Crumar Stringman (1974)

At 42 pounds, it’s a backbreaker to haul—but that weight is the first clue you’re dealing with serious, voice-by-voice analog architecture.

Overview

The Crumar Stringman landed in 1974 as one of the earliest dedicated string synthesizers, arriving alongside the Eminent Solina String Ensemble to give keyboardists a practical alternative to hiring an orchestra. At a time when lush string textures were otherwise out of reach for touring bands and studio musicians on a budget, the Stringman offered a self-contained solution with genuine analog depth. It wasn’t a true polyphonic synthesizer in the modern sense, but a “string machine”—a specialized instrument built to emulate the swell and chorus of a string section using divide-down oscillator technology. What sets it apart from later, more integrated designs is its reliance on discrete oscillators for each note, a labor-intensive and component-heavy approach that contributed to its heft and complexity.

Owners report a rich, organic character in its sound, particularly in the 4-foot violin register, with layers that can stack 16, 8, and 4-foot tones for a full orchestral palette. The inclusion of pitch control allows for subtle tuning adjustments or expressive bends, though not full-scale modulation. The 61-note keyboard gives it a standard five-octave range, making it practical for live use despite its bulk. The internal architecture is a maze of discrete parts—resistors, capacitors, and transistors—packed densely across multiple boards. The SAJ110 divider chips, which generate the lower octaves from the master oscillators, are socketed, a small mercy for servicing. These chips are reportedly finicky; collectors note they can work in one unit but fail in another, even when swapped. Replacement with SAJ210 equivalents is a known workaround, and a small ecosystem of specialists now supports repairs.

Specifications

Historical Context

The Crumar Stringman emerged in 1974 as part of a wave of string synthesizers designed to bring orchestral textures to pop and rock musicians without the cost of live strings. Alongside the Eminent Solina String Ensemble, it was among the first commercially available instruments in this category. It competed in a crowded field that included the Eko Stradivarius, Hohner Stringvox, Logan String Melody, and Roland RS101—each offering variations on the same divide-down, BBD-chorused formula. The Stringman’s use of discrete oscillators per note placed it on the more robust end of the engineering spectrum, though its complexity made it less reliable than more integrated designs that followed.

Collectibility & Value

Today, the Crumar Stringman is a sought-after piece among string machine collectors, with serviced units reportedly listing for as much as A$3,288.66. Its value hinges heavily on condition—units described as “serviced & fully working” with all sliders, switches, and jacks operational command a premium. The most common failure point appears to be the SAJ110 divider chips, which are known to be temperamental and may require replacement with SAJ210 equivalents. Tuning instability after transport is a frequently mentioned issue, demanding recalibration before performances. Replacement parts are available through niche suppliers: Lorenzo at Vintage Synth Parts offers knobs at 6 euros each with quantity discounts, while Sound Doctorin’ stocks SAJ210 dividers and used sliders. Service manuals, including schematic diagrams (Version with MK50240P), are accessible through archival sites, and aftermarket MIDI retrofit kits—such as the Vitalka Custom MIDI kit—are available for modern integration.

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