A monophonic analog guitar synthesizer designed for live performance and recording with any unmodified electric guitar.
Overview
The Korg X-911 is a monophonic analog guitar synthesizer. It was specifically designed for live performance and studio use, allowing guitarists to generate synth sounds without modifying their instruments. Marketed as a low-cost standalone solution, the X911 converts guitar pitch to voltage in real time, making it an early desktop unit aimed at expanding guitar expression through analog synthesis.
Specifications
| Polyphony | Monophonic |
| Dimensions | Not confirmed |
| Weight | Not confirmed |
Design
The Korg X911 is a vintage analog guitar synthesizer built around real-time pitch-to-voltage conversion and housed in a compact desktop form. It contains no VCO according to available schematics and was constructed as a low-cost unit. It works with any unmodified electric guitar, requiring no special pickup or retrofitting.
Context
Positioned as an affordable standalone guitar synthesizer, the Korg X911 was a practical alternative to more complex systems. It was intended for both live performance and recording, offering guitarists immediate access to analog synthesis without additional hardware.
Market
Recent listings show the X911 priced around $2,100, reflecting its status as a rare and collectible unit in mint or museum-grade condition. Despite being described as finicky and unreliable by some users, it remains a remarkable and underestimated instrument, with potential use even as a monophonic MIDI input device.
eBay Listings
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