first three prototypes of his legendary Elements Mk I synthesizer. All three are slightly different, all three are awesome. We already saw these machines during our visit to Edinburgh earlier this year. Now Ken Macbeth made us an offer that we could not refuse: Finding new homes for these special instruments.

From the original description: “The outstanding synth has 3 VCOs, a tape echo simulator, a filter/resonator combination, a spring reverb, and really large modulation potentiometer. Also, the sound is huge but what really stands out (optically) is the golden touch keyboard with quick response.”

The three unique Element synthesizers are all checked and working. All three units have a patina that only adds to the unique character of these instruments. Please note that these devices will not look like a factory new product! Because of their prototype status all three Elements are unparalleled instruments with slight differences in their labeling and configurations. To make sure you get an idea of what to expect, here is a list of each machine’s unique attributes:

Macbeth Elements P001

• slimmer housing
• Spring Reverb Tank external only (no space in housing)
• internal Kenton MIDI interface, works only with selected MIDI devices
• pre-production front panel partly not labeled
• patina/fluorescent stickers/hand-colored knobs
• boards hand etched and hand soldered
• no master volume pot, “Reverb Mix” and “Reverb Level” instead, without tank can act as master vol.
• no filter slope selection
• hand signed backpanel

Front panel labeling:

• VCF Tracking: “Half/Full”
• LFO section: Speed select switch included but unlabeled
• S&H source select. switch included but unlabeled

Get it at SchneidersLaden.

Macbeth Elements P002

• housing like series
• internal Spring Reverb
• internal Kenton MIDI interface
• pre-series front
• regular look
• boards hand etched and hand soldered
• no master volume pot
• filter slope switchable but unlabeled on panel

Front panel labeling:

• VCF tracking: Half/Full
• LFO section: Speed select switch available but unlabeled
• S&H source select. switch available but unlabeled
• handsigned backpanel

Get it at SchneidersLaden.

Macbeth Elements P003

• housing like series
• internal Spring Reverb
• internal Kenton MIDI interface
• series front panel
• regular look
• boards industrially manufactured, but hand soldered
• Master Volume Pot available
• Filter Slope A / B switchable
• hand signed backpanel

Front panel labeling:

• VCF tracking: 1V/oct /2V/oct
• LFO section like series model

Get it at SchneidersLaden.

The Elements come directly from Ken Macbeths workbench and passed our own quality control carried out by our in-house technicians. Expect excellent Macbeth sound with these unique instruments.

We are very much looking forward to find a place in a studio around the world for the Elements!

We maintain good contact with Ken Macbeth and hope to be able to offer you more of his products in the future. We will keep you updated here and on our other channels as things develop.

Currently, please do not email us regarding pre-ordering Macbeth products. We will keep you up to date as things develop.