You can own the “holy grail of Aphex Twin memorabilia” for a mere $15,200 ….or maybe more.
By Bubba Krishnamurti
Now is your chance to bid on a vintage Yamaha CS-5 synth that was previously owned and operated by Aphex Twin.
The classic Yamaha, analog mono-synth is for sale and listed on eBay. yet this is not just a classic piece of hardware owned by Richard D. James himself. This purchase includes the liner notes of Selected Ambient Works Volume II hand-etched by RDJ himself. No joke. The eBay listing’s description includes an accompanying statement from Aphex logo designer Paul Nicholson. Nicholson explains in the listing that the etchings were memorialized via photograph and later used as the sleeve of Selected Ambient Works Volume II.
The listing explains: “This synth was purchased by me in 2006 from a Vemia auction in the UK. Other than loaning it to Ghostly/Suction Records recording artist Solvent to record his RDJCS5ep 12-inch in 2011, the synth has been carefully stored at my house.”
“The synth has never been serviced, repaired, or modified by me, and is in the same condition as when I received it. It runs on 230V UK power, with a UK plug. You can see some additional etchings and markings in the photos – these were all in place (and likely done by Aphex Twin himself) when I received it. It’s in perfect working order as far as I know, but I offer no guarantee of its functional condition; anyone who’s buying this will surely be buying it for its provenance.”
The current bid stands at the nice price of just $15,200. The reserve price has yet to be met. You can find the auction here.

Show Comments