For sale is one tested and working 1985 all-original Roland TR-707 rhythm composer in very good condition -- WITH original instruction manual, box and power supply from the original owner.
This is NOT a reissue or a clone, but the real-deal TR-707, just like it was when manufactured in May 1985, unaltered, WITHOUT wonky aftermarket mods. It's in very good (almost fine) condition — a conservative 8.0-9.0 on a scale of 10, a 10 being a unit straight out of a factory-sealed shrink-wrapped box. Everything works — no sticky keys, no burned-out or dim LEDs, no bent knobs, even the usually missing battery cover is intact. All the outputs on the back work, as does MIDI and DIN.
Near perfect
The finish is close to perfect, and the silk-screened lettering is spotless, clean and sharp, not worn or even slightly faded. The battery compartment is corrosion free. The contacts are like new, bright and shiny.
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| All receptacles on the back work, including MIDI. |
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Original owner -- ALWAYS carefully stored in box
Further, what separates this unit from others on ebay is that I am the original owner, so I know that it was never dropped from a speeding car, was never barfed on and later cleaned up letting it sit overnight in a pail of paint thinner, never accidentally took a dip in a swimming pool, or was otherwise abused. Do you really want a unit stored in a 200-degree attic for 30 years?
There are a few minor scratches here and there. And two strips of velcro on the back. These can probably be removed, but I'll leave that up to the new owner. They interfere with nothing and were originally used to attach the TR-707 near the studio board. The original Roland box, well, looks like a 40-year-old box, but is still holding together; has some scratches on top (see photos).
Manual and original power supply included
Also included (see top photos) are the original 46-plus page instruction book (top) and the original Roland power supply (photo at top).
This TR-707 was bought in Summer 1985 at the famous Westwood Music in Westwood, California. After firing it up, a month ago, for the first time in over 15 years, I meticulously tested every function, even "dumping" an old rhythm track from a cassette tape into the TR-707's memory. Everything works as good as the day I bought it for $325 (not pocket change 38 years ago).
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| Two strips of velcro on the back, originally used for securing it near the studio board. |
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Yes, yes -- it has DIN sync!
The TR-707 has fifteen digitally sampled sounds. The instrument is capable of 10-voice polyphony. The alternate bass drum, snare, and hi-hat sounds cannot be triggered simultaneously. The instruments are labeled as Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Low Tom, Mid Tom, Hi Tom, Rimshot, Cowbell, Hand Clap, Tambourine, Hi-Hat (Closed or Open), Cymbal (Crash or Ride), as well as an additional function labeled accent, which serves to rhythmically modify the volume of the other instruments.
The TR-707 is particularly sought after by users of Roland gear from the same era because it can synchronize with other hardware via both MIDI and DIN sync. There is also an output that allows the rimshot to trigger hardware that accepts a voltage pulse. There are individual volume sliders and output jacks for each instrument group.
The instruments on the TR-707 are samples of recordings of actual acoustic instruments and are not synthesized individually like the instruments on the TR-808.
 Dump pattern-track contents
for safekeeping
The TR-707 provides four levels of shuffle that operate globally on the rhythm, as well as flam that can be applied to any step. The device offers 64 programmable patterns, which are editable via step-write or tap-write, that can be sequenced together into any of four different tracks. Patterns and tracks can be stored on the device (providing that two AA batteries are inserted) or onto an optional memory cartridge with twice the capacity.
The 707 was originally designed to dump its contents to a cassette tape or cartridge (neither included) for safekeeping or to free up memory on the 707 itself. Since this dump is just a sound file of drum triggers, it probably can be dumped to your hard drive or thumb drive for later retrieval. Unlike the Roland MC-202 Microcomposer, you don't have to save to tape every time the unit is shut off — a royal pain. The TR-707 has nonvolatile memory, which stores your songs as long as the batteries are good.
No wonky mods; unit has a known history
If you're into vintage synths and drum machines, then this TR-707 is for you. No collection of retro gear is complete without one, and this one is in nice condition WITHOUT WONKY MODS -- with a known use history, not some unit found in a storage unit, subjected to who-knows-what abuse over the years. This unit was always boxed when not in use and stored inside, not in some wet basement or hot attic.
Payment methods and domestic shipping
Paypal only. Domestic shipping is free via fast priority mail. NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING. I pride myself on bulletproof packaging and ship in sturdy cardboard boxes. We have NEVER had ANY shipping damage on ANY shipped item in the 20 years we have been selling on ebay. Our attention to detail in packing will amaze you. We pack incredibly carefully.
The fine print:
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the item or terms of sale. I post feedback once a week. Not responsible for typographikull errors. Ask your questions now, not after you bought it. Please don't buy this if you have no intention of keeping it. I'm a tiny business; returns and relistings cost me money and time.
Drum machine is guaranteed against DOA (buyer pays return shipping, no exceptions). Not to be construed as extended warranty; responsibility of buyer to contact me immediately about any problem and return unit if nonworking. Cardboard box may be collapsed for shipping. Product switchers beware! Don't even think about it. I know several distinct features (external and internal) that positively ID this unit as mine.
Some general info in the ad is from wikipedia and other online sources.
Good luck and thanks for looking!
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| Items included in this sale: 1985 all-original Roland TR-707 , original instruction manual, original power supply, original box. |
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| Right top front, close up. |
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| Top bottom left, close up. |
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| Top left, close up, with LCD. |
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